Need a list for custom exhaust

[Venum]

I was hoping you guys can shed some light on this topic for me. I have searched high and low and haven't found a consistanct answer so maybe you can help me out.

I am looking to get a custom exhaust, (everything but header) problem is- I don't know all the parts I need. I know I need 2.5 inch piping, a high flow cat, resonators, a downpipe and a muffler. Do I also need a flex pipe? Where does that go? Are there any other parts I need?

1) Do I buy resonators individually or should the shop have them and install them for me?

2) What are the different types of resonators and how are they different?

3) The dp should be 2.25 inch piping, correct?

4) If that's correct ^^ how do I get a 2.25 inch pipe to fit to a 2.5 inch pipe?

I guess I don't understand the whole resonator thing in general, is it something that is added inside the piping or do you cut the piping and then weld the resonator in the middle?

And finally, does anybody know where I can buy name-brand mufflers (i.e. GReddy, etc) besides ebay's 'universal mufflers' (don't trust them).

I have done many searches on this topic and have seen many different answers so I was wondering what is the correct one. Also, this may be a good topic for a tech article (making a list of parts and how to asseble yourself if you want).

Thanks for any help, if there already is an article with all this in it then please link me and forget about this thread, thanks guys.

 

[CyberEye]

The flex pipe is usually part of the downpipe. If you're going with a 2.5 exhaust piping, get a 2.5inch downpipe. And who cares about resonators?

Secondly, why are you trying to piece it all together? Buy yourself a muffler (there's nothing wrong with the ebay knockoffs) bring that to an exhaust shop and tell them you want a 2.5 inch exhaust built from the 02 housing back, using that muffler. They will take care of the rest.

 

[Venum]

I wanted resonators because I don't want it to be real loud, I know that an aftermarket exhaust will be louder than what I have now but I don't want it N1 loud.

As far as the high flow cat, the muffler shop will install the one I bring with me?

You said the flex tube is part of the downpipe, should I have the muffler shop bend a downpipe for me? (and will they include the flex tube?)


Thanks for the info so far, it's been helpful I would like some more input if anyone wants to participate.

 

[project_tsi]

yes, the muffler shop will take car of the bends and welding seals, just bring them the muffler, and cat, but why not just run it straight back w/ no restriction. sure its illegal but round me the cops never check nor do they care. Dont worry bout it being too loud, 2.5in isnt that loud. not a loud as old v8's running around.

 

[Venum]

yes, the muffler shop will take car of the bends and welding seals, just bring them the muffler, and cat, but why not just run it straight back w/ no restriction. sure its illegal but round me the cops never check nor do they care. Dont worry bout it being too loud, 2.5in isnt that loud. not a loud as old v8's running around.

I need to be able to pass emissions in Colorado still, which is why I'm going to have a cat (I hope I can still pass even with a high flow cat). And it's not the cops I'm worried about my exhaust being too loud it's personal preference. I don't want people 1/2 mile away to hear when I'm accelerating.

Anybody know about the resonators I need and where I can get them? (or purchase at the shop)

 

[99gst_racer]

I used to have a high-flow cat and a muffler welded on my old 95 N/T and it was REALLY loud. I got several exhaust tickets in one summer, and I had many pissed off neighbors. I was using stock piping too. My N/T was 10X louder than my GST w/ 3" piping. Be careful about which high-flow cat you choose; especially if you dont want it to be loud.

 

[Venum]

What cat did you buy and where did you get it, I would like to know which one not to buy

And just once more- any info on the resonators?

 

[2gPressure]

Don't know about resonators but if you have a 2.5" pipe and 2.25" resonator they are meant to be pulled together with a tightening clamp that sqeezes the pipes together. And beware having a muffler shop bend a downpipe for you because it is probably not going to be a smooth mandrel bent pipe but a wrinkled and shrunk piece, may be as good off with stock. hope this helps

 

[Venum]

Don't know about resonators but if you have a 2.5" pipe and 2.25" resonator they are meant to be pulled together with a tightening clamp that sqeezes the pipes together. And beware having a muffler shop bend a downpipe for you because it is probably not going to be a smooth mandrel bent pipe but a wrinkled and shrunk piece, may be as good off with stock. hope this helps

Thanks man- I know I'll be sure to ask i they have a Menderal pipe bender there, if not then I'll stay stock (includes exhaust) for now. Also depends on their prices.

 

[Warmachine91vr4]

For the price you will pay to have an exhaust shop make you a complete system you can buy a nice full system twice, i had a shop make me a full 3" turbo back it cost me 700 bucks, it leaked in two places and did not sound good and flowed like ASS because they crush bent it and lied about doing it, i bought a punishment o2 housing,2.5 dp and a buschur catback and still spent less than 500 and that was shipped, and your non turbo was louder than you turbo because turbo's act as a silencer, and hi flow cats are pointless most of them dont even work the ones that do go for 200-300 bucks, thats my 2 cents like it or hate it, its w/e,

 

[Venum]

For the price you will pay to have an exhaust shop make you a complete system you can buy a nice full system twice

That's interesting- I've heard that getting a custom exhaust is always cheaper...by about half the cost. I figure this will cost me around $200-250 total, if I were to buy a name-brand cat back system and a dp then it would be around $500-700. I think you got ripped off because I've already got quotes from a few places and it's nowhere near the prices you are refering to.

