Warrior Saint

Hi folks,

I did a search couldn't find the exact response, so here I am.

I have been researching quiet exhaust systems, as my Y pipe is cracked and I wanna replace the entire thing with a performance exhaust will little noise.

The Apexi keeps coming up as a winner, however only the muffler is stainless steel. The rest of the piping has some steel coating.

How important or good is it to have a stainless steel exhaust. I wanted to go stainless steel to inhibit the possibility of rust. Is that even wise? I mean, it's not like i'm ever going to see the exhaust so it's colour is irrelevant. If I do go with Apexi, should I also get Apexi headers?

if I do change the entire exhaust, is it only fitting to do the intake as well? Or am i going overboard? I have a cold air now and want to take more advantage of it.

Lastly, I need to do an emissions test in march. Would any of these changes bring me close to failing?


Aargh....all of this is so confusing at times.....any advice would help...thanks

Nova_Dust

Stainless steel, stains less. It will still rust, just at a slower rate. There is a slight advantage to weight saving, but not a critical issue in your case. A coating over steel would be fine for years to come. There have been reviews of Greddy muffler rusted out in 2 years, and they claim to be stainless.

It is header, not headers. You put one header on your engine. If money allows, why not. But generic bolt-ons (I/H/E) would be a good start.

Your cold air is fine.

I/H/E shouldn't effect your emission.

Warrior Saint

Thanks for the reply...and sorry for all my noob questions

but you'll have to forgive me, what exactly does (I/H/E) stand for?

I was thinking to go to ZORO muffler in Mississauga to do more inquiring, prices, etc.. is that a good place? Or is it better to purchase the material from a performance store and then take it to a place for installation? I also don't want to get ripped off. Zoro is the only place I really know of, if anyone else has any good shops, please do tell.

VTEC_Thunder

I/H/E stands for Intake (as in cold air intake) Header (you know what that is) and Exhaust (the rest of your exhaust, from the header/cat back).

Never heard of zoro muffler, maybe someone else hear can answer that one.

If it were me, I'd buy the parts (muffler and pipes) and put it on myself.

If your new at moding and would like to have a shop do it, ask around. There are some ppl on here that may be nice enough to help you out or recomend a shop that is good.

Also grab a short-throw shifter from t-e-k-n-o-t-i-k for $35....you'll like it.

Good luck man....

Nova_Dust

No question is too noob, don't worry about it.

Zoro does good work apparently, as some have testified.

Me[kk]A

I can vouch for zorro..not sure of their warranty on performance exhaust but for stock replacement exhaust they give a lifetime warranty. On top of that if you have a problem with it they replce it hassle free. my dad's zorro exhaust on his work van rotted out and the minute they lifted it they said.."yep thats our stuff..replace it all." done and done.

i can also vouch for LSS exhaust in burlington.. although their customer service hasent been top notch in the past year or so.

theres also pipes in scarborough..had my o2's replaced there on my maxima.. good guys..not expensive and they finished exactly when they said they would..

hope this helps

Warrior Saint

Thanks guys, really nice of you to help out,

out of curiosity, how much should I expect to pay to have the work done? As for purchasing the parts myself, my only concern is if I get the wrong stuff, or something that may not work as good. I'll try to pass by Zorro today and see what they can tell me/quote me. I'll also go to max and performance improvements to get some prices on the apexi.

As for doing the work myself, that is not an option, I can do some basic stuff, but that is beyond my abilities. I have a cousin who does work, i guess he can do it for me...

thanks people, and if anyone else has any info to suggest, please do share.

imported_Mashimaro

I've got the Apex'i Worldsport 1 muffler and i've had it on for at least 2-3 years now. No problems at all with the piping rusting or anything.

unless you plan on going turbo in the near future, then you might as well get the header done while you're at it. you don't need to get the apex'i one to match the exhaust, but that's your choice. it won't be cheap though for the header if you decide to go with the apex'i.

you may have problems with smog testing with the header on however. most aftermarket headers don't heat up the cat well enough to make it work effectively. the heat will escape before it gets to the cat/02 sensor due the thin material used to reduce weight/improve flow.

if you're paying a shop to install a header and exhaust, i can't see it taking more than 1 hour MAX. maybe even less...

good luck dood!

VTEC_Thunder

Header shouldn't affect your emissions enough to make it fail...as long as you still have a cat.

The car is a lil 4 banger...doesn't produce much emissions anyways....unless your going turbo or serious NA tuning with cams and all.

Megan-racing makes a good header for a really good price ($300 or less range). You can choose from a 4-1 or 4-2-1.

Nova_Dust

A full stainless catback, with a choice of muffler (usually Magnaflow) should be around 700, plus minus.

60mm (2.38") diameter is a good piping for NA engine and between 1.6 to 1.8 liters.

imported_Mashimaro

that's what i thought as well till my friend and i failed smog. we did everything except swapping the header out. tried that last and passed with flying colors once the stock cast-iron one was put back on!

my buddy took his car to the smog certified mechanics and they said the same thing...the header isn't heating up the cat enough to make it work cuz the heat is escaping out before it gets there.

of course, it could depend on your car and how 'healthy' it is as well.

Warrior Saint

My Y-pipe is cracked...so that's why I wanna get the whole thing replaced with a performance exhaust that is quiet...and apexi comes up as the quietest one (from what i've read) as for the header though, i'm not sure what model or type to get.

and no, i'm not going turbo, no plans to go turbo, and I doubt i'll make any modifications. I just wanna tune up my exhaust with something sweet

VTEC_Thunder

If you have a header on your car thats not allowing enough heat to get to your cat....heat-wrap the header. That will really keep the heat in and get the cat up to temp.

If you still think it looks ugly...just unwrap it afterwards...


just a though....

kwasley

go to raceinspired.net and buy the catback from there, if you are even mildly mechanically inclined you should be able to install a catback yourself.

The coating on the apexi exhausts are designed to protect it from the elements and should be more durable than stainless steel.

Warrior Saint

Where should I get the Y pipe from? What kind should I get?

imported_Mashimaro

well, we would, but most of us run straight-pipe until it's time for aircare (smog). and yah, i thought about wrapping my header at one point too since it's not shiny anymore (Spoon 4-2-1). :cry: