a couple catback questions

[blackgs8690]

whats the best cat back for a 2g non turbo dsm?
i have a few questions about them.
are ebay catbacks too good to be true?
i want that slant look from it how do i get it ?
is buying namebrand just paying for a name?
approx. how much hp is gained?
and straight-piping(removing the cat) isnt it illegal?
the bigger the better?

sorry if i sound like a total noob, but this is the newbie forum

 

[chico904]

whats the best cat back for a 2g non turbo dsm?
i have a few questions about them
are ebay catbacks too good to be true
.
i want that slant look from it how do i get it

is buying namebrand just paying for a name?

approx. how much hp is gained

and straight-piping(removing the cat) isnt it illegal?


sorry if i sound like a total noob, but this is the newbie forum

1.No, they are not too good to be true, I bet over 70%of members use them
2.Slant look can be obtained by muffler placement and/or tip design.
3.When dealing with exhausts, yes you are mainly paying for just the name, primarily their style muffler.
4.How much HP gained for a catback on your car? Maybe 5-7 hp at most.
5.Yes, removing the cat is illegal, but that does not stop most people.

 

[blackgs8690]

yes i was hoping the ebay ones werent to good to be true hahaha

 

[blackgs8690]

whats the best cat back for a 2g non turbo dsm?
i have a few questions about them.
are ebay catbacks too good to be true?
i want that slant look from it how do i get it ?
is buying namebrand just paying for a name?
approx. how much hp is gained?
and straight-piping(removing the cat) isnt it illegal?
the bigger the better?

 

[chico904]

Keep in mind future goals also (whether you plan on going turbo or not). As of now, you do not want to go any bigger than 2.5 inch max.

 

[blackgs8690]

really is it cause of back-pressure?

 

[chico904]

really is it cause of back-pressure?

Yes. With N/t you DO need some backpressure.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

The "best" of anything is completely subjective. Personally, I like Thermal R&D or Apex'i exhaust systems. The Apex'i N1 was the original exhaust system to feature the angled muffler you're talking about. Many eBay knockoffs of the N1 exist today, however, there are just as many used systems available for the same price as a new knockoff.

How much horsepower gained depends on a variety of factors. Asking questions such as these classifies as "bench racing."

Removing the catalytic converter violates federal law, thus doing so is illegal everywhere in the United States. Simply replacing the cat-back portion of the exhaust, however, may or may not be illegal depending on where you live.

There are a few schools of thought regarding appropriate exhaust pipe size. A good rule of thumb that many people use is 2.5" for N/T applications and 3" for turbocharged applications.

 

[Diamondrev]

1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse RS - Power Pages - Import Tuner magazine

this article says that the A'PEX World Sport Exhaust produced 1.1 hp over stock so save yourself about 400 dollars and go with a ebay exhaust then go to your local exhaust shop and tell them you want your tail pipe slanted. done...

 

[blackgs8690]

So no 3' for me hahaha =[

 

[Dsmj89]

For best results on your n/t i would do 2-1/4".
If you decide on going boosted later down the road, i would say keep the exhaust system stock until after the turbo install and go full 3".

 

[blackgs8690]

yea i read that article and im def going ebay. its rediculous

 

[blackgs8690]

i dont plan on going turbo. hahaha to much work......... maybe i will. ill def keep that in mind tho

 

[Fotowntalon]

I currently have the N1 exhaust and i can say I love it, not only does it sound extremly nice but it looks great aswell. I will say one advantage of going with name brand over ebay is you wont have to worry about fitment, although if you can fabricate, then I guess that won't matter much to you.

I had a friend who went with ebay, performance wise its arguable and for the money I would stay ebay, but as for looks and sound, deffinently go namebrand, my car sounds about 2-3 times better than his did, of course that is all opinion.

 

[PRJTstealth]

i love my thermal r&d cat back. as for ebay vs. name brand i would go a used name brand for a couple bucks more than a knockoff brand, in my opinion.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

i love my thermal r&d cat back. as for ebay vs. name brand i would go a used name brand for a couple bucks more than a knockoff brand, in my opinion.

