exhaust help!!!, HELP PLEASE Options

[dschack]

alright, basically made up my mind to get an exhaust, i thought about going with the greddy that is made for the car but i dont really feel like spending 500 bucks on my exhaust.

SO, i need help on what to do, i want to get a good exhaust thats under 100 bucks, that is going to sound good, i know some of you other 6gen celi owners have em, ive also read on here about resonators, do i need to get one, is it going to sound like a turd hooked up to a coffee can if i dont or whats the deal with that?

looked at a tuner exhaust at Advance Auto, i think it was like 70 bucks, thinking about doing that, and maybe getting rid of the cat, let me know what you guys have done

appreciate it -dschack

[GotToyota]

It will be impossible to do an exhaust correctly for under $100. If you can up your budget, you can make a nice custom one for right around $200.

Buy a muffler on Ebay (I recommend the OBX B10), then go to an exhaust shop, and have them make you a 2.5" catback exhaust with a resonator, which if you can find the right shop, will cost you right around $130-$150 dollars.

-Matt

[aflacattack]

well for a 100$ u might be able to...
-get a ok/decent muffler
-de cat
-cheap headers
IF YOUR LUCKY!

but like matt said, 200$ bucks makes things kinda easier...
are you looking for better performance or just to make it sound better?

This post has been edited by aflacattack: Aug 4, 2008 - 7:10 AM

[dschack]

well im not real concerned with performance right now, so i wasnt going to replace the piping from the cat back, and what i meant is i only want to spend is 100 dollars or under on the MUFFLER, but i do want it to sound better, and ive been hearing about this resonator, i was just gonna take the old exhaust off, and weld the new exhaust on

[D-Man]

Remember, when you decat, then you'll be unable to pass inspection. you may want to budget the $200 for high-flow cats. It'll be about the same price to have it welded into the custom piping, plus it'll add some bragging rights Most people i know prefer Mangnaflow brand.

G/L

[DEATH]

OK check it out: Your new and you haven't yet been addicted by the performance modding of this site - but it will get you sson enough. So with that in mind you might as well save yourself the double labor and do what GotToyota said - have a full catback made from a reputable ebay brand. I myself have installed many Megan Racing exhausts from ebay that cost no more than $100 shipped and the quality is as good as any of the major name brands [The one GotToyota recommended is good as well]. The sound is also excellent with or without a resonator - just kind of depends on which motor you have [Your profile says nothing about it. 7A your gonna want a resonator for sure but if you have a 5S you can easily get away without one and it'll sound good]. Pretty much for both engines with minor power goals in mind you can't go wrong with 2.25" to 2.5" piping - You're gonna want your muffler's inlet to be the same or very slightly larger. Forget the Decat for now - you can always do that later and it won't cost you any more in labor than if you had done it now [I usually do my own decat or highflow cat conversion - it's very easy] most shops won't do it for you anyway cause it's illegal for them and you to do that [At least it is here in Tx]. The piping and labor should cost no more than $100, maybe $150 if you go to an unfriendly shop.
Basically you are looking at $200-$250 out the door.

On the flip side you could have that same muffler just welded on in place of the stock muffler and keep all the stock piping, cats and resonator - that'll give you the sound and look you wanted and the labor is cheap as hell normally. I've found places that will do that job for $25 usually under the table - I have no idea what you are supposed to pay - probably an hours labor altho it'll take them no more than 15mins if they know what they are doing.
If you feel like driving it up to Houston I have a guy who does amazing work under the table for really cheap.

This post has been edited by DEATH: Aug 4, 2008 - 9:48 AM

[bseaman_5]

I just got my exhaust done couple weeks ago, cost me 110 to get the custom exhaust on, took out the cat, so its from the flex pipe back. I bought a borla muffler and am thrilled with what it sounds like and the performance gains. Muffler was about 170 but you can muffler's for way cheaper, a buddy of mine has an eclipse and he spent something like 120 on an ebay muffler that was carbon fiber looking I believe with a burnt tip and it sounds heavenly, way loud but sounds good

[dschack]

ok so heres the lowdown, i checked and under my hood there is a label that says 5f-se, I assume thats the motor style you were talking about, SO, the real question i have is can i have everything stock from the cat (keeping the cat) removed and then put on the tuner muffler and have it sound good? and i live in san antonio, i know a good guy that did my truck exhaust that will do it pretty cheap, and hes an excellent welder

i also wondered if this car had a resonator stock? and if it does would it sound better to remove it or leave it on with the tuner muffler

i also thing im gonna go with what DEATH said and forget the de-cat, i like passing inspection haha

[FreddyTheOthaMea...]

my take on modifying ones car: its like taking a girl out on a date, if you go cheap you cant expect much out of it

"go big or go home"

[DEATH]

5S-FE but yeah you have the better performer of the two motors - good. Pretty much any option given above will work fine for you. Honestly, if you're just worried about the sound just have him chop you're stock muffler off and weld on a tuner one - cost you very little and accomplish your goals. You'll keep the stock resonator that way and it'll sound really good. Now then, if you think you might ever actually try to gain some more performance your gonna want to go with 2.5" piping and either ditch the resonator or get a new larger diameter one.
That's really all there is to it. Hope this helps.

