Exhaust Upgrade Recommendations?

[ChadMKIII]

Hey Guys,
So I’m looking at getting a new exhaust system, turbo-back. I went with my friend to the place he’s getting his exhaust done, and they recommended Borla or Spintech. I’ve searched around the Exhaust section and am not finding much help, as they are mostly 3.5” exhausts on heavily modded cars. I don’t plan on doing a whole bunch of upgrades any time soon, so I’m just looking at getting a decent exhaust and hi-flow 2nd cat. I’m guessing I’ll leave the first one alone.

I have a 91 turbo, bone stock. So, they recommended 2.5” Borla or Spintech, didn’t get a specific model name. They said they would sound good (not ricer like-which I would rather stay stock than have a fartcan), and they said if I wanted to replace a cat I should go with the one farther back, and quoted me 170 installed for a hi-flow cat, and 540 installed all together (exhaust and cat). Does this sound like a good idea? Anyone know how they sound, etc?
Any recommendations, impressions, etc would be great.

Questions for CA people:
1. Anyone have any knowledge about this place? Guaranteed Muffler on Fremont Blvd, Fremont CA.
2. Does replacing the Down Pipe delete the 1st Cat? And will it still pass emissions (incl. visual) without the first cat?

Thanks a lot for the help, and sorry for the newbie questions, I just don't know much about engine tech-yet.

 

[Wills7MGTE]

I live in Missouri, so I can get away with a bit more, I have basic mods as well. I run an HKS 3 inch Downpipe, I ordered but have not installed the SupraSport turbo elbow, I have installed also the HKS 3 inch high flow cat, and topped off with a 3 inch Blitz NUR Spec cat-back system. Even with all the mods I already had on the exhaust helped a great deal, a lot more low end torque and more power, also better throttle response. I got the cat because MO randomly does emissions and I got tested, it passed.

I would say get a 3 inch like I did or even bigger, a turbo car is hindered by backpressure so the bigger the better would help you a lot. The HKS dragger and super dragger, Blitz NUR Spec, and Tanabe medallion are all good cat back systems that I have either driven a car equipped with or otherwise been involved with, GReddy also makes good kits. I wouldn't waste money on a 2.5 inch, when a 3 inch would make a lot more power and costs around the same price.

Thats my two cents................ Good Luck

 

[Wills7MGTE]

My friend Jesse and I installed the DP, the cat and cat back was purchased later due to budget and was installed for 40 bucks by a local shop for me, since I can't weld.

 

[ForcedTorque]

Will said it..........Don't spend money on a 2.5" system. You want at least a 3". If you want quiet, and not performance so much, leave the silencer in it. Then later, when you want more power (it's true, you will), you will have the exhaust in place. I'm also very low on the mods, and my exhaust made a pretty big difference. It's not the best exhaust, but still made a difference. I use a cheap Meagan downpipe, and a Exhaust Depot catback. I have no inspection, so no cats at all. Most downpipes will eliminate the first cat. You will need one at the second location to pass emissions.

 

[Allan_MA70]

i'm going dump > 3inch > cat > 2x 2.5 > two mufflers infront of the subframe > one 2x 2.5 in 2x2.5 out muffler. all strait thru stainless with mandrel bends

 

[Wills7MGTE]

The DP helped a ton and got rid of that stupid 1st cat, my blitz is only loud at mid to high rpms, 3000 rpms and above, the silencer that came with it quieted it a lot but it does hurt the power a bit so I don't ever use the silencer, sounds pretty mean to and has tendency to pop flame some.

 

[Snotcycle]

i have 3 inch turbo back, cats deleted, with an Apex'i Dunk catback, loud but solid sounding at idle, screams "boosted supra" at full throttle. good shit but i get hassled by the man ALOT. everytime i get pulled over, no matter what for, the first comment is "thats a pretty big muffler you got there"

PS lets have a little bay area supra meet, i'll take you for a ride in my 91 turbo targa with full exhaust and intake and shimmed gate

 

[bluemk3]

what im runnign is the hks super dragger cat back i tihnk its 3.35 diameter and a bic divorced downpipe and test pipe it eliminates all cats but it sounds so crazy on boost the ddp makes a shuttering noise and its so loud. but the hks exhaust has a very nice rumble and low note for aroudn town driving

 

[TobyCat]

I have a cooleeze dp, test pipe and HKS super drager. It's amazingly quiet for a full 3" exhaust, I definately recommend it.

