Exhaust on a 1st Gen FWD

[Shadowfax]

Hoping it's the right forum- I've got a 91 Laser, mostly stock. I'm not a turbo newbie, nor a self modding newbie- however, in looking casually for FWD exhausts, I keep finding AWD exhaust (catbacks) and they run under the rear halfshafts, whereas the FWD runs up and over the faxle (fake axle). So is there anyone that makes a good FWD specific 3" catback? Or, should I just DIY with 3" pipe under the faxle?

I'm not worried about 3" being too big or blah blah, just what catback FWD specific you guy suggest, or if you know of any good reason to go up and over instead of under...

 

[pinknuggit]

3" going under the "Faxle" will cause you both a lack of ground clearance, and if you ever jack the rearend of the car up, the "Faxle" will rest on the exhaust and possibly snap your hangers. Also, if you drive over a big dip in the road, and your car raises up on the rebound, the "faxle" will Whack the exhaust and dent it.

I would either route the piping over the axle, or just attatch a resonator and muffler to the end of the downpipe and dump your exhaust in front of your gas tank.

 

[Shadowfax]

3" going under the "Faxle" will cause you both a lack of ground clearance, and if you ever jack the rearend of the car up, the "Faxle" will rest on the exhaust and possibly snap your hangers. Also, if you drive over a big dip in the road, and your car raises up on the rebound, the "faxle" will Whack the exhaust and dent it.

So the faxle sits lower than the rear end on an AWD?

I would either route the piping over the axle, or just attatch a resonator and muffler to the end of the downpipe and dump your exhaust in front of your gas tank.

So 3" over the faxle isn't a chore? I want it quite quiet in the cabin. This is my fun daily driver, not an all out, not even a mostly out- this is one hour one way commute, and this is take the wife out to dinner in car. Dumping it, whereas it isn't insanely loud - wouldn't be a good choice.

 

[rebuilt65]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/parts/default.php?cPath=2_137_25

 

[PaleDSM]

While all of those things could happen I guess in my experience none have. I drove for 4 years with a 3" exhaust that went under on my fwd and never had a problem. Speed bumps, potholes, driveways, etc.

Unfortunately it has been a long time since I was shopping for a fwd so I can't recommend any specific exhaust.

 

[boostin94]

Are you looking for cost effective exhaust systems or performance proven? On the cost effective side, I would just take it to your local red neck muffler shop. They are usually pretty cheap, and get a real "hoot" out of putting "such large piping on such a tiny car". You can then take them for a test drive afterward..... that's the truly funny part

-Shawn
Hill-billy exhaust system
Shutter-upper of Hill billies

 

[pinknuggit]

So the faxle sits lower than the rear end on an AWD?





So 3" over the faxle isn't a chore? I want it quite quiet in the cabin. This is my fun daily driver, not an all out, not even a mostly out- this is one hour one way commute, and this is take the wife out to dinner in car. Dumping it, whereas it isn't insanely loud - wouldn't be a good choice.

The AWD rear is independant, and the pumpkin does not travel. The "faxle" on the rear of a FWD moves wherever the wheels go. So if you jack the backend of the car up, your faxle is going to drop with the wheels.

As long as you put a resonator or two between the downpipe and the muffler, a turndown isn't going to be that loud. Just have the shop out in two 3" resonators next to each other, followed by a 3" chambered muffler to a turndown in front of the gas tank. It won't be as loud as you think. Belive me, I hate loud cabin noise too. It messes up the freq. response of my stereo.

 

[DSMTurboEclipse]

I have a 1G FWD. I got my exhaust from RNR Racing.

 

[Shadowfax]

I also want the exhaust showing- I am going to run 3" with dual 2.5" outlets- I want it looking stock. I'm likely going to run a T3 Super60 for now, upgrading to a Super70 or better sooner or later.
So the less people notice it, and the more stock it feels the better.
So I'm partial to making the car look stock, which includes making the exhaust exit and look stock.

I'll go ahead and do a custom then... thanks for the info!