Putting Downpipe Cat Back On, Remap Required?
 

Hi All,

A while back I bought an 2003 Blob WRX wagon with a turbo back 2.5in system, all the cats had been removed and it had a remap of unknown origin.

The problem is this won't pass a MoT due to the lack of cats so I've got an OEM Subaru downpipe to put on it, I'll also be changing the backbox for a Prodrive one (noise) and keeping the centre section which is just a straight 2.5 in pipe with no silencer in it. The question is will this need another remap to suit? I may be able to get a Prodrive ECU, would this be a better option to go with the new exhaust configuration?

I don't really want to spend a load of money on the car at this point as it is just my road car.

I think that as you don't know what current map it has on it AND you are changing the exhaust, it would be wise to have a mapper give it a once over. What other changes does the car have - fuel pump, injectors etc or is it completely stock? Cheapest way I would imagine would be to fit the CAT for the MoT and then remove it again. That would give you 12months to decide what to do/save up - that's assuming that it was remapped when it was decatted.

Alternatively, you can pick up Sports Cats for a couple of hundred, which may be the way to go, as you'd only need a pump, filter and remap for big gains. Comes down to money though.

How urgent is this, as I have a Prodrive ECU that I am considering remapping.

maybe there is someone local to you with an openport cable who could check the map on the car - wouldn't be an impossible task to have them flash a PPP map on to it then you could stick the standard downpipe on and drive away at it. If your planning to keep the car for a while and your not in to chopping and changing parts then a sports cat downpipe will be the best of both worlds for you. Don't forget the standard downpipe will have 2 cats in it - but you should only need 1 to get through your test.

Thanks guys, I have since spoken to Neil at Slow Boy Racing and he has confirmed it'll probably need a once over on the map so will hopefully be booking it in with him to have all the work done :thumb: