Need some help with my exhaust

[silver2.5coupe]

Okay, so this is my first time posting, I have looked and done a ton of research on my own regarding the exhaust and still just have a couple questions. Let me start off with what I have done so far; exhaust is all stock and I have just removed the rear muffler-only section (also have a K&N intake installed). I like the sound, but I just don't want the look of not having a muffler. So I am wondering what my best route would be, I did find this Tsudo muffler on ebay for pretty cheap and it seems nice from the research I have done on it (unless of course anyone knows that this is no good). Problem is, it says it is for the 3.5 engine, but I really didn't think the rear section would be that different, does anyone know if the 2.5 and 3.5 share the same style/shape rear muffler?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290743768782?ss ... 1438.l2649

I was originally considering just having a muffler shop put in straight pipes and just weld new tips on, but I am now planning on getting the header and not sure if that would sound decent with no muffler on the car so I didn't want to go and start getting custom work done to the pipes. Also, would it be a good idea to do new piping cat-back or is really not that needed as performance/sound gains are minimal either way? Just wondering what you guys think so any suggestions or input would be great! Thanks.

[SanoSuKe]

The idea of not having mufflers is a no no in my book. What are you really going for? Sound? HP gains? I couldn't figure out what you want from that post lol.

[Innovazn]

Get a muffler and save yourself the attention. Got o a muffler shop and see what they say. That or buy an actual catback , either way it is better then no muffler.

[silver2.5coupe]

Thanks for responding, sorry I wasn't more clear. Okay, so first, just wondering why the no-muffler is a no no, it is a 2.5 (I am sure no muffler on the V6 would be just plain ridiculous) but it really is not that loud or overbearing, I don't think. I even had my friend drive the car around after I took it off so I could hear it from outside, so I do not think it is collecting that much attention as it just sounds like I have an aftermarket exhaust, no problem from cops or anything either. But anyways, I don't really want to leave it like that anyways, hence me asking these questions here. Basically I am looking for any gains that could be had but want it to sound good too and since, from what I understood, any cat-back system I go with would not really be huge gains (please correct me if I'm wrong). That is why I was mainly thinking about just getting that Tsudo axle-back muffler for less than $200 (as I mentioned earlier though, I am just concerned with fitment as I am not sure if the axle-back exhaust is the same on the 2.5 and 3.5).

So basically:
1. I do want gains but also want a good sound as it is my daily driver, I am just unsure if the gain difference between going full cat-back vs. axle-back is minimal or worth the extra money.
2. Is the axle-back muffler on the 2010 2.5 the same as the 3.5? So I can know if that linked exhaust in my original post will fit or not.
3. If I did go to a muffler shop for a custom full cat-back, what is a price range that would be reasonable (so I have some reference when I go in there). And would that be more worth doing as apposed to an ebay cat-back that has decent reviews on it for about $300-400?

Thanks again.

[aphu]

I didn't my full custom quad tips exhaust system with 2.5in piping with resonator in the middle for 400

[silver2.5coupe]

I didn't my full custom quad tips exhaust system with 2.5in piping with resonator in the middle for 400

Do you have the 2.5 or 3.5 engine? So you didn't do a muffler or are the quad tips you had put in mufflers? You happen to have a pic of it installed?

[Innovazn]

for the most part, Your most gains will come from a "cat back style" exhaust. Axle Back will just be your muffler and tips. - If you want REAL gains, 2.5 - Headers, 3.5 - Y-pipe

Reason being is your Cat back is more free flowing and depending on what cat back you go you get the mandrel bending (which is more free flowing)

More likely then not, your custom exhaust will be "crush bending" but then again as a daily driver and street vehicle... You wont know the difference let alone feel it. (mandrel and crush is more so a numbers game)

From my understanding the 2.5 and 3.5 share the same exhaust HOWEVER the 3.5 requires a slightly longer piping (correct me if im wrong)

When you told everyone here you removed that giant barrel known as a muffler from under your car, we all instantly hear the obnoxious noise of a car with no muffler. Its disgusting and unsatisfying. Change your piping and you will understand. Our cars "resonators" is a flattened section of piping within the piping and with that gone, youll sound like a honda civic with a fart can.

Keep in mind a car is like a person, it eats s*** and breathes. Keep the a** tight and not too big otherwise you're going to have a bad time... MEANING dont go gettign a 5" tip. All cars require a certain level of back pressure so let the muffler shop do their thing. 2.5" piping is a good size for our cars, many companies use that size piping as well. If money is no issue, go with the cat back and more so with GReddy if you can. Otherwise take some time and research dude. Change it once rather then 10 times.

[aphu]

wrapped-roof-new-quad-tips-t553335.html

[silver2.5coupe]

Thank you Innovazn for all that infoI will probably just go to a shop then and see about doing a custom cat back. So Aphu, you exhaust basically has no muffler on it either than right? Just straight piping with a resonator? This is exactly what I was originally saying I was thinking about doing...

[RicerX]

In the case of the 370Z, a muffler delete without a tune will cause the car to run rich (more fuel than air in the air/fuel mixture), which leads to a decrease in fuel economy among other potential issues.

I don't know if this will happen on a 2.5 Altima, but it is a real possibility. I know in the case of older 2.5s with the precat (Sentra SE-R Spec V, 2002-06 Altimas), running rich increases the possibility of precat deterioration (especially if you run cheap gas - many people do, whether intentionally or unintentionally). While Nissan has worked out the kinks in that system for 07-up 2.5s, you could potentially open up that bag of worms again. Just to put it in perspective, Nissan replaced many engines due to this issue, and likely will try not to help you if they find you've modified your setup.

This may seem extreme, but it is true. You're likely a long way from this happening (and it may not ever happen) but the gamble is up to you. I have two suggestions for you:

1) put the muffler back on
2) buy a full exhaust and do it right.

In the case of running straight pipes, the ECU is calibrated to manage the engine for the length of piping the car came with from the factory (backpressure is namely the affected attribute), and that basically means that in Aphu's case, he is running the same length of piping with less resistance, which to an ECU translates better than less piping coupled with less resistance (even less backpressure, which can also translate to a loss of low end power, which you do not want in most cases, especially in the case of a 2.5).

Just my .02. Sorry for the info overload.

[silver2.5coupe]

In the case of the 370Z, a muffler delete without a tune will cause the car to run rich (more fuel than air in the air/fuel mixture), which leads to a decrease in fuel economy among other potential issues.

I don't know if this will happen on a 2.5 Altima, but it is a real possibility. I know in the case of older 2.5s with the precat (Sentra SE-R Spec V, 2002-06 Altimas), running rich increases the possibility of precat deterioration (especially if you run cheap gas - many people do, whether intentionally or unintentionally). While Nissan has worked out the kinks in that system for 07-up 2.5s, you could potentially open up that bag of worms again. Just to put it in perspective, Nissan replaced many engines due to this issue, and likely will try not to help you if they find you've modified your setup.

This may seem extreme, but it is true. You're likely a long way from this happening (and it may not ever happen) but the gamble is up to you. I have two suggestions for you:

1) put the muffler back on
2) buy a full exhaust and do it right.

In the case of running straight pipes, the ECU is calibrated to manage the engine for the length of piping the car came with from the factory (backpressure is namely the affected attribute), and that basically means that in Aphu's case, he is running the same length of piping with less resistance, which to an ECU translates better than less piping coupled with less resistance (even less backpressure, which can also translate to a loss of low end power, which you do not want in most cases, especially in the case of a 2.5).

Just my .02. Sorry for the info overload.

Hmm, very interesting, thank you. Well I definitely don't want to leave it as it currently is (just without a muffler on) I am just trying to figure out the most cost effective way to do a good setup that looks, sounds and performs good. Didn't really want to pay $700+ for a cat-back setup so I was thinking about just doing the axle-back for now, but name brands even on that is still $400-500+ (Stillen, borla, Magnaflow, etc.). I did find the Tsudo axle-back one for under $200 shipped, however, it looks like it has the longer piping which is made for the 3.5 model so I assume I would need to do some modification to my stock exhaust in order to fit it. Plus the seller hasn't responded at all to any of my questions regarding it so that doesnt make me want to buy it. I guess best bet is to put exhaust fully back to stock and visit a local muffler shop then. Thanks all for the input. One other thing though, I am planning on doing the Stillen header soon, any idea how that will affect the sound of the exhaust (louder, deeper, rasp, etc.)? I am wondering maybe if I should just do that first and hear how that sounds on stock exhaust setup before I go getting custom stuff done... I haven't been able to find anything on people that have the 2.5 and just done header and intake and left the stock exhaust alone.