Custom exhaust - on the cheap!

[Dr.Strangepork]

Thought I'd share my custom exhaust project that I did a while ago.

I was frustrated by not being able to find a decent catback for less than $800-$1000 so I decided to improvise on a cheap $300 one to make it suit my taste. Ended up spending $450 and ended up with a nice sounding exhaust!

Fully story:

Link

I really like the sound. I don't bother listening to the radio much anymore, I find myself just listening to the exhaust note. Above 4000 RPM it just sings! I did shoot some crude video clips of the sound, but in the clips it just sounds like an amplified version of the noise you hear through the intake, which is pretty much what it sounds like at WOT.

It is droney at <3000 RPM however. With the top down it's not a big deal, but it can get annoying with the top up, so I'm considering picking up a pair of CC inserts to quiet it down. The car is a weekend car, I don't take it out much on anything other than sunny, top-down days anyway though :)

It looks pretty good too, much better than the recessed, rusty, stock exhaust. Only gripe is that the mufflers don't line up perfectly straight, they're a teeny bit crooked - but it's not something you can notice without squatting to look under the car and looking for it (I think I'm just obsessive :) )

All in all, I can't complain for spending half the money I would have on a nicer exhaust.

Enjoy :)

Edited February 18, 2011 by Dr.Strangepork

[1schoir]

Dr.:

Looks really nice and it looks like you shed some weight as well!

If you install those CC inserts and the drone disappears, this would appeal to a lot of members.

Regards, Maurice.

[Dr.Strangepork]

I'm positive the CC inserts would knock out the drone, I'm just concerned as to whether they'd make it too quiet...right now the loudness is spot on! It's loud enough to sound great but not be obnoxious.

And the aftermarket muffler is about 20lbs lighter than the stock one, not bad for one mod.

Here's a little comparo...excuse the messed up rear window (pic's from when I first got it). Stock:

Modded. You can see the slightly misaligned mufflers, though it looks much worse in this pic due to the reflections. However you can also see how the bracket I made allows one to get the tips exactly in the right spot :)

Edited February 18, 2011 by Dr.Strangepork

[Dr.Strangepork]

Update!

CC inserts came in today.

Kinda wondering where I can install them...they're 7" long. I'm thinking either right after the cats or right on the inlet of the muffler, whichever fits better. Not sure I'm gonna have room right after the cats or before the muffler so it might have to go partially inside the muffler. Very interested to see how this affects the sound.

[phillipj]

Nice work!:clapping: