Another exhaust upgrade idea... Jeff, read... - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

speedemn · 08-03-2001, 02:13 PM

Go to this link... http://www.partshopper.com/catalog/itemdisplay/339.html - they have a muffler that is supposedly the least restrictive of any that are out there... the design is a straight pipe from one end to the other inside the muffler.

Now as you can see it is cheap... only $60 US. Now if I get that, and then go and get whatever tip I want, to fit that, and then go get a custom straight pipe (from the downpipe to the muffler) and that would cost maybe about $100 CDN... get those 3 pieces welded together... that would take a welder a whole half hour if that... and in the end you have a custom no-name catback/straight pipe that would perform as good or better than any of those brand names out there... total spent is like $250 CDN! I can do the install myself.

Its the pipe that gives performance, not name... so as long as you make an exhaust least restrictive, what more is there to do?

What do you guys think?

_________________

[ This Message was edited by: speedemn on 2001-08-03 15:14 ]

***Ratko*** · 08-03-2001, 02:22 PM

yeah, makes sense to me... however ive read alot of forums, not just this one about exhausts in general and it seems, although restriction is bad, that a certain amount of restriction is necessary for backpressure which is a good thing. correct me if im wrong. i think there are a balance between backpressure and hi-flow which makes an exhaust "performance".

***EKam*** · 08-03-2001, 02:34 PM

You also have to pay attention to the actual sound that the exhaust is making. Say with a 5Zigen exhaust it gives some sort of gurarntee that it will give you gains in HP AND nice sound.

If you go with a non-brand muffler, who can guarantee that it will give you the nice sound?

speedemn · 08-03-2001, 02:41 PM

To date I haven't heard any 4 cylinder cars with a "nice sound"

Basically narrow pipe would give that ricey civic high pitched sound and wider pipes would give a more spead out bassy sound... but can't avoid the fact that a 4 cylinder will never sound "good"

I'm looking for performance over aesthetics as I said... but in this case I do want to think about sound a little... I don't want to sound like a tin can. But for that cheap and a learning experience there isn't much to lose.

Quote:

On 2001-08-03 15:34, KaMuRi wrote:
You also have to pay attention to the actual sound that the exhaust is making. Say with a 5Zigen exhaust it gives some sort of gurarntee that it will give you gains in HP AND nice sound.

If you go with a non-brand muffler, who can guarantee that it will give you the nice sound?

_________________

[ This Message was edited by: speedemn on 2001-08-03 15:41 ]

SpectraBlueCam · 08-03-2001, 10:58 PM

I don't think my magnaflow sounds too bad. I've got good comments on it. Anish, you're right that its the pipes, not the name. That's why I've always told you and others to go custom.

There's no point to install the thing yourself. If you think about it, the shop has to get your car on the hoist anyway to get the layout and routing of the new pipe. Remember your rusted bolt experience with the struts?? Let an air wrench handle it. There is a also a lot of pulling and tugging involved, so good luck doing that on your back with your car on jackstands.

Choosing the right size diameter and not losing backpressure completely like Ratko mention is the key.

SpectraBlueCam · 08-03-2001, 11:08 PM

Back it up a bit here...

Straight through mufflers are nothing new. I don't see how that one is least restrictive.

As for the price, you do get what you pay for. I havent' had time to check out the link, but the muffler's appearance and durability is key. A stainless steel muffler is what you want.

What's a "custom straight pipe"?? Please explain. You mean like a PORSCHE?????? That is a striaght pipe. Don't expect to pay $100 if you want any bends. You'll get charged an arm and a leg.

Lastly, if you're looking for least restriction, start with the headers because the exhaust manifold is the most restrictive part of the exhaust system, not the catback or the piping.

speedemn · 08-04-2001, 01:21 AM

Yes I see what you mean now as far as paying for the function as opposed to the name. That is why I conjured up this idea.

Now as far as the MAC muffler goes, that is the one that ALL 600HP+ Mustangs use from the Toronto Mustang club. It is pretty much unanimous there as to which muffler is the least restrictive. Now as far as application, a muffler is a muffler... just gotta make sure that the piping is the right diameter.

As far as back pressure... our headers are pretty restrictive as it is... that should give enough back pressure along with a conservative 2.5" straight pipe (from downpipe to muffler) as opposed to say 3". I don't think I want to have too many bends and curves anyway, so I don't see why it should cost that much. I will just make sure to get the essential ones that cannot be avoided of course.

As far as sound, I know yours sounds good in general, but it is not really what I wanted. I was pumped up about your cat-back and the performance gains, but I wasn't a big fan of its sound (maybe it was because your engine was cold and you had a loaded car when I heard you pull out of the lot that day). But I think it is 4 cyl cars in general... that is one thing we have to live with... we will never have nice V8 bass :smile: That would be the only reason I would consider 3" instead of 2.5". But like you said, backpressure has to be taken into consideration for that.

Either way, it is a project I wouldn't mind taking on and seeing what kind of improvements/disasters occur... worst case it is about $250CDN for a learning experience. But I definetly agree that custom is the way to go.

As far as me doing it... I know it can be tough with the rusted bolts... but I will look into getting a good location to do it at least... I have an acquaintance who's dad has a shop with tools and 2 hoists... maybe I'll become friends with him :smile:

As far as upgrading headers to take away most of the restriction... as I said I might go turbo before the end of the year... so we'll see how that pans out. I'm keeping a close eye on Burien Toyota and E.L. if they EVER deliver!!

_________________

[ This Message was edited by: speedemn on 2001-08-04 02:21 ]