ceemarun

i definately know for sure that cat backs are better than universal mufflers w/ custom 3" piping, but i need some explanations! i see catbacks going for $500+, but then universal mufflers are $200ish and custom piping here runs for $100. other than the fact that they are crush bent, what else is wrong? crush bent restricts how much?

falcongsr

how can custom+universal be better than 'cat back' is the custom is mandrel bent?

ceemarun

i said the cat back is better, not the universal.

98civicEX

there was just a group buy on 3" mandaral bent piping stainless steel 160

M.A.R.C.

I didn't think it made much of a difference as long as the piping is mandrel bent from the catback. Why is a brand name catback better?

ceemarun

im thinking its not a difference if the piping is mandrel bent either, but i still want to know why people would spend an extra $200-$300 for a full cat back. theres gotta be a reason. quality?

i also wonder how much restrictionon power does crush bent create compared to mandrel.

M.A.R.C.

i really think its the name or something. i just came back with a custom exhaust w/ a magnaflow muffler and i see no differences really.

T25 civic

I was told that a 2.5 inch mandrel bent exhaust will flow like a 3 inch crushed exhaust. Not to sure if thats true, just my $.02
Nick

turboex

get this, a normal crushbender will not bent 3inch very well without crushing it a good bit, but the guy im going to tomorrow showed me a piece of 3inch that he bent a 45 and the welded it to another 45 and the bend was great, no ripples or anything. the pipe was not much diffrent looking for a mandrel bent pipe. his charging me 100bucks then im gonna have him put on my 3inch apexi n1. im still debating on the resonator, i guess we will see. ill try post pics tomorrow


[Modified by turboex, 5:34 AM 8/20/2002]

typeRadrenalin

a mandrel bent axhaust will flow a lot smoother compared to a crush pipe exhaust u may or may not see much difference it depends on how much there is flowing. there may not be anough air flowing to be able to notice. its hard to tell a big difference with an exhaust unless ur pushin good boost or hp.

racerxadam

I think the difference is in ease of installation. You but a cat back when you don't feel like making an exhaust. and you buy universal when you feel like saving money.

M.A.R.C.

kinda... i just got mine done and installed for $320+tax. They had all the piping pre-bent (i guess the realize the popularity of hondas around here), then they just welded on hangers and flanges and muffler and put it on. I got it from the same place that paul aka slow *** 4dr was doing the groupbuy from.

turboex

well i got it done. sold my greddy evo used for 2 years for $375. then purchased a used 3inch n1 turbo muffler for 80bucks via ebay. got the new exhaust bent today at muffler shop for $101.67 yep thats it. they did not have a mandrel bender but it look far larger than then evo. its also kinda loud at wot but for normal driveing it sounds great!. super deep. sounds just like the videos you download of skylines

ceemarun

any word on the performance?

integrx

i'll tell you what i know. i got 2.5 mandrel bend pippings with custom cat back. i got a G3 integra so it had to go loop over the axle, shop said they can't make that part mandrel bent and no other shop can do it because it is not a true 90degree bend. i'm guessing brand name cat backs have the axle back part mandrel bent. and the brand name ones look more pretty. no welds...

TedR719

If you want an aftermarket setup Thermal has a nice system. You can also go the route by getting the pipes bent from a shop, if you find a mandrel bender in your area (here in Colorado is very few) and a turbo muffler.

If you interested in thermal turbo backs I have them for sale Exhaust

MyWhiteCivic

iTrader: (1)

Those prices are high. I think it was b18bturbo that was selling the Thermal for $525 (for a 92-2000 civic).

turboex

we put a 3inch on my boys gsr hatch(drag3) and i hated it, sounded like ****. sorry just my .02 It made his car so loud and the mufler just looked cheep like a pepboys deal. IAs for performance with my n1 i dont know yet, it gos to the dyno on the 5th. But looks wise its great. fits the stock cutout in the bumper perfect just as my greddy evo did. And for 300bucks less than the thermal ill take my muflershop welds any day. Im sure the new jg intake i just got for 337shiped will make up for the weld problems. I would much rather spend my money on the cheaper exhaust and an intake than just a thermal. And man whats up with the super long tip on thermals?

M.A.R.C.

magnaflow muffler and custom piping.... $320 installed
sounds nice and deep, not buzzy, somewhat loud but not ridiculous (i guess i'm not used to driving a car w/ an exhaust) turbo should quiet it down a lil bit though. The muffler isn't huge, fits nicely like a brand name exhaust, etc