Exhaust Options in 2022

[DavidJamesDSM]

My question to my fellow DSM'ers that didn't get their hands on the holy R&D exhaust is which is better in your opinions: HKS Hi-Power catback or the STM catback exhaust system?

 

[TWOpointFORliter]

Between those 2 I would go with STM but in 2022 I would have a custom exhaust built by a good fab guy.

 

[Dusty Landrum]

My question to my fellow DSM'ers that didn't get their hands on the holy R&D exhaust is which is better in your opinions: HKS Hi-Power catback or the STM catback exhaust system?

It's a lot of personal preference to be honest. I prefer the HKS for both function, sound and appearance.. but that's just me. I know it may be taboo to say too, but I never liked the thermal r&d exhaust. I always thought they were so ugly on the back end . Again, just my opinion.

 

[motomattx]

HKS for me, you likely would pay h*ll trying to get anything from STM anyway, the HKS is name brand and will hold its value in the end too.

 

[fwdmaster]

I would go with the stm,looks cleaner imo

 

[DavidJamesDSM]

Thank you all for replying. Seems I just need to man up and make a choice

 

[1slw3sgte]

My question to my fellow DSM'ers that didn't get their hands on the holy R&D exhaust is which is better in your opinions: HKS Hi-Power catback or the STM catback exhaust system?

Megan catback

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Megan catback

Have you actually used it and can verify fitment & functionality? I know some Megan Racing products are great while others, not so much.

 

[randman2011]

STM's weekly newsletter keeps saying that they have AWD catbacks in stock on the shelf. As long as you don't make any special requests it should be quick to get one. Fitment is excellent and it's a pretty unit, but the single tip looks stupid in the stock bumper square cutout (not unique to STM) and it's LOUD, even with a cat. I have no experience with the HKS unit but I did chat with Josh at JNZ about options and he indicated that the Hi Power version is not stainless which is an immediate disqualifier and in general is very cheap. The HKS "Carbon Ti" model is currently $150 cheaper than the STM offering.

 

[Dusty Landrum]

STM's weekly newsletter keeps saying that they have AWD catbacks in stock on the shelf. As long as you don't make any special requests it should be quick to get one. Fitment is excellent and it's a pretty unit, but the single tip looks stupid in the stock bumper square cutout (not unique to STM) and it's LOUD, even with a cat. I have no experience with the HKS unit but I did chat with Josh at JNZ about options and he indicated that the Hi Power version is not stainless which is an immediate disqualifier and in general is very cheap. The HKS "Carbon Ti" model is currently $150 cheaper than the STM offering.

Both of the HKS exhaust are indeed stainless, not sure why he told you they are not.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[fourgsixty3]

Hmmm. I was under the impression that only their carbon fiber model had stainless piping. I'm also seeing conflicting results online. HKS's website doesn't give much info.

 

[Dusty Landrum]

Hmmm. I was under the impression that only their carbon fiber model had stainless piping. I'm also seeing conflicting results online. HKS's website doesn't give much info.

Even rtm racing has it listed as stainless too. AND they offer a full exhaust that is cheaper than stm and is full 3” without that ugly ass tip that the stm one has.

 

[randman2011]

@Dusty Landrum @fourgsixty3 He might have said the Hi Power was not *304* stainless and I took that as not stainless in general. Because 304 is the only real stainless for exhaust. I definitely remember discussing that the muffler was 304 and the piping was different.

I forgot about the RTM option. It certainly looks really nice!

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

Both of the HKS exhaust are indeed stainless, not sure why he told you they are not.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

They call it stainless but 409 rusts away! Its cheap stainless japan loves it as they can charge real stainless prices for cheap metals! Best to stay away from anything 409

 

[FIBA M - EC17PSE]

@Dusty Landrum @fourgsixty3 He might have said the Hi Power was not *304* stainless and I took that as not stainless in general. Because 304 is the only real stainless for exhaust. I definitely remember discussing that the muffler was 304 and the piping was different.

I forgot about the RTM option. It certainly looks really nice!

316 would be better as thats a true anti rusting material, 304 can still surface corrode over time where as 316 wont ever do that

 

[jed344]

I ran the hks catback on my car sense 2009. Granted it did not see winter but was still in good shape. Now all that's left is the muffler as i built it all true 3in now. Mine was 2.5 from down pipe then 3in after a resonator.

 

[fourgsixty3]

Too bad Tanabe doesn't make an exhaust for the DSMs. Loved the Super Racing Medallion when I had it. They didn't make one for an AWD unfortunately.

 

[gofer]

I've only owned the HKS hi-power exhaust but I think your decision comes down to a few things - your personal preference in appearance (angled muffler vs straight) and performance.

The HKS hi-power comes out of the rear bumper at an angle, has a 2.5" flange from the cat to a resonator and then opens to 3" so has a bit of a restriction built into it.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

The STM cat back comes out of the rear bumper pointing straight back and is a full 3" all the way with no resonators or 2.5" sections to increase backpressure.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[fourgsixty3]

So the HKS must've been revised because that doesn't look like stainless.

 

[gofer]

Only the muffler is stainless, the exhaust piping is coated steel. My HKS hi-power was purchased back in 2007 and wasn't SS either so I don't think it ever came SS. That's why the HKS is $450 though and the STM is $799.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Bud92gsx]

I like that stm catback because no resonators.
I was blessed when I went downpipe to muffler getting a Megan system. There was also srs option back then.

Id like to throw in tho that punishment racing has a downpipe option many may like. Theres a 1g option and a 2g option. But one of those has a longer extension deleting the need for a test pipe or hi flow cat. Then u could peice together a catback and ur done