Breath: ExhaleCongratulations, you've made it this far and you've still got internet access. That mean's you haven't gone completely broke yet. Keep going and we'll start to work on that "expendable money" issue you have.
Factory Exhaust systems don't always have the customer's desires in mind, as stated at the beginning of the last page. Let's support the engineers out there that realize most performance car fans aren't that concerned with a little vibration here or a buzz noise over there. Factory exhaust systems can be heavy and restrictive, even necking down to 60% of the cross section of the rest of the pipes in order to ensure that the pipe doesn't come in contact with a cross-member when you whack a pot-hole. Race car man! I don't care if the exhaust taps the rear sub-frame when I lift the front wheels off the ground during a bad-ass launch. I want that pipe to flow at maximum capacity so I don't have to replace it for being a bottleneck! Again, if you live CA, you need to make sure it is C.A.R.B. approved. Otherwise, weigh your options based on performance and cost. Sample Exhaust Flow Chart
HeadersPRIMARIES: One thing to consider is whether or not you want to go with 2", or 1.875", or 1.75" primaries. (Primaries are the first section of pipe that the exhaust gas interacts with as it exits the cylinder head.) If I only planned to put intake and exhaust on my car, I would get a system with 1.75" primaries. If I planned to make more mods than just simple bolt-ons, I would stick with 1.875" primaries if I planned to be at less than 650WHP. If I were to be planning for a 700+WHP build, I'd go with the 2" primaries.
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS: The great debate! To run CATs or not to run CATs. Unfortunately, there has yet to be a breakthrough in Catalytic converters that allows performance enthusiast to run CAT's/save the planet AND make just as much power as they would without CAT's. Until this happens, people will find ways around running CATs no matter what state or rules are in place. I don't condone this nor do I advise it due to the legal implications associated with doing so. (Depending on your state of residence.) The important stuff: If you're trying to make the most power possible, running CATs is not the way to go. If you want to save the planet and have a setup that doesn't need to be messed with every time you need to pass an emissions check, running CATs IS the way to go. Secondary CATs on our car can be removed without MIL's or CEL's but it may or may not cause you to fail an emissions check. (MIL-Malfunction Indicator Light, CEL-Check Engine Light) Here's my overview of your options: ARH Long Tube Headers (Intermediate system) Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1821.75 W/ X-pipe American Racing Headers takes an interesting approach to the exhaust system which allows enthusiasts to play Goldilocks a bit. They make this system in Intermediate, long, and full system configurations which allows customers to decide how much of their exhaust they want to replace. Again, you can also get this system with or without CATs. 304 Stainless Steel and ALWAYS made in the USA! Borla 17293 Long Tube Headers (CAT Delete) Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1294.99 (Free Shipping) This header features 1.75" Primaries and 3" collectors. It matches up with the 3" Borla systems 140687, 140688, 140689 or 140690. These headers and any of the 4 CAT-Backs listed will give you a full replacement exhaust system. Dynatech SuperMaxx Long Tube Headers Horsepower added: 36RWHP & 25RWTQ (Claimed) Cost associated: $$ - As of Sept. 2017: $899.99 100% 304 Stainless with 1.875" Primaries and 3" Collectors. These can also be had with 2" primaries, but they're a little more expensive. Dynatech gives you the option to purchase each set of headers with high-flow CATs, POWERCATs, or no CAT's. These headers appear to be one of the most affordable sets on the market. With a claim as high as they have, I'm a bit skeptical to believe this wasn't the result of a tune as well. Regardless, these seem to be a great deal and the potential gains are a great bang for the buck. Hooker Blackheart Long Tube Headers 70101325-R Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$ - As of Sept. 2017: $999.95 ($1029.95 for 2" Primaries) Hooker by Holley has a great reputation for making consistent, high-quality parts for the industry. These headers are as good as they come and at an excellent price. As you'll see farther down the page, they also make full systems that look very efficient and make good use of the space they have to work with. Of all the systems so far, I am counting on Hooker Blackheart Headers for my build due to the fact that the rest of the system is a great price as well, and makes the best use of what's left of the NPP system. JBA Competition-Ready Headers 6816S Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$ - As of Sept. 2017: $584.97 BANG for the BUCK deal! This long tube header system from JBA is bound to give you some gains at a great price. Based on the actual cost of these versus other systems, I would go into the installation process with an open mind about fitment and general clearance. It looks like this system is abiding by a strict clearance zone compared to others however, so we may be OK for clearance. Notice how all the pipes converge right where the factory flange is? These are obviously not equal-length tubes, but they are longer than a shorty system. I would expect good gains from this system. Me personally, I'm not a big fan of V-band clamps over ball-style clamps for big horsepower applications with factory motor mounts. I believe they are more prone to fatiguing and cracking with all of the relative motion since they do not allow movement within the joint. Again, just my opinion. JBA CAT4rward Shorty Headers Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$ - As