Skunk2 or TRD?

I'm starting to Tune a 2000 Toyota Celica GT. I thought to start with
the exhaust. I looked at a lot of aftermarket parts and decided on
Skunk2. I have been getting Import Tuner for a little over a year and
the Skunk2 exhaust has gotten in the 10 best products for the past few
years (02, 03, 04). I was at my Toyota dealer asking if I bought one if
they would install it, they said yes but they suggested the Toyota
Racing Development (TRD) exhaust it would come with a warranty. I can't
find any numbers for the GT exhaust but the GTS's has said to give
approximately 14hp over stock. The number's I have seen for the Skunk2
are from 2hp to 12hp, these numbers are on a lot of different cars and I
haven't seen numbers for a Skunk2 on a GT or GTS Celica. If you have any
input or know any numbers or place's to get numbers Please tell me.

Thanks,
CelicaGT00


..

"Spam Catcher" <CelicaGT00@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:15105-42AA0E63-339@storefull-3155.bay.webtv.net...[color=blue]
> I'm starting to Tune a 2000 Toyota Celica GT. I thought to start with
> the exhaust. I looked at a lot of aftermarket parts and decided on
> Skunk2. I have been getting Import Tuner for a little over a year and
> the Skunk2 exhaust has gotten in the 10 best products for the past few
> years (02, 03, 04). I was at my Toyota dealer asking if I bought one if
> they would install it, they said yes but they suggested the Toyota
> Racing Development (TRD) exhaust it would come with a warranty. I can't
> find any numbers for the GT exhaust but the GTS's has said to give
> approximately 14hp over stock. The number's I have seen for the Skunk2
> are from 2hp to 12hp, these numbers are on a lot of different cars and I
> haven't seen numbers for a Skunk2 on a GT or GTS Celica. If you have any
> input or know any numbers or place's to get numbers Please tell me.
>
> Thanks,
> CelicaGT00[/color]

Of course they are trying to sell you the TRD... Try asking on a Celica
board which exhaust the recommend the most. And remember, you're going to
get more out of your exhaust the more you open up the entire engine.

Oh, and install it yourself if you have the tools, it's no big deal and the
stealership will rape you for it.

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 18:30:05 -0400, Josh wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "Spam Catcher" <CelicaGT00@webtv.net> wrote in message
> news:15105-42AA0E63-339@storefull-3155.bay.webtv.net...[color=green]
>> I'm starting to Tune a 2000 Toyota Celica GT. I thought to start with
>> the exhaust. I looked at a lot of aftermarket parts and decided on
>> Skunk2. I have been getting Import Tuner for a little over a year and
>> the Skunk2 exhaust has gotten in the 10 best products for the past few
>> years (02, 03, 04). I was at my Toyota dealer asking if I bought one if
>> they would install it, they said yes but they suggested the Toyota
>> Racing Development (TRD) exhaust it would come with a warranty. I can't
>> find any numbers for the GT exhaust but the GTS's has said to give
>> approximately 14hp over stock. The number's I have seen for the Skunk2
>> are from 2hp to 12hp, these numbers are on a lot of different cars and I
>> haven't seen numbers for a Skunk2 on a GT or GTS Celica. If you have any
>> input or know any numbers or place's to get numbers Please tell me.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> CelicaGT00[/color]
>
> Of course they are trying to sell you the TRD... Try asking on a Celica
> board which exhaust the recommend the most. And remember, you're going to
> get more out of your exhaust the more you open up the entire engine.
>
> Oh, and install it yourself if you have the tools, it's no big deal and the
> stealership will rape you for it.[/color]

If the OP goes for the TRD exhaust, the warranty is void if it is self
installed. Since it sounds like Spam Catcher is already looking to have
his new exhaust installed, and his own numbers indicate the TRD exhaust is
about 14HP more just for bolting it on, I'd do the TRD and have the dealer
install it. The biggest reason for me is that the same people that
designed the engine also designed the pipe, so it is probably mated much
better for the application than someone at an engineering house looking at
numbers and blueprints.

--
The Relentless Pursuit Of Conception...

"hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
news:lnpqe.35$kl1.33@trndny08...[color=blue]
> On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 18:30:05 -0400, Josh wrote:
>[color=green]
> >
> > "Spam Catcher" <CelicaGT00@webtv.net> wrote in message
> > news:15105-42AA0E63-339@storefull-3155.bay.webtv.net...[color=darkred]
> >> I'm starting to Tune a 2000 Toyota Celica GT. I thought to start[/color][/color][/color]
with[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> the exhaust. I looked at a lot of aftermarket parts and decided on
> >> Skunk2. I have been getting Import Tuner for a little over a year and
> >> the Skunk2 exhaust has gotten in the 10 best products for the past few
> >> years (02, 03, 04). I was at my Toyota dealer asking if I bought one if
> >> they would install it, they said yes but they suggested the Toyota
> >> Racing Development (TRD) exhaust it would come with a warranty. I can't
> >> find any numbers for the GT exhaust but the GTS's has said to give
> >> approximately 14hp over stock. The number's I have seen for the Skunk2
> >> are from 2hp to 12hp, these numbers are on a lot of different cars and[/color][/color][/color]
I[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> haven't seen numbers for a Skunk2 on a GT or GTS Celica. If you have[/color][/color][/color]
any[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> input or know any numbers or place's to get numbers Please tell me.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> CelicaGT00[/color]
> >
> > Of course they are trying to sell you the TRD... Try asking on a Celica
> > board which exhaust the recommend the most. And remember, you're going[/color][/color]
to[color=blue][color=green]
> > get more out of your exhaust the more you open up the entire engine.
> >
> > Oh, and install it yourself if you have the tools, it's no big deal and[/color][/color]
the[color=blue][color=green]
> > stealership will rape you for it.[/color]
>
> If the OP goes for the TRD exhaust, the warranty is void if it is self
> installed. Since it sounds like Spam Catcher is already looking to have
> his new exhaust installed, and his own numbers indicate the TRD exhaust is
> about 14HP more just for bolting it on, I'd do the TRD and have the dealer
> install it. The biggest reason for me is that the same people that
> designed the engine also designed the pipe, so it is probably mated much
> better for the application than someone at an engineering house looking at
> numbers and blueprints.[/color]

I highly doubt it. TRD products are decent but there are far better products
out there. I'm sure the HP #s are hyped up on a car that was opened up from
top to bottom. If you want to get more out of your exhaust then you should
open up the intake, TB, intake manifold, cams, and throw on a set of
headers.

And what do you need a warranty for on an exhaust? You would probably save
more by installing it yourself. And better yet, buy some pre bent mandrel
parts and build your own exhaust for $200.

[color=blue]
>
>I highly doubt it. TRD products are decent but there are far better products
>out there. I'm sure the HP #s are hyped up on a car that was opened up from
>top to bottom. If you want to get more out of your exhaust then you should
>open up the intake, TB, intake manifold, cams, and throw on a set of
>headers.
>
>And what do you need a warranty for on an exhaust? You would probably save
>more by installing it yourself. And better yet, buy some pre bent mandrel
>parts and build your own exhaust for $200.
>[/color]

You may doubt it but I know for sure. I installed a TRD muffler on
stock 97 Supra Turbo and got a 26 hp increase at the dyno. Other
magazines support that figure with at 25 hp increase on theirs. TRD
has access to the engineerings that designed the engine. They know
what's best for it. As far as installation, my dealer charged me $25
to do it. That's worth it considering I'm going to keep the car until
it falls apart. $25 for a lifetime warranty on a $800 exhaust is
quite a bargain.

If you also compare the TRD exhaust to the aftermarket ones, you will
find that the TRD has the best fit and finish among them all. I can
talk because I've bought plenty of TRD products. How may have you
bought?

I would suggest to Spam Catcher to ask how much the dealer would
install yours for. Additionally, ask yourself how long you're
planning on keeping the car. That should really determine if it's
worth it for you.

