My exhaust system is rusted beyond repair, including the cat. I was wondering if it would be much more money to get an aftermarket high flow cat and header than it would to just replace the original cat and manifold. Can anyone recommend one that won't break the bank? I don't care about looks, I just want one that will help with fuel economy and maybe an extra hp or three.

 

well if your looking for just fuel economy then just go to a muffler shop and get them to put one on for you. if your lucky, no more then 300(cause stock cats are expensive).

 

Need more info.

What engine?
Mileage?
Car purpose?

A header won't do much if the engine isn't built. The factory exhaust manifold will outlast the car. Just because it is ugly and rusty, doesn't mean it isn't functioning well. The rest of the exhaust is understandable. Buy a cheap high flow cat, a decent muffler and have a local shop bend and weld up the pipe. It should be economical and flow better than stock.

 

D16y7. Its just for commuting. I care more about mileage than performance, but I know if the car breathes a little better it should also pick up a little bit of power. So there is no sense in pulling the manifold? Just the cat and muffler? I was sort of hoping there was a place where I could order the whole kit in one shot and just bolt it all on.

 

unless your manifold is cracked(have seen it happen) no you don't need too. cat and muffler well do for a commuter.

 

Thanks, I just got nabbed for an inspection ticket by a cop tonight, and my exhaust sounds like a lawnmower on steriods. I know it has holes all up and down, its the original 97 exhaust. I'll look for a cheap cat back kit and a high flow cat and see how it goes.

 

I got a cat back to the can already on the car done for like 180 at a local shop.

The DX's exhaust manifold goes directly into the cat which means to use a high flow you have to swap the manifold out and then it goes to a full custom set up unless you do an EX swap over in which you replace the exhaust manifold to the muffler with that off of an EX. I did this with my buddies LX (uses the same D16Y7 motor) with an ebay kit of his choosing and then added an ex cat later on.

 

or u could buy a cheap ebay exhaust kit that includes headers, test pipe (not DOT legal), and catback exhaust. i ordered one of ebay for $180 shipped and ill change the fart can later when i finish doing other things. i bought for the same reason too tho, exhaust has holes everywhere and the cat is rattling like the ceramic fell apart inside...
link to exact thing i bought: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Raci...1%7C240%3A1318

 

That is exactly what I was looking for. Will that work with the stock o2 sensors and not throw codes? Also, will the stock cat fit in place of the test pipe or do you have to get one of those universals fabricated?

 

02 sensors should work. a cat should bolt on. im not sure tho. idc about it cause i borrowed my friends cat to pass inspection last month so im good til next jan.