I'm still going on my NA build and I want to know what my fellow 2.2L's think of it..

Have:

-ARK GRiP cat-back: 2.6" piping

-Injen CAI

-2.4L Intake mani

On it's way:

Clear Image Automotive 4-1 header with 1 5/8" primaries, ceramic coated. Clear Image Automotive DP 2.5" with high flow metallic cat and extra o2 bung for wideband.

Few months from now:

-2.4L TB swap

-Trifecta tune

Should be done by spring.

 

I think the header is toob big. Id use a CIA 1 5/8"

 

Vibrant sounds amazing on my LSJ and I definitely felt the improvement when I first installed them. Only problem I've had is that the collector is pretty small for high horsepower numbers. If you're staying NA with a 2.2L I don't foresee the collector being too big of an issue for you.

 

Do you think my cat-back is too big?.. And yes I have heard CIA is very good!

 

def too big.

vibrant sounds like a chainsaw, especially on the 2.2. It is, however, very high build quality.

 

The header/dp or my cat-back? I searched for a while and I do remember you posting in another thread that it sounds like a chainsaw.

 

header/dp

 

Hmm, I might check into CIA then.. I remember reading someone said anything over 2.25" for a cat-back on an NA is too much..

 

2.5" is fine for a 2.2, especially tuned with the LE5 intake mani...

 

it's more the header size that's too big.

 

What's a better choice other than the Vibrant combo?

 

primaries are toooooo big for a 2.2

 

Ok i went through this process myself with my 2.4 g5 gt. You are correct your catback is too large you need a 2.25 catback because you'll actually loose low end power. I have a clearimage header and downpipe and you can definetly feel the power increase. I went with 1.58 primary its actually the best size for the 2.2/2.4. I would suggest selling your ark catback or trade it for a gmpp 2.25 exhaust its better suited for your vehicle.

 

do a zzp midlenghth combo

i have heard nothing but good about them

i had the obx combo on my car but it wouldnt seal, i got new gaskets and put the bolts on in the right order... i think the header was warped

but while it was on the car ripped, pulled all the way thru the powerband, i believe it was 1.5 primaries and 2.5

 

I was told with a tune my cat-back will be fine. I don't know for sure though.. I like it and I'll be a stubborn bitch to get rid of it.

I'm not 100% on the quality of ZZP.. I've heard the cats blow ass on them.

 

i went with 1.7 primary header 2.5 dp and 2.25 gmpp catback...sounds great and has lots of low end pull all combined with the LE5 intake setup and you should have some decent gains similar to my own

 

Yeah, I'm going to keep my ARK.. I love it too much. I just need a header/dp combo now.

I'm hellbent on the Vibrant but it's too big I guess..

 

noooooooo... ugh i was thinking of getting that... but ive had soooo many problems with the cats on my car already. i basically want a new header/DP to get rid of the stock cats

 

well not to thread jack but here's what im doing just to give ya and idea

Have....Injen CAI, 2.4L intake mani, SS header and Downpipe, custom 2.5 cat back pieced together

Soon....Trifecta, under drive pulley (possibly), springs, mounts and QTP y pipe

 

How big are the primaries on the Vibrant?

 

big. too big for a 2.2 1.71" iirc.

 

they use magnaflow cats, pretty sure. Quality is great, i bought mine in the first group buy they ever did, and have had zero issues with it.

 

I run the LSJ pacesetter header (1.75" primaries, 3" collector), and 2.5" pipe on my L61 cavalier - it traps 92-93 - it's not too big depending on what your goals are...

 

what else do you have done to the car?

 

After I posted i found out that they were 45mm from their site, but that does seem a bit large for a 2.2 cobalt.