of Sept. 2017: $556.97 This Shorty system looks to be the least expensive way to replace your factory headers. The great thing about these headers is that you can replace JUST the header section and still use the rest of your factory system. That means you keep your factory CATs and SHOULD be able to pass C.A.R.B. tests since the factory CAT system is untouched. There is always going to be a debate about which system is truly better for your car or which one frees up more power, but in my opinion, it's always going to be based on the specific build, available space, and situation you're needing the power. My opinion about this is that Shorties are a great way to free up some power and stay smog legal while on a budget. They provide smaller gains on the lower RPM range, and in most cases are still outperformed by Long Tube headers throughout the entire RPM range. If you want the most power available at anytime, go with Long Tube headers. I personally feel that a torque curve that steadily progresses is more rewarding and enjoyable to drive even though it's average HP & TQ is less than with Long Tube headers. Kooks 2260H420 1-7/8" x 3" Headers Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1336.69 (Free Shipping) As described in the title, they are running 1.875" Primaries and have 3" collectors. They are made of T304 Stainless Steel. Kooks has been doing this for longer than several of us have been alive. (Since 1962) This set of headers from Kooks will give you a boost in performance, the killer sound of headers and will still help to save the planet a bit with a set of included CATs. Don't expect this to get you by with the C.A.R.B though. Kooks also makes these headers with GREEN CATs (2260H430) and with No CATs (2260H410). GREEN CATs are less likely to set off CEL's or MIL's, and you have a good chance of passing the C.A.R.B. test. These are not guarantees though. Stainless Works Long Tube Headers Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1852.50 Stainless Works has steadily been gaining an audience with the aftermarket industry. Their products have top notch quality and the performance gains go hand-in-hand with this. They, like many others, give you the option of buying them in different configurations. These configurations include with or without CATs and with or without AFM Valves. Post CAT SystemsaFe Power 49-34069-P MACH Force-Xp CAT-Back System (Black Tips Version Here.)
Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$$$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1899.00 aFe Power at it again with a system that looks different from the rest and has performance to go along with it. This CAT-Back system is available with Standard tips or with Black Tips. You can also get it in Axle-Back form with standard tips or with Black Tips. This is not the least expensive CAT-Back system available, but don't forget that you get what you pay for in most instances. This system does look like it will make a noticeable difference with the NPP valves open versus shut. I appreciate that added functionality. Borla 140687 CAT-Back Exhaust S-Type (Non-NPP is 140689: $1593.81) Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$$$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1754.25 This system has dual tips and will fit the vehicles equipped with Dual Mode Exhaust (NPP) but it does not include Dual Mode valves. 3" piping all the way back to the mufflers with dual 2.25" pipes coming from each of the two mufflers. 4.0" Tips. This is an excellent way to replace the restrictions and excessive weight that comes along with the factory CAT-back system. The S-Type model gives you a more refined sound with a slightly less aggressive note than the ATAK system. This is probably what you want for a daily driver. Non-NPP versions come with a single 4.5" tip on each side. If you want to retain Dual-Mode Valve feature, you can upgrade this and other Borla NPP Replacement systems with Borla Part # 60605. Link HERE. Just so it's been said, Borla is asking $884.99 ($710.56 on Amazon) for this upgrade which consists of about 2 feet worth of piping, tips, and valves. I think this is highway robbery for what you're getting, but that's just my opinion. Also, based on the construction of the system, I would say you will not see nearly the difference in audible output versus the factory NPP system. Borla 140688 NPP CAT-Back Exhaust ATAK (Non-NPP is 140690: $1606.40) Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$$$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1723.23 This system has dual tips and will fit the vehicles equipped with Dual Mode Exhaust (NPP) but it does not include Dual Mode valves. 3" piping all the way back to the mufflers with dual 2.25" pipes coming from each of the two mufflers. This is an excellent way to replace the restrictions and excessive weight that comes along with the factory CAT-back system. The ATAK model gives you the most aggressive sound of all of their CAT-Back systems. This is probably what you want for a weekend warrior car. Non-NPP versions come with a single 4.5" tip on each side. Corsa 14784 NPP Extreme Axle-Back System (Non-NPP is 14787: $1069.05) Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1107.01 The Corsa system looks to be very simple and light as well. However, based on what I can see from the pictures, it looks like this system was made largely with cost in mind. The fact that this system costs over $500-$600 seems absurd to me as it looks like the mufflers don't really belong in this system, but they made it "Work" anyways. I'm not interested in this system, but just wanted to make sure it's captured here so everyone knows their options. Flowmaster American Thunder NPP Axle-Back 817746 (Non-NPP 817744) Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$$$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1060.01 Flowmaster is selling Axle-back kits and Mid-Section