Exhaust (and more) suggestions
 

I know there are a lot of posts out there about exhaust systems, but I thought I would ask for suggestions before I go through them all.

I’m looking to upgrade my exhaust system, but I’m not limiting my thoughts to just the exhaust system - I want to include the possibility of headers, HFC’s and test pipes as well.

Anybody have any thoughts (good or bad) about what I should get?
Here’s a list of my requirements.

1. I want extra horsepower. If I can’t get it, why bother.
2. I live in Virginia, and this is my daily drive. We have mandatory inspections once a year, and mandatory emissions inspections every 2 years. Everything has to be able to pass these inspections.
3. I don’t want my wife to know that I’m coming home because she can hear me from 3 blocks away.
4. I have Swift springs, and Stillen sways. In other words, the car has been lowered about an inch, and I don’t want to scrape everything all the time.

Suggestions?

go for the Stillen Exhaust then..Is dyno proved gain with HP, and the sound is not crazy loud.

Pass emissions: no test pipes, HFC questionable.
Don't want to be heard 3 blocks away: no test pipes definitely, and likely no HFC. Test pipes will sound louder than HFC. The sound may be raspy with test pipes.
HP gains: get Stillen Gen3 cold air intake, HFC or test pipes, and an exhaust, then dyno tune the car for optimal gains.

Test pipes/HFCs will help free up the flow and yield HP gains, but at the cost of increasing sound levels too...you have to decide what you are willing to live with.

Invidia Gemini exhaust. I have it and recommend it to everyone. I'm very happy with it, sounds like it would be just what your looking for.

Hks

Easy, Tanabe Medalion, Tucks up nicely with no bling hanging down and is on the quiet side.

Thanks for the responses.
Here are some comments I have regarding them.

Headers:
nobody has said anything about headers.
Note: Long tube headers are not an option for me in Va. They eliminate the cats and that won't fly here.
Stillen headers are the only ones I have seen, and they have a good factory write up.
Does anybody have them and/or any thoughts on them?

Test Pipes:
Don't think they are an option for me in Va.
Probably don't want the extra volume anyway (not my style).

HFC's:
Will HFC's pass inspection in Va?

• Stillen - they say they are for off road use only
• Berk - need to look into
• ERZ - need to look into
• Kinetix - need to look into

Y-Pipes:
Any comments on Y-pipes?

CBE's:

• HKS - too expensive for my blood. Cant justify the extra cost (twice as much?)
• Invidia Gemini - I especially like the elimination of the Y-pipe
• Stillen - I like it. A serious consideration for me
• Tanabe Medalion - I like it as well. Definitely like the way it is tucked up under the car. Any dyno posts out there?

You might want to check out these threads as well. They might be helpful to you. I'm pretty much in the same boat and this is the direction I'm currently leaning.

Cheap Y Pipe

Top Speed CBE Review

Do you want to get everything tunned?
For headers, there are coupe of forum members have Stillen headers. Haven't heard any negative about it.
FI long tube headers. you should look into that I guess. If you purchase this, so you dun't need to get seprate headers and HFC. Will it pass emmission test? You have to ask Tony about it
The HFC, I recently ordered the ERZ hfc, many forum members have that installed and give positive feed back. Also Berk as well.. For your expense, ERZ hfc are cheaper than Berk..
Y pipe. Tanabe Y pipe is good, also the meisterschaft Y pipe which you can look into both. I heard coupe with Amuse, but I guess is pricy.
CBE: If you choose to go with a exhaust that is not extremely loud, I would say Stillen or Invidia. Both sound great with HFC.There are coupe video on youtube for the setup for Invidia with ERZ HFC, and Stillen with berk HFC. You can look into that as well.
Hope the info helps :happydance:

Ha...more members are gonig for the TOPSPEED....:icon18:

Re: Tuned
Yes, after everything gets installed I will get a tune to maximize it.

Re: Long tube headers
I don't think they're an option for me in Va.
I think they replace the existing cats, and I don't think that will pass inspection.

Y-pipe: hadn't heard of meisterschaft. I'll look into them as well.

Thanks for the comments!!

I have the meisterschaft Y pipe installed and sounds very good..
I will see how the ERZ hfc gives me...:happydance: