Well Im sorry if this has been answered before but i did a search and filed through a pile of stuff and didtn really find what I want. But I want a catback exhaust, but I have RRM's Magnaflow axle back already so I dont really want to buy the Greddy. The queastion is if i get a custom cat-back how will it differ from the greddy exhaust. catback. Other than the obvious, like looks and the brand.

 

i'm not 100% but it really shouldn't matter. pipe is pipe, unless the shop you take it to takes some used piping off of some ****ty little kia. but seriously i don't think it's a big deal.

 

Just get custom piping done to remove the resonator and to increase overall piping from stock (1 7/8 or 2 inches, forget which) to 2 1/4.

 

Are you sure 2.25" is the best way to go? Any idea what the Greddy catback uses? I always thought 2.5" was the best, but then again, all my experience is with Civics, so with the new Lancer I'm a noob.
Any gas mileage increases after the changeover?

 

I've still yet to see a dyno with a 2.25" cat-back. Buschur and Import Tuner dynoed gains across the powerband. Personally I'd give my vote for 2.5", but I'll save Rob from RRM the post and say that he'd recommened 2.25".

The GReddy is closer to 2.5" If I remember correctly. The size in mm is in RMR's Vendor Classified for GReddy cat backs.

EDIT: Forgot to answer the initial question.

Custom will be whatever you ask them to make for you. If you just get a mandrel bent 2.25" to match the axle back section you should be more than pleased. Personally I think that's probably your best bet unless you cen resell your rear section and just go completely custom. It's up to you. Either way I'd remove the resonator. I hate those damn things.

 

just run straight 2.25 pipe from muffler to cat or resonator or whatever the hell you have down there like jon e blaze said pipe is pipe

side note this was ROB281's 200th post yay me

 

Hopefully, by the first week of March we'll (TLNW) be able to provide dyno sheets of:

Greddy catback (varies in diameter, according to Blair)
Custom 2 1/2" catback (test pipe, no resonator, flowmaster 40 series muffler)
Custom 2 1/4" catback (test pipe, no resonator, RMR axleback exhaust)

Only thing that can possibly delay us is delays in the installation of an in-house dyno by our sponsor.

::edit:: Differences:
Difference between Greddy and custom can be crush bends instead of mandrel bends, depending on what your shop can do. Also, the Greddy pipe size varies in different sections to maximize hp gains (again, taken from Blair), while you can get all 2 1/2 or 2 1/4 inch piping if you go custom.

 

If you plan on keeping your lsancer for a while make sure they use stainless steel. They will not usally do it. They will rust easier if you don't, the stock pipe is not too bad. Everyone wants to go with cat-back, but i talked to Top Notch Performance (the makers of the first lancer turbo) and if you just use a test pipe or a high-flow cat, than you will have the power you want. Just my .02

 

Test pipe and high-flow cat? If you're talking about options for the 2nd cat, you only get 1. Now I see your point if you mean getting a header to replace the first cat and then getting something to replace the second.

 

For a catback, is the sound much louder than an axleback? I would prefer a nice deep growl rather than a whiny fartcan. I know true performance people say it shouldn't matter as long as you get the performance out if it but truth is, to me, it matters.

 

Sound gets louder, yes. As for pitch, that shouldn't change too much. I haven't heard any exhausts for our Lancers yet that remind me of those whiny cars.

 

You could always high-temp paint the exhaust. I did that with my Civic header until I replaced them and it did a nice job for protection.
Is the test pipe a direct, bolt-in replacement for one of the cats? I haven't gotten to look very closely at the exhaust setup because it's friggen cold, it's still unclear to me how the stock exhaust is set up with two cats. Could someone clarify? Is it something like this:

[HEADER]-[1st Cat]--------------[2nd Cat]------...

 

Correct. And yes, the test pipe just bolts on in place of the 2nd cat.

 

Sweet, thanks for the information.
One more question, is the first cat an integrated part of the header, or is it just bolted to it? I guess my real question is if I stick with the stock header, is it possible to replace the first cat with a high-flow, and then replace the second cat with the test pipe? I'm gonna have fun passing emissions with that set up if possible

 

The manifold is essentially a turbo manifold in shape only, but instead of a turbo, it pours into that first cat. As for your setup...only one way to find out.