Exhaust System Help

[hexapod]

I've recently begun modding out my car and I've been taking baby steps to improve and enhance my car. The next step thing that I've been reading up on and studying is an exhaust system. From what I have discovered about it is that they are uber expensive and obviously I need to start saving up. So what I am trying to do right now is to get everyone's opinion on what brand or type that I should get. I have read other threads and learned that Borla, Artisan, and Nismo are in my top 3, just from what I have heard from other members and literally what i've "heard" in clips. Lemme brief you all on what I've learned and read and what my understanding is. Please correct me if my understanding is wrong because I definitely do not want to mess up my car.

System types consist of axle-back and cat-back. Axle-back is the system that starts from behind the read axle to the end of the actual system and ca-back is from the catalytic converter to the end of the actual system. For this part, I don't know how to base a decision on which system to choose because I haven't read anywhere on what the main difference is. Please inform.

I've also read something about a header or a tip? From what I understand is that these two are the ending part to the whole system right after the muffler? so the muffler and the tip/header is what "muffles" the sound a bit so that it's not as loud right? :\ This is where i'm starting to get confused. Also, I've read about a resonator which helps the sound a bit and I'm not sure what this means either because it hasn't been specified in anything that i've read so far.

I drive an 08 Altima Coupe 2.5S and I need your help in making a decision. I really like the low..deep..growl of the systems that I listed above. I've also read about different pipelines and intakes and that those affect the sound and performance of the cars also. So please help me and lead me in the right direction!

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

It's great that you're researching all this stuff instead of buying it and then asking why this or that won't work or fit.

A header is not what you are describing. It is the first thing or part of the exhaust system. It is what is connected to the engine block, right at the exhaust ports of the cylinders. The factory "exhaust manifolds" as they are often called, consist of a catalytic converter built into right after the initial piping coming off the engine block, an i4 or 4 cylinder like yours will only have 1 of these headers/manifolds, a V6 or V8 will have 2, one for each of the cylinder banks as you can imagine. An after market "header" will get rid of this heavy cast iron (usually, I think) complete piping/cat assembly and replace it with pure stainless steel piping (no cat any more...), so you get better exhaust gas flow from out the engine and down to the rest of the exhaust system. A header can give a good power increase, I believe 8-12 whp (horse power measured at the drive wheels). However most cars will throw a check engine light, because you have removed the first or "pre-cat" and now the oxygen sensor down in the piping somewhere is reading "unclean" air. There are ways around it, but I won't go into that here. It's usually a good idea to get a custom tune (few hundred dollars) again after installing a header to get the full benefit from it.

The exhaust systems you listed above are in fact the most popular ones, along with Stillen. Borla and Nismo cost an arm and a leg but tend to have the best sound, even on the 4 cylinder engines. Typically a 4 banger won't have that exact deep sound a V6 engine will so you should make sure you listen to a 2.5 Altima coupe's exhaust clips, not 3.5 V6, to get a more accurate idea of the sound.

Generally speaking, for our cars, we might get a 5-8 whp increase in power from any of these exhausts. Since a cat back replace more of the piping running up the car, you typically get a bit more smoother flow and resulting power, while axle backs just replace the muffler practically so that itself may or may not be a big difference. From what I understand, our cars don't seem to benefit too much from the catback so just go with what works for your wallet.

There is also Magnaflow systems for the 2.5 I believe, cost about $300-$400 and are supposed to sound decent. I believe they sell on fleebay if you want to look. Personally, I paid $175 for an ebay exhaust for the V6 and I like it, couldn't afford the brand stuff and wanted to be different.

Your car being a 2.5 (4 cylinder), you won't need piping larger than 2.25 to 2.5" in diameter down the cat back or axle back. Most of the brand name stuff you mention above is in that size category anyway. Anything larger won't really help this engine but hinder how the exhaust flows out, and you lose low rpm torque (which isn't that great for daily driving I think). Typically you only need large 3" piping if you've got a boosted engine (turbo or super charger) or you have a big fat V8.

Tips, that go at the end of the muffler, about do nothing. They are for appearance. So you see those 4" fart cannons, yes, they are louder, but that's the muffler not the tip's fault! You'll see "resonated tips" for sale, which is nothing more than some sound muffling material around the tip's length around the walls to help with some raspiness or just to hush the sound down some (like just slightly).

A resonator is what goes somewhere along your cat back (usually AFTER the cat), helps a lot with toning noise down and that rasp that 4 bangers typically have (especially after installing an aftermarket header). Also helps reduce cabin drone from the engine/exhaust depending on the overall level of sound from the muffler etc.

[hexapod]

Thanks for your thorough explanation of everything!

So what you're suggesting is that I should invest in just the axleback and not the catback because it's expensive and it would make no different in performance because I drive a 2.5 right? Are there any specific axleback exhausts that you would recommend with a nice deep sound? I looked into the magnaflow and definitely don't like that rattling sound that it makes. Also, are there any specific combinations between exhaust and intake that you would recommend that i look into?

I watched the video on a Tanabe Medallion Axleback Video and it sounded pretty nice. What do you think of this exhaust?

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

I personally don't know too much about the particular combinations of exhaust systems out there. I do know The Tanabe Medallion is supposed to be a mellow conservative type setup, with less noise than the others that sell for the Coupe.

Now, I believe Borla or Stillen sold an axle back setup, you'd have to check their site. I did say that the cat back didn't necessarily give you any more power, but that was a general observation regarding our Coupe, from the various threads I've read on this forum. The word is dorm manufacturers (I think it was Stillen?) didn't go with a full cat back, because they found that on the Coupe it didn't make any worth while difference.

I believe I watched a video with that ebay Magnaflow muffler setup on a 2.5, and it sounded good, so I am not sure which one you may have looked at, there are only 100 different combos you can run into haha. I'll see if I can sniff it out on youtube.

EDIT: Ok here's one I found that sounds really nice, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q18gsG_a7OY, notice it doesn't have that wet fart sound some other videos have. Typically a good 12-18" resonator gets rid of most of the rasp and "fart" you hear in the videos of 4 bangers. This Magnaflow setup seems to be selling for $600+ on ebay.

[hexapod]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOdBAC9z ... re=related

This is the one that I found that sounds pretty gross. Haha. But as for the one that you sent me..I feel like the sound at start up is too quiet for me. I like to be able to hear how loud it is :X lol but I have heard other Magnaflow exhausts and I'm not too sure what they did to it to make it sound nice and smootth and not like the video that I posted right now haha. I just checked Borla's website and I couldn't find a axle-back for the 2.5 :\ which makes me a little sad actually. So as of right now, I'm really liking the Tanabe and the Artisan, but I believe Artisan is only making the cat-back right now :\ (that's where my research haas lead me to). And as for Stillen, I'm still a little iffy because some videos sound awesome, while others sound alright. :\ But thanks for all your help and input and explanations! They really did help me out a lot!!

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

The video I posted is quiet, but don't forget some cameras just don't pick up sound that well, while others exaggerated certain sounds more (rattle/rasp/fart). I've seen that exact video you posted, it sounds bad, yes, but that's the camera and of course combination of other things that might or might not be the real sound in person.

[hexapod]

That's true. I never took into consideration video and camera quality. Thanks for pointing that out. That definitely is making me reconsider my choices. There's going to be a meet on August 1st that I'm most likely going to attend and I'm going to see if I can hear some of those systems in rear life I've never been to a meet before so I'm looking forward to it and get new ideas

[DReed86]

Bro if you dont have a lot of money I would recommend picking something up from ebay. I bought a fake boral "cat back" exhaust for $175 shipped I have been very happy with it.. It has a great sound not to loud but you can def tell there is a difference and you can feel it when you start the car.
A lot of people are hyped up on names but I really dont think there is a huge difference. Maybe there is someone of a difference but Boral for $680+ shipping or fake boral for $175 seems like a no brainer to me, but then again im supper cheap lol just thought Id throught it out there.

[hexapod]

I'm a girl

But what do you mean it's fake? Like it's a replica? And thanks for the tip! I never thought to get a replica. I drive a 2.5..so I was wanting to increase my hp..so I started researching on all the exhaust systems and what not and I just fell in love with that sound! :X haha I didn't want something obnoxious where it's like a sonic boom, but I definitely wanted something where it would be deep, smooth, and noticable. You know? Borla was in my top picks, but it was out of the question because it was too expensive. So I was jsut gonna go with axle backs because I learned that even if I invest in a cat back, it wouldn't in crease my hp much anyway :\

Do you know mind directing me to the seller that you bought the exhaust from? Please and THank you! ^^

Edit: Quick question. I've been reading up on the "Racing Line Y-Pipe" and I can't seem to find a clear explanation on the difference between a "straight pipe" and what they're for. Do you guys think you can help explain to me? Thanks!!

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

Y-pipe and Straight pipe are 2 different things you might be mixing up. Your 2.5 does not need THE y-pipe, that the 3.5 can use. The reason is the 3.5 V6 has 2 headers, 1 for each side of the engine (3 cylinders per side, due to the "V" shape). Those 2 headers/exhaust manifolds have to meet up somewhere, where they turn into 1 pipe and that goes down to the back of the car. That part is known as the Y-pipe, as you can imagine the name comes from the shape. The Racingline Y-pipe removes the cat that is integrated into the stock y-pipe, along with not having this one crimp in the piping.

Your 2.5 doesn't need that Y-pipe after your single header, since well, you only have 1 pipe coming down from the engine and out back.