On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 19:55:04 -0400, Josh wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> "hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
> news:lnpqe.35$kl1.33@trndny08...[color=green]
>> On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 18:30:05 -0400, Josh wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>> >
>> > "Spam Catcher" <CelicaGT00@webtv.net> wrote in message
>> > news:15105-42AA0E63-339@storefull-3155.bay.webtv.net...
>> >> I'm starting to Tune a 2000 Toyota Celica GT. I thought to start[/color][/color]
> with[color=green][color=darkred]
>> >> the exhaust. I looked at a lot of aftermarket parts and decided on
>> >> Skunk2. I have been getting Import Tuner for a little over a year and
>> >> the Skunk2 exhaust has gotten in the 10 best products for the past few
>> >> years (02, 03, 04). I was at my Toyota dealer asking if I bought one if
>> >> they would install it, they said yes but they suggested the Toyota
>> >> Racing Development (TRD) exhaust it would come with a warranty. I can't
>> >> find any numbers for the GT exhaust but the GTS's has said to give
>> >> approximately 14hp over stock. The number's I have seen for the Skunk2
>> >> are from 2hp to 12hp, these numbers are on a lot of different cars and[/color][/color]
> I[color=green][color=darkred]
>> >> haven't seen numbers for a Skunk2 on a GT or GTS Celica. If you have[/color][/color]
> any[color=green][color=darkred]
>> >> input or know any numbers or place's to get numbers Please tell me.
>> >>
>> >> Thanks,
>> >> CelicaGT00
>> >
>> > Of course they are trying to sell you the TRD... Try asking on a Celica
>> > board which exhaust the recommend the most. And remember, you're going[/color][/color]
> to[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > get more out of your exhaust the more you open up the entire engine.
>> >
>> > Oh, and install it yourself if you have the tools, it's no big deal and[/color][/color]
> the[color=green][color=darkred]
>> > stealership will rape you for it.[/color]
>>
>> If the OP goes for the TRD exhaust, the warranty is void if it is self
>> installed. Since it sounds like Spam Catcher is already looking to have
>> his new exhaust installed, and his own numbers indicate the TRD exhaust is
>> about 14HP more just for bolting it on, I'd do the TRD and have the dealer
>> install it. The biggest reason for me is that the same people that
>> designed the engine also designed the pipe, so it is probably mated much
>> better for the application than someone at an engineering house looking at
>> numbers and blueprints.[/color]
>
> I highly doubt it. TRD products are decent but there are far better products
> out there. I'm sure the HP #s are hyped up on a car that was opened up from
> top to bottom. If you want to get more out of your exhaust then you should
> open up the intake, TB, intake manifold, cams, and throw on a set of
> headers.
>
> And what do you need a warranty for on an exhaust? You would probably save
> more by installing it yourself. And better yet, buy some pre bent mandrel
> parts and build your own exhaust for $200.[/color]


Hey, Josh, you and I know that, but the OP didn't really sound like a
wrench turner. Yeah, If *I* were going to install an exhaust, either TRD
or totally aftermarket, I'd at least do the intake and possibly a manifold.
Since he was talking about having an installer do it, I thought in this
case a TRD with a Toyota warranty (parts AND labor) would be the best bet.

--
The Relentless Pursuit Of Conception...

"hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
news:OmKqe.1043$5s1.450@trndny06...[color=blue]
> On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 19:55:04 -0400, Josh wrote:
>[color=green]
> >
> > "hachiroku" <Trueno@ae86.gts> wrote in message
> > news:lnpqe.35$kl1.33@trndny08...[color=darkred]
> >> On Fri, 10 Jun 2005 18:30:05 -0400, Josh wrote:
> >>
> >> >
> >> > "Spam Catcher" <CelicaGT00@webtv.net> wrote in message
> >> > news:15105-42AA0E63-339@storefull-3155.bay.webtv.net...
> >> >> I'm starting to Tune a 2000 Toyota Celica GT. I thought to start[/color]
> > with[color=darkred]
> >> >> the exhaust. I looked at a lot of aftermarket parts and decided on
> >> >> Skunk2. I have been getting Import Tuner for a little over a year[/color][/color][/color]
and[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> >> the Skunk2 exhaust has gotten in the 10 best products for the past[/color][/color][/color]
few[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> >> years (02, 03, 04). I was at my Toyota dealer asking if I bought one[/color][/color][/color]
if[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> >> they would install it, they said yes but they suggested the Toyota
> >> >> Racing Development (TRD) exhaust it would come with a warranty. I[/color][/color][/color]
can't[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> >> find any numbers for the GT exhaust but the GTS's has said to give
> >> >> approximately 14hp over stock. The number's I have seen for the[/color][/color][/color]
Skunk2[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> >> are from 2hp to 12hp, these numbers are on a lot of different cars[/color][/color][/color]
and[color=blue][color=green]
> > I[color=darkred]
> >> >> haven't seen numbers for a Skunk2 on a GT or GTS Celica. If you have[/color]
> > any[color=darkred]
> >> >> input or know any numbers or place's to get numbers Please tell me.
> >> >>
> >> >> Thanks,
> >> >> CelicaGT00
> >> >
> >> > Of course they are trying to sell you the TRD... Try asking on a[/color][/color][/color]
Celica[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> > board which exhaust the recommend the most. And remember, you're[/color][/color][/color]
going[color=blue][color=green]
> > to[color=darkred]
> >> > get more out of your exhaust the more you open up the entire engine.
> >> >
> >> > Oh, and install it yourself if you have the tools, it's no big deal[/color][/color][/color]
and[color=blue][color=green]
> > the[color=darkred]
> >> > stealership will rape you for it.
> >>
> >> If the OP goes for the TRD exhaust, the warranty is void if it is self
> >> installed. Since it sounds like Spam Catcher is already looking to have
> >> his new exhaust installed, and his own numbers indicate the TRD exhaust[/color][/color][/color]
is[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> about 14HP more just for bolting it on, I'd do the TRD and have the[/color][/color][/color]
dealer[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> install it. The biggest reason for me is that the same people that
> >> designed the engine also designed the pipe, so it is probably mated[/color][/color][/color]
much[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> better for the application than someone at an engineering house looking[/color][/color][/color]
at[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
> >> numbers and blueprints.[/color]
> >
> > I highly doubt it. TRD products are decent but there are far better[/color][/color]
products[color=blue][color=green]
> > out there. I'm sure the HP #s are hyped up on a car that was opened up[/color][/color]
from[color=blue][color=green]
> > top to bottom. If you want to get more out of your exhaust then you[/color][/color]
should[color=blue][color=green]
> > open up the intake, TB, intake manifold, cams, and throw on a set of
> > headers.
> >
> > And what do you need a warranty for on an exhaust? You would probably[/color][/color]
save[color=blue][color=green]
> > more by installing it yourself. And better yet, buy some pre bent[/color][/color]
mandrel[color=blue][color=green]
> > parts and build your own exhaust for $200.[/color]
>
>
> Hey, Josh, you and I know that, but the OP didn't really sound like a
> wrench turner. Yeah, If *I* were going to install an exhaust, either TRD
> or totally aftermarket, I'd at least do the intake and possibly a[/color]
manifold.[color=blue]
> Since he was talking about having an installer do it, I thought in this
> case a TRD with a Toyota warranty (parts AND labor) would be the best bet.[/color]

Depends on the price of the exhaust really.

