My exhaust is falling apart at the moment so I need to get a new one, here's my dilemma though.

1. I'm running open exhaust atm (not intentionally it broke off just past the cat and I've got it held back up but the piping won't line up since a chunk rusted out) it doesn't sound bad at all actually, it's just really really loud on the highway (at 80+) to the point I can't even hear music, I can DEAL with it but I'd really like to just get a full catback system.

2. I'm boosting in a couple months so I'm going to be doing 3" piping turboback. So here's my question:

Do I:

a. Deal with the open exhaust until I boost then get 3" turboback

b. Get a 2.5" cat-back and test pipe to alleviate the problem, get a new 3" when I boost and ebay/sell the 2.5"

c. Get the 3" catback now, which I'm assuming will probably be just as loud as my open exhaust or sound like **** (opinions? am I right or wrong on that?) and then get the downpipe etc when I boost?

Anyone have any opinions or experience with 3" catbacks w/ test pipe on NA cars?

 

Wait and get the 3in.

 

I was thinking that, I was also thinking though since I won't be running high boost right away (and couple months is if everything goes right, realistically won't be till late fall early winter probably) that a 2.5" would suffice.

The main thing with the open exhaust is it threw off one of my o2 sensors so I'm running a bit rich and my mileage is complete **** now which is why I'm debating on just throwing a thermal 2.5 or vibrant 2.5 on it for now.

 

bump

Also anyone have experience with thermal or vibrant? soundclips maybe?

 

Unless you have huge power goals for your engine I dont think 2.5" will hurt it that much even WITH turbo. Theres quite alot of guys in the FI forum that makes some nice numbers with 2.5". 3" on a N/A is just crazy loud, I have the 5Zigen fireball exhaust on my car (I think its 2.38" for be exact) its straight through with no resonator or cat and its damn annoying to me

 

Well in all honesty I'm making a bit of a project out of this car, I'm gonna work with a local shop on a compound induction setup, I know it's a bit farfetched but it's something original and I'm determined to get it to work we've already got a bit of a preliminary setup but we've still got a long ways to go. So I guess yea I'm looking for big power gains but not for another 8-9 months.

 

If thats the case and if you're scared of a loud exhaust then just get the 3" now with maybe a resonator or two, high flow cat and a silencer on? Well for now anyways...

 

I don't mind the loudness so much as the type of loud. I can deal with a loud throaty deep sound, but if it's going to sound like a buzzsaw going down the road then that's something I can't deal with.