Straight pipe usually means that after your header, and perhaps the cat after that (be legal now ) you remove your muffler, so you just have a pipe going out from after the cat and out the exhaust tip. You could add a resonator (which is going to be straight through flow, not like a typical muffler with baffles and walls inside) to quell the extra noise or rasp. At least this is what my understanding of straight piping an exhaust it. To others, it literally means, after the header, you just run pure piping down and out the back. Doesn't sound the best in every car.

BTW, it's BorLA not BoRAL there Reed. And the $175 clone cat-back he and I have, are meant to bolt on the 3.5 engine, however if you have someone that can cut/weld, they can adapt that beginning part of the system to your car after the cat. The difference will most likely be the diameter of the ebay exhaust where it hooks up to your catalytic converter (cat).

The Borla sound clips you hear on Alti coupes are 99% for the V6, the 2.5 does not sound the same, and I assume Borla does not officially make one for the 2.5 either, just the 3.5 V6.

[hexapod]

Oh wow...I definitely did not read up enough about the systems :\ I thought that I did lol. But thanks again! Your explanations have helped me to decide that I should stick with the axle back. Because I'll still get that sound that I love and not drop all those dimes! Especiallyyyy since investing in double or triple the amount of an axle back just to get me a cat back won't increase any HP.

[trigger_storey]

Does anyone knoe where you can buy the knockoff borla at? I know some said it will reappear after some time on ebay but Ive been looking for a month now and never have found it. If anyone could provide a link or point me in the correct direction I would appreciate it.

[hexapod]

Quick questions. If I went to a muffler shop, would it be more affordable if I asked them to fabricate an exhaust for me? or is that just not possible? lol

[mmx23z]

Quick questions. If I went to a muffler shop, would it be more affordable if I asked them to fabricate an exhaust for me? or is that just not possible? lol

SUPER CHEAP! thats what me & hussain did (guy with quad tips)
i think i seen magnaflow axle backs online goin for like $500, i got my magnaflow cat-back done for $300
and you can choose whatever tips you want from an exhaust shop too!

[hexapod]

Oh wow! i think i'll do that then! Do the shops make it so that they have the same effect as the real thing? Like..it's made exactly the same?

[mmx23z]

yea... u just go in & tell them ur looking for a magnaflow catback, theyll ask u what pipe size (2.5L ull want 2 1/4 in) & theyll ask you what tips theyll have a lineup ull get all the performance from a bolt on exhaust for a fraction of the price

[hexapod]

Niceeee..what if I wanted another brand? Would it just be like the same thing?

[mmx23z]

umm... ud have to see what selection they have in stock, most usually its magnaflow & flomasters

[trigger_storey]

You ever heard of anyone using a flowmaster muffler instead of the magnaflow? How would that sound.....?

[mmx23z]

You ever heard of anyone using a flowmaster muffler instead of the magnaflow? How would that sound.....?

the only person i know with flow masters on here is el_blacky06
look thru this post & he's got some links to videos of his car, but hes got a straight pipe set up

post5555473.html#p5555473

i have videos of my car on youtube as well but again, i have the injen intake, stillen header & resonator delete the camera couldnt catch the real sound quality

[CoupeVQ35CVT]

I'd stay away from Flowmaster, especially 40 series, for a 4 banger. It will in most cases have way too much drone, and just not sound good. I had one on my 1.8L Sentra and it was terribad, I ended up with a Magnaflow 5x8 or 5x9 size muffler and it's much much better. I had a header too which just made it sound worse (lots of rasp). I got a 12" resonator which helped a little but it was still not good.

I had my Sentra's exhaust custom bent at the Mieneke by my house. $100 to have the cat-back done. I would imagine it would be in the similar range depending on the shop and how well you can deal with the owner. Of course this was formed using "crush" bent method with a 2.25" piping, so that means anywhere there is a bend the pipe has a bit of a crimp (so you lose some diameter there). However it's still better than the 2" crush bent piping that probably comes stock on the Altima.

I use a Magnaflow 5x9 oval muffler, and Magnaflow 18" resonator. It is too quiet now, in the sense that you can hear a low bass rumble of a 4-banger from inside my house (just enough) but the exhaust sound when revving is too muffled, no growl etc. probably due to the big 18" resonator (I gotta try 12" now again haha).

[KiNg28]

This conversation helped me out so much

[downedzephyr]

This conversation helped me out so much

glad you searched for it! not too many people seem to do that anymore...

[flight1001]

so the resonator will greatly reduce and even eliminate in-cabin drones? maybe i should put one on ym exhaust lol

[afioremaxima29]

I have a 04 Maxima SE 3.5L V6, and was looking at those $175 cat-backs. Would you recommend it because I don't have the money to drop a grand on an exhaust.

[mattyfo0z]

IMO, the LSD exhaust is the best sounding one out there for the 2.5ers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8P0LCUv ... re=related