Well, put simply, my exhaust sounds like an pregnant yak trying to pass a kidney stone. It's completely stock exhaust, but with 3 rasty holes right before the cat, so not only do it's looks not suit my liking, but the sound rivals that of a pissed-off weedeater. Just curious as to what people on here recommend? I'd REALLY like to get a Magnaflow cat-back system, because it looks tits, but I've never heard it, plus it's price doesn't justify the power gains. I was thinking about just fixing the holes, and getting a simple knockoff eBay muffler, but I can't imagine that it would make it sound better.

My other option is to get a cat-back system custom bent, which I can get for relatively cheap, but what size piping? Also, if I put in a straight-pipe instead of the cat (no smog laws in Indiana, still bleeding boring), would that do anything for me sound-wise?

Naturally I'd like it to be as "deep" and "throaty" as possible, but realistically, I know I'm probably not going to get that cheap, if even at all.

So, any info would help. Put up what exhaust you're currently running, soundclips, pictures, reviews, etc.

when you say that the holes are before the cat...that would be in your DP and not fixable by a catback. now if your thinking in reverse flow here...and calling "before" that cat...right after, then yeah you can fix that with a catback. if you already have holes, you might as well just replace it. obviously your piping is showing weakness and it would be better to replace rather than constantly fix holes.

as far as size...2.5NT, 3" turbo

throaty mufflers..names that come to mind are the N1 (even the knockoffs are good, i love mine), apex-i WS, greddy EVO2

Cool, thanks for the input. The guy at the exhaust shop said that he could either weld the holes, or replace it with a pipe of some-sort and it would last a lot longer. I'd just get the cat-back for sound and what little bit of hp it yields. Thanks a lot! Do you have any sound-clips of your exhaust?

i got a tsudo catback for like 200 off ebay and it sounds good

I'll probably get burned for this but Pace setter makes an ok exhaust, If you can deal with the rattles and grinding a little off of the header if you get one (not sure if your going turbo or not). It sounds good throughout the rpm's and for the whole engine back (header and cat back) I paid right at 500. Not to shabby I think. Just don't get a straight pipe or you'll sound just like a 88 honda civic with a big azz fart can on the back. Or you could get a GST exhaust for much cheaper. Just find some one who is upgrading. Please don't shoot me for the pace setter thing guys it is only a suggestion.

i dont reccomend pacesetter at ALL because i know people who have had way more than rattlign and fitment issues. the piping will rust through very quickly leaving you to buy another one. iv had a buddy go through 2. pony up the dough and either get a catback built with your choice of muffler, or buy a GOOD catback setup.

and yes, i have also heard alot of good things about the tsudo

Does anyone have/heard a magnaflow catback? I've seen it on a car around town (parked, never heard it :( ) and my god, does it look sexy. Just the muffler is somthing like $150 though, the system is anywhere between $450-550.

Also, how restrictive is the stock muffler? Even though the answer is likely "no", is it going to be a noticeable difference?

a few people here have the magnaflow and they seem to like them. and pretty much all cat backs wheather it be any of the apex-i's, magnaflows, whatever are gonna be 450-500. our mufflers arent really that restrictive. if your worried about a big restriction take a look at the cat! if you want the cheapest solution with a nice deep tone and OEM looks i suggest getting you a mid section (cat to axle back) exhaust built, then throw in a GST axle back. they flow more than our stockers and sound deep and pretty sexy from what i hear.

www.summitracing.com has the magnaflow CAT back for 395 complete and yes it sounds very good (though it is only 2 1/4" ID piping) And it's Stainless steel so you never have to worry about it rusting out.

Also I have a Pacesetter 4-2-1 header. I have never had a problem with it other than the rust (but I'm from the north). I just recently found out that Pacesetter is now doing ceramic coating on their headers it's about 100 more per set with the coating but it will keep the heat down and should prevent the rust. Summit carries these also for $259.99 with ceramic coating, and $162.99 with out. They Feature 3/8" flanges and a 2 1/4 inch collector (DC sport has 1/4" flanges and a 2" collector). hope I was able to help

I was thinking about ditching my cat all together and just putting in either a straight-pipe or resonator. Good idea? I've read a couple other posts and some people said that it sounded really "farty". But others have said it sounds good.

