wpgspecb Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Ok today I received my FMS 3" Catback exhaust. Ive got a 2008 Spec B, stats; Perrin 3" divorced downpipe FMS Catback Exhaust Cobb OTS Stage 2 93oct Map Video [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XeQxnqcg4g]2008 Subaru Legacy Spec B turbo back exhaust - YouTube[/ame] This Is with a leaky downpipe to midpipe gasket and NO clamp on the mid to y pipe at all. Review to follow. Ok Well I "upgraded" to this exhaust due to the fact that GMS was being a pain in shipping. Fitment. Its ok. Not AWESOME, but not terrible. It is slip on pipes with over clamps. I would have rather had flanges. The 3" midpipe to Y-pipe clamp is too small and will not fit. You must go buy a 3.25" Clamp. Again I would prefer flanges. Some parts of the midpipe contact the heat shield but I dont hear any rattling. THIS IS NOT A FULL 3" CATBACK, it tapers to 2.5" in the Y. Tips. They sit pretty good without fussing. Will sit better with fussing. Sound. Excellent, not raspy, no resonator, would like louder but it s a deep nice tone. No drone (to my ears) at highway speeds. Overall. A bit more expensive than the GMS price, I would have liked to pay the GMS price for this fitment, but overall Im pretty happy. Again its not full 3". Nice quality metal, would have liked to see it come with a dp gasket and maybe new bolts. Pics. http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1576.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1577.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1578.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1579.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1580.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1581.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1582.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1583.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1584.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1585.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1586.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1587.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1588.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1589.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1590.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1591.JPG http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1592.JPG Both Muffler to Y pipe clamps leak even tightened quite a bit. http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1593.JPG Both Muffler to Y pipe clamps leak even tightened quite a bit. http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1594.JPG You can see here im missing the clamp from downpipe to the mid pipe http://jborowiec.powweb.com/specb/FMS_catback/IMG_1595.JPG Buy this, its $17 but is correct size. http://www.jasonborowiec.com/specb/FMS_catback/exhaust_clamp_bill.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
northstar Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Love the license plate! Sounds good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomkat1127 Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Was considering this exhaust due to the low price. Not so sure now but I fully appreciate the review and plenty of pics. Sounds pretty good. How much louder then stock is it? Do you think the leaks could be fixed with new (and better) clamps? For the price it should come with gaskets and hardware needed and maybe flange connections. Then again if it's truly good 304SS and quality construction then the price is not so bad. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpgspecb Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 I would buy this again. It's still 1/2 price to some of the others. Yes, better clamps , or even repositioning of the current clamps would fix the leaks. It didnt come with the midline to downpipe gasket ($10 at my local store) but I'm gong to make custom copper gasket anyway so I don't have to keep remaking these. Bolts from hardware store were $6 with washers and locks. I'm actually suppressed it's not raspy at all. Compared to hogzaust, or the Perrin exhaust I've personally heard, this is much much nicer. This is almost exactly the sound I wanted. I went from almost no volume increase when I installed my dp, to I'd say what amounts to the right amount of volume increase after cbe install. I'll get some db readings. To clarify, I have a 1 cat Perrin dp, 0 cat cars will sound much more raspy, even different dp cars might sound raspy, I'm super happy with the cat Perrin used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpgspecb Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 For all the exhausts out there, I'm happy that I didnt buy a $1000 hks or something, I'd probably be less happy if I got that or anything else. I wish it was 3" to the muffler, but as you see from one of the last pics, the right muffler pipe almost touches the sway bar as is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrw Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 FWIW The split into two 2.5" pipes is not a choking point. There's actually more space with the 2.5" pipes than the single 3" it comes out of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-BGTLimited Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 There is no need for 3" to the muffler with duals, you'll just reduce exhaust velocity even more by doing that. You have more of a choke at the front flange where it tapers down to allow for use of the stock downpipe and donut gasket. I have full 3" all the way back to my Y split and I have the Ebay stuff But then again GMS and FMS are both using overseas exhausts... Also if the stainless is anything like the GMS CBE or at least the one I had, it will develop surface rust. Thats why I cleaned and coated mine when I got it, mine has also made its rounds from what I've heard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpgspecb Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 I know the 3" full won't make a difference , it's just i ordered and paid for a full 3" exhaust. The more i drive the more i love this exhaust coupled with my Perrin dp. It's kinda stinky though, will that burning resin kinda smell fade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-BGTLimited Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Thats a marketing Gimmick... It is essentially a Full 3" exhaust system its just their notation of Full means from catback to Y... If it were a single exit then yeah it would be 3" to the mufflers too. What stink are you talking about? Are you full catless? If it is just a heat stink then yes that will go away eventually when everything foreign on the pipes is cooked off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piening2150 Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I too love my FMS exhaust. I had the same problem with the 3" clamp but I modified it to make it work for now. I will probably get a properly sized one soon. My short review and YouTube link is here: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/fast-motorsports-catback-legacy-gt-stock-166277p2.html Stock DP on mine for now. Has a very nice rumble now but is barely louder than stock. Can't beat it for the price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpgspecb Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 Thats a marketing Gimmick... It is essentially a Full 3" exhaust system its just their notation of Full means from catback to Y... If it were a single exit then yeah it would be 3" to the mufflers too. What stink are you talking about? Are you full catless? If it is just a heat stink then yes that will go away eventually when everything foreign on the pipes is cooked off. I have a perrin 1 cat downpipe, its some kind of burning smell that i associate with some coating on/in the fms exhaust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpgspecb Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 New Pics http://www.jasonborowiec.com/specb/FMS_catback/P1070888.JPG http://www.jasonborowiec.com/specb/FMS_catback/P1070889.JPG http://www.jasonborowiec.com/specb/FMS_catback/P1070890.JPG http://www.jasonborowiec.com/specb/FMS_catback/P1070891.JPG As you can see it almost contacts the rear sway bar http://www.jasonborowiec.com/specb/FMS_catback/P1070892.JPG http://www.jasonborowiec.com/specb/FMS_catback/P1070893.JPG http://www.jasonborowiec.com/specb/FMS_catback/P1070894.JPG http://www.jasonborowiec.com/specb/FMS_catback/P1070895.