CobaltNCamaro

I turn 21 this Friday and Im going to have some spending money (for a change) and I want to do an exhaust mod. I was thinking full exhaust but I doubt I will get THAT much. I know the header and downpipe together run 200-600 depending on where I go, OR I know pace setter has a Cat back system for roughly 200. The main thing here is, what is going to be there most effective mod, or bang for my buck?? Header/ DP combo, or Cat Back system. I would be doing the work myself so there is no labor costs.

I plan on going stage 2 + poly engine mounts with my tax return next year, followed by some cooling mods, down the line.
Thanks in advance

11secSRT4

I would go with the Vibrant header/DP combo and then your "catback" system of your choice. If you plan on keeping the car def. go with Stainless Steel systems.

Zach06CobaltSC

Do both. Get a nice header/downpipe and a custom 3 inch exhaust. A custom 3 inch exhaust can be made really cheap if you find a decent legit shop. If you don't plan on making a decent amount of power, then stay 2.5 inch.

XM15

I second that. It worked for me.

The exhaust manifold on the SS is a big restriction.

CobaltNCamaro

This would be the ideal situation but I dont know any shops around here that would do it for a cheap price. I had a 93' Z24 Vert (Pimp ass cavalier) and I brought it to minieke (sp) for a cat back exhaust. It cost me 400 for a 2.5" no name system, with a flowmaster delta 40 series muffler. Granted it sounded good (3.1 L v6) but I likely wont be able to afford all 3 pieces at once. It'd be either Header/ DP OR Cat back exhuast. Unless (Fingers crossed) Somebody ends up selling their whole system in the B/S/T forum, in that case, shibby!!

ShortStack

Got my clear image header / dp for under 400.

http://www.mandrelexhaustsystems.com...GNAFLOW/Detail

Thats like a pacesetter... just a TAD cheaper... You can go with the 3" or 2.5, my only suggestion (even with the pacesetter, which i have) is to get the pipes welded together.

To answer the question... Header / DP.

CobaltNCamaro

OK, so it seems like if I can get one or the other, its going to be Header/ DP first. Followup question though, just by looking at the downpipe I cant really figure out how an aftermarket one is going to make more power. Is it just bigger tubing? Its not like there are many bends in it or anything restricitive. If Its not going to provide me any gains I'd just as soon do Header and Cat back system instead. Thoughts?

InfinityzeN

The down pipe is the single biggest restriction in the stock exhaust and changing it out will net you the most gains. In fact, most of the gains that people on here think they got from their header, they actually got from the change of their downpipe (since I've only seen one or two people change the header and keep the stock downpipe).

roadrage06

For the money I would HIGHLY recommend doing the Hahn turbo kit in pieces. For the amount I spent to get staged I'd have a turbo balt right now. I still regret it.

Look into their exhaust components and go from there.

and something else I've found. http://www.turbo-kits.com/ has them for much cheaper.

Edubs

Do the H/DP from either Clear Image or Vibrant and leave the stock cat-back. You'll be happy w/ the sound and if you're only going STG2, you won't miss the +/- 8hp from a cat-back.

If you really feel the need to do a Cat-back, go w/ any stainless 2.5"...