Products Reviewed
MadDad Metal Bellmouth Downpipe
MadDad Whisper 3" Forester XT Cat-back
Background
The engine and exhaust in my ’07 Forester XT has remained stock since I purchased it new, other than the addition of an STi axle-back a few months after I took delivery of the car. I very much liked the STi axle-back on the otherwise stock exhaust – it added some tone and boxer rumble but was still very quiet.
A few months ago I began exploring the idea of upgrading the turbo and intercooler for a bit more performance. Initially I planned on sticking with the “stock” cat-back exhaust, just adding an aftermarket down-pipe to make the most of the new turbo and tune. I definitely had no interest in making the car loud as I commute 400 miles a week with it, so at first I had no intention of changing out the entire exhaust. But there’s something about a nice aftermarket exhaust that most of us find irresistible!
As I looked more closely at the corrosion taking place on the stock exhaust from our salty New England winter roads, I began researching aftermarket exhausts to see if I could find something that would meet my needs:
1. All stainless steel construction for maximum corrosion resistance
2. A system that would allow maximum flow and performance for my new VF48 turbo
3. An exhaust that would not be unbearably loud
4. A system that utilizes a flex joint at the front of the mid-pipe
5. A muffler/axle-back that did not scream “aftermarket!”
I met with Rich from MadDad at the 2009 Wicked Big Meet in Massachusetts. He had some product on display and took the time to explain his offerings. He had a 2009 STi at the show with his latest Whisper exhaust system and I was impressed with the deep tone and restrained volume it produced. He indicated that he had a 3-inch Whisper system available for my ’07 FXT so I told him I would take it.
My exhaust arrived shortly thereafter and upon examination of the system, I was impressed with the fit and finish. This system uses a 3 inch flat flange to connect to the down-pipe with a heavy-duty flex joint built into the front of the mid-pipe. I preferred this over the leak-prone factory donut flex joint.
Rich has recommended his bellmouth catted down-pipe to be used in conjunction with the exhaust, but as is often the case with his limited-production exhaust parts, he wouldn’t have one available for almost 2 months. Since I was in no hurry – and was still collecting parts for my turbo upgrade – I decided to wait. As luck would have it, a down-pipe became available shortly thereafter due to a cancelled order and I snapped it up.
The construction of the Metal Bellmouth Down-pipe is every bit as impressive as the Whisper cat-back. The bellmouth and turbo flange are very substantial, more so than a competitor’s model I had used on my ’06 WRX. The welds are top-notch and the down-pipe is polished. Like the stock down-pipe (and unlike some competitor’s products), the MadDad down-pipe includes both the top and bottom transmission brackets. Another very cool feature is the OEM-style heat shield that covers the high flow metal substrate catalytic converter. This gives the pipe an "OEM look."
To further improve the stealthy looks of the MadDad axle-back, I painted the muffler section flat black. I dulled the shiny surface with a ScotchBrite pad, washed it down with brake cleaner and then applied 3 light coats of RustOleum Barbeque black.
Installation was straight forward and I did not encounter any difficulty whatsoever. In fact, the entire MadDad system fit my ’07 FXT like a glove:
1. Both down-pipe brackets lined up perfectly with the 4EAT transmission mounting holes
2. The bellmouth flange bolted up to the new VF48 turbo square and leak-free
3. The mid-pipe hugs the underside of the car with no interference issues
4. The axle-back mounted nicely into the stock hangers and is perfectly positioned under the rear bumper.
Below are a few photos that show the MadDad Whisper installed –
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So how does it sound?
It was the end of a long day. It was hot, humid and my 55 year old butt was dragging on the garage floor. The new turbo, TMIC and exhaust was in. But even in my state of exhaustion, I was eager to fire up the car and hear the exhaust. After cranking the engine with the fuel pump/ignition fuse pulled to prime the new turbo, I reinserted the fuse and hit the starter. The engine sprung to life and the new exhaust was singing its tune. Even in my garage, at idle the Whisper did not seem much louder than my “stock” exhaust. No leaks (oil, coolant or exhaust) and the engine sounded fine with the new parts fitted. It was a great ending to a long but rewarding day of swinging wrenches.
Since the tune that immediately followed the install, I have been driving the car for a few weeks. Here is a link to a QuickTime video clip of my car on the dyno -
Link to QuickTime Movie
Here are my subjective observations on the new exhaust –
1. The tone of the exhaust is amazing! Deep but smooth, present but not overbearing.
2. Cruising around town or on the highway, the system is louder than the old exhaust, but just barely. However, it sounds much nicer!
3. Stepping on the gas brings up the sound levels considerably. While it’s only slightly louder than the former exhaust while cruising, it’s substantially louder under throttle.
4. Where the old exhaust would become “raspy” under throttle, the tone of the Whisper remains awesome. If the old exhaust was as loud under throttle, it would have been objectionable. But anyone who loves the sound of the Subaru boxer will love the sound of the Whisper at WOT!
Conclusion
High quality construction, superb fitment, fantastic sound and “OEM look” of the muffler and polished tip have made this one of my best purchases ever for my FXT. If you value these qualities as well, you cannot go wrong with the MadDad Whisper!
