Choosing a catback exhaust

[my_precious]

Hey,

I know this has been asked by people before and I did some research last night but didnt find what i was looking for. The criteria for my exhaust I want is simple, HAS to fit the Apex'i N1 GT downpipe (i already have this part). Also, it has to sound great. I've been told it really doesnt matter what exhaust you get because most sound the same and because its a 4g63t that makes the sound mostly, all will sound good as long as your not creeping. Anyways, I want to get a 3in catback and I was originally buying a Megan Racing system from a guy on the site who cheated me. I need an exhaust that wont rust easily because I live in Michigan where we salt our roads and get ice and snow and crud on the roads. The apex'i N1 is "ceramic" coated, and I've heard of those rusting before. I know stainless steel doesnt really rust so thats why I got the GT downpipe. I waxed it and polished it before I put it on to protect it from rust further. Anyways, I was thinking, for the same price I could get the David Buscher Race exhaust, or I could get the Megan Racing exhaust for much cheaper. I'm not too worried on price as long as its around 500 bucks not including shipping. What do you guys think?

 

[snowboard1]

I got the megan catback on my car and I love it. Check my profile for pics of the exaust. The exhaust fits great and I love the angle it comes out at. Plus megan is alot cheaper than the apexi n1 cat back. I got mine off ebay for a little under 400 shipped.

 

[DGajre777]

The Apexi N1 downpipe is the same as the GT one, except it is not SS.

I have the Apexi N1 catback, I painted it with 4 coats of high temp black barbeque paint and it is hold up fine. Yes, I might not have snow down here in Florida, but the beach sand has salt.

You do know that Apexi makes a GT Catback which is the same thing as a N1 catback but is stainless steel, right?! I say go with the Apexi GT catback if you worried about rust or paint the N1 like I did. I voted for other (Apexi GT).

 

[my_precious]

I thought the Apex'i GT catback was only for second gens? Also, I hardly think beach salt is as nasty as the slush and crud we get under our cars up here... I dont think paint will help much to be honest, but then again i doubt stainless steel will last long either, probably longer than non though.

 

[AWDDSMCRAZY]

Dont know to much about the Apexi, but I know that the flange angles from downpipe to catback will probably not match if you mix brands. I just installed my catback from megan racing on my 90 gsx today and Im very happy with the overall sound and fit, but the flange from my downpipe was off by about 15 degrees so I had to cut and reweld.

The cams in our cars make them sound like crap if your exhaust doesnt have a resonator. I had a sleeper style exhaust that had 3" dp to cat, then a 3" dump/ muffler selector. When the dump was active it sounded like a demo car.

Wierd thing my buddies 98 GSX sounds totally smooth if its just straight off the dp.

I voted megan because I like the fitment, but for your case if you dont want to have a chance at rewelding Id get the same brand.

 

[DGajre777]

Yeah you are right. GT is for 2Gs only. I say go with anything SS, it will last the longest compared to the regular N1.

 

[my_precious]

I was trying to figure out the number to Dave's shop so I could ask him personally. Thats what i was afraid of, going with mix brands = bad fitment. I figured the Apexi will for sure bolt up, and wasnt sure about the others.

 

[4BangR-x]

Be smart, your car is old, I would get the cheapest thing I could for it. An aluminized exhaust will most likely out live your car. Get something like the VRS, because a full turbo back from them is about as much as a high dollar branded stainless steel catback.

 

[JOEY A]

I spent way to much on my exhaust, Thermal with a custom stainless DP and tubler stainless O2 housing all bought brand new. I drop some coin on that, honestly they are all going to sound the same.

You will either get the DUMP TRUCK sound(wich I like) Or the nomral low tone DSM sound. They all have a simaliar tone to them. Its either DEEP or really really DEEP.

Unless you have a really large turbo setup with big cams and a large turbo etc

Other wise most DSMs have close to the same sound unless really moded.

 

[selmerguy]

I like these exhaust talks First you have to understabd what you want your exhaust to do. I think the most important thing about exhaust is size and the type of bends it has. If you have a shop with a mandrel bender near you have them make you a custom turbo-back. That will probably cost you around 300. Like it was said before ss or not the exhaust will most likely out live the car. However not to many people bring up the weight aspect of an exhaust system. If you are all about building an all out lite drag car then get titanium or better yet dont bother with exhaust and dump it early.

I know I kinda went off topic and I am sorry. I do kinda find it funny when people spend 600+ dollars on an exhaust system. Pipe is pipe people!!!! All you are paying for(most of the time) is a brand name. Good luck with your exhaust man and I hope whatever choice you make makes you happy.

 

[my_precious]

I want to get a full exhaust system because of the tone... I dont want to have the o2 dump (tryed it) or the downpipe dump, its just too loud...i mean, harley loud. I also wanted 3inch exhaust because i know it wont creep on a 14b and when I upgrade to a bigger turbo such as an 18 or 20g thats when i'll do the porting and cams and fuel upgrades (hopefully before the end of the year). Right now I'm just trying to get the damn thing running. i'm still having clutch issues that i posted in another thread, and i called RRE and I think I'm gonna end up resurfacing the flywheel, or getting a lighter one AGAIN because they said its either the pedal assembly (pretty sure mine is fine) or the flywheel step. I think if I have to take the flywheel off again im getting a lightened one. Right now the only thing I NEED to have the car street legal is the rest of the exhaust, but to get it driveable, i need the clutch fixed. Hopefully, I pray to God this thing is finished for the Norwalk meet!