I tried making this point earlier, but... our cars have been around long enough that if you're willing to buy used, you'll spend about the same as you would've buying a knockoff. For instance, when I bought my N1 a couple of years ago, knockoffs on eBay were going for around $200 shipped. A genuine N1 would've cost me over $500 new, but I bought a used one for the same price as a new eBay knockoff.

The brackets are very sturdy and everything fit well without needing modification. I'd rather support companies that actually do R&D rather than other companies the that just steal ideas. Though I didn't support this first group of companies directly, by buying used, I helped develop an aftermarket, which encourages primary consumers to directly support Apex'i and other companies.

 

[Diamondrev]

I'd rather support companies that actually do R&D rather than other companies the that just steal ideas.

I would to if more companies made more parts for the 420a.. but big name brand companies like HKS, AEM, ect barley make any parts for us. sure they do R&D but only for the 4G63...

 

[VelocitàPaola]

I would to if more companies made more parts for the 420a.. but big name brand companies like HKS, AEM, ect barley make any parts for us. sure they do R&D but only for the 4G63...

Well, our hobby revolves around an aging platform. We can't expect companies to keep developing more products for fewer and fewer customers. On the other hand, the companies you listed are a few of the only ones that have ever designed parts for us. Without them, you certainly wouldn't have knockoffs.

 

[PRJTstealth]

i agree. i barely see any dsm on the roads around here i know almost everyone that has one in my area so that sort of leaves me at 6 cars including mine. not many.

 

[Mitsu RacerX]

I have a 3 inch turbo catback and as long as you don't gut your cat you will be fine running it. My car runs fine and pulls all threw the rpm's. So you can run 3 inch if ya want.

 

[No_Skillz]

really is it cause of back-pressure?

Yes. With N/t you DO need some backpressure.

If you really want to get technical and learn a bit, it's all about scavenging, not backpressure. There are a few threads about it. Do a search if you are interested.

 

[Import For Life]

(N/T 99 Eclipse) I bought a catalytic converter off of ebay. Before I bought it, I ended up looking if it was a legit converter. So, I bought it and when I recieved it. I ended up looking right through the catalytic converter . Now, If I remember correctly all catalytic converters you can't see right through. Since, I replaced everything from the gaskets to the flex pipe, I still wonder, If I should have placed my old catalytic converter back on. Hensing that I bought a catalytic converter that I think maybe useless.. Especially that I have to take it to E-Check. Grrr. What do you think I should do.. Advice would be awesome

(feel bad since my fiance put everything in 2 days).

 

[Fotowntalon]

Sounds like you bought yourself a "Hi-Flow" catylatic converter, or otherwise known as just a pipe. It looks like a catalytic on the otuside to fool the cops, but gives more airflow and doesnt clean the emisions, although I could be wrong.

Could also have been a regular cat that had the insides cleaned out, some old cats had platinum in them i beleive, or some type of metal that ppl like to strip out cause it sells good, but it also makes the it not clean the air. If you have to take it to an emisions check I would put your old one back on to be sure, then switch back to the new one after, but just my $.02.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

Sounds like you bought yourself a "Hi-Flow" catylatic converter, or otherwise known as just a pipe. It looks like a catalytic on the otuside to fool the cops, but gives more airflow and doesnt clean the emisions, although I could be wrong.

Nope, you're not wrong, you're spot on. A lot of sellers on eBay will list plain resonators or test pipes as "high-flow catalytic converters." Keep in mind that, tampering with the catalytic converter in any way (even if replacing with a true-high flow cat) is technically illegal. Though, how strictly this rule is enforced varies tremendously.

 

[scotyu]

Yea, here in indiana the rules are enforced ,like never, ... We don't have emissions testing either. I bought my exhaust off ebay and it's been great. $200 shipped for the catback and $100 shipped for the down pipe. the down pipe was a 3" right off the turbo (which was a HUGE pain to tighten it up ) and everything else is pretty good. I've had it for about 4 months and its real stainless with the only part showing any problems is where it ataches to the hangers. Great fitment and my buddy has all the stuff I need if I need to throw some quality welds on them, so ok for me. I did buy a peice of 3" and just welded in a test pipe, but am thinking that I should redo tyhat just because I am thinking about getting a 2g and wouldn't want to try nd sell like that. Otherwise in Indana theres absolutely no worries about missing the cat... not saying its the best either