Recent spike in cat back exhaust systems. WTF!?

[ddgsxr504]

So I have a 2001 model Apexi N1 CB exhaust (bought new back in 2001) on my S14. I want to get a similar but less flashy replacement. I was leaning towards a Buddy Club spec II. Six months ago I was finding them for $350-$400 but decided to wait till I had the extra $$$ to toss around plus a new one piece driveshaft ($400) was more important due to failed center carrier bearing. Long story short
I have the money to get a new exhaust now and everywhere I look the BC Spec
II is pushing $550-$650. What the hell is up with that? Is the economy that s*** or has an exhaust that was designed and made over 5+ years ago made of some precious metal that has gone up in value?

Thoughts/Knowledge?

[Kompresshun]

That price doesn't sound out of reason, but it does seem a bit high depending on what the whole system is made out of.

Have you looked at BRM Exhaust? Greg(AZHitman) owns it and they offer custom cat-backs for the S13 and S14.

http://www.brmexhaust.com/94-99-nissan-240sx

Aluminized will be cheaper, but the stainless will last a lot longer. They use Magnaflow products, so they sound pretty good too.

[sx moneypit]

I am running a BRM exhaust on my car,nice stout exhaust and sounds great!

[Dattebayo]

You're talking about buying a premium Japanese manufacture name like buddy club and complaining about the price? lol

If anything, it's because of gas prices inflating everything lately.

[ddgsxr504]

I'm not complaining about the price of a top tier Japanese exhaust, I'm complaining about the fact that it has practically doubled in price in the past year. I'll give BRM a look.

I mean my Apexi when I bought it brand new in 2001 was $430 now it's close to $700/$800. Just ridiculous is all. I understand a price inflation of that magnitude in 12 years but 12 months!? FML.

[Hijacker]

It more than likely is based around shipping costs. The US Dollar has strengthened against the yen over the past year, so I don't think the spike in price is due to conversion rates.

[ScrapMetal]

Just find yourself a nice Magnaflow muffler or the like on Ebay and have a muffler shop do the exhaust piping, that's what I did on my Bronco. $50 for a Flowmaster 40 series1 inlet/2 outlet on Ebay and a local muffler shop charged me $130 for the piping from the manifold back and installation for dual pipes.

I would never pay $800 for an exhaust unless it performed miracles.

Stainless steel btw

[PEZi]

We have BRM on the autocross 240.... sounds sexy... yet not too loud so you don't attract unwanted attention.

[AZhitman]

I don't normally bash on other manufacturers' stuff, but I do take issue with the N1 being described as "top tier."

I've cut a couple of them open (to determine internal construction, and to figure out what happened to make the other one sound like a$$ all of a sudden).

Ask Dan (Dano here on NICO) about his expensive, supposedly all-stainless, Apexi N1. (hint: it's not)

Anyhow, to answer your question, two reasons: Stainless prices have gone bananas in the past five years. Not only do manufacturers have to figure out a way to absorb the cost of the raw materials (piping and bar stock) but they've also got to contend with increased costs passed on to them by suppliers... yes, even most of the supposed "top tier" JDM manufacturers get their components (mufflers, resonators, clamps) elsewhere (typically China).
The other reason is even simpler - fuel surcharges. It's really a multiplication of impact, since EVERYONE that touches that steel raises their prices... from the mill to the pipemaker to the wholesaler to the component supplier to the shipping companies to the exhaust builder to the retail store. Even if each one adds $5 to their cost, then passes it on, that can be $50-$100 more passed on to the purchaser.

We just suck it up, take the hit, and make less profit. I ain't raising prices, and I'll still sell exhausts if I lose $10 on each one.

[AZhitman]

BTW, the Spec II is $469 here: http://www.enjukuracing.com/products/Bu ... 240sx.html

...but I don't know why anyone would put that on their street car...

Besides, it uses a silencer, and silencers are a joke. Any system that uses a silencer isn't designed properly. If you want a dual-purpose (track / street) exhaust, just get e-cutouts and call it good.

[kouki munster]

...but I don't know why anyone would put that on their street car...

I have one on my 240 and until about 3 weeks ago it was my dd. Never once in the last 5 years did I wish that it wasn't so loud, and I still don't,(I actually miss listening to it) but I have a couple bad muffler bearings and get enjoyment out of ridiculously loud exhausts.

[ddgsxr504]

Thanks Greg, that makes sense I guess I was just a little taken aback by the massive price jump. I'm not surprised however that they get their materials from China. Maybe Apexi was top tier back when I got my frat one (2001) but I guess not anymore. Mine isn't all stainless, it's much like the HKS version. Mild steel powder coated (if its even powder coat) pipe and stainless canister. It hasn't been too loud until the past couple years once all the packing has burnt out of it. Plus it has dents and dings in it from use and being towed when the clutch pedal piston fork broke in a.m. LA rush hour traffic. lol. The car isn't daily driven so I'm not too worried about that.

[AZhitman]

Actually, the HKS stuff (to my recollection) is full SS. Of all the systems we cut open when we were designing the early Sentra and S13 systems, the HKS was one of my favorite.

IIRC, Dano was real bent when his N1 duals canister (not SS, btw) rusted out around the crimped seam in the rear. Not pretty.

It's a bummer, it's not THAT hard to get a system "right", but there's no shortcuts. You gotta do the work - build / install / test / cut / adjust / weld / re-test... over and over 'til it's perfect.

[ddgsxr504]

If the HKS is full Stainless then that's good. All the pics I see it looks just like my Apexi (exact one I have pictured below. It's lasted great for over a decade. I've seen both the Apexi and HKS in full stainless (supposed SS anyway) and with just the stainless canister with a powder coated type pipe. Either way I'll do a little more research. Thanks again for the advice/info.


http://www.sandrperformance.com/assets/ ... atback.jpg

[AZhitman]

NP. Obviously, SS isn't ferrous, so the magnet test works well.

The HKS system (internally) is a better-constructed system than the Apexi. However, both are overpriced for what you get.

[float_6969]

I came from an Apex N1 single BECAUSE my rediculo-priced N1 that I thought would last me forever... rusted out at the back of the muffler, just like Dan's did. The only part of that thing that was stainless was the housing of the muffler.

I bought a BRM to replace it because I wanted more stock looking and more quiet. Been very happy with it.

[asoomal]

Make sure it's T304 stainless, T409.

Lot's of companies use T409 stainless, it's cheaper but doesn't last as long.