Edit: Here are some good/cheap examples that will sound good on your car:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MEGAN-UNIVE...sspagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Universal-G...sspagenameZWDVW
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Megan-GT-2-...sspagenameZWDVW

This post has been edited by DEATH: Aug 4, 2008 - 2:20 PM

[dschack]

ok so next question is will it help to change the muffler, ditch the resonator but keep the stock tubing size?, ill eventually go the 2.25 tubing but im saving that for a later date, right now i just dont have the cash to do that now, and wont for a good while, but i do have the cash for a muffler and the guy that does my exhausts will take anything off and replace it with pipe as long as its not a cat for free

p.s. i understand that you get what you pay for, and im just not looking to do the whole exhaust right now, right now i just want to go for sound, a little throttle response would be nice but im not expecting, i just want to know the best ideas for this. thanx guys.

This post has been edited by dschack: Aug 4, 2008 - 3:04 PM

[DEATH]

You just wanna swap the muffler then man. Pick any of the ones we've all posted and change that - leave the resonator and stock piping alone until you get the cash for a full exhaust.
Stop worrying over it - you'll like what you get out of it.

[dschack]

ok cool well i guess ill probably go with that megan racing muffler, that seems to get pretty good reviews on here

thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated

[Galcobar]

Do NOT ditch the resonator.

Those echo chambers are the difference between a smooth exhaust note and the buzzy tone that leads to people pointing and laughing at the idiot who thought he was improving his exhaust.

Moreover, their effect on actual exhaust flow is so negligible, you should only worry about it if you also make sure to empty your bladder before driving. For that matter, the same applies to your cat. A good-condition converter will make no measurable difference on your exhaust flow (referring to pretty much anyone who isn't pouring ten grand or more into modifying the engine). Your stock cat, however, is likely somewhat plugged and is of an older, less efficient design than those available now. Consider however whether you will get more enjoyment out of the 1/100 of an HP you might gain with removing your cat or out of being able to breathe fresh air.

Replacing the stock muffler will allow your exhaust to flow better. My recommendation would be a good-quality straight-through muffler, meaning one built with stainless steel using a perforated centre pipe wrapped in ceramic insulation and stainless steel wool. The best source for such a piece that I've found are Magnaflow distributors hottexhaust.com. That site offers E-bay-like prices but is an authorised distributor with full Magnaflow support. If you consider another brand, take the time to verify the construction materials.

[GotToyota]

Do NOT ditch the resonator.

Those echo chambers are the difference between a smooth exhaust note and the buzzy tone that leads to people pointing and laughing at the idiot who thought he was improving his exhaust.

Moreover, their effect on actual exhaust flow is so negligible, you should only worry about it if you also make sure to empty your bladder before driving. For that matter, the same applies to your cat. A good-condition converter will make no measurable difference on your exhaust flow (referring to pretty much anyone who isn't pouring ten grand or more into modifying the engine). Your stock cat, however, is likely somewhat plugged and is of an older, less efficient design than those available now. Consider however whether you will get more enjoyment out of the 1/100 of an HP you might gain with removing your cat or out of being able to breathe fresh air.

Replacing the stock muffler will allow your exhaust to flow better. My recommendation would be a good-quality straight-through muffler, meaning one built with stainless steel using a perforated centre pipe wrapped in ceramic insulation and stainless steel wool. The best source for such a piece that I've found are Magnaflow distributors hottexhaust.com. That site offers E-bay-like prices but is an authorised distributor with full Magnaflow support. If you consider another brand, take the time to verify the construction materials.

This man speaks the truth. I always recommend getting a resonator, but he put it into better words then me.

[jebs]

just wondering, what kind of resonator would you guys suggest? like where would be a good place to buy one from? im going with a megan n1 muffler and a high flow cat with 2.5 in piping, so what would go good with this setup?

[808celica]

check the exhaust clip thread in the multimedia. find a sound you like and ask that person his/her set up

[808celica]

just wondering, what kind of resonator would you guys suggest? like where would be a good place to buy one from? im going with a megan n1 muffler and a high flow cat with 2.5 in piping, so what would go good with this setup?

starting from the last bold in the sentence.....its all up to you, next........too big of a piping i would try 2 1/4" you'll sound too fartcan-ishi because the N1 is already raspy IMO.

hmmmm N1.........what inlet piping and tip size you thinking of getting??? well if you can find a 2.5 inlet and a 3.5" tip that would be great. you always can just shrink the inlet size to accomodate the piping size you running stock route or going under????

well if youre on a budget i would just replace the resonator with a longer one and go resonator back 2 1/4 to the muffler of choice. that's my set up.

[jebs]

k i'll go with the 2 1/2 cause i dont want to sound that much like a weedwhacker lol.

i found one cheap that was a 2.5 inlet and 4" tip so i went with that. i running pretty stock right now, just have a SRI , but im guna put on some headers on with the exhaust so not completely stock.

alright thanks for the help

[DEATH]

OP - if you intend to get an aftermarket SS header later on [Something I was unaware of at the time] I would definetely suggest a resonator because once you get rid of the stock primary cat it's definetely gonna get alot tinnier sounding. But don't worry - with your 2.2 liter you're never gonna sound like a Honda/7th Gen.

This post has been edited by DEATH: Aug 6, 2008 - 5:49 PM