Attention to Detail

Taylor @ Drive Auto Sports recently serviced two nearly identical Tomei Expreme Ti exhaust systems on two Subaru STIs owned by the same customer.

The system installed by Taylor fit perfectly in every area, with no scratches or tool marks on the pipes and no noise when shaken on the hangers. Prior to its first start, the system was completely wiped down to ensure that the metal would be able to heat without marring the anodizing from chemicals or skin oils.

On the other hand, the system installed by the customer had fitment challenges, with the midpipe interfering with the floor pan, the angled pipe section touching the rear crossmember, and the muffler can was misaligned in the bumper outlet. The rotation of the angled pipe and muffler can were off, and the rear diffuser was melted onto the exhaust pipe. The rattling was so intense that the installer had to add rubber shims and baling wire to insulate the exhaust from the components that it touched. With the owner’s permission, the whole system was loosened up and each component was adjusted to fit properly, eliminating ALL of the fitment issues and rattling noises that were present before.

While we support anyone who installs their own components, there can be a difference between installing an exhaust system while crawling around on your back on jackstands versus a professional installation in the shop, on a lift, with all the proper tools, like this exhaust spring hook.