if u added headers and hi flow cat and exhaust would u still need the y pipe?

[MaroonI30]

im the proud owner of a 97 I30 they are awesome cars but i wanna improve my performance and im wondering if the y pipe would even be needed if u did full exhaust headers back

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yes. In fact, even moreso, really.

You get the best gains by improving the weakest point in the system. If you skip that point and upgrade everything else, it is still the weakest point. And because of that, it is reducing the benefit of the other mods you've done. So in order to get the full benefit of headers and the high-flow cat, you need to upgrade the y-pipe, too.

[MaroonI30]

i should have been more specific since im gonna do headers and i buy the kit and it comes with the pipe that connects them with the flex pipe to the cat isn't that the y pipe? and if i didn't go all out on expensive brand name header set up would i just be waisting my time? as in the new y pipe that came with the kit is the same diameter as my old one? i know im getting very specific but i've got a wish list and when i get all the stuff i want i don't wanna end up waisting my money

[jltibbs]

Cattman Performance has the best option, hands down. They have a y-pipe back exhaust. It's only $1125. That's a great price. I spent $300 for my header/y-pipe combo (ebay), and $600 on a Vibrant Performance cat-back. So, $900, I got headers instead of the high flow, and the quality is not there. Here's the description:

Complete exhaust system from Y-pipe to muffler tip. Includes Cattman Y-pipe, high-flow catalytic convertor, and Cattman Cattback Exhaust, and all installation hardware. Completely integrated system provides the best sound, most power, legendary durability and a substantial savings.

[MaroonI30]

i think im just gonna go with a cheap set of headers and wrap to help with under hood temps and go with the cattman y pipe cheap hi flow cat and a generic of the greddy sp2 exhaust i believe thats what model it is i kno this will definetly give me some improvement might not be top of the line stuff but its better than the stuff that is slowly fallin off my I30 lol the connector on the pipe leading over the rear axle completely rusted off so i just took off the muffler it was almost rusted through also and it actually sounds pretty good runnin just resonater and cat's after 3grand it doesn't even sound like im missin the muffler at all lol

[jltibbs]

Get this:

http://got-jdm.com/JDM/9599-ni...fsrq3

and this:

http://www.andysautosport.com/....html

and this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...%3AIT

$550 for everything, headers back, all bolt on.

[MaroonI30]

right on and i have found even cheaper stuff but im gonna make sure i don't go 2 cheap or it will just be a waste of money im gonna do headers last since that will be the most exstensive part of the system and i found for 150 brand new jdm spec japan made true 304 stainless steel catback exhaust system it looks like a damn good deal and do the exhuast manifolds have bolts or are they studs with nuts ? and im gonna do my cat back first since that is the worst part of my system here is the link for exhaust system im thinkin bout going with 100 bucks for shipping so its only 250 alotegether

[MaroonI30]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...fb453