MadDad Metal Bellmouth Downpipe
MadDad Whisper 3" Forester XT Cat-back
Background
The engine and exhaust in my ’07 Forester XT has remained stock since I purchased it new, other than the addition of an STi axle-back a few months after I took delivery of the car. I very much liked the STi axle-back on the otherwise stock exhaust – it added some tone and boxer rumble but was still very quiet.
A few months ago I began exploring the idea of upgrading the turbo and intercooler for a bit more performance. Initially I planned on sticking with the “stock” cat-back exhaust, just adding an aftermarket down-pipe to make the most of the new turbo and tune. I definitely had no interest in making the car loud as I commute 400 miles a week with it, so at first I had no intention of changing out the entire exhaust. But there’s something about a nice aftermarket exhaust that most of us find irresistible!
As I looked more closely at the corrosion taking place on the stock exhaust from our salty New England winter roads, I began researching aftermarket exhausts to see if I could find something that would meet my needs:
1. All stainless steel construction for maximum corrosion resistance
2. A system that would allow maximum flow and performance for my new VF48 turbo
3. An exhaust that would not be unbearably loud
4. A system that utilizes a flex joint at the front of the mid-pipe
5. A muffler/axle-back that did not scream “aftermarket!”
I met with Rich from MadDad at the 2009 Wicked Big Meet in Massachusetts. He had some product on display and took the time to explain his offerings. He had a 2009 STi at the show with his latest Whisper exhaust system and I was impressed with the deep tone and restrained volume it produced. He indicated that he had a 3-inch Whisper system available for my ’07 FXT so I told him I would take it.
My exhaust arrived shortly thereafter and upon examination of the system, I was impressed with the fit and finish. This system uses a 3 inch flat flange to connect to the down-pipe with a heavy-duty flex joint built into the front of the mid-pipe. I preferred this over the leak-prone factory donut flex joint.
Rich has recommended his bellmouth catted down-pipe to be used in conjunction with the exhaust, but as is often the case with his limited-production exhaust parts, he wouldn’t have one available for almost 2 months. Since I was in no hurry – and was still collecting parts for my turbo upgrade – I decided to wait. As luck would have it, a down-pipe became available shortly thereafter due to a cancelled order and I snapped it up.
The construction of the Metal Bellmouth Down-pipe is every bit as impressive as the Whisper cat-back. The bellmouth and turbo flange are very substantial, more so than a competitor’s model I had used on my ’06 WRX. The welds are top-notch and the down-pipe is polished. Like the stock down-pipe (and unlike some competitor’s products), the MadDad down-pipe includes both the top and bottom transmission brackets. Another very cool feature is the OEM-style heat shield that covers the high flow metal substrate catalytic converter. This gives the pipe an "OEM look."
To further improve the stealthy looks of the MadDad axle-back, I painted the muffler section flat black. I dulled the shiny surface with a ScotchBrite pad, washed it down with brake cleaner and then applied 3 light coats of RustOleum Barbeque black.
Installation was straight forward and I did not encounter any difficulty whatsoever. In fact, the entire MadDad system fit my ’07 FXT like a glove:
1. Both down-pipe brackets lined up perfectly with the 4EAT transmission mounting holes
2. The bellmouth flange bolted up to the new VF48 turbo square and leak-free
3. The mid-pipe hugs the underside of the car with no interference issues
4. The axle-back mounted nicely into the stock hangers and is perfectly positioned under the rear bumper.
Below are a few photos that show the MadDad Whisper installed –
So how does it sound?
It was the end of a long day. It was hot, humid and my 55 year old butt was dragging on the garage floor. The new turbo, TMIC and exhaust was in. But even in my state of exhaustion, I was eager to fire up the car and hear the exhaust. After cranking the engine with the fuel pump/ignition fuse pulled to prime the new turbo, I reinserted the fuse and hit the starter. The engine sprung to life and the new exhaust was singing its tune. Even in my garage, at idle the Whisper did not seem much louder than my “stock” exhaust. No leaks (oil, coolant or exhaust) and the engine sounded fine with the new parts fitted. It was a great ending to a long but rewarding day of swinging wrenches.
Since the tune that immediately followed the install, I have been driving the car for a few weeks. Here is a link to a QuickTime video clip of my car on the dyno -
Link to QuickTime Movie
Here are my subjective observations on the new exhaust –
1. The tone of the exhaust is amazing! Deep but smooth, present but not overbearing.
2. Cruising around town or on the highway, the system is louder than the old exhaust, but just barely. However, it sounds much nicer!
3. Stepping on the gas brings up the sound levels considerably. While it’s only slightly louder than the former exhaust while cruising, it’s substantially louder under throttle.
4. Where the old exhaust would become “raspy” under throttle, the tone of the Whisper remains awesome. If the old exhaust was as loud under throttle, it would have been objectionable. But anyone who loves the sound of the Subaru boxer will love the sound of the Whisper at WOT!
Conclusion
High quality construction, superb fitment, fantastic sound and “OEM look” of the muffler and polished tip have made this one of my best purchases ever for my FXT. If you value these qualities as well, you cannot go wrong with the MadDad Whisper!
