2.2L L61 Performance Tech 16 valve 145 hp EcoTec with 155 lb-ft of torque

Caught between a rock and a hard place with exhaust

Old Jan 9, 2013 | 05:31 PM
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Caught between a rock and a hard place with exhaust

So ive been looking at some exhaust setups and cant make a decision on what to do....

I can go ZZPerformance midlength header, catted dp, 2.5 inch 304 stainless cat back for just around 1100 shipped to SSM Ontario Canada

or i found mandrelexhaustsystems.com who also offer a 2.5 inch catted dp, and cat back in 304 stainless with the option of borla, magnaflow, and vibrant mufflers. 660 shipped with no midlength header.

whats your opinions?
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 05:46 PM
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Zzp for sure.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 05:51 PM
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Here I'll be the ******** in the thread.

For $1100 I'd just wait and get a supercharger kit.

DP and exhaust are not work much.

Better exhaust manifold is first thing to do on the 2.2L, Then DP maybe
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by umrdyldo
Here I'll be the ******** in the thread.

For $1100 I'd just wait and get a supercharger kit.

DP and exhaust are not work much.

Better exhaust manifold is first thing to do on the 2.2L, Then DP maybe
Why would i get the supercharger kit first? i would like to get rid of the stock restrictive exhaust BEFORE i think about boosting. this way the exhaust is done. then when i get the supercharger kit i can bolt on and tune and not have to worry about it.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 06:21 PM
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IMO dont spent 1100$ on an exhaust. i spent 120$ on a header from ebay 4 years ago that STILL works perfectly. then i paid 100$ for a downpipe from a LSJ, WAY bigger than the 2.2 stock downpipe, still catted, and spent 150$. literally, 150$ on an ebay knockoff tsudo exhasut 2.5inch all the way from the flange to the end. 4 inch tip. zero issues, and still sounds amazing.... also was supercharged on this setup, sounded even more amazing boosted.

i know you "get what you pay for" but ive had my exhaust setup for 3 years now. and have had no issues at all.

i know i went the cheap rounte. but 1100$ for a downpipe and header seems a little pricey to me, i know ZZP has amazing products and quality but i just have a hard time justifying 1100$ for little to no gain in performance.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by AzraelRaezier
IMO dont spent 1100$ on an exhaust. i spent 120$ on a header from ebay 4 years ago that STILL works perfectly. then i paid 100$ for a downpipe from a LSJ, WAY bigger than the 2.2 stock downpipe, still catted, and spent 150$. literally, 150$ on an ebay knockoff tsudo exhasut 2.5inch all the way from the flange to the end. 4 inch tip. zero issues, and still sounds amazing.... also was supercharged on this setup, sounded even more amazing boosted.

i know you "get what you pay for" but ive had my exhaust setup for 3 years now. and have had no issues at all.

i know i went the cheap rounte. but 1100$ for a downpipe and header seems a little pricey to me, i know ZZP has amazing products and quality but i just have a hard time justifying 1100$ for little to no gain in performance.
Its not only header and dp. it is also with the cat back and shipping
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 06:54 PM
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keep in mind that shitty header you bought probably had horrible scavenging and flow at the collector.

its up to you, but if it were me and i was going to keep the car for a while, i would spend the money and get some decent stuff. also depends what you want ot do with the car,
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 06:58 PM
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Zzp longtubes forget the catback u dont need it and u barely even jeed it when boosted
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 07:00 PM
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^ the 2.2's have a tiny exhaust, but you could deff run a Ion Redline catback and be fine.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 07:03 PM
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buy a used lsj or lnf exhaust
profit =p
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 07:12 PM
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Originally Posted by LS6Rally
keep in mind that shitty header you bought probably had horrible scavenging and flow at the collector.

its up to you, but if it were me and i was going to keep the car for a while, i would spend the money and get some decent stuff. also depends what you want ot do with the car,
I wasnt planning on keeping the car. but i am now after seeing what i can actually do with it. Thanks css.net and occ.com for getting me hooked :P

Originally Posted by riceburner
Zzp longtubes forget the catback u dont need it and u barely even jeed it when boosted
2.2 has **** for exhaust.