If you're going to upgrade, don't even bother with a 2.5" ... turbos like flow Get a downpipe and a good high flow cat. I'm not exactly sure if the "visual" test in CA is anything like it is up here in BC, but they just throw a mirror under your car and look for anything that resembles a cat (meow!) heh. That's test 1, test 2 is taking measurements and you're done - hopefully passing. How often do you have to do emissions tests in CA?

 

[ChadMKIII]

Hey, thanks for all the great replies, you guys are great. Damn I love Supramania!

Anyway, TobyCat, CA emissions blow. They're every 2 years, and they put your car on a dyno of sorts and let it run. All the other cars I've watched it done on have been newer cars, so they just hook up the the OBEDII port. I'm guessing they use the sniffer our cars, though. I really don't know how strict the viz is, so I'm hoping someone in CA will know if they will notice if the 1st cat is gone. The guy at the exhaust place said he didn't think it would pass emissions w/o both cats, but he might be required to say that, iono.

And, I thought 2.5 sounded a bit small, but will a huge one, like 3.25" or above, hurt power? Remember the Civic dyno where it lost power with a huge exhaust? I'm thinking I'll prolly go with 3".

Also, for instance, Will, when you say its only lound at 3k and above, does that include just cruising at that? Cuz I commute across the Dumbarton-a bridge in my area-speed limit is 55 but everyone runs 85+. I run about 90-95 over it at 3500ish, and really would rather not draw extra attention to myself.

Snotcycle, that sounds great, we should have a meet sometime soon. I'm really curious to hear all the different exhausts and get an idea of the sounds. I can't afford anything super loud, the attention from Big Bro is too much. I just want something that is solid and does't scream rice. What do you do about the smog tests? Do you have to reinstall em every time?

Thanks so much guys!

 

[Stanzaspeed]

I thought 2.5 sounded a bit small, but will a huge one, like 3.25" or above, hurt power? Remember the Civic dyno where it lost power with a huge exhaust? I'm thinking I'll prolly go with 3".

go 3", you dont drive a civic. 3" is plenty on a stock ct-26.

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

I install the catbacks myself, I like 3" tanabe and I have a custom made ddp with no cat. I'm going to have the get ddp modded so I can run a cat or gutted one so cops don't give me crap If I get pulled over.
Installing a catback is actually really easy if you want to do it yourself.

 

[Sawbladz]

When I was looking for exhausts I couldn't find one with the look I wanted so I had one custom made at an exhaust shop. It is all 3 inch with a Magnaflow high flow cat, HKS downpipe, HKS turbo elbow, resonator and a 3inch inlet to dual 3.5 inch outlet muffler. I think it sounds great. Really deep and throaty and not loud unless you try to be. I think that a resonator is required to make it liveable on highway trips. Mine doesn't drone at all.

As for price it was quite reasonable. Cost me less that ordering a Super Dragger or other Cat-Back over the internet and it is something not everyone has.

 

[born2drv]

I love my cutout:

I have a 3" custom downpipe, fed into that sucker and a 3" full exhaust.

But to be honest I'm probably going to DOWNSIZE my exhaust after the cutout, maybe to 2.5" or even 2.25" ... put a nice cat and resonator and make that bitch quiet...... then when I hit the gas the boost-activated cut-out opens up and and I get lots of flow. This way I don't draw too much attention when it's not wanted, and at the same time, California is putting these portable smog testers that test you as you drive by, so no boost = no problems.

 

[SupraSonica]

I believe you need both cats to pass emissions. But some places dont even check.

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

I only had one everytime I went so you don't need two but it helps.

 

[inline6]

I only had one everytime I went so you don't need two but it helps.

JAV doesn't believe me but the first one is supposed to be for cold start and since you test your car hot it shouldn't make any difference.

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

Shut up you. Come help me fix your motor.

 

[bwest]

I've been running a single cat for 4+ years with no problems. Most shops (unless its toyota themselves) wouldn't even know that there was a pre-cat to begin with, so i wouldn't worry about it.

I welded up a custom catback (3" borla, w/ a dynomax resonator), and with a 3" elbow+DP+3" random tech cat, its louder than stock but not enough to get bothered by the popo. Just crusing (2200-2700) it has a soft hum but still makes plenty of noise at WOT. All in all, the smaller the canister, the louder it will be. just something to think about when picking out your system.

 

[TobyCat]

Yeah, most places would have no idea that there are two cats on that car. You should be ok with just a single high flow. Also, my car only drones at about 2500-3000 rpm. Anything out of that range and it is quiet...wont draw any attention.