My $80.99 full ebay tbe
here you go....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lance...Q5fCarQ5fParts
It doesn't look like they have anymore listings with a really low starting bid. This is all I could find but $165 for a full exhaust(minus 02 housing) is a steal.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lance...Q5fCarQ5fParts
It doesn't look like they have anymore listings with a really low starting bid. This is all I could find but $165 for a full exhaust(minus 02 housing) is a steal.
I didn't get a check engine light initially since I did the spark plug non-fouler trick but after a couple of weeks I got a code for the secondary o2 sensor high voltage but not for catalytic inefficiency. I cleared the code and it hasn't come back but I'm going to order another o2 sensor to be safe.
I ordered this exhaust on the 14th for $85 + $80 shipping. It shows that it shipped on the 15th and will arrive on the 19th. I have been doing car mods and custom fabrication for approximately 11years so I will give everyone my findings no matter whether they are good or bad. I have fabricated several exhaust systems in the past, but I can't justify paying $500 in material to fab my own stuff when this SS exhaust is so inexpensive.
Well, I ordered the EBAY special on Monday and received it today in NC. Not bad for shipping across the US. The exhaust is indeed a true 3" and is made from some grade of SS. They used a rolled and seamed tubing that is then mandrel bent. Flanges are all some type of mild steel, but that is not that big of a deal, but will need to be painted or swapped from some SS v-band fittings. The exhaust was all wrapped and packaged nicely. I will update everyone as I install this weekend.
Well, I started the install last night and spent about 3 hours taking off the front tray, removing the old exhaust and trial fitting the new stuff. I already had a nice downpipe that was dented for the ACD.
I first tried to keep the CAT due to emissions, but for some reason the new exhaust would not line up properly and hit the bottom of the car and the muffler hit the back of the car where the muffler cut out resides. I then put on the new downpipe and discovered it was a very close fit to the ACD and I proceed to beat a dent until it fit.
I was not too keen on the new downpipe as my old one already had a prevision for a second O2 sensor and I wanted to hook up my wideband. One thing I noted about the downpipe supplied is that it could be used with the factory donut gasket, but the one supplied would not work because the hole in the center was too small and would not slide onto the stock O2 housing.
After fighting with the cat I decided to remove it and put the test pipe in place. I immediately noticed the fit was much better. Upon closer inspection of the test pipe I realized the reason I had to use it was because it is not clocked the same as the stock CAT.
After mocking everything up with my original downpipe I started making mods. The flange on the test pipe when tightened would force the downpipe into the cross bars below the car. To resolve this I cut through the pipe with my chop saw from the bottom about 7/8 of the way and then pressed the pipe down so the flange was slightly angled. By doing this it forced the downpipe up so it cleared the cross bars. Luckily I have a nice Synchrowave 250 so I was able to TIG the pipe back together.
I then bolted it all in place and saw that my downpipe issue was resolved, but the long pipe was hitting the bottom of the car when tightened fully to the rear exhaust. I made another cut on the pipe to create a small angle and TIG'd back in place.
At this point the exhaust was fitting pretty well. Another note is the kit did not come with all the bolts for the exhaust so a quick trip to the hardware store and I was back in business. I went from the metric bolts supplied to 1/2-13 x 1.5" so there was less slop in the flanges. I had to heat one of the hangers and make a slight adjustment to its placement.
The kit came with a bunch of extra bolts, nuts washers, etc that I have no idea what there intended use.
Overall, if I hadn't had the welder, chopsaw and other tools I would not have been able to install this exhaust. I suppose the fitment may have been better had I used the supplied downpipe, but who knows. I was shocked that the test pipe had to be used as the flange clocking was slightly off from the stock CAT.
The car sounds great and the exhaust looks pretty damn good. I can absolutely notice the improvement in acceleration with the straight 3" exhaust. I will post some pics tomorrow of the changes I had to make.
Based on the kit I received, if you are going to install an exhaust in your garage and don't have a welder, chopsaw, etc. I would not recommend you take on this exhaust. I know that others have posted their success, but after 10 hours and several welds later I now have mine installed.
I first tried to keep the CAT due to emissions, but for some reason the new exhaust would not line up properly and hit the bottom of the car and the muffler hit the back of the car where the muffler cut out resides. I then put on the new downpipe and discovered it was a very close fit to the ACD and I proceed to beat a dent until it fit.
I was not too keen on the new downpipe as my old one already had a prevision for a second O2 sensor and I wanted to hook up my wideband. One thing I noted about the downpipe supplied is that it could be used with the factory donut gasket, but the one supplied would not work because the hole in the center was too small and would not slide onto the stock O2 housing.
After fighting with the cat I decided to remove it and put the test pipe in place. I immediately noticed the fit was much better. Upon closer inspection of the test pipe I realized the reason I had to use it was because it is not clocked the same as the stock CAT.
After mocking everything up with my original downpipe I started making mods. The flange on the test pipe when tightened would force the downpipe into the cross bars below the car. To resolve this I cut through the pipe with my chop saw from the bottom about 7/8 of the way and then pressed the pipe down so the flange was slightly angled. By doing this it forced the downpipe up so it cleared the cross bars. Luckily I have a nice Synchrowave 250 so I was able to TIG the pipe back together.
I then bolted it all in place and saw that my downpipe issue was resolved, but the long pipe was hitting the bottom of the car when tightened fully to the rear exhaust. I made another cut on the pipe to create a small angle and TIG'd back in place.
At this point the exhaust was fitting pretty well. Another note is the kit did not come with all the bolts for the exhaust so a quick trip to the hardware store and I was back in business. I went from the metric bolts supplied to 1/2-13 x 1.5" so there was less slop in the flanges. I had to heat one of the hangers and make a slight adjustment to its placement.
The kit came with a bunch of extra bolts, nuts washers, etc that I have no idea what there intended use.
Overall, if I hadn't had the welder, chopsaw and other tools I would not have been able to install this exhaust. I suppose the fitment may have been better had I used the supplied downpipe, but who knows. I was shocked that the test pipe had to be used as the flange clocking was slightly off from the stock CAT.
The car sounds great and the exhaust looks pretty damn good. I can absolutely notice the improvement in acceleration with the straight 3" exhaust. I will post some pics tomorrow of the changes I had to make.
Based on the kit I received, if you are going to install an exhaust in your garage and don't have a welder, chopsaw, etc. I would not recommend you take on this exhaust. I know that others have posted their success, but after 10 hours and several welds later I now have mine installed.
^ Agreed. After getting mine in place, I had to take it to a shop to make similar cuts/welds to get it work. Either way it is much cheaper than any other TBE. Just have a muffler shop close by and your set.