2012 LGT BM9: Invidia Q300 Installed + Notes (cat-back, for now)

**nuclrxn** · #1: 09-10-2012, 09:05 AM

2012 Legacy GT (BM9)
Invidia Q300 cat-back
RallySportDirect.com using an 8% Labor Day promo code w/ Free Shipping
Invidia Q300 Quality: 5 / 5

INSTALLATION:

Difficulty (2-person): 1 / 5
Difficulty (1-person): 2 / 5
Tools: ramp set, 12mm & 14mm sockets and wrenches
Notes: Invidia provides all gaskets, bolts & nuts, and pipes to do the installation. No directions included.

Hey guys, my buddy and I just installed the Invidia Q300--cat-back section only since Cobb Stage 2 maps aren't out yet--on my GT. The build quality is top-notch. The exhaust tips are huge and fill the exhaust cut-outs on the rear bumper as if they were meant-to-be. The tips don't jut out obnoxiously. The sound is nice and deep; burble, eh, not so much, although there is a hint of it. Drone isn't as bad I as I imagined. At 65MPH+ (6th gear), it barely exists; at less than 2000RPM in any gear, yes, you'll hear it.

The only cause of concern is where the stock down-pipe (DP) and the new resonator pipe meet. The stock DP has a sort of inner, recessed collar that inserts into the stock resonator pipe. That collar doesn't fit into the new DP, so the new gasket will not work effectively; I left it off. My buddy and I just tightened the bolts connecting the stock DP and the new resonator pipe to reduce the chances of an exhaust leak. Maybe there's an adapter that fixes this? Hopefully it'll be moot once Cobb releases Stage 2 for the 2012 LGT and I install the new catted DP.

Note: The spring-bolts that were removed are not reused as a new flex-joint is designed into the new resonator pipe.

The rest of the installation went relatively smooth and the pipes aligned almost perfectly with the exhaust cut-outs on the rear bumper. The right-side muffler does sag about 4-5mm lower than the left one.

Prior to breaking in the exhaust, the left muffler was exhibiting a loud sputter at a higher frequency that the right one. I figured it was a noise that would disappear once the exhaust broke it, and it did after driving about 10 miles.

I'll be sure to post a follow-up video demonstrating the new exhaust tone.

**aerophool** · #2: 09-10-2012, 10:04 AM

I had the Invidia Turbo back exhaust installed a couple weeks ago for $75.00, worth it to have a shop who routinely installs exhausts. Figured they could hang it better than I can. Anyway, they mentioned that it was one of the best bolt-up kits they had ever installed.

Aside: it is a very loud though around 2k as noted by other people who have it installed.

**eckseleven** · #3: 09-10-2012, 10:09 AM

FYI, it's unlikely Cobb will ever release stage 2 maps for the '12 GT unless it is for their own down pipe (which they may never make either). After the '10s and '11s, I think they have too many concerns with making a stage 2 map that matches well with the various down pipes made by other companies.

**Rutchard** · #4: 09-10-2012, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerophool

I had the Invidia Turbo back exhaust installed a couple weeks ago for $75.00, worth it to have a shop who routinely installs exhausts. Figured they could hang it better than I can. Anyway, they mentioned that it was one of the best bolt-up kits they had ever installed.

Aside: it is a very loud though around 2k as noted by other people who have it installed.

$75 to install the whole turboback??? Deal of the century right there! Even on a lift, the DP is a pain in the ass

**nuclrxn** · #5: 09-10-2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eckseleven

FYI, it's unlikely Cobb will ever release stage 2 maps for the '12 GT unless it is for their own down pipe (which they may never make either). After the '10s and '11s, I think they have too many concerns with making a stage 2 map that matches well with the various down pipes made by other companies.

Yeah, that was a concern of mine, but I did talk to a Cobb tech who said that it's in the works. If they take too much longer, though, I may just take it to Agile Performance to get a custom tune; my buddy's brother owns the place.

**Blizzard** · #6: 09-10-2012, 11:50 AM

Pro tip: If you plan on getting an Invidia DP to match, do it before anything starts rusting. Also Cobb's stage II maps may never come out but you can always get pro-tuned I believe which is a better option anyway.

**nuclrxn** · #7: 09-10-2012, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blizzard

Pro tip: If you plan on getting an Invidia DP to match, do it before anything starts rusting. Also Cobb's stage II maps may never come out but you can always get pro-tuned I believe which is a better option anyway.

Yeah, calling around the DMV: Agile, Mach V, PTuning to see what the best price is. So far, Mach V quoted me $500 (50% down) and it would have to be with them the whole day.

**acumenhokie** · #8: 09-10-2012, 02:01 PM

If you're going to pro-tune go ahead and add the RacerX TMIC while you're at it.

**ziptiecloud** · #9: 09-10-2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuclrxn

Yeah, calling around the DMV: Agile, Mach V, PTuning to see what the best price is. So far, Mach V quoted me $500 (50% down) and it would have to be with them the whole day.

Have you purchased the AP yet? You may be able to save a ton of money on the custom tune if you buy it from the same shop

**pfoyle** · #**10:** 09-10-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerophool

Aside: it is a very loud though around 2k as noted by other people who have it installed.

Solution: Get a protune, great gains, no problems keeping it above 2k RPMs!

**Syndicate** · #**11:** 09-10-2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nuclrxn

Yeah, calling around the DMV: Agile, Mach V, PTuning to see what the best price is. So far, Mach V quoted me $500 (50% down) and it would have to be with them the whole day.

...I've only had Mach V do maintenance work, but it seems like a cool shop thus far. I'd also suggest checking w/IAG as well. Oh yeah, nice to see another BM9 GT in DMV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blizzard

Pro tip: If you plan on getting an Invidia DP to match, do it before anything starts rusting. Also Cobb's stage II maps may never come out but you can always get pro-tuned I believe which is a better option anyway.

...a sort of silly question I've been wondering about. Are pro-tuned maps based off of the Cobb maps? So would a Cobb stage 2 map be required for a proper downpipe compatible tune?

...oh yeah, it seems like Cobb is telling everyone different things regarding the '12 stage 2 maps, when I inquired about them they said they got a car in to do development on.

**eckseleven** · #**12:** 09-10-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syndicate

...a sort of silly question I've been wondering about. Are pro-tuned maps based off of the Cobb maps? So would a Cobb stage 2 map be required for a proper downpipe compatible tune?

Pro-tuned maps are custom made and independent of Cobb's maps.

**islandborn** · #**13:** 09-10-2012, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acumenhokie

If you're going to pro-tune go ahead and add the RacerX TMIC while you're at it.

Boom. Ditto. Thats what I'm running.... custom tune on the AP with the TMIC by RacerX tied to the Invidia. Now you got..... racecar.

**DOHCstunr** · #**14:** 09-10-2012, 09:04 PM

Nice input. Pics would have made this thread significantly more relevant.

**blklgt05** · #**15:** 09-11-2012, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DOHCstunr

Nice input. Pics would have made this thread significantly more relevant.

Do you even drive a 5gen GT? If not then this thread is definitely not relevant to you because we have completely different setups. There are only two 3" TBE options for us and we've all seen enough pictures of them.