Let me start by saying im coming from a honda, where loud buzzing cars is a common side effect of modify the factory exhaust system. I cannot stand loud ricer sounding cars anymore, i want something with a very mild note but whisper quiet when cruising. Price is a considerable issue here too, i dont want to spend 500+ on just a header for this car since I plan to just look into supercharging down the road anyway. I also plan to weld on a cat on both these options, not one of those tiny metal core cats that do nothing either, I went through this experience with my brothers mazda, and it smells like rotten eggs all of the time because it is far too small to filter the exhaust gas.

Two options have presented themselves, either the OBX mid length or the ZZP mid length, both in "off road" no cat styles, and I have a 2.5" catco cat sitting in my garage I can weld in.

Question is, how is the performance of the OBX vs the ZZP vs the price each come at.

ZZP im looking at... 383.97 with no cat, OBX im looking at 275 with no cat.

 

2 questions make this an easy answer.


How many people with cobalts use OBX?

How many people with cobalts use zzp?


You will find a quick answer.

 

pretty sure thats exactly what im asking

 

another option is the bad mab header but i dont know how much difference its going to be compared to getting it with the DP and longer primarys

BAD-MAB.com :: The best Cobalt Shorty Header Available

 

Isn't ZZP's header a Bad Mab?

In any case, I went with the ZZP mid length on my car. I chose that header as it is what I believe most people prefer. I will attest that it does have a weird exhaust smell and won't pass Ca smog I imagine.

In the end, you are going to get what you pay for, and the header and downpipe with cat did cost 500$ for me.

It is somewhat raspy with the stock cat back, but it sounds good I feel. I also felt noticeable gains with it just on highway cruising.

Chalk up ZZP +1 with me.

 

I apologize I didn't clarify. I don't know one person who has used the OBX combo. I have a ZZP midlength and almost everyone other person on the site either does 1 of 3 combo's. For their SS/SC's and NA engines.


Bad Mad with ZZP downpipe-Best for low end power
ZZP Mid Length header/dp- best for midrange power
ZZP Long Tubes- best for top end power

Those are the most popular setup's that I have seen, there are a few other combo's but that seems to be what I see the most. a few pacesetters here and there (never had confidence in their stuff) and some vibrant setups (BIG MONEY)

 

thanks, exactly the info i was looking for

 

If your N/A make sure you get 1.5" primaries, 1.75" for S/C. I got 1.75"s on my 2.2 and lost some low end.

 

I think since my primary concern is sound and price at this point, the badmab on the factory downpipe will be the most ideal solution and still cover me for if and when I decide to get a supercharger kit for this car. It might not be the most optimal solution for power but sometimes compromise is a must.

 

if you don't want rasp go catted. even if your gonna go supercharged catted is the only way to hopefully have no rasp.

also go zzp thats what everyone runs... never even heard of obx...

i'm on a zzp longtube catted setup with a zzp 2.5" catback. sounds great, mellow, a little poppy, but not too loud and ZERO rasp.

 

factory DP is where the restriction is, if anything run a catted DP and stock header if your going to skimp out on one. I waited months. Found a full ZZP exhaust, midlength header and catback for $200 shipped from searchtempest.com

 

Rice - liesssssss

I have badmab header/3inch zzp catless downpipe to 2.5 exit and I have absolutely no rasp at all. I had the gmpp exhaust before and had no rasp with it. I switched to zzp exhaust and still have no rasp with it

 

Not everyone

Anyways, out of the two choices OP, I would pick ZZP.

Make sure to get a catted downpipe for a rasp free/deep tone.

 

catless doesn't automatically mean rasp -_- depends on the rest of exhaust

 

ehh but mostly the cat haha

then again i did have a different catted setup before that was pretty raspy

twooz did you call me a LIAR?!

 

yes I did lol because of this

I've had a catless downpipe for a while now and I had the same downpipe but catted before that and I never have heard even the smallest amount of rasp from my exhaust. I had gmpp exhaust before. no rasp. I switched to zzp exhaust for bigger piping. No rasp at all still. Car sounds great not as loud as you would expect with catless

 

I have ZZPs kit and its great quality.

OBX header to DP will probably leak on you.

Badmab had problems with header flange warping.

 

I ran my Corsa catless and was rasp free, but hollow sounding.

Most other catback's I've heard catless sound like poop. It was more of an advisory on what to do to avoid rasp. The resonator & muffler is most important in preventing bad sounds. A cat will "help" keep it sounding deeper/quieter.