i am considering a star stage 2 kit in a couple months and have a question. at the moment, i have a muffler on there and i am curious as to whether or not absolutely need to replace it with a 3" catback at first or if i can hold that off until i get the rebuilt bottom end and up the boost. by the way, i will be boosting somewhere 5-7psi daily on the stage 2. thanks for the help.

you don't have to upgrade your exhaust but you'll see a big difference if you do. I'm still running stock piping with a GST muffler. I have the money for a new exhaust but I'm saving up for a rebuild. After that 2.5" downpipe back with a resonator is what I'm going to have made.

It's not an absolute requirement that you upgrade to a higher flowing exhaust. It won't hurt, but it WILL help if you upgrade. You'll definitely benefit more from a 2.5"-3" catback when that turbo is installed. I run 15 psi daily with a stock gs-t exhaust now.

just like they said ^ you dont have to, but it will be a very nice upgrade if u do. youll notice a nice difference once u get the upgraded exhaust. your car will luv it with boost.



14.5 @ 95mph / 7psi 185hp/180tq :thumbsdown

is a 3" catback that big of a difference from a 2.5"? because i want a new exhaust now and i was thinking 2.5 cuz i dont want 3 while i am still na.

I've heard 2.5" is enough but 3 is better. I'm getting 2.5" because I'm afraid if I go 3" it'll be too loud.

im doin a 2.5 catback with a GST muffler for a sleeper look:thumbsup :+

exhaust mods never do anything but good on a turbo car. the point is to get the exhasut out as fast as possible! hotter exhaust gas, the faster it flows. bigger pipes, (ie 2.5, 2.75, 3") are all very good. i recommend doing it first the right time so in 3 months you dont go back and wish u had a 3 inch dp. imo, i'd get a 3 inch downpipe and wrap it in heat wrap, then have either a 3 inch catback or 2.75, 3 inch can flow ridiculous amounts of hp and isnt always needed. 2.75 will do you well, the thermal catback is 2.75 i *think*.

anyway, heres some pics.

my 3 inch downpipe, spool time like no other:


flow chart for diff diameter pipes and hp, from corky bells book 'maximum boost'




edit:

3" wont necessarily make you louder. theres a lot you can do about how loud your exhasut is, exhasut tone is actually an art imo, if it sounds good, u did a good job (imo). resonators and a good muffler will keep you under decibals if you're that worried about it.



_________
96 talon esi-t
san clemente, ca

DarkOne> Screw you guys, i'm going home.
chrysler kid> and fyi i have never HAD to shave.
DR1665> I'm sure your Talon and my Talon are all there needs to be, since we're the only two Talons that really matter around here

Originally posted by sarahdr1665
...some girls like the "nerdy" guys

Good job turbo8u! :P :thumbsup

I am running a 2.5 inch pipe from the turbo back. I wouldn't use a 3 inch unless your going to be running 30+ psi of boost. Also it's very hard to run the exaust pipe around the rear hub near the muffler area, I don't think a 3 inch will fit, so your going to have a jacked up muffler and a pissed off exuast guy.

I got a straight through muffler (resinator) and 2.5 from the shitty hahn downpipe to the muffler, no cat. Muffler is generic ebay one, $80 and the custom pipe benting and fitting was $250. I think this is the best way to go for our cars turboed, and it sounds good. It's loud as hell, but whatever it works.

If you plan to go turbo, you might as well go with a 3" exhaust, eventhough it won't help much now. I guess it will depend with what your goals are: if you plan to build up to 300 whp+, then I'd recommend getting the 3"; if you plan to build a 250-300 whp car, then 2.5" exhaust is all that you really need. Some racers will even argue that 2.5" is the ideal diameter exhaust piping for street cars. There's not much difference in sound level between a 2.5 and a 3" system. The difference will be in the exhaust system setup and/or muffler. Hope this helps.