2G Exhaust rotted

[CrispyWackins]

Hello DSM community, I recently bought a 97 talon TSI awd. I'm trying to get it running right before I fix a few body issues and paint it. I bought it from the original owner and everything is original. The water pump is leaking so I bought the timing belt kit from stm and waiting for someone to install it. My exhausted is rotted as well. I'm stuck on what to do with an exhaust. I'd love to get the hks cat back but I'm afraid the cat is to far gone for that. I posted pics of the rotted original exhaust.I'm looking for some guidance on my best exhaust option. Should I get the stm turbo back exhaust? Should I get a hi flow cat with the hks cat back? I have an engine code now for an O2 sensor and I'm assuming it's due to the exhaust. For now I just want it running right and in the future I may try to make a bit more power. I'd appreciate any feedback that anyone has. Thanks again everyone.

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[SixBolt_16G]

Going to side track you a bit to make sure youre thinking about EVERYTHING you need to.

What is the emissions process like in New Jersey? Is it simply check engine light on = fail, check engine light off = pass or is there also visual inspection? Not only do you want your car fixed but you also want to be aware of your ability to stay compliant because it would be unnecessary stress to get the work done and not have thought about the inevitable coming your way. So eliminating your cat may or may not be an option.

(No judgement on whether legal/illegal tactics to pass but still need to think about whether youre able to pass/have the knowledge to pass with the setup that you want.)

 

[CrispyWackins]

Emissions aren't a issue here, not going to go into detail but I can get it passed no matter what.

 

[CrispyWackins]

Going to side track you a bit to make sure youre thinking about EVERYTHING you need to.

What is the emissions process like in New Jersey? Is it simply check engine light on = fail, check engine light off = pass or is there also visual inspection? Not only do you want your car fixed but you also want to be aware of your ability to stay compliant because it would be unnecessary stress to get the work done and not have thought about the inevitable coming your way. So eliminating your cat may or may not be an option.

(No judgement on whether legal/illegal tactics to pass but still need to think about whether youre able to pass/have the knowledge to pass with the setup that you want.)

Emissions aren't a issue here, not going to go into detail but I can get it passed no matter what.

 

[SixBolt_16G]

Emissions aren't a issue here, not going to go into detail but I can get it passed no matter what.

Good. Sounds like youre in a position where you could eliminate the cat altogether. I dont have any experience with either exhaust so i cant really tell you which is the better exhaust. but you could definitely run the STM turboback and skip the cat. If you go with another turbo in the future then could add a ported o2 housing and exhaust manifold to finish off your exhaust.

 

[CrispyWackins]

Yeah I'm leaning towards the turbo back one. I got a lot of work ahead of me. Suspension is probably next eventually, I live in an area that has very curvy roads and handling is more important than power for me.

 

[SixBolt_16G]

Yeah I'm leaning towards the turbo back one. I got a lot of work ahead of me. Suspension is probably next eventually, I live in an area that has very curvy roads and handling is more important than power for me.

I love for hitting the back roads myself.

Good luck getting your car together. Might be a lot of work to do so...but one step at a time and youll get there.