Basic exhaust question

[Enjoi577]

The muffler on my stock 98 gsx has rusted through, so I need to replace it. As my goal is 300-350whp, i figured now is the time to just get a whole new exhaust setup. I really like the sound of the apexi n1, but have heard that muffler rusts easily and the piping isnt a true 3inch all the way. So, can I just get a custom 3inch catback exhaust done from a shop and put the apexi n1 muffler on it and still get better performance/ the sound i want?

I was also thinking of the thermal r&d, but if its cheaper and ultimately the same upgrade to get a custom exhaust done and wielding on whatever muffler, than thats what Id rather do.

If this is the case though, why does any one buy a full $700, $800, $900 exhaust?

 

[Enjoi577]

Exhaust Builder Kit 3 inch Mandrel Bent 180 45 60 Degree 90 Degree | eBay

3in 304 Stainless Steel 4 Foot Straight Pipe | eBay

And then possibly buying a 3inch apexi muffler off a guy on here.

Is this a good/the right list of stuff I need? Would I need more, or do you think the the hangers that are already on will be fine?

Exhaust Builder Kit 3 inch Mandrel Bent 180 45 60 Degree 90 Degree | eBay

3in 304 Stainless Steel 4 Foot Straight Pipe | eBay

And then possibly buying a 3inch apexi muffler off a guy on here.

Is this a good/the right list of stuff I need? Would I need more, or do you think the the hangers that are already on will be fine?

You think so? Ill check around my area and see what these guys have.

 

[greydelta38]

The truth is it's just piping. Doesn't really matter whether it's ebay or name brand. I have an ebay n1 3" turboback, paid 308 bucks and some change, and my friend has an apex'i n1 turboback that he paid over 700 for, and they both look the same, install the same, sound the same, and perform the same despite mine being 400 bucks cheaper, except for the tiny little Apexi logo welded on the muffler whereas mine is blank. And rust hasn't been an issue with either of us. So save yourself some money and buy a cheapo 3".

 

[Archer Fabrications]

Look at vibrant performance.... At least the quality is known

^ as for your ebay vs apexi. Apexi may have higher grade stainless and have better welders and R&D vs the ebay.

But there shouldn't be a difference from one 304 stainless pipe to the next. Thats where a pipe is just a just a pipe.
Unless one is from china with impurities in the metal and advertised as 304.

 

[Enjoi577]

The truth is it's just piping. Doesn't really matter whether it's ebay or name brand. I have an ebay n1 3" turboback, paid 308 bucks and some change, and my friend has an apex'i n1 turboback that he paid over 700 for, and they both look the same, install the same, sound the same, and perform the same despite mine being 400 bucks cheaper, except for the tiny little Apexi logo welded on the muffler whereas mine is blank. And rust hasn't been an issue with either of us. So save yourself some money and buy a cheapo 3".

Definitely, I agree, but do you think it would be cheaper to just buy the eBay N1, or buy the mandrel pipes, straight pipe, and muffler, then bring all that to a shop and have them wield it all together?

Look at vibrant performance.... At least the quality is know

For the mandrel piping? Because they seem to be all out of exhaust setups for my GSX.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

Yes for the piping.

Or just buy the ebay n1 and see what happens.

I'm a welder so i have to think of things like metal purity etc..

 

[Enjoi577]

Would the only way to really know which bend of pipes to get, be to look under the car? Think there's any diagrams or someone thats already done this? Im surprised by the amount of difference between setups, like I figured every angle of piping would be the same unless people are moving gas tanks or things like that.

JDM N1 95 99 Eclipse GSX Turbo Talon Catback Exhaust 96 97 98 All Wheel Turbo | eBay



This is the cheapest N1 exhaust on ebay for my car, but it says JDM...is this not the apexi N1?

 

[codym]

You realize there are different grades of Stainless steel right? Not all grades are the same and some will rust where others will not.

I had a Megan Racing but have replace it with an HKS.

I'm with Blurred Talon on this one.

Granted you can get an exhaust for a few hundred books, and sure it will function, but you don't get the high quality steel that will stand up to years of climate changes, road bumps, etc.

Your not paying for a name, your paying for quality that will last. I'd be willing to bed if you had a HKS exhaust and an ebay exhaust side by side, there would be some notable differences in material quality and also the quality of the welds.

 

[Enjoi577]

I'm with Blurred Talon on this one.

Granted you can get an exhaust for a few hundred books, and sure it will function, but you don't get the high quality steel that will stand up to years of climate changes, road bumps, etc.

Your not paying for a name, your paying for quality that will last. I'd be willing to bed if you had a HKS exhaust and an ebay exhaust side by side, there would be some notable differences in material quality and also the quality of the welds.

I can see that. Do you think it would practical to buy mandrel piping and a real muffler and have a shop wield it? I'd really rather not have to spend the $700

 

[Pipnorcali]

I run the borla with a custom 3" cost around $300 I would go the custom route., have you talked to any local shops yet about prices for welding it up?

 

[Enjoi577]

I run the borla with a custom 3" cost around $300 I would go the custom route., have you talked to any local shops yet about prices for welding it up?

