cat back or axel back?
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: Stephenville, Texas
Who said a cat back for our cars would give more power than the axle back? I bet you wouldn't notice a difference. Plus cat backs would cost more. I'm pretty sure the cat back setup just sounds cooler to talk about. I'd go RRM past experience here for our cars and get the axle back. Now if we're talking Camaro Z28's or any other V8 engines, then yes go with the cat back.
Last edited by jeremy_ton; Jan 22, 2010 at 07:25 AM. Reason: added "to talk about"
Evolving Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Youngstown, OH
Okay, here are some things to consider.
On a N/A (Naturally Aspirated, No turbo or supercharger) car; You don't want to just throw the biggest diameter exhaust on your car because the engine actually requires back pressure, which is generated by bends, and the diameter of the piping itself. If there is no back pressure, you actually lose horsepower. So if you're wanting a custom fabricated exhaust, don't think getting a 3"+ exhaust is going to do anything but be super loud.
On our Lancers, being that they are N/A, we will not see significant power gains from an axle-back OR a cat-back. The stock exhaust is already 2.25' diameter, which is actually not bad. It's design is pretty straight and fairly free flowing already. The most restrictive piece is the muffler, which is why axel-backs are more common for the lancer.
Adding an extra section of piping (From the catalytic converter to the muffler section of piping) is about the only difference from axle-back to cat-backs, which really doesn't make that much of a difference in performance, however the sound can be different depending on resonators and whatnot.
So when considering what exhaust to get, the biggest thing to consider (in my opinion) is how they sound. Go on youtube and check out videos of different exhausts and decide which one you like the most, regardless if it's axel-back or cat-back. Find people you know or live near you with the exhausts to see how they are, or ask fellow EvoM members how they like whichever exhaust you are considering.
As far as weight reduction; yes most aftermarket exhausts are lighter than stock, but that also makes no difference in performance unless you plan on doing a lot more weight reductions such as small battery kits, carbon fiber body panels, stripping the interior, lightweight wheels/tires, glass replacement, ect. So unless you're planning on making it into a track car, don't worry about the weight.
On a N/A (Naturally Aspirated, No turbo or supercharger) car; You don't want to just throw the biggest diameter exhaust on your car because the engine actually requires back pressure, which is generated by bends, and the diameter of the piping itself. If there is no back pressure, you actually lose horsepower. So if you're wanting a custom fabricated exhaust, don't think getting a 3"+ exhaust is going to do anything but be super loud.
On our Lancers, being that they are N/A, we will not see significant power gains from an axle-back OR a cat-back. The stock exhaust is already 2.25' diameter, which is actually not bad. It's design is pretty straight and fairly free flowing already. The most restrictive piece is the muffler, which is why axel-backs are more common for the lancer.
Adding an extra section of piping (From the catalytic converter to the muffler section of piping) is about the only difference from axle-back to cat-backs, which really doesn't make that much of a difference in performance, however the sound can be different depending on resonators and whatnot.
So when considering what exhaust to get, the biggest thing to consider (in my opinion) is how they sound. Go on youtube and check out videos of different exhausts and decide which one you like the most, regardless if it's axel-back or cat-back. Find people you know or live near you with the exhausts to see how they are, or ask fellow EvoM members how they like whichever exhaust you are considering.
As far as weight reduction; yes most aftermarket exhausts are lighter than stock, but that also makes no difference in performance unless you plan on doing a lot more weight reductions such as small battery kits, carbon fiber body panels, stripping the interior, lightweight wheels/tires, glass replacement, ect. So unless you're planning on making it into a track car, don't worry about the weight.
Last edited by Bawb3; Jan 22, 2010 at 03:19 PM.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: World
Okay, here are some things to consider.
On a N/A (Naturally Aspirated, No turbo or supercharger) car; You don't want to just throw the biggest diameter exhaust on your car because the engine actually requires back pressure, which is generated by bends, and the diameter of the piping itself. If there is no back pressure, you actually lose horsepower. So if you're wanting a custom fabricated exhaust, don't think getting a 3"+ exhaust is going to do anything but be super loud.
On our Lancers, being that they are N/A, we will not see significant power gains from an axle-back OR a cat-back. The stock exhaust is already 2.25' diameter, which is actually not bad. It's design is pretty straight and fairly free flowing already. The most restrictive piece is the muffler, which is why axel-backs are more common for the lancer.
Adding an extra section of piping (From the catalytic converter to the muffler section of piping) is about the only difference from axle-back to cat-backs, which really doesn't make that much of a difference in performance, however the sound can be different depending on resonators and whatnot.
So when considering what exhaust to get, the biggest thing to consider (in my opinion) is how they sound. Go on youtube and check out videos of different exhausts and decide which one you like the most, regardless if it's axel-back or cat-back. Find people you know or live near you with the exhausts to see how they are, or ask fellow EvoM members how they like whichever exhaust you are considering.
As far as weight reduction; yes most aftermarket exhausts are lighter than stock, but that also makes no difference in performance unless you plan on doing a lot more weight reductions such as small battery kits, carbon fiber body panels, stripping the interior, lightweight wheels/tires, glass replacement, ect. So unless you're planning on making it into a track car, don't worry about the weight.
On a N/A (Naturally Aspirated, No turbo or supercharger) car; You don't want to just throw the biggest diameter exhaust on your car because the engine actually requires back pressure, which is generated by bends, and the diameter of the piping itself. If there is no back pressure, you actually lose horsepower. So if you're wanting a custom fabricated exhaust, don't think getting a 3"+ exhaust is going to do anything but be super loud.
On our Lancers, being that they are N/A, we will not see significant power gains from an axle-back OR a cat-back. The stock exhaust is already 2.25' diameter, which is actually not bad. It's design is pretty straight and fairly free flowing already. The most restrictive piece is the muffler, which is why axel-backs are more common for the lancer.
Adding an extra section of piping (From the catalytic converter to the muffler section of piping) is about the only difference from axle-back to cat-backs, which really doesn't make that much of a difference in performance, however the sound can be different depending on resonators and whatnot.
So when considering what exhaust to get, the biggest thing to consider (in my opinion) is how they sound. Go on youtube and check out videos of different exhausts and decide which one you like the most, regardless if it's axel-back or cat-back. Find people you know or live near you with the exhausts to see how they are, or ask fellow EvoM members how they like whichever exhaust you are considering.
As far as weight reduction; yes most aftermarket exhausts are lighter than stock, but that also makes no difference in performance unless you plan on doing a lot more weight reductions such as small battery kits, carbon fiber body panels, stripping the interior, lightweight wheels/tires, glass replacement, ect. So unless you're planning on making it into a track car, don't worry about the weight.
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