I cant make my mind up, i want to get a remap on my standard 02 sti. I will have the fuel pump, panel filter and exhaust. However i was thinking of keeping the standard down pipe and only replacing the cat on the centre section.
Whats everones opinions on this?What power could i expect
cheers

 

The standard cat pipe is a restriction, and will hold back on power over a sportscat/decat.

 

is it easy to change the downpipe come mot time

 

The downpipe cat is the one you WANT to change to a sports cat. Also remove the next cat further down, cos you don't need it after fitting the sports downpipe cat.
The prodrive downpipe cat is rather good and some have sold on here 2nd hand.

 

Downpipes are not an easy item to change as access is restricted, but then they are not that hard either. Biggest issue is that the downpipe is bolted into the turbo so working on it is hard if the turbo is hot.

Bolts from exhaust into turbo can sometimes seize. Given access issues this means removal of the turbo, drilling out the old bolts and then retapping the turbo housing. This happens on old units that have not had any copper grease on.....so use some

Took the garage 4 hours to get my old downpipe off my classic I was there helping the guy, and he did not waste a single minute...

 

brill cheers for the help.