"Viperkiller" <nothing@nunya.net> wrote in message
news:flnma1pjseuh2b2p36cg3o6isud2lmnmci@4ax.com...[color=blue]
>[color=green]
> >
> >I highly doubt it. TRD products are decent but there are far better[/color][/color]
products[color=blue][color=green]
> >out there. I'm sure the HP #s are hyped up on a car that was opened up[/color][/color]
from[color=blue][color=green]
> >top to bottom. If you want to get more out of your exhaust then you[/color][/color]
should[color=blue][color=green]
> >open up the intake, TB, intake manifold, cams, and throw on a set of
> >headers.
> >
> >And what do you need a warranty for on an exhaust? You would probably[/color][/color]
save[color=blue][color=green]
> >more by installing it yourself. And better yet, buy some pre bent mandrel
> >parts and build your own exhaust for $200.
> >[/color]
>
> You may doubt it but I know for sure. I installed a TRD muffler on
> stock 97 Supra Turbo and got a 26 hp increase at the dyno. Other
> magazines support that figure with at 25 hp increase on theirs. TRD
> has access to the engineerings that designed the engine. They know
> what's best for it. As far as installation, my dealer charged me $25
> to do it. That's worth it considering I'm going to keep the car until
> it falls apart. $25 for a lifetime warranty on a $800 exhaust is
> quite a bargain.
>
> If you also compare the TRD exhaust to the aftermarket ones, you will
> find that the TRD has the best fit and finish among them all. I can
> talk because I've bought plenty of TRD products. How may have you
> bought?[/color]

I own a MR2 and I know a bit about performance products. $800 for an
exhaust, or if you can work a wrench you could have one for $200. A muffer
shop would not charge that much to install or mate something up. TRD may
have 'access' to the engineering's that designed the engine, big deal!
There's no rocket science in producing an exhaust system that's right for a
particular engine.

And please don't tell me that the fit and finish is better, how many exhaust
systems have you really looked at? You Supra guys need to learn how to do
some of your own work (yes, us MR2 guys know how you are) =)
[color=blue]
> I would suggest to Spam Catcher to ask how much the dealer would
> install yours for. Additionally, ask yourself how long you're
> planning on keeping the car. That should really determine if it's
> worth it for you.[/color]

It's all going to come down to price, $900 range for an exhaust is hardly
worth it when you will get comparable results from producing your own. Let's
see ...Regrind Cams + Intake + Custom exhaust + Header...or just
Exhaust...tough choice.

Build my own exhaust? Would it be carb and all legal for street use?
I dought it.

CelicaGT00

This will be my first TRD part if I go TRD. I plan on keepng the car
forever. The dealership says that they would have to see the parts first
to find a estimate for labor. It would be a year labor Warrenty.

CelicaGT00

I could do it, but I dont have a car lift. I live in an apparment. I
dont want to scrach ether exhaust. The Skunk2 and TRD are both stainless
steel.

Skunk2 is about $500. I'm not sure how much the TRD one is but I think
it will be about the same or maybe a little more.

CelicaGT00

"Spam Catcher" <CelicaGT00@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:12031-42AB967E-456@storefull-3154.bay.webtv.net...[color=blue]
> Build my own exhaust? Would it be carb and all legal for street use?
> I dought it.
>
> CelicaGT00[/color]

I take it you live in Cali huh? I'm not sure how they are on Exhausts there,
but I would imagine with a primary and secondary Cat you would be able to
pass any sniff tests.

"Spam Catcher" <CelicaGT00@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:12031-42AB9A62-460@storefull-3154.bay.webtv.net...[color=blue]
> Skunk2 is about $500. I'm not sure how much the TRD one is but I think
> it will be about the same or maybe a little more.
>
> CelicaGT00[/color]

If they are both in the $500 range you're probably best off with the TRD.

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 22:11:03 -0400, Spam Catcher wrote:
[color=blue]
> I could do it, but I dont have a car lift. I live in an apparment. I
> dont want to scrach ether exhaust. The Skunk2 and TRD are both stainless
> steel.[/color]

I don't blame you! Lying on your back with a foot of clearance, stuff
falling in your face, tools rolling away from you...oh yeah, a fun
afternoon.

I do a lot of my own work, but something I have to get under the car
for...no thanks. The last time I did was to fix a bad leak in the fuel
lines.

I started working for a Toyota dealer a few weeks ago, in the Detailing
dept. The mechanics were behind yesterday, so the SM asked if I could do
oil changes. Took all of a half an hour, and included rotating the tires
and replacing the cabin filter. Takes me 30 mins just to change my oil
alone!

As far as scratching...that'll only take a week or so...

But I would still probably go with the TRD, unless the Skunk2 is a LOT
cheaper!

--
The Relentless Pursuit Of Conception...