2G Exhaust Suggestions

[NeedTalonNow]

Hi everyone, just hoping for some input from some of you more experienced guys. I am working on finishing maintenance and upkeep on my car before I begin some upgrades. After which I'm hoping you can recommend a full exhaust system for me. I need to keep a catalytic converter. Doesn't need to be stock, but I need to keep one. I'm hoping to go with a 3". I'm also hoping to do a fp turbo manifold, fp red turbo and punishment racing recirculated o2 housing pkg with tial mvs wastegate. Of course I will do the supporting mods like fuel first, etc. Will these parts work together? If so, can you recommend a full exhaust? I am probably aiming for 400-500hp. Thanks.

 

[chrysler kid]

Well that's how they might still do things in TX but good luck finding anyone who still does a sniffer in PA. In PA counties that require emissions testing 95+ all but two I/M monitors must read ready or it will not pass. As most of us know many 95-97 ecus have a hard time reaching the ready status because of the key off reset problem, hence the reason 96-97 Tsis are automatically exempt on the state emissions testing computer. I love it. However, according to the EPA my old 96 GST had to pass, but again two I/M monitors are allowed to read not ready, and since the cat was deleted that was one. The rear O2 spacer is commonly used with a cat delete to prevent a CEL. Unless your getting your inspections or emissions done by Satan, I've never even heard of anyone doing a visual examination for the cat.

You're killing me man, I'm not going back and forth on state to state testing but I know PA is required to emission test obd-1 cars with a sniffer test UNLESS you live in a rural area. Only cars over 25 years old are exempt from emissions testing.

Anyways if you have a magic 96-98 4g63 ecu that can somehow register the drive cycle as complete to pass an obd2 test then you would be very very lucky. Now if you have dsm link then you could make the ecu say whatever you wanted to pass the test

 

[PlanZero]

I'm not arguing with you dude all I'm saying is that on the last three OBD2 4gs I've owned (in an emissions tested county), at 2 different stations. I never had to deal with a sniffer. On the Gst I was able to get all but two monitors to set after repeated drive cycles. On the 96 tsi it didn't matter because of the epa exemption; all monitors say "fail" on the computer but still says "pass" at the bottom and spits out the sticker. On the 97 Tsi after many calls to Harrisburg I was able to get an exemption due to the fact the EPA includes the 97 but the state computer did not. But I never had to get the sniffer done on a obd2 vehicle. Maybe I just lucked out over the years.

 

[ThunderChild]

lets keep this to the OPs original discussion guys. different states/counties require different testing, great.

back to the original exhaust suggestion questions and answers

 

[NeedTalonNow]

Downpipes are what eliminate the cat, not a catback, and yes, the PR downpipe for a 2g eliminates the cat... most do on a 2g. However, that catback exhaust does come with a reducer that will allow you to bolt it up to the stock cat. If you would like pictures of the SR*S cat back while it is not on the car I can take some for you to show you the quality.

So, i could do the srs dp and srs cbe? The srs dp would bolt to my stock o2 and i would retain my stock cat with the srs cbe? And it would be as close as i could get to a full 3" with retaining the stock cat? Or could i add a high flow cat or would it be even worth it?

 

[JaysGSX]

So, i could do the srs dp and srs cbe? The srs dp would bolt to my stock o2 and i would retain my stock cat with the srs cbe? And it would be as close as i could get to a full 3" with retaining the stock cat? Or could i add a high flow cat or would it be even worth it?

I don't know of any true 3" downpipes that mate up with the stock O2 housing due to clearance issues. I haven't looked at the S*RS downpipe, but it probably necks down at the O2 housing side to mate up with the stock O2 housing like a lot of ebay downpipes do. My advice would be to pickup a cheapo SS O2 housing and a true 3" downpipe. Also, prepare yourself for possible clocking issues with the flanges where the downpipe mates up to the catback. The S*RS catback was NOT a direct bolt on with my Punishment Racing 3" downpipe. Just some things to keep in mind. I love the S*RS catback though, and you cannot beat the price. It went in no problems at all other than the clocking issue with the flanges since I swapped out the cat as well. I couldn't recommend it enough to those who don't want a "farty Honda" sound

EDIT: Just found an image of the S*RS downpipe. That is going to eliminate your cat. Also, it appears to be a 3" inlet so you will need a different O2 housing. It also appears to neck down after the flex section, then go back to 3", then neck back down to 2.5" at the outlet. The price on the one I saw was $179, I'd personally pass on that, and get a Punishment Racing downpipe... it is a full 3" downpipe. If you need a cat for emissions you may want to shop around more, or expect to modify either downpipe.

