So as i have been reading you want your header to be 1.5, downpipe 2.5, and exhaust 2.25 for a car that at most horsepower for an N/A build would be 200 fwhp, 175ish whp tops. of course after stage 1 cams, intake, tune, lotta praying.

am i right about the exhaust? who makes 2.25 i heard tsudo doesn't, besides i'd rather not have a 4.5 inch muffler, if they still make them can they custom the muffler smaller? or can i put on a different one i buy if i find a shop that will.

Who else makes 2.25? i know gmpp, but anyone else? preferably cheaper, unless there is a big gain with paying little more for the better one.

Which is why i wondered, would an lsj or lnf exhaust be enough? they go on engines that are above 200 fwhp, would't they flow enough or would i be losing a lot by not going aftermarket.

I figured zzp header and downpipe combo, i'm not looking for the best, i'll of course get coated or pay for 304 stainless, but i'm not paying 600 for vibrant header when it may only give me 2 extra hp.

Well that's about all my questions for now, i have a 06 4door 2.2 ls, i have the gm intake came on it, the lip kit, and it's red. i have 4% tints on my windows, they are black. and short shifter.

Also who makes some good colorful guages by chance. and if i got a pillar who guauges like air/fuel ratio would be your top 3 choices.

Thanks !

Edit
These are my WHP estimates
15 for full exhaust and intake +2.4 intake mani (not so sure about 2.4 TB after reading how it may be to big for 2.2's and give less hp)
25 for stage 1 cam
10 for tune after having all that on beforehand
50 whp all together, am i dreaming?

Edit2
How important would engine and tranny mounts be for my application? Also I don't plan on reving above 6000, where would a cam 1 put my powerband at?

 

for 2.25 there is tsudo, Mandrel Exhaust Systems.com, gmpp. here is a thread i had a while ago hope this helps you. https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/2-2l-l61-performance-tech-45/what-catback-179389/

 

with my setup i find i'll get the
ZZP 78# Ecotec Valve Springs, since with cams stage 1 i believe i'd rev up to 6800? have my rev limiter at 6900 or very near.

also would adding neutral balance shafts be good? how much are those to install cause if it's more than 150 i'd have to question using them...

Guess that covers everything id want to do to my car as far as engine work would be.

 

i think if your gonna do cams and full bolt ons you might want to go with a 2.5 in exhaust? idk maybe later on you might go fi or some spray?

 

I won't ever FI a car that didn't start out so, that's just IMO because of my knowledge in cars. I think when i decide to go FI i'll get a car that came like that.

But supercharging tbh is definitly a consideration, only because i prefer turbos, i don't ever find myself ever making one with any of my dream future cars, so maybe this one would be the one i'd get some joy and experience out of it.

So 2.5 would be a good chance, but by then i may just by a whole new exhaust system and sell my old one as a perfect 2.2 exhaust for another n/a'er

now i think about it this is a nice cheap engine to do spray for the first time also when i'm about done with the car to get a little extra fun with it. then i'd learn for when i used in say an escalade...

Has anyone dynoed a 2.2 that just had an lsj header and downpipe compared to an aftermarket one, along with exhaust?

 

i have an LSJ header (ported) and a catted LSJ DP, i did not put them both on at the same time, and I could def feel a difference with the header and over like 5000 I think the DP makes a decent diff, im nearly fully bolted (check sig) and am running a custom 2.5 exhasut (gutted cat) with a magnaflow muffler and love it..hope this helps, and i wouldent waste money on the 2.4 TB, if anything just do a port and polish on your 2.2 if you search there is a thread about it

 

I dont think mandrel exhaust gives you the 2.25'' option.

Tsudo is 2.25''. i love mine. Awesome, non annoying sound. Nice hum/deep tone. Not raspy or ricery.

GMPP touring is pretty sweet also

 

I would get..

1 5/8" primaries
2.5" DP
2.5" cat-back

If you're doing.. Intake/Intake Manifold/TB/Header/DP/Cat-back/Tune, then the sizes I just gave are perfect.

IMHO, 1.5" primaries are too small, so is a 2.25" cat-back.

 

2.25'' is the same size as magnaflow provides in their catback system for the 2.2l. It give enough hp gain and great flow, with still enough back pressure. 2.5'' is ok, but anything more and you will lose hp and a **** load of back pressure

 

The problem, is it's just a bit too restrictive with bolt-ons and a tune, as I mentioned above. In addition, 2.25" gives you no room for expansion, at all.

2.5" is the safest bet. You're not losing any power.

 

to clear this up for thoes of you who do not know, BACK PRESSURE IS NOT NEEDED...it science search if u dont believe me