I dont know if i should get an ebay cat back exhaust or go to a local muffler shop and have them install 2.5 in piping from the cat back and weld a universal tip to the end. both are about the same price but i was wondering which would be better performance wise? http://forums.g2ic.com/images/smilies/manual.gif:manual:
There are a couple of factors that come into play with this question. I think in many cases with Ebay, it’s a toss up on whether you’re going to get a decent piece or not. I’ve read a few positive reviews from people on this board and others regarding Ebay exhausts, but as always there are those possible issues of fitment.
Muffler shops on the other hand don’t tend to use mandrel bent piping for cheaper setups. I won’t go too in depth into why that’s not the best thing, but it basically means your piping is not going to be 2.5 inch all the way down. The crush bends will be smaller in diameter than the straight 2.5 in portions. Also, on my first DA, I had a muffler shop 2.25 exhaust and they didn’t weld in a resonator. I didn’t know much about exhausts back then and my stock piping had rusted through. You should find out if the price the shop quoted you included a resonator. Otherwise, you’re gonna get a decent amount of raspiness when pushing it.
I went through this phase of exhaust options. I thought it all out too, ebay cat backs, kteller kits, muffler shop systems, and conjuring up my own system with pre-made mandrel bends because I never thought I’d find a used quality name brand exhaust system. One day on craigslist I found a really good full 2.5 Thermal Classic for sale for $75.
My suggestion is search craigslist if you can wait. Since youre in CA im pretty sure one will pop up.
If not, go with an ebay kit and take it to a muffler shop. It’ll cost probably and $100 to mount up but they’ll make it fit. Total is about $250 which would cost just as much or a little under a used name brand system.
I will find out if they can do the mandrel bend on the pipe instead of the crush bend. if they do would you recomend thjust the 2.5 inch piping? another problem i see with the ebay cat back is iim not a really big fan of the stock “style” of how it is set up and with the 2.5 piping i get more of what i want. what exactly does a resanator do? what happens besides the raspy sound when you get on it??
This is the one im going to try.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/STAINLESS-STEEL-CATBACK-CAT-BACK-EXHAUST-SYSTEM-90-93-INTEGRA-DA5-DA9-DB1-DB2-/170696460517?fits=Make:Acura|Model:Integra|Year:1990&hash=item27be4d48e5&item=170696460517&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr
Its the style that i wanted opposed to the centered muffler with tip like 99% of them on there. I’m just going to have the shop weld a skunk 2 resonator on the piping.
i LOVE my ebay catback…only bad thing about it is two mounting points arent right, i have yet to take it to the muffler shop to get it fixed, but other than that…i love the sound quiet during riding, but looks great IMO
can you let me know how that ebay kit goes for you? in the mean time im going to check on craigslist and see if anything come up. Thanks for the help !
are you getting a resonator?
I would get a brand name system if I care for looks, but I prefer function over form.
You don’t need a expensive mandrel bent system if your going to run a stock engine. 2.5 crush bent setup is fine.
If you plan to run a camed or modded vtec engine or any engine with modes internals then yes it will make all the difference.
yea i will probably buy a skunk2 resonator. and my engine is stock right now but i plan going vtec and internals so i would rather do it with a mandrel bent system.
can you let me know the size of the piping on that ebay exhaust when you get it?
They’re usually made for the stock spec ls engine the 90-93. Not many make systems for the higher output b17a
You have to really look for the rare systems or have one made which is much better if you know how to tune it right. DoNT get a full 2.5 setup then add the stock cat in the mix, you need to add a removable testpipe bolted.
i was going to ask about the test pipe. what happens if you get get caught without a cat converter?
You won’t pass emissions. And if pulled over, they can impound your car and fine you.
Find a CA-Legal high-flow cat and have it installed with the exhaust.