 

[NeedTalonNow]

I don't know of any true 3" downpipes that mate up with the stock O2 housing due to clearance issues. I haven't looked at the S*RS downpipe, but it probably necks down at the O2 housing side to mate up with the stock O2 housing like a lot of ebay downpipes do. My advice would be to pickup a cheapo SS O2 housing and a true 3" downpipe. Also, prepare yourself for possible clocking issues with the flanges where the downpipe mates up to the catback. The S*RS catback was NOT a direct bolt on with my Punishment Racing 3" downpipe. Just some things to keep in mind. I love the S*RS catback though, and you cannot beat the price. It went in no problems at all other than the clocking issue with the flanges since I swapped out the cat as well. I couldn't recommend it enough to those who don't want a "farty Honda" sound

EDIT: Just found an image of the S*RS downpipe. That is going to eliminate your cat. Also, it appears to be a 3" inlet so you will need a different O2 housing. It also appears to neck down after the flex section, then go back to 3", then neck back down to 2.5" at the outlet. The price on the one I saw was $179, I'd personally pass on that, and get a Punishment Racing downpipe... it is a full 3" downpipe. If you need a cat for emissions you may want to shop around more, or expect to modify either downpipe.

Just had someone suggest i take a look at RRE for downpipe. They offer a short dp and either retain stock cat or they also offer a high flow cat. I wish i had enough cash to do exhaust mani to cbe

 

[JaysGSX]

Just had someone suggest i take a look at RRE for downpipe. They offer a short dp and either retain stock cat or they also offer a high flow cat. I wish i had enough cash to do exhaust mani to cbe

I looked at RRE, but I wanted a full 3" exhaust. The RRE downpipes have a 2.5" inlet and expand to 3" after the flex section. I hear they make quality parts though, and they should considering their prices. If you have to pass emissions where you live, it would be an option to get the short downpipe, and could always swap out the cat with a test pipe after emissions testing if you wanted. I don't have to worry about emissions where I live, so it made things much simpler.

 

[NeedTalonNow]

The ro

I looked at RRE, but I wanted a full 3" exhaust. The RRE downpipes have a 2.5" inlet and expand to 3" after the flex section. I hear they make quality parts though, and they should considering their prices. If you have to pass emissions where you live, it would be an option to get the short downpipe, and could always swap out the cat with a test pipe after emissions testing if you wanted. I don't have to worry about emissions where I live, so it made things much simpler.

Yeah. Youre lucky.
My shop that does my inspections said they would pass me with a high flow cat, as long as i have a cat. Seems a perfect option for me. I can do the rre short dp, rre high flow cat and i can do the thermal r&d which ive wanted all along. Plus, since its 2.5 before flex it makes choosing an aftermarket o2 easier. Thinking of the jm fab internal gate with open dump until i can have cash to upgrade turbo and manifold.

 

[JaysGSX]

Yeah. Youre lucky.
My shop that does my inspections said they would pass me with a high flow cat, as long as i have a cat. Seems a perfect option for me. I can do the rre short dp, rre high flow cat and i can do the thermal r&d which ive wanted all along. Plus, since its 2.5 before flex it makes choosing an aftermarket o2 easier. Thinking of the jm fab internal gate with open dump until i can have cash to upgrade turbo and manifold.

Thermal R&D cat backs are nice. In my experiences, an aftermarket O2 housing made choosing a downpipe easier. You shouldn't have any fitment issues with most O2 housings, and replacing the stock O2 housing should make most downpipe fitment issues non-existant. Good luck with whatever you choose to go with, and post updates once you get it!

 

[luii90]

Sorry to chime in on your thread but for those with the stm exhaust, could you post full throttle exhaust note? I'm debating between my good old hi power cf 120mm or 115mm tip vs stm exhaust! Loved my hks exhaust back the but only heard one clip of the black Gsx stm exhaust, just wonder how it sounds under load at full throttle??

 

[NeedTalonNow]

Thermal R&D cat backs are nice. In my experiences, an aftermarket O2 housing made choosing a downpipe easier. You shouldn't have any fitment issues with most O2 housings, and replacing the stock O2 housing should make most downpipe fitment issues non-existant. Good luck with whatever you choose to go with, and post updates once you get it!

Thank you so much for all of your input on this thread. I greatly appreciate your time.

 

[JaysGSX]

Thank you so much for all of your input on this thread. I greatly appreciate your time.

You're welcome. Good luck with your build.

 

[Calibreezgsx]

I was also wondering about the stm exhaust for the 2g, I like the thermal but that exhaust tip is just to big. I live in socal so I am trying to stay low pro so the stm exhaust has a 3 inch tip so it a bit less obvious. Are there any owners with them that can give there opinion on the exhaust system?

 

[Jacolu3]

I was also wondering about the stm exhaust for the 2g, I like the thermal but that exhaust tip is just to big. I live in socal so I am trying to stay low pro so the stm exhaust has a 3 inch tip so it a bit less obvious. Are there any owners with them that can give there opinion on the exhaust system?

I just ordered one last week to replace my hks exhaust. Once I get it and install it I'll post of a sound clip