Exhaust Advice for a learner
 

Can someone give me a basic lesson on how an exhaust kit works? I've tried searching google and these forums, but I can't really get the jist of everything. Basically, in a nutshell, I'm looking a new exhaust setup (97GT dual) that will give me a louder, better sound and is under 1,000. I would greatly appreciate your help.

I'm learning slowly, :confused: :o

Ok pretty much the exhaust has 3 different sections. You have the headers that come off the engine and connect to the midpipe which connects to the catback. Putting on a new catback wont give you any power, itll just give you a different louder sound. All the power will come from the midpipe and headers. For catbacks you can either get a chambered style or straight through/glass pack style. The straight through muffler will be louder and IMO sounds better. Some chamber styles are bassani and flowmaster. Some straight through styles are Magnaflow/ Magnapack and Borla. For midpipes you have a few choices, catted or o/r x (no cats), catted or o/r h, or prochamber (no cats) which is kind of like a mix between the x and h pipe. The prochamber has a small chamber in it which makes the exhaust gases mix like an x pipe, but sounds more like an h pipe. The difference in sound between the midpipes is, the X is raspy and more high pitch, the h is more deeper and american muscle sounding. For headers you have shorties, mid lengths, and long tubes (LT's). If you want to get the most power out of your exhaust system then youll want LT's, a prochamber or x pipe might give you a bit more power then a h pipe will, and like I said catbacks dont really affect power. Anything else?

I've seen people saying they can't pass emissions if they use an O/R? But you get a deeper louder sound.. that true?

Thanks for takin the time

with an o/r x-pipe you wont pass emissions, its also illegal to drive without cats ....but i do :) eveyrtime i have an emissions test i just switch out my x-pipe for the stock one

its only illegal if u live in certain states, like cali. I live in Fl and they have no emissions. so I am perfectly legal. if i moved to cali, i'd either hafta buy a new x-pipe or do what springstang said.

Just for those that don't know...removing a properly functioning catalytic converter anywhere in the United States is a federal offense.

This is the EPA legislation governing Florida, pretty much the same elsewhere in the U.S. too.

Drive at your own risk...I know i do.

Philip K.

Thats right, you wont pass emissions, but it will be louder.

pshhhhh, emission, schmemissions. lol. that sounds funny to say. But yeah, fl doesnt CONDUCT yearly emissions..so I'm fine.

eh... im 16... i won't risk it


or.. maybe.......

To be honest, most cops don't give a damn! I know here it TX they could care less! I have LT's, o/r X and bullets and cops don't mind at all! ;)

This is true. It is actually a HUGE fine if you get busted. This is why every dam company that sells and designs these things calls it an "off-Road" pipe.

Actually getting caught is altogether different. States have different ways for enforcing the laws.

Where I live in PA they perform a visual check. This means the car can be modified but must have all smog equipment. Does not have to be stock, just there. Eventually, they will start checking and legislation is currently being past in some places with exorbitant fines as in over $1000 for a violation. Those that pass these laws know they are hard to enforce, so they make fines large. One kid on a message forum with a $1500 ticket will really help spread the word...it acts as a great deterant.

As an example, if you are caught in PA operating a boat drunk, there is now a mandatory $7500 fine PLUS jail time.


Life just aint fun anymore.

im 16 if i had the money **** yeah ied risk it

My Magnapacks with catted X is very loud,don't know if I would like it if it was an O/R.

Well they just weren't functioning properly then I guess. And I'll be damned if I can find them to have the EPA test them :D