Originally Posted by LS6Rally
^ the 2.2's have a tiny exhaust, but you could deff run a Ion Redline catback and be fine.
I have heard the redline exhaust but im having a hard time finding a full system let alone one on good shape.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 07:54 PM
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The reason I said the things I did:

For less than 2k you could have a supercharger setup and a hell of a lot more horsepower.

I had a fully bolted and tuned LS and man did I regret spending the money.

Costs about the same as a full supercharger setup and you make a lot more power with the SC.

Don't worry about sound. The biggest gains on the 2.2L are the manifold, DP, intake and intake manifold. The stock exhaust isn't that restrctive. And the road you are headed is expensive, loud and not worth the money to obtain 150whp.

If I did it over again I would have went almost all used parts and saved twice as much money. Tune is probably the best money spent, but you need a few bolt ons before that becomes worthwhile.
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Old Jan 9, 2013 | 11:49 PM
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Originally Posted by umrdyldo
The reason I said the things I did:

For less than 2k you could have a supercharger setup and a hell of a lot more horsepower.

I had a fully bolted and tuned LS and man did I regret spending the money.

Costs about the same as a full supercharger setup and you make a lot more power with the SC.

Don't worry about sound. The biggest gains on the 2.2L are the manifold, DP, intake and intake manifold. The stock exhaust isn't that restrctive. And the road you are headed is expensive, loud and not worth the money to obtain 150whp.

If I did it over again I would have went almost all used parts and saved twice as much money. Tune is probably the best money spent, but you need a few bolt ons before that becomes worthwhile.

Im not going to start a war here. but if you read the post, i am going to be going sc in the future, i dont care what gains i get from going from stock to upgraded exhaust at this time. or the sound mind you. but in the end, when it does go sc it will make the difference i need between a VERY restrictive exhaust on a NA 2.2 and a free flowing exhaust. I dont know if you know this about engines, but when you force air into an engine, it also needs to breath that out freely or your going to run into problems. if a motor cant push out the exhaust as quick and as freely as it can take it in, your not going to be running at full potential. and i think anyone here, or anywhere for a matter of fact is going to agree with me on that.

the only reason i was posting about the different exhaust setups was to see who ran what, and if they have had any problems or recomendations on what direction i should go with this exhaust system. especially if i am spending 600 - 1100 on it. i dont want to be replacing it in a year, and i also dont want to be spending 1100 when i can spend 600 and have it be just as good

/endrant
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 08:22 AM
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Lol, if your future goal is SC then you are going to waste a lot of money on an exhaust setup.

Hell just go with manifold, DP and exhaust from an SS/SC, should be more than enough flow for up to 200-225HP. Could be had for a couple hundred dollars. Then you would still have money around for other things or future mods.
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 10:04 AM
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Why don't you just piece it together? I bought a header for mine, a dynomax superturbo muffler, a high flow cat and resonator from summit and went to a local shop to have the piping done and the items welded. I spent at most like 400 with all parts/shipping/labor. It sounds slightly louder than stock but at 80mph I can have a normal conversation with the passenger
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 05:45 PM
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vinman66 is selling an LSJ manifold supposodly for $25, PM him and get on it. Direct swap. Much less restriction than stock.
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 10:18 PM
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I've said it before I'll say it again, header and down pipe are gonna give you your biggest gains.

ZZP longtube and lsj cat back. All you need.
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Old Jan 10, 2013 | 10:22 PM
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He's a friend of mine, I'm convincing him of the same haha
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Old Jan 11, 2013 | 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by LS6Rally
keep in mind that shitty header you bought probably had horrible scavenging and flow at the collector.

its up to you, but if it were me and i was going to keep the car for a while, i would spend the money and get some decent stuff. also depends what you want ot do with the car,
its an identical match to the badmab. just an off brand. same size primaries, same size runners, same size collector., 4-1 header.
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