Engine exhaust options....

exhaust options....

Am I going to expect the largest gain from a muffler (axle-back) or a header? I'm not going to do both, but I am going to add one of the two to my car. What choice would yield this highest power gain by itself?

Where can I buy a JP header online?? 2003 Corolla CE.

Thanks,
Trav

i would say the header will give you more power gain / $
axle-back muffler wont give you too much gain but the deep sound lol

Have a shop weld up a custom cat-back for you. Best bang/buck right there.

OK - what exactly does a custom cat-back consist of? I mean, I know that a cat-back is everything from the catalytic convertor back (which catalytic convertor are we talking about? first or second??) Are we talking about just larger diameter piping w/ mandrel bends? Would I need another muffler to take full advantage of whatever it is this mod would do for my car? And if so, then what muffler would be a good choice?

As an aside: I got killed by a Honda Prelude today (figures, right?) A Chevy Beretta also gave me a good run on the interstate. I couldn't loose him, but he couldn't loose me, either. Take that for whatever it's worth - probably not much, huh?

Trav

you seem tight on money..so if your gonna get your custom catback, just get it crush bent since mandrel bends cost a lot more...about which cat the custom piping will start from is the 2nd cat..unless you wanna take out the 2nd cat and run piping from the first cat (which is an option)..

where to buy a JP header??

I think I'm just gonna get a header - that seems like the most restrictive part of the entire system, aside from the CC (which is staying right where it's at).

Anyhow - thanks to all.

Which header would you all recommend? I've been looking around for the JP header, but can't seem to find a place online that sells them for our cars. If not the JP, then what would you all suggest??

Thanks,
Trav

check out vvti forums..i heard ELP is putting their headers for 03 rollas on clearance for $200.

thanks dude!!! good find! I'm going to get one of these...

ROCK ON!!

Late,
Trav

For a custom cat-back:

Order 2.25" piping from Summit Racing ($10/4')
Order a 2.25" "turbo style" muffler from Summit Racing ($15-$40)
Pick up a 2.25" tailpipe
Pick up an (optional) tip.
Have a shop mandrel-bend the pipe and weld it on

For extra oomph, order a 2.25" high-flow cat (Magnaflow makes CARB, OBDII legal high flow cats) to replace the 2nd stock cat.

If you are going to do one or the other, then do a header. The stock one sucks

Do both! I'm still waiting for one of the local shops to fix their mandrel press... I would go elsewhere for my exhaust work, but one of the guys who works there is my dog 8)

just emailed my order to ELP for the header. I'm curious - there's the age-old dilemma about opening the exhaust up and kilingl the low-end torque. So, with a new, free-er flowing header, that would reduce some back-pressure which in theory would ruin low-end. Not that there's an amazing amount of low-end torque there anyhow, but it's not SO bad for a 1.8L 4-banger - know what I mean??

What yall think? Will an exhaust header REALLY give me ANY power at all or will it take away power? Theory says I'll gain some in the high-revs (will just a header change my exhaust note at all??) The rest of the exhaust will be stock for a while, so it'll be the AEM CAI and the ELP exhaust header and that's it for mods for a few weeks. What's your guys opinions??

Late,
Trav

A 2.25" exhaust won't kill your low-end torque. Sure, you will loose a little bit, but I doubt any of us drive under 3k unless we're cruising on the HWY or in a parking lot...

A header shouldn't harm low end power much, if at all. It will provide a good increase in mid and top end. I'm waiting on my JP header and have already removed the large ridge at lower half of exhaust port outlets, smoothed and polished about 1.5" deep with a rotary tool. I also did the intake ports, manifold and smooth bored the throttle body and did the coolant bypass mod (and CAI) for a substantial and inexpensive grunt and power gain.
The