What exhaust to buy?

[KCz Eclipse]

Just looking to upgrade the exhaust on my 91 gsx. Looking to upgrade to about a 3 inch. What is a good muffler or entire system? I want better flow, than stock. Trying to not break the bank.

 

[Dhan]

How can you say everything that's been recommended is a piece of crap? You haven't even tried anything out yet.

My exhaust cost me about $320 and is a kind of Frankenstein setup, but I'm happy with it. I got a DP from Punishment Racing, had a friend make me a test pipe (if you can't make one, they're $0-$40), and the rest was put together by a local muffler shop for me. Mandrel bent, 3", SS. I'd shoot for this option if you don't like the products avail for DSMs.

As mentioned above, Apex'i and Megan are options. From what I've heard and read, Megan is up-marketed ebay products, while Apex'i is of better quality. Not stating this as fact, as I've never tried these on a DSM, but it's the general consensus among the people I know.

But I've also read about folks with Megan- and ebay products -lasting quite a while. Sometimes auto parts are a gamble.

Thermal seems to have the best sound IMO. Their products are of a much higher price, but I think you're getting a better product (you're probably also paying a little for their name).

 

[KCz Eclipse]

okay, would it be cheaper to buy an exhaust kit, or have the muffler shop make one down the street. I know you guys down know the prices of every shop, but on average which would be cheaper?

 

[stacked1G]

ive got a VRS 2.5" downpipe/testpipe to a 3" SRS catback...it sounds very nice, deep and clean, not too loud.

i got the dp from a buddy for 60$ and the srs catback for 199$ shipped,(look for the best offer ones on ebay)

 

[Magrud3r]

Ebay is always a good place to look if you want to be cost efficient. If price is of no concern though, I'd pick a thermal or greddy. I have a thermal r&d and I love the way it sounds.

 

[KCz Eclipse]

After looking around. I think i might go with a full Megan set up. Does anybody think badly of that decision.

 

[xrdgx]

Thermal is great

 

[estoyaqui30]

I ha e the thermal and I am very happy with it, sounds fine. The last one was the apexi N1 a d it rusted out after a couple years.

 

[Scoobystyl]

I have a megan downpipe and catback and am very happy with the way it sounds, its nice and deep at an idol and cruze, and when you really get on it, its throaty not raspy at all. But if cheaper is better to you id pick up the SRS on ebay, a friend of mine had one on his 2.5 wrx and it looked and sounded exactly like the HKS hi power i had on my Sti

 

[Stew Pidaso]

Megan Racing has very nice exhausts. I would definitely recommend and they sound awesome IMO.

 

[screamingdemon]

I heard pretty good things about the cheap eBay exhausts, after you rough them up and spray them with high temp BBQ pit paint or any high heat paint for that matter. It helps prevent them from rusting out.

That being said I'm going to drop the coin and get a Thermal R&D catback and a Megan racing downpipe when the time comes.

 

[KCz Eclipse]

Ya, screamingdemon, that was my second choice. I'm for sure getting the Megan down pipe, good price, but I was thinking about dropping the extra $200 for the thermal. What are your guys' opinions on high flow cats. Are they worth the extra money or is a regular fine. Or is there a particular brand that flows best.

 

[LxiMax]

Better idea, buy the SRS for $199, buy the Thermal muffler for around $100, pay someone $50 to cut the SRS muffler off and weld on the Thermal muffler and bam, have a full stainless 3" Thermal catback w/o a neckdown to the cat for $350. Sounds better then $600 to me. ( Same route I went. )

 

[Leonthefaded]

The srs system doesn't come with a cat? Is it nessecary?

 

[KCz Eclipse]

Okay, LxiMax, that is a great idea. I guess a pipe is a pipe no matter the brand. But my question about the catalytic converter is still in answered. Leonthefaded, a cat is a must to pass inspection. So my question is still, are high flow catalytic converters worth the extra money. Do high flows really help much?

 

[motorzto]

I got an hks hi power on my 2g gsx wich you can see on my profile pic it looks so ill .. sounds nice and deep.. i recomend this even though its verry pricy!! Key word pricy!

 

[Leonthefaded]

Okay, LxiMax, that is a great idea. I guess a pipe is a pipe no matter the brand. But my question about the catalytic converter is still in answered. Leonthefaded, a cat is a must to pass inspection. So my question is still, are high flow catalytic converters worth the extra money. Do high flows really help much?

I've never gotten a smog test or checked for a cat on any car I've owned in hawaii for the last 6 years. They only car if your exhaust is loud. So my question still stands. Does the srs come with everything you need or is purchase of a cat or test pipe section needed to complete install?

 

[Jaxness]

Punishment Racing downpipe (cat delete), GReddy TI-C exhaust. I LOVE it. <3

A little expensive, but the sound is perfect.

 

[L1v1ng L3g3nd]

Punishment Racing downpipe (cat delete), GReddy TI-C exhaust. I LOVE it. <3

A little expensive, but the sound is perfect.

+1

I had the GReddy on my Spyder for 3 years. Really unique and great sound.

After my AWD Swap I will put on some Apexi AWD Piping and weld the GReddy muffler back on again

 

[KCz Eclipse]

The srs system does not come with a cat. You need a bigger then stock cat, or something to go in its place to complete the system.

 

[Leonthefaded]

The srs system does not come with a cat. You need a bigger then stock cat, or something to go in its place to complete the system.

So a ebay highflow cat or having an exhaust shop put a resonator in its place will have todo.

 

[J_HEATH]

I have a modified Thermal (all 3") and downpipe with ported O2 housing and manifold. Sounds decent with a buschur 20G. For the money, if you're trying to save some I'd just go with Ebay. Its stainless piping with flanges welded on and a muffler. Its not like you're buying cams or anything that takes some serious skill to produce. Plus its stainless steel piping, unlike Apexi which has coated steel piping that will rust and costs a couple hundred dollars more.

Like anything though I'd do a little research on it before you buy it and see if anyone has any reviews about ebay exhausts on here. I'm sure you can find a couple.

Goodluck!

 

[LxiMax]

I went with a 3" Magnaflow high-flow cat. I like the ease of mind that its still legal. A guy off my old club charges $125 shipped, pretty reasonable for a bolt on high flow imo.


EDIT: I think the power difference is negligible between a highflow cat and test pipe, but obviously the test pipe flows better. However is that worth the extra few horsepower if you get caught with it?

 

[Leonthefaded]

I went with a 3" Magnaflow high-flow cat. I like the ease of mind that its still legal. A guy off my old club charges $125 shipped, pretty reasonable for a bolt on high flow imo.


EDIT: I think the power difference is negligible between a highflow cat and test pipe, but obviously the test pipe flows better. However is that worth the extra few horsepower if you get caught with it?

Any modification to your exhast system is technically illegal at least in hawaii. Im not worried about emissions at all. I'm more worried about which is better flowing and easier to get.

 

[Latch]

I just installed a custom 3" mendrell bent turboback with open dump + cat highflow, i really like it. It make a huge difference from the stock exaust

The sound on cruise is deeper but not that loud, but at wot: !

 

[KCz Eclipse]

Okay, if i bought the 3 inch thermal catback exhaust i would need a 2.5 inch cat and downpipe correct? Because if the inlet to the thermal catback is 2.5 while the rest is 3, i would need a 2.5 inch cat and downpipe. Am i right?