Hey guys,

I have been gathering up the funds for a turbo back exhaust when last week I saw a post from some guy that actually made his own 3 inch turboback exhaust for less than $200!!! So I did some investigating. I have been to a couple of "muffler shops" and was quoted anywhere from $150-300 if I supplied the canister. On the internet I have seen HKS's canisters going anywhere from $150-$250. Making the cost for a 3 inch custom turbo back anywhere from $300-$550 installed!!!!

So WHY THE HECK ISN'T EVERYONE DOING THIS?!?! Is it because running the risk of not knowing how loud the exhaust will be? Or maybe quality issues? Or even flow issues? I mean seriously, if we can save $300-$500 that can go a long way towards other mods (MBC, Safc II, Boost guage).

Someone, anyone please respond to this post.

Bobby

 

i think its all the hassle you have to go through plus sometimes it gets tacky having a custom exhaust kit if it doesnt look right.as for me i kinda like the idea of a custom exhaust since my plan was an rmr piping with either an hks carbon-ti muffler or a blitz nur-spec.and im also in the process of saving some dough right now and do it all in one installation.

 

top

 

The other thing to consider is that the bends from a muffler shop are not mandrel bent--menaing the bends are restriction points.

If you can find someone who will weld up an exhaust from mandrel bends that may work(Assortments of mandrel bends available thru a few different web sites). I doubt most shops would do that cheap. It is lots of wellding and it takes a certain welding technique or the multiple cuts will end up hurting exhaust flow.

 

its bolt on perfromance, and is SS so no rusting (replacing every 3 years). You know its gonna work, it has been dyno and tuned for its application.

 

Well im getting a 3' made in SS mandrel bent running to a APEXI N1 from a local hot rod shop and its only gona cost me about $350 tops with muffler and I bet it preforms just as good as all others

 

when you do your custom exhaust how do you get it not to throw cel?

 

CAcalomino - Why did you go with the N1? Vs. other brands?

Can anyone give me some recommendations as to which muffler to get? I dont want droning and someing just a little louder than stock on WOT.

Thanks,
BObby

 

99% of muffler shops use crush bent piping. Crush bent piping is only as good as mandrel bent 2.5" piping. So basically the 3" crush bent piping from a muffler shop isn't going to flow well at all.

Plus 99% of muffler shops use mild steel or aluminized piping that will rust out in a few years. People don't want to deal with this on their brand new car.

Also mufflers shop use mig welding. If you have ever seen a muffler shops welding it's usually pretty bad. They don't really care how it looks or how long the welds last. Most all of the aftermarket systems are tig welded so they look really nice and last forever.

It might save a few bucks in the short run, but you will end up buying a real system in the future that will last.

 

Well, the mufler shop does not care about aesthetics - to some its important, to others it not.

as for the mild steel thing, that I hold as being alot of bunk honestly. While stainless is a much better material overall, cheap stainless, as some use, does rust, and thick mild steel will usually outlive your car. I have had mild steel on my GVR4 for 4.5 years now - it still looks great, no leaks, etc, so its a non issue IMHO.

The biggest issue of course is the fact that not everyone lives near a place that will do this, and prices vary dramatically, so there is zero consistency to what someone near you will pay vs someone on LI or in Cinci......

At least with the many exhaust options out there, price does not vary all that much.