When it comes to choosing an exhaust

[TimF]

Does the brand really matter? I kind of feel that brand only mean more $, there all basically 3in tubes of aluminum. I was looking at a apexi package for 750, but some one local is selling a used one for 150 (both full 3in back) Other then 600$ is there a diffrence. What about sound to? I dont want ricy bumble bee's I never bought and exhaust before so im not sure what to look for or expect.

 

[blizz99]

The only time brand really matters is when it comes to the muffler. Different brands pack their mufflers differently which in turn produces different tones.

 

[Boostinsideways]

Brand doesn't really matter until it comes to material. Yeah some of the more expensive systems Borla/Tanabe etc have resonators or glasspacks pre muffler that produce a different tone.

But if you just want a 3" Pipe to muffler, grab whatever muffler you like the sound of, watch clips of exhaust sounds on youtube. Personally I would grab the 150$ one, and then look for a muffler I liked.

 

[Zdrummer15]

Exhaust systems for our cars are made of stainless steel, not aluminum by the way (aluminum wouldn't hold up for long periods of time). I personally bought my exhaust off of eBay and recommend others do the same. As long as the tubing is mandrel bent, it's all the same. The only other possible differences are the muffler as mentioned and how many resonators, if any, the system has.

 

[Boostinsideways]

Yeah a nice long resonator can make it sound like pure sex.

My DOHC N/T Saturn had a 36" length resonator and a Thermal R&D Muffler, that setup would set off car alarms crusing through a parking garage.

 

[TimF]

ok then so it is really not worth getting a apexi or nothing like that.

 

[Zdrummer15]

ok then so it is really not worth getting a apexi or nothing like that.

No, not really. If you can get an exhaust shop to make you a custom, mandrel bent one, that will work or you can go the route I did and buy a Tsudo or SR-S system off of eBay for cheap.

 

[TimF]

whats the cheapest way? Im still trying to get ahold of this guy for the 150 sale but if not that would ebay or muffler shop be cheaper?

 

[Justin_l_]

Personally I would look for reviews of products before I just buy them. Yes, they are usually made of stainless or aluminized steel for cheaper ones. Just because they are mandrell bent, the fit can be horrible. You can check youtube for sound clips to get an idea of what the exhaust will sound like.

 

[Zdrummer15]

whats the cheapest way? Im still trying to get ahold of this guy for the 150 sale but if not that would ebay or muffler shop be cheaper?

Well since I just realized you have a 1g, I would jump at the $150 one if it's in decent shape. I don't think it's too easy to find cheaper exhausts on eBay for 1g's anymore. If that one falls through, you can check out exhaust shops.

 

[Spyder FX]

Get the muffler you like the sound of, buy mandrel bends and take to a shop to fab an exhaust for you.

If you get the cheap ebay mandrel bends, your welder will not like you very well. There's all sorts of proof that the chinabay metal has a coating that makes welding difficult.

 

[D's GS-T]

Like everyone said, just look at reviews of different ebay exhaust before you buy. I got an ebay downpipe and it was too short, nor was the angle 100% correct. It was easy to make it work cause I have a welder, but I had to bend the pipe just barely and weld on another tiny piece to make it fit. Just look at reviews of the popular ones, and buy one of those.

 

[2gmummy]

One thing I'd also look at is how many and how much it bends, the less bends and more straight line the better for performance.

 

[kchaazz]

I like the way the Thermal R&D looks and sounds but its sooo pricey. The Apex definitely isnt worth it. Its by far the most expensive out of all of the "name brand" exhausts for our cars, the downpipe is 2.5" from the 02 housing to the flex section before it becomes 3" and its not even SS so it will rust out eventually. Megan is extremely nice for the money in terms of quality and the straighest routing with the least amount of bends and you can get a Megan catback WITH a downpipe from Punishment Racing for around 500.00 I think.

 

[Gysgt Guy]

I'm leaning towards the thermal as well. I'll probably go ahead and get the full cat back vs a muffler shop piping. The only thing holding me back besides cash is that wicked huge exhaust tip...has me a little nervous

 

[TimF]

There was a guy in my neighbor hood with a megan on his car, but i never heared it cause his is always in peices. My current stock exhaust is all craked and rusted so i figured if im going to get a new one, why not get a better one. I dont plan on using a cat, i dont have to worry about emissions.

 

[GSX401]

Buying the Thermal R&D exhaust was the best choice I made. Fitment was perfect, sounds amazing. Keep in mind the illusion some, not all, eBay exhausts keep up is that they are stainless steel. They are really either stainless steel coated (don't know the actual term) or like the Apex'i systems are only stainless steel on the muffler.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Buy that one from that guy for 150..Thats the cheapest route..If you go with ebay you can pay about 200 if you find a cheap turbo back..Then add shipping which is going to be probably 75+..So your looking at around 300 for ebay exhaust..

I'd just buy the one your found for 150 and call it a day..

 

[TimF]

What about press bent? another local guy is selling a pressbent one peice. He said the brand is CVX.

 

[airmail96]

Do to the way the piping is bent, press bent can cause turbulence in the air flow, how much is he asking for it?

 

[donniekak]

A 4g63 with a turbo on it will never sound like a can of bees like a honda. Even with a straight 3" pipe from the turbo, to the back of my car it didn't sound buzzy, loud, but nothing like a honda. A cheap 3" exhaust shop setup will perform about as well as anything else.

 

[silicosys4]

I've heard from people that the Apexi 3" system is pretty loud and not in a good way.
My setup ran me:
PR 3" downpipe, $125
Megan test pipe, $40
Magnaflow muffler, polished, with a nice tip, $115
Muffler shop 3" from test pipe to muffler, $125

Even with all new parts it only cost me $400 bucks or so, and I was able to have the exhaust shop angle the muffler the way I wanted, It sounds good, looks good, and I have all confidence that it flows comparably.

 

[TimF]

do to the way the piping is bent, press bent can cause turbulence in the air flow, how much is he asking for it?

200$,