Hey guys,

I've got a 95 LS 4-door. It's got 140k miles, and the exhaust rusted through recently. I need to get it fixed right now or I won't have a car to get to work. I've been reading all the past posts on exhausts... and someone mentioned that there isn't much performance difference between exhausts on a non-boosted car. Is it worth going for a performance/aftermarket exhaust and header on my car if I plan just basic bolt-ons, no boosting or $$$ work? Or should I just get the stock exhaust replaced/fixed?

If it is worth going for an aftermarket exhaust, what is the best exhaust + header combo for a non-boosted LS (manual) that doesn't have a "ricey" or buzzy sound, is not excessively loud... I guess a sleeper/quiet exhaust?

Ben

 

comptech or the WS


jay

 

Also factory ITR 2.25" piping, low profile tip and the going rate for this is ~$200.

 

What does that mean? I should get factory ITR piping and a low profile tip installed as the system? Or in addition to a WS? Please forgive me - I'm a newbie, easily confused.

Also, Comptech only makes an axle-back exhaust for my car, a 4-door. I need a cat-back, right?

Ben


[Modified by mr_mbuna, 4:52 PM 7/7/2002]

 

he meant: get an itr exhaust - it has a low pro tip, has decent sized piping, and is cheap. furthermore, its quiet.

that sucks about comptech, they make very quiet, very high performance products.

regarding the basic bolt ons, you should expect what guys, 10-15 whp from them? (assuming cai, header, exhaust, cat or test pipe)

 

So, what would the difference be between an ITR exhaust system and an A'PEXi WS? (Why, when I do a search, do people only talk about the N1 and not the WS? What's wrong with the WS? And when I check out the A'PEXi website, they refer to all their stuff as mufflers. Where's the rest of the system? Piping and whatnot?) In regards to power benefits, price, blingy-ness, volume, tone, etc. Where would I source to ITR system, and how could I make it fit my 4-door? Along the same lines, it looks like A'PEXi only makes a 2-dr LS-suitable WS. Does anything fit a 4-door?

The Comptech 4-2-1 (TIG Welded) Header is listing at $525 retail. That's a lot, isn't it? Is it worth it for the benefits it will give? Can anyone comment on the differences between MIG Welding ($125 less) and TIG Welding?

Ben


[Modified by mr_mbuna, 5:28 PM 7/7/2002]

 

The difference between the WS and the factory ITR is
1)Price
2)the way it looks

*From what I have heard the WS has baffles (not straight through) so its very similar to a stock muffler...same as the ITR.*

People have been talking about the N1 because it's a very good "race" system. Very loaud and better gains. It also has 2.5" pipe.

$525 is alot, and it's a good header. The reason why it's so expensive is becaust it is Tig welded. No real difference in performance, mostly the way it looks. I would go with the mig myself because most people say it doesn't do any thing but look good. But please someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

apex N1 IS NOT 2.5 inch. but it is one mean *** exhaust. the reason why people dont talk about the apex WS is because the only reason people buy it is because it is bought because of its stock like characteristics.

 

Is this supposed to mean that the WS isn't a good exhaust system in its own right? Will it still provide the performance gains which are the reason to buy such an exhaust? And what does it sound like?

Let's talk more about the ITR exhaust. Where would I source the componentry? And are ITR headers as good as aftermarket performance headers? And if the Comptech is a high-price, high-quality header, what is a better value / bang-for-the-buck / mid-price, mid-quality header?

Thanks for all the help everyone!
Ben

 

As far as performance boosts, the WS exhaust will net you next to nothing. It is a chambered exhuast, and offers barely any room for performance gains. If you want a performance exhuast that isn't going to be too loud, look into something like the tanabe hyper medallion. It is quiet and is straight through. Things like the N1 are straight through and have larger piping diameter.

People sell ITR exhaust all the time, check classifieds on this board. You can find them from a bunch of online vendors I bet too. The USDM ITR header is not going to net you much difference as a performance header. It may flow slightly better than a GSR or whatever you have, but not much. The JDM ITR header is another story.

If you aren't going to get a JDM header, the good USDM ones out there are the comptech or the DC sports. People will say that DC sports is crap, but it's still one of the best USDM ones you can get. A lot of people like the comptech though.

Hope that sorts some stuff out for you

 

I am forever asking about the differences between the to DC 4-2-1 and the Comptech. I never get a real answer. I wanna know which is better. and why.

 

Comptech is better, it has a stepped design which prevents backflow. The DC sports does not have this.

 

what's backflow??

 

For a naturally aspirated car, you want backflow. Backflow is good.

If you want to have a lot of fun, take your exhaust off from the cat-back. Drive down the street a couple times. Drive it hard.

Okay, now lets be serious. You really just want a stock replacement exhaust/header combination that gives you the most bang for your buck. Well, you don't want something whiney/ricey. Well, you've got a 4 cylinder and most all 4 cylinders sound ricey with an exhaust unless your running forced induction. The problem goes away with 6 cylinders. I had the Tanabe Racing Medalion (too loud) and Apex N1 (people said it was loud but I liked it) on my 98 Teg GSR.

If you don't want something too loud, get some custom piping and pick out a exhaust muffler that you think is pretty. Oh, axle-back exhausts sound a little more muffled than full cat-backs, from what I have noticed.

For headers, DC Sports Ceramic is prolly your best bet. However, that's $$.

 

Go ITR, Apexi WS, or stock.

 

is

 

If chambered stock exhausts are good, then why are people buying aftermarket exhausts ? Don't I really want a quality, quiet straight-through exhaust?

Please comment on the Tanabe Hyper Medallion. This was recommended.

If I had to choose, should I do an intake, headers, or an exhaust? Or must all 3 work together?

Ben

 

From what I understand, a straight through exhaust will give you a better performing exhaust. In the long run when and if you do more work to your car, you're going to what a performance exhaust. I'm not sure about the ITR exhaust, from what I know it just flows a little better than stock, but the WS is chambered and isn't much when it comes to performance.

If you are just starting on the I/H/E setup, start with a cold air intake. It is the best bang for the buck out of the three. Top models out there include the AEM and the ICEMAN and the Comptech ICEBOX. Check them out.

 

(A little sidetracking personal info here. Let's not get off topic. This is all very helpful.)

I'm actually going to do my tuning in one amazingly fast swoop to drain all my money. I'm planning on doing an intake, headers, exhaust, coilovers, sway bars, strut tower bars, rims and tires, 98+ front update, tinting, stereo, and miscellany like a leather steering wheel cover all within the next month. Mmm... working full time at a job you've been at for two years (and are finally making a decent wage), being in high school, and living at home and having no bills is great.

Plus I really need an exhaust right away since my stock exhaust has finally rusted away at 140,000 miles.

(Okay, back to topic.)

 

umm that should pretty much do it for you unless you have anymore questions.

 

Oh, I've got questions up the wazoo but I've learned so much in the past few sleepless nights. One more thing...

 

Its a bad *** exhaust(hyper med)looks great with the mirror like shine,and it isn't too loud.