As far as the crushed pipe- I know to ask for a true Menderal bent pipe, if they don't have it or they lie then I will refuse to pay for it. And I'm trying to keep the noise level down by buying resonators (still don't know which ones...wisemen?) and buying a GReddy Evo muffer.

 

['96_Talon_TSi]

For the price you will pay to have an exhaust shop make you a complete system you can buy a nice full system twice, i had a shop make me a full 3" turbo back it cost me 700 bucks, it leaked in two places and did not sound good and flowed like ASS because they crush bent it and lied about doing it

You, my friend, got ripped off.. find a reputable shop next time man... that place sounds like a bunch of idiots.

The shop i took my car to fabbed me a 3" mendrel bent stainless catback for $100, in under an hour. The welds were super tight and uniform.

You just have to specify what you want and make sure they do it.

 

[HighPsi92GST]

you just have to find a good exhaust shop. never heard of any charging that much for an exhaust, thats insane.

 

[Tsi_User]

yeah bro you got robbed.

What lots of people do is buy an aftermarked cat and muffler, take it to an exhaust shop and have them fab up the DP and catback, slap the cat and muffler on for you and you're on your way. Quite a few of my friends have taken this route and spent less than $300 for the full setup

 

[HighPsi92GST]

to get back to the topic...I don't really see what you even need a list for? Usually when you want an exhaust put on your car, you take it to garage and tell them you want a full exhaust with x-x/x piping (in your case I beleive you said 2-1/2 piping) then they do the rest. Atleast thats how exhaust shops around here work....

 

[Venum]

Well, I guess I don't need a list anymore- just a few things cleared up. As far as parts going with me to the shop I have: a muffler, a cat, a resonator (or do I buy that there?), and tell him what size pipe I need and he'll bend it to fit my car (do I need specs of the bends etc?)

What I need cleared up also include:
Resonators- what are the different types and where to buy

Where is the best place to buy a high flow cat and what's a good manufacturer?

And one question about mufflers. I was looking online today for a MagnaFlow (not too loud and deep) but all the ones I found have an inlet of 2.25 inches and I need a 2.5 inlet. I was even looking on ebay for one (MagnaFlow again) and there are soooo many different types I don't know what to get. So if you know where to go that would be great, thanks again guys for all the input.

 

[99gst_racer]

What cat did you buy and where did you get it, I would like to know which one not to buy

I had one of those cheap eBay ones. It was not a test pipe, but it was pretty close to the same thing. They considered it a "High-Flow Cat"....

Where is the best place to buy a high flow cat and what's a good manufacturer?

Well, you could use a Magnaflow (part # 94009). They only run about $60. Or if you're feeling really saucey, you can get one from Random Technologies. They seem to be one of the leaders in high performance high-flow cats.

And one question about mufflers. I was looking online today for a MagnaFlow (not too loud and deep) but all the ones I found have an inlet of 2.25 inches and I need a 2.5 inlet. I was even looking on ebay for one (MagnaFlow again) and there are soooo many different types I don't know what to get. So if you know where to go that would be great, thanks again guys for all the input.

Well, I double checked my Magnaflow catalog, and you're right; most of their mufflers do only have a 2.25". You could use part #14828 which has a 3" inlet. You could definatily make it work, and it would be restricting any exhaust flow..... Just a thought...

 

[Venum]

Well, you could use a Magnaflow (part # 94009). They only run about $60.

Well, I double checked my Magnaflow catalog, and you're right; most of their mufflers do only have a 2.25". You could use part #14828 which has a 3" inlet. You could definatily make it work, and it would be restricting any exhaust flow..... Just a thought...

Thank you so much for looking at that with me (appreciate the part #'s too). And, once again, I have another question. That magnaflow cat (#94009) has an inlet of 3" should I get one that is really 2.5" instead (to fit the 2.5" piping better) or does it have to be larger so that the pipes can slide one inside the other?

And, one more question- to go from the 2.5" piping to the 3" inlet for the muffler, what part do I need for that? Or can the muffler shop fabricate something that will connect the two?

Thanks for all the help everybody, getting close to buying parts...

 

[WhiteTsiAwd]

I didnt bother to read any of the posts so if this is a repeat then sorry.

Go to RRE and get one of their 2.5" DP bends and a flange to bolt to the O2 housing. Then go to ebay and get a piece of 3" flex-section. Go to Summit Racing and get a 2.5"-3.0" expander(or reducer), aslong as its 2.5" on one side and 3.0" on the other, you are fine. Then get a muffler you like. Now go to your exhaust shop and tell him how you want it run, etc.. and have them make it.

Thats what I did and it cost me about 250 muffler included.

Good luck.

 

[Venum]

Okay guys, I think I have all my questions answered. This weekend (have tests this week so it's gotta wait a few days) I will spend the many hours on the internet looking for the best deal and getting exactly what I want. Hopefully I'll order most of the parts.

I'll be sure to tell you what I got and where I got it from.

And as always, I'm sure I'll come up with more questions as I continue my search online for the perfect part.