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobydoobie Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 could the burning smell possibly be your bumper skin melting a bit? Tips look to be either very close or touching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpgspecb Posted July 30, 2011 Author Share Posted July 30, 2011 no, this smell is there even before the tips get hot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomkat1127 Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 There is no need for 3" to the muffler with duals, you'll just reduce exhaust velocity even more by doing that. You have more of a choke at the front flange where it tapers down to allow for use of the stock downpipe and donut gasket. I have full 3" all the way back to my Y split and I have the Ebay stuff But then again GMS and FMS are both using overseas exhausts... Also if the stainless is anything like the GMS CBE or at least the one I had, it will develop surface rust. Thats why I cleaned and coated mine when I got it, mine has also made its rounds from what I've heard. Yeah I've wondered if these discount SS systems were using the overseas junk metal. Not that I am saying FMS is but cost cuts had to happen somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpgspecb Posted July 30, 2011 Author Share Posted July 30, 2011 Here is the required exhaust clamp for the mid to y pipe. It is 3.25" diameter instead of the 3.0" FMS sends. http://www.jasonborowiec.com/specb/FMS_catback/exhaust_clamp_bill.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-BGTLimited Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Yeah I've wondered if these discount SS systems were using the overseas junk metal. Not that I am saying FMS is but cost cuts had to happen somewhere. Maybe you fail to realize that FMS and Gimmick both source these parts from overseas... They are made of less quality SS metal. Hell the set I have was rusted on the center pipe, and the cans were showing surface rust in some areas. I honestly dont care since I coated what matters that I can keep clean, but the cans and the tips I can keep polished wich will keep the rust away. FMS and Gimmick do not produce these items... I tried getting header gaskets from FMS and they couldn't tell me, nor even get me the gasket to go between the header and the up pipe, so I had to source it myself through Vibrant after trying many different sizes since the pipe is larger than stock so the stock gasket will not fit properly. Obviously though, I'm not bashing those products at all... My ENTIRE exhaust system is M2 products... And as far as I can tell the Gimmick system is made by M2 as well... The headers I have match exactly to what M2 sells on e-bay and I also bought an M2 down and Mid pipe for a 08+ WRX and I'm using that now. They have all be coated with exhaust coating so they should last, but also even if they do begin to rust it's simply surface rust and it will never scale and fall apart like regular steel so it doesn't matter anyways. I really don't expect an exhaust to stay polished when I'll be driving it all year long in New England. One thing I will be changing though is all of the flanges on the Gimmick system... I'm junking those and replacing all of it with stainless V-band clamps, at least from my Mid back... I'll keep the mid and downpipe a 2 bolt flange since that isn't close to anything clearance wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDM SpecB Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 Check out the lift http://i54.tinypic.com/2ilmvyd.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMPORTIMAGE Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 gms isnt made by m2 FMS is a unique product, nothing that you can find anywhere else. we are glad that you are enjoying your catbacks! they have been a real hit, High quality at an affordable price...wait til the new tmic's come out...and catted dp's 1-941-257-9618 http://www.importimageracing.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpgspecb Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 the sound this exhaust makes is ******* sex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpgspecb Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 Check out the lift http://i54.tinypic.com/2ilmvyd.jpg stock spec bftw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMPORTIMAGE Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 hehe that is awesome, Im not a psychic but i can see coilovers in your future 1-941-257-9618 http://www.importimageracing.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-BGTLimited Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 FMS is a unique product, nothing that you can find anywhere else. Which product the CBE? Because I can find both the headers and the up pipes on e-bay. I may agree to that statement on the CBE since I have not seen that elsewhere. All the up pipes share the same wrinkle on the first bend which leads me to believe they are made or at least all bent by the same company. I'm not sure who makes the GMK cbe but those share large similarities with the M2 parts I already own, style of cut on the flanges and such, and the fact that flange gaskets are near impossible to find just like the FMS headers I own. FMS couldn't get me a gasket for the header to up pipe... I had to buy two different sized Vibrant ones till I found the right one, stock was too small. As I said before I'm not knocking the products at all, they are great and I run a GMK system and all M2 front pipes and FMS headers are waiting to go on, I just wish there was much less smoke and mirrors going on as far as where these products actually come from. To many middle men in the deal so you have no idea who actually bent your system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMPORTIMAGE Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 correct, all of their fmic's, cbe's for the 08+ wrx/lgt etc are unique and higher quality as they move towards their new supplier/manufacturer. we are sorry if you had an issue with them. if you have any concerns feel free to PM us and we'll talk to them for you. 1-941-257-9618 http://www.importimageracing.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B-BGTLimited Posted August 8, 2011 Share Posted August 8, 2011 Nevermind, your missing my point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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