Hows that sound? I havent talked to any shops, just started looking today actually. So you bought all the pipes and brought it to them? Did they just use what they needed or did you have to tell them where to put what?

 

[greydelta38]

Look at vibrant performance.... At least the quality is known

^ as for your ebay vs apexi. Apexi may have higher grade stainless and have better welders and R&D vs the ebay.

But there shouldn't be a difference from one 304 stainless pipe to the next. Thats where a pipe is just a just a pipe.
Unless one is from china with impurities in the metal and advertised as 304.

No, it's definitely quality steel. I removed the resonator to make it throatier and it was very tough to cut and weld, not soft metal at all. It's called Godsnow or something like that, Godspeed knockoff maybe? Shipped from inside American soil though.

Definitely, I agree, but do you think it would be cheaper to just buy the eBay N1, or buy the mandrel pipes, straight pipe, and muffler, then bring all that to a shop and have them wield it all together?



For the mandrel piping? Because they seem to be all out of exhaust setups for my GSX.

Thats all depending on what it will cost to weld, and bend if needed. I almost went that route but decided a straight pipe from ugly scrap piping wouldn't be flashy enough

If the shop wants 100 bucks to do the whole thing, then definitely. But if they start jacking up the price like they always do... walk away and get the ebay one and install it yourself.

I will say I removed my resonator, cat, and muffler, for a TRUE turboback straight pipe, and it sounds incredible to say the least. Almost like a V8, and I used SAFC2 to lean my idle out a little and make my cams lope so when I show up to meets with lots of V8s they always ask "What the hell is in that thing??"

Whatever you do, 4g63 sounds absolutely barbaric when it's opened up. I've never heard of a fart can 4g63t before. Any 3" will make your ears happy and your motor happy, you just gotta look at your options and decide what makes your wallet happy too. And look at o2 housings too, while you're at it, that may be a good future purchase. The less back pressure the better.

 

[Kirkamus]

I went with my srs full turbo back exhaust system and it was an amazing fit and still looks as clean as it did when i purchased it nice deep tone and I do have cams

 

[Archer Fabrications]

No, it's definitely quality steel. I removed the resonator to make it throatier and it was very tough to cut and weld, not soft metal at all. It's called Godsnow or something like that, Godspeed knockoff maybe? Shipped from inside American soil

I wasnt saying it would be soft. I was saying it would be impure. And weld worse than a true 304 SS

And what were you saying no to?

 

[codym]

I can see that. Do you think it would practical to buy mandrel piping and a real muffler and have a shop wield it? I'd really rather not have to spend the $700

If you are really split about investing in a cheap or quality exhaust, you can get any muffler of your likings, buy the metal of your choice and have the shop weld it up. As long as they weld all connections solid and hang it right you won't have any issues.

 

[Tiki2777]

So, just to be clear, I can buy the Apexi N1 muffler, and tack that onto some 3 inch pipe from the cat, back and thatll be just as good as any? Then add a 3 inch DP later. But my main issue is it sounding right, want it to be mean but not so much like a tracter. Apexi and thermal are the ones iv pretty much set my sights on. I dont need to look into buying a resonator to match the sound? Also, how will this affect performance, because i still only have the stock turbo, is this going to bog up my car and not allow it to perform as well if not better than with the stock 2.5" piping?

Actually I have a full apexi n1 (first off, definitely have to agree on the orgasmic sound), and there are extra resonators on it so it might sound different.

 

[Enjoi577]

Guys I'm happy to report that I found a fellow DSMer who is selling a full 3inch apexi n1 exhaust! Picking it up tomorrow if all goes according to plan. Thanks for all your help though, i really appreciate it and actually learned something haha.

 

[Jesse2012]

How much have those of you who have had a shop fab up an exhaust paid for it? Everyone keeps saying cheap, but I'm wondering how cheap it is. I'd like one made with a cat and a resonator in it from the downpipe back

 

[Archer Fabrications]

My builder had a speed shop in seattle do a 4" turbo back of 316ss with vbands throughout for 1,000

No cats no resonators. Just muffler at the rear

How much have those of you who have had a shop fab up an exhaust paid for it? Everyone keeps saying cheap, but I'm wondering how cheap it is. I'd like one made with a cat and a resonator in it from the downpipe back

You could probably call up STM, they are in Avon

 

[greydelta38]

I wasnt saying it would be soft. I was saying it would be impure. And weld worse than a true 304 SS

And what were you saying no to?

Ah, I read your post wrong, I thought you were saying the metal was bad quality and I was disagreeing

 

[Archer Fabrications]

Ah, I read your post wrong, I thought you were saying the metal was bad quality and I was disagreeing

Ahh.. Lol Nah i use vibrant all the time they are 45 mins away from me. And their public vendor 15 mins away

I was saying vibrant is of known good quality it's not the best. But it's not bad at all.

 

[jjm96gst]

I used this one... I couldn't fund one for a gsx though. Its cheap and did its job.


[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Mitsubishi-Eclipse-N1-style-Catback-Exhaust/dp/B005CS58UM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1394201170&sr=8-4&keywords=95+gsx+exhaust]95-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo N1-style Catback Exhaust, Does Not Fit Gsx Model : Amazon.com : Automotive[/ame]