Exhaust (ing?) Renovation - '92

[Slooooooow]

You guys do/have done quite a bit of exhaust work. So let me check in with the experienced.

Base Parts Selection:
JIC Stainless Steel Canister DE Type 2 muffler
Part #: DET2SU-D
Inlet Diameter: 3.15" (80 mm), Tip Style: Dual
MSRP $398

OBX SS Header
93-98 ES300 92-97 Camry 3.0L V6 FED
MSRP $275

I got my first estimate in for the additional parts and labor:

Quoted Parts (w/ Installation included):
Install converter, performance resonator & cat-back pipe
$500 (with ceramic style aftermarket catalytic converter)
$575 (w/ racing metal converter; 20% more efficient than ceramic)

Pipe:
2.5” Aluminized tubing
2.5” Stainless steel – add $200
2.5” Mandrel bent stainless steel system – add $400

Quoted Labor:
Header Installation: Tech has dealt with OBX headers in the past, and comments that sometimes the flanges do not fit correctly and need to be cut and re-welded
Quoted: $350-450

Total Basic Parts & Installation Price:
$398 - Muffler
$275 - Headers
$500 - Install converter, performance resonator & cat-back pipe
$450 - Header install (always count on the top of the estimated range)
$1623

With mandrel bent stainless steel system (which I was aiming for when I started): $2023

This is very disappointing. Disheartening.
Is this in line with what others have paid before?
Is this a "hey you've gotta pay to play" deal?
Or is this just way outta line?

[Venom_5]

seems a bit pricey ... but then again you drive a Lexus

lets see if it really is - if i were doing an Exhaust overhaul, i would pay as follows:

Muffler: $175 [Magnaflow #14862]
Resonator: $100-150 [anything thats long and has an equal inlet/outlet]
Hi-Flow Cat: $250 [Magnaflow #50801]
Headers: $400-500 [Bosal ceramic] ... the stainless steel burn and turn rainbow colors >.<

and my local shops install each part for like $75 probably [i would do headers myself - yay for 4cyl!] -- so thats what? $875ish ... even if you add a $200 cushion, your install still seems pricey ... its definitely not a "pay to play" deal

i wouldnt spend $400 on just a muffler, thats ridiculous ... screw JIC and get something else

[CrawlingEye]

If I were you, I would measure out the tubing myself and order the mandrel bends and just have a shop weld it for you.

It's not hard to figure out what bends you need, typically it's just a variation of 45 degrees bends.

[felonyr301]

I think that's too much money!!!

[bigbird]

that does seem a little steep but then again ur pretty much having them do all the work and install. thats a damn expensicve muffler too, no need for somthing that pricy for what its gonna do for u.

[MIC0417]

200$ Apexi N1 muffler
500$ Ceramic header

[Slooooooow]

Originally Posted by MIC0417

200$ Apexi N1 muffler
500$ Ceramic header

Forgive the question if it's a dumb one, but what kind of ceramic header (brand/custom) and from where?
Was this on a 3VZ-FE? (I know it doesn't have to be for the same engine, but more data always helps)
Is this what you put on your Camry and what you paid for each?

Thanks in advance!

(And thanks for all the other responses as well. Please feel free to keep them coming. I've not made a move just yet.)

[Venom_5]

read what i said 10x .... that is what you should do

oh, and did you check Bosal? they make good ceramic headers

[Curry]

Originally Posted by felonyr301

I think that's too much money!!!

We can get labor over here done for that stuff for under 300

[Slooooooow]

Originally Posted by Venom_5

^ bosal makes ceramic headers for our engine .... and bosal is about as good as you can get for any car, really

For the 3VZ-FE it appears we have three choices for headers:

1. Custom
2. OBX
3. Bosal

Based on multiple remarks like the above quoted, I've begun researching Bosal as an alternative to custom and OBX.

Questions:

• Does anyone here have firsthand experience with Bosal, especially with a 3VZ-FE?
• Would this system be considered an upgrade replacement or more of an OEM-type replacement?
• I don't see a separate listing/specification for the ceramic headers. ??
  
• If an upgrade, why not purchase Bosal from header to muffler?
• Any other thoughts/recommendations/advice?

A search, by vehicle, on their website brings up the following exhaust system graphic:

[Venom_5]

make sure Bosal has them for the 3VZ, i know they do for my engine [5S-FE] but i havent checked for anything else

ceramic headers are a big upgrade from the stock exhaust manifold [not headers] - and the reason most people dont get bosal header-back systems is because 1) they usually dont make them, and 2) you can get better sound if you customize each part along the way

what you linked to is an OEM replacement, not their performance parts - they have 2 divisions, one has OEM parts and another performance parts

[Venom_5]

this is what the 5S-FE ceramic performance headers look like:
http://www.andysautosport.com/toyota...headers/bosal/

i dont think bosal made them for the 3VZ, so you might be stuck with OBX

[Slooooooow]

I see Bosal DOES make a cat-back exhaust for the 3.0L for $559.

[Venom_5]

yeah, they arent cheap .... thats why ppl get Magnaflow and other stuff piece-by-piece

[bigbird]

honestly the headers will do little for the V6, be it 3vz or 1mz. the Y-pipe is the real problem in the exhaust on either V6. the rest isnt restrictive enough to really hamper a stock or near stock engine. and spending all that money on a catcack ill get u little more then bragging rights. peice by piece is sufficent.