I was planning on getting the Magnaflow Stainless Catback Exhaust on RRM's website, but a friend told me I could achieve the same result by just buying a highflow cat, because the tube would not be bigger enough to make a difference. Is he right? That would save me a lot of money, but it almost seems too easy . I drive a 2002 Lancer OZ Rally, and the only mod I've done so far was a short ram intake. Any help is appreciated!

 

Since you're new to lancers, I suggest you start by reading the FAQ linked in my sig, it has a lot of info for you. Your friend is partly right. You'll gain the same amount with a high flow as with a full catback because you won't gain a thing anyways.

 

Doesn't really matter. Unless you plan to go turbo, the exhaust either way will probably give you the same hp. Hardly any at all really. I would probably go with header first and a high flow cat, not a test pipe. Get a DOT approved one. After that, you should decide on cat back or just a muffler. Depends on how pretty you want your car to be under it.

 

After reading this and the FAQ, looks like it's time to save up for a turbo.