I'm just curious why people don't have a competent local pipe bending / muffler shop setup their exhausts instead of name brand systems. I mean the bends no-where near tight (tight = 1D bends) and complete system could be made on a manual/cnc bender and / or welded quite easily. Aftermarket mufflers could be bought rather cheaply as well.

I'm not claiming the name brand systems aren't great, just curious why this doesn't seem to be an option you see most people talking about. Thanks for any input,

 

I think it's probably because people want proven quality and documented gains. Two things you won't get with a local place.

Not that a local place can't build a quality part that works well, it's just that you're taking a risk by doing so.

 

Yeah, the money you spend on a system from a reputable manufacturer is not only for the parts and labor, but the research, development, testing, etc. A lot of the systems on the market have proven gains, fit very well, weigh less than stock, and sound pretty good. If you're designing your own, it's a gamble on all of those.

 

You're Paying for a name...

This Market is just that... a "MARKET" Commercialized. Go back way befor the Fast n Furiuos. It was way cheaper to beef up cars. Just like with anything that gets enough screen time, everyone wants o do it, and everyone wants to get paid. Like we say in the south... "If you ainttalking money, you aint talking abou ****"

 

You're exactly right, you're paying for a name. And along with some names comes quality. Compare a BMW to a Honda. Is the name the difference? Go check both out and then see where your opinion lies.

And by the way... HKS was the first tuner to get an evo X. Were they the first to release parts for the X? Hell no. What does that tell you? If you knew anything about marketing you'd realize that releasing products when demand is the highest and competition is the lowest would yield greates gains. So what is HKS doing right now? Hmm - I highly doubt they're sitting on their asses. They're testing and developing.

 

^^ Well said. Yea you get what you pay for. I wanted something I knew was good so I went with AMS. It's not the biggest name out there but when it comes to Evo's everyone knows it.

 

You don't get what you pay for. Often you get far less than what you pay for. The reason people spend big bucks on parts is because of the herd mentality. People follow the herd. People believe you get what you pay for. People believe a shop with a name on the internet that fabricates exhaust systems using off the shelf mandrel bent tubing that's butt welded together and sells for $600, is better than a local shop that fabricates exhaust systems using off the shelf mandrel bent tubing that's butt welded together and sells for $350.

There's really very little difference. Some big name shops put out crappy quality, some put out good quality. Some local shops put out crappy quality, some put out good quality. Either way, the risk is the same, but the local cost will be less.

Most people believe what they bought is he best, only because they bought it.

 

This is VERY true -- this is true for ANYTHING, not only car parts. It's like going to the supermarket and getting "lucky O's" (<-- no idea, an example), instead of "Lucky Charms."

They will taste exactly the same, except one may be 1 - 2 dollars cheaper.

 

Someone tell me how much it would cost to have a cnc mandrel bent stainless steel exhaust made at a muffler shop. Include the price of the piping, labor, TIG WELDING (not sloppy MIG), nice flanges, hangers, a good quality muffler, a tip, bolts, gaskets, and an optional metal-polish job.

Then compare it to an Injen exhaust at market price.

 

TIG vs MIG welding on an exhaust system is irrelevant. It's just more marketing hype from shops who want to sell for premium prices advertising TIG welding. So is the polishing, it's just ricer bling that people waste money on. However, I will say, properly cut tube ends can be butt welded with a TIG nearly as fast as one can do it with a MIG.

I have both a TIG and MIG welder. I can fabricate my own stainless steel turbo back system, with V bands and a Magnaflow muffler for just over $350. I'm not wasting money on the tip though. I'll use 45 deg turn downs cut at an angle that looks decent. A shop that charges labor will drive up the price, but they won't use v bands, which will drive down the price. Overall, it will probably be a wash. I'd say $350-400 for a local custom turbo back.

 

well ill tell you this, no muffler shop is gunna do anything cheap involving TIG welding as he said MIG is a dirty weld, TIG is strong and Clean and allows for stainless contruction but also takes alot more time, you will be charged extra, bottom line, in my opinion either exhaust is going to give you gains weather local or big name, big name gives you predictable sound and tone, and proven gains, local will give you gains...it will no matter what even if they suck at welding freeing up the exhaust will give you gains, you wont know what it will sound like till its done and it may not look as good...it will be cheaper by far, but its personal preference, i have a Tanabe Ultra Medallion the can is titanium and its all stainless...was this needed...nope...did i want it...nope i looked and found a used exhaust...did a quick bit of research and found this one had awesome reviews and i love it...why buy it new it goes under the car and gets dirty either way, in a turbo car no exhaust is the best exhaust, look at alot of 42R turbos the downpipe goes out the side of the car, its all in what you want, i wanted a name brand exhaust so i could say i had that, if i was building a crazy drag car id have them fab me up sumthing that just flowed better, i wanted a nice sound and great tone...i got it, dont let anyone on here tell you what to do, its your car do what you want

 

Didnt mean to come off too cocky... Thing is there are some great products... It's just like earlier stated... That Herd mentality... Some companies I think dropped some products really early. One reason i havent touched mine yet is for the simple fact that I want it done right with PROVEN QUALITY PRDUCTS. I think what helps some Companies jack up these prices is that we're so quick to jump.
Sit back whats the hurry? Make them come to us. Quit blowing thier heads/prices up!

 

what muffler shop uses stainless???

 

a 3 inch pipe,is a 3 inch pipe(just have it made as straight as possible)....some muffler shops use Magnaflow mufflers,same as most of the evo X and CT9 exhaust ive seen


my friend has a ultimate racing Exhaust for his X,and it looks like i could have made it,i doubt too much R&D went into it

 

money talks, bullsh*t walks... as i always say