S14 exhaust system in California advice needed

[centralcoaster33]

Thank you for reading. Moderator, please help move this to the most qualified forum. Oh, and I searched and read 38 topics about Catalytic Converters and a bunch about exhaust, so please no regurgitations.

Issue: My exhaust system is completely rusted out and falling apart. All parts must be replaced except the header (stock outlet size unknown). There is a small chance I will be able to source the Greddy 4-1 header (outlet size = 2.5").

Goals: The GReddy header is a maybe (2.5") and I'd like to keep the system compatible. The car will have to pass California SMOG. I would like to find a local shop to weld together parts for me. I don't want a loud exhaust. I do want some extra power. I want a medium quality system that will last a few years (3-4+ yrs). I don't want to spend much money and will do all of the work except the welding.

Questions:1. Do I go for stock, 2.25" or 2.5" piping?2. Do I go for straight through or chambered muffler and resonator? Shape/ Size/ Brand recommended?3. Do I go for OEM Nissan, OEM replacement, aftermarket or high flow catalytic converters? Please be specific and detailed.4. Can I use EBay Bosch universal sensors or do I need something specific.5. Do I go for stainless, aluminum or aluminized parts?6. If I get the GReddy header, I'll need a flexable pipe bit. Any advice?7. Where can I acquire any and all of these parts for less?8. Did I forget something? Any more advice?

[StuntingShaggy]

Ever heard of a fake certificate?

Once you get into maybe doing an SR swap or going for KA-T, I hope you know theres no way in hell you're going to pass smog. Once you have an intake and an exhaust there's already maybe a 20% chance you would pass smog.

Also, most smog places in Cali. see a modified exhaust or intake and they won't even smog it. Just a word of advice, pay $150 and get a fake.

[180fan]

1. 2.5"2. quieter in CA the better. if you have money and patience, you can check out the rsr.3. oem is what you need to pass smog. the s13 and s14's have "high pollution" classification right off the bat. 4. ebay = sucks. go to your local parts store to get bosch universals or you can get stuff like ntk o2 sensors from places like sparkplugs.com5. stainless6. good luck passing smog or not getting a nice ref ticket when pulled over with an aftermarket header. 7. for less + authentic parts = not gonna happen. If you want name brand/quality parts, expect to pay more or to wait longer for those parts.8. lurk more.

[adrianfromthecastle]

Also, most smog places in Cali. see a modified exhaust or intake and they won't even smog it. Just a word of advice, pay $150 and get a fake.

theres a member that lurks in all the socal forums that can legally get your car smog and carb exempt, which means no more smog checks every 2 years, and it exempts you from having to go to the state ref. just use the search function up top, and type in smog... you'll see his name here and there.

with that aside, 2.5 all the way is ideal for the n/a, and i do recommend flex peices, ive seen dc headers on hondas crack because of the lack of them. as far as cats, magnaflows should be good enough.

7. for less + authentic parts = not gonna happen. If you want name brand/quality parts, expect to pay more or to wait longer for those parts.

i somewhat dissagree...go to meets, make new friends... hook-up prices are always better than paying full price

[180fan]

I'd have a look into the operations rather than just assume they can complete the job.

True, however, looking around you will see no one pays full price on car parts since competition is pretty stiff, margin on the parts has gotten smaller with exception on a few brands.

[centralcoaster33]

Okay people, thanks for the bits of advice. Most makes sense to me. All I wonder about now are the catalytic converters. It sounded like someone was suggesting stock as the only way to pass smog. But, how am I going to get those in the 2.5" size and stainless steal as recommended? I imagine the main cat could be a magnaflow, but what about my precat and pipe assembly? Also, is magnaflow even all SS or only parts of it are? I thought maybe I could get 2.5" SS regular size cat and some sort of mini cat and weld on the 2.5" SS pipes, bung and flanges and have that all bent to near stock shape, then weld on the old heat sheild and call it stock. But now I don't know of any brands that make quality cats, if my weld idea is doomed to fail smog, or what kind of cat to get (2-way vs. 3-way) for both the precat and main cat. thanks again.