Just getting ready to get an exhaust for my MR but am looking for some advice. The car is a semi DD, and I am not planning huge power out of it. Mods will most likely be mbc, intake, exhaust, and tune. I do not plan on modding past that.

For the price difference, should I just do a TBE and get it out of the way all at once, or get a catback first then in a few months get the DP and test pipe?

 

DP and test pipe is an extra $200, $300 at most. do it all at once and then you only need the car in the air once

 

Hey Jrandy,
I'm looking to do the same. What year is your MR? I have an 06. The problem with me is, im not very handy when it comes to fixing cars. So my question is what are you going to do when it comes to time to smog your car?

I was looking to just pay a shop to remove and install the cat converter every time i have to do a smog.

 

since you live in cali, your gonna have to figure out what your going to do about smog. you wont pass with test pipe guarantee.
its always good to knock it all out at once. but your term of turbo back is different to what it actually is... turbo back is considered from the turbo back... most tbe are o2 back. meaning you have the crappy stock o2 housing. if i were you i would search more and figure into upgrading the o2 housing as well.



mydnyte93- wow dude iuno what to say, how hard is it to undo 4 bolts? you are seriously going to pay someone to undo 4 bolts for you?

 

it's easy enough to swap out when it comes time to smog. that or you can find someone to pass you but it seems like these days there are less and less that will..

 

Maybe, but I'd be more concerned about getting pulled over by a smart cop who looks under the car. That catless ticket is not a fun one.

 

I would do a high flow cat, and all at once and tune once

 

That is always worst case I'm still borderline on the test pipe vs high flow cat though. It might be worth the peace of mind to just get a high flow.

 

If i lived in a state where smog and emissions were an issue i'd do a high flow cat. Might lose 5 hp but it's worth not having to change it out all of the time.

 

You can alwaya get a testpipe with heatshields (Rallycat)

 

A smart cop who knows can figure out that it's not real, though of course they have to go out of their way to determine that. That aside, it's still a hassle to have to switch it out and maybe even switch your tune.

Like the other guy said, it's a little more convenient to just get a high-flow cat and not have to really worry about getting caught or swapping cats (assuming that the catted TBE setup being used can pass smog in the first place).

 

Do the TBE instead of just a catback. Also a high flow cat is a good idea, I'm dealing with smog right now. If you need an exhaust I have a HKS carbon-ti for sale if your interested.

 

I would just do it all at once as well. We usually sell the catback + test pipe combo and most people tend to go with the megan or another 3.0" downpipe.

Michael

 

if you're worried about smog, i live in cali and it's super **** here. i have a full tbe, i have a tanabe downpipe, cobb test pipe, and a hks hi power exhaust, when it comes time for smog, i just swapped back my test pipe back to stock cat, still passes smog no problem. if you're worried about cops and exhausts, get a rallicat, it's a resonated test pipe with a heatshield over it, so it looks like a cat. that's the best way if you're worried about smog and cops while still unleashing the full potential of your exhaust. the exhaust isn't that hard to do at all. for smog, all i gotta do is take two bolts off on both sides, take off the o2 sensor, switch to cat and put everything back on. just make sure all your exhaust sits straight before tightening everything down.

 

It depends on where in California you live, and also how smart (and/or how much of a jerk) the officer is. I've heard of some officers tapping your cat, since a hollow one would make a different noise than a catted one, though obviously they'd really have to go out of their way to do that, plus having a lowered car would make it pretty difficult.

But if you're catless and a cop is behind you with their windows open, they will probably smell it.