kits seperately which makes sense to me. I like the fact that I can replace my mid-section without having to replace my Axle-back. Actually, this is the plan for my 1LE. Headers and Mid-Section only. The factory NPP muffler is loud enough for me, and with headers and secondary CAT delete, I'm sure it will be even louder. If you want to go with a full Flowmaster CAT-Back, though, you can absolutely do that with the options they give you. You can find the Mid-Section without AFM valves HERE and the Mid-Section with AFM Valves HERE. Also, if you don't have the NPP system and you want it as loud as can be, Flowmaster also offers the Outlaw Axle-Back which has much less effective mufflers and is noticeably louder. Hooker Blackheart NPP CAT-Back 70501389 (Non-NPP 70501394) Horsepower added: 23RWHP & 27RWTQ (Claimed) Cost associated: $$$$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1799.95 Hooker has been at this since the 60's. They dominated the drag strip for 2 decades around this time and have established themselves as a brand to count on. I am a fan of this system because it looks like it will allow me to retain a noticeable difference in with the NPP valves closed versus open. They make the exhaust flow through a large muffler in opposing directions to drastically change the speed and direction of the airflow. This turbulence helps to reduce the volume as it stays in the muffler for longer than it would with a straight-through system. When you're not trying to be sneaky, open the valves and scare your neighbors! I appreciate the amount of work that went into the design of this system and what goes into the manufacturing of each system that gets made. This system stands apart from the rest and therefore I feel like the price is justified for it's unique solution to the problem. Hooker also offers this in an Axle-Back NPP form and a Non-NPP Axle-Back form. Last but not least, they also offer all of these systems in a Loud and Proud version which they nonchalantly refer to as No-Mufflers. The NPP CAT-Back can be found HERE and the Non-NPP CAT-Back can be found HERE. Axle Back NPP can be found HERE, and the Non-NPP Axle-Back can be found HERE. Kooks Header-Back NPP System No Valves. (Requires Kooks Headers) Non-NPP System HERE. $1620 Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$$$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1778.38 If you're a fan of Kooks and want a full Kooks system, you're in luck! Kooks has you covered from Exhaust port to Exhaust tip. You can get all of their systems with polished tips or Black tips. The systems above are without CATs. You can also get them with High Flow CATs and with GREEN CATs. Non-NPP High Flow CATs and Non-NPP GREEN CATs. In my opinion, this kit is overpriced based on the fact that all parts look like they are off-the-shelf items for the company and the only thing they did was package the pipes in the shortest path possible. While this may be a good approach, I enjoy seeing the more sophisticated approaches like those taken by Hooker and aFe. MagnaFlow 19265 NPP Replacement CAT-Back Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$$$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1812.01 MagnaFlow has a long-standing tradition of quality and efficiency. This particular system has the ability to maintain your AFM Valves as well as your NPP Dual-Mode Valves. The flow-path of this system seems very efficient and simple. I'm guessing this will have a large weight savings over the factory muffler. This is definitely not the most affordable system in the bunch, but it all comes down to preference and what you're comfortable with. The gain in horsepower for these systems are all likely to be very similar, so my suggestion is to way videos on YouTube.com to get a feel for what they sound like and choose accordingly by price and sound preference. MBRP Dual CAT-Back Street Version T409 S7032409 Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1069.99 MBRP systems rank high in my book for a couple reasons. One, they're the only ones that have a seperate resonance dissolving canister which tells me they did they're homework on the system at a vehicle level. Two, they seem to give a great bang-for-the-buck value for all of their systems, this one included. If you want to save even more, they also offer this system in an aluminized version as well for less. If you just want the Axle-Back system, they offer that as well. Last but not least, if you want the loudest system, you can get the race version which essentially has no muffling in the system. Stainless Works NPP Replacement CAT-Back Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$$ - As of Sept. 2017: $1292.00 Depending on the configuration, this is actually one of the more affordable CAT-Back systems available. Just knowing that many of these systems are made from Stainless Steel helps me to rest assured that it will last for many years to come. This is another system that I do not believe will make a big difference with NPP valves closed versus open, but to each their own. I personally like to have a system that is very quiet when needed. Stainless Works NPP Replacement Axle-Back (Non NPP Axle-Back: $636.50) Horsepower added: TBD Cost associated: $$ - As of Sept. 2017: $988.00 If you just want to remove that heavy muffler in the back and replace it with something more efficient and a little louder, this is a great option for you. The cost seems a bit high to me for what you're getting, but you also have to keep in mind that normally you're paying for quality when it comes to highly renowned companies such as Stainless Works. Again, the NPP Dual-Mode Valves are available on this system as well but I don't see the valves being open or closed making much of a difference if you're running from the police. Stay tuned for more details. |
  
            
  
    
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