Going to make a custom exhaust. Need some tips

[Starscream]

I want to do a custom exhaust for my 90 GSX, seeing that labor is pretty cheap in here, and it will be cheaper than buying a brand name exhaust and having it shipped. A local exhaust/fab shop would be doing the labor, and their job is top notch.

I want to know what tips you guys could give me so I could help the guys at the fab shop. They have done many other jobs before, but never on a DSM.

What size piping? What would be a good layout? Which materials would offer the most bang for the buck perfomance? (I want something that lasts, but that doesn't costs way too much). My power goals would not surpass 250-300 WHP...I was thinking going with 2.5" or will it be too little?

We don't need to run a cat in here so that is going out too.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: If anybody could post pics, it would help a lot.

 

[Byrd]

Get a mandrel bent downpipe, and have the piping as straight as possible from dp back. 2.5" would get you to the 250-300 whp but in my opinion i'd rather go 3" from the start. The only things you really need is a downpipe, straight exhaust pipes, and a muffler to fit those pipes. And hangers duh. Usually it is cheaper to do it at a shop then get a name brand one. Kind of like clothes i guess, let us know how it goes

I have a 2.5" exhaust and i'm around 350 to the wheels (sigs wrong) currently. A glasspack also makes her alot quieter and give it a nice tone.

 

[WMD]

You can also buy mandrel bent U bends from jc whitney for the bends in the pipe. Even though your a gsx you still need at least one bend to come out at the stock location.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...se/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=u+bends

 

[Turbo Talon 111]

i would suggest 3" piping for performance. You can either use alumanized steel or stainless steel. alumanized is cheaper but stainless will last longer and look better longer. alum steel will still last quite some time though. you just have to get a price quote for both and see which you want to pay for. pick a muffler you like. make sure they use a flex section. thats all i can think of right now. and mandrel bends of course.

 

[Starscream]

Thanks for the replies guys.

So it seems I'll go with 3". I'll try to get the prices on the materials and find the mandrel bends locally, because buying then there in the US and having then shipped could be more expensive (And it sucks having to wait even longer).

Also, if anybody could post some pics (both installed on the car and not installed) would be nice. I tried searching for some, but most of the ones I find are for 2G's and FWD, and other are not online anymore.

 

[RedTalonTsi]

I would just point out that mandrel bends are not really necessary for your goals. If you really want a budget exhaust get 3" aluminized steel, a flex section, and whatever cheap "performance" muffler you can find. I've had aluminized pipe on my car for 4 years in the salt-invested winter roads of South Dakota and Wyoming, its not going to rust off anytime soon. Mandrel bends, stainless steel, and fancy name brand mufflers may be better, but are not crucial if you're on a tight budget. On the other hand, if you can get mandrel bends for about the same as without them, do it.

Later,
Dana