I have an OBX high flow cat( conceptillusions.com has these for $72 each)(basically just a resonator) and it doesn't sound farty. The sound is gonna depend 95% on your CAT back. Mine changed dramatically from rice can sound (with the cheap ass muffler only my cousin had put on it before I bought it) to deep and throaty (with the tsudo N-1 catback). So if you like the Magna flow I say just go with it cuz you won't be dissappointed (no 2-7 hp gain isn't much but the appearance and sound difference makes the $395 worth every penny).

Awesome, do you have any vids or soundclips where I could hear it?

I wish I did, but I totalled the 95 less than a day after I put the cat back on it (on R&R from Iraq). So I have to wait til I get home from Iraq and swap everything over to my 96 GS before I can get any kind of sound clip. but I'd say you would definaltely have a good deep throaty sound with a good header the OBX cat and a magnaflow cat back. oh yeah when buying a header make sure you choose carefully cuz there's 2 different types 4-2-1 (I have this type from pacesetter it works great across all rpm ranges and I have no complaints) and a 4-1 which in my experience doesn't really add much if any performance except way up high in the RPM range.

Example my buddy put a 60k mile motor in his 96 rs, when he blew the rings. He also put a 4-1 header, CAI, high flow cat, and 2 1/2" cat back. With pretty much the same mods the only difference being our headers (4-2-1 vs 4-1) I can consistantly smoke him even though he had his interior ripped out and had the weight advantage. and I've driven both cars and his just didn't seem as quick.

a test pipe/straight pipe will make the exhaust extremely "farty" and raspy as all hell unless your turbo. just get a high flow cat, but be prepared to gain some low end grunt...granted youll get it back in the top end but still. after a while i switched back to a stock cat and got rid of my high flow. in all seriousness if you have minor boltons...a high flow cat aint gonna do you much good. if your turbo/built up NA, then youll see good gains, but otherwise it just changes your power band higher.

Originally posted by 96eclipse2nr
just get a high flow cat, but be prepared to gain some low end grunt...granted youll get it back in the top end but still.

Don't you mean lose some low end grunt? Just checkin haha.

EDIT: Fixed some of my own grammar errors. x(

You could always find someone's turbo cat-back aswell. Cheap too.

I normally don't like double-tipped exhaust, but I really love how exhaust looks on Z3's. Has anyone done anything similar? I know a lot of people have Z3 fenders, but not exhaust, lol.

Also, thanks a lot for all your input guys, it's helping out a lot.

yeah, thanks for correcting me...i did mean to put LOSE.

to hardatag..you have a pm

i had the magnaflow catback on mine, andi loved it, it was deep and throaty, which is what you want....but it was also set up with a dc sort header, which makes a bit of difference as well....it is quite a bit of money, but i think it was worth it

I have a Vibrant axle back on my car, and a mid pipe being built. You won't find anything that sounds better.

I went to the exhaust shop today, just to see what they'd charge me to put an ebay knock-off muffler on (temporary), and they said I'd have to get one w/ an offset because of how the exhaust came up over the back axle. Did anyone else experience this? I was thinking I might be able to get away w/ angling it, even though I'm not really into that style (no offense anyone). Anybody?

*bump*

A really good cheap setup for a nonturbo 2GNT is the Pacesetter catback ($150). Just chop off the muffler and sell it to a ricer. Get a Magnaflow muffler ($75). If you want a deeper sound than that, add a 24" resonator in the midsection. ($50) Welding and installation for all this should be under $50.

I think I'm gotta get flamed like no other for this one, but here it goes...........Flomaster muffler. OK, I said it. A little bit cheaper than the Magnaflo.

Sounds nice and deep at idle(for a 4), without the pissed off bees at WOT. If your not planning on being a HP monster, stay with the stock exhaust pipe and add a muffler.