I dont want to shell out the extra $100 for a "cat-back" system and would settle for the stock sound with the additional flow of custom down pipes, is buying custom down pipes and attaching them to my stock muffler safe?

Also, after I get upgrades like CAI, performance headers, high flow catilitic converter, down pipes, I have to have my car tuned right...is this the same thing that people with "hondata" and "uberdata" do? Does tuning your own engine with these things require a lot of knowledge/experience?

Thanks.

 

I'm running no cat, and 2.25" piping on my setup, and on long trips I'll put my stock rear section back on, and I honestly can't tell a bit of difference in performance. It's just a lot easier on the ears.


With just basic bolt ons like intake/header/exhaust, you don't HAVE to get your car tuned. However, it can be done, and I've seen people pull a few extra hp from it. It's really up to you.

 

A stock muffler is pretty restrictive, and keeping it will cost you somewhere around 6 hp. sure you cant really feel 6 hp.. but I think high flow piping and headers will be a waste of time, unless you upgrade the muffler, too. Your exhaust only flows as fast as it's slowest flowing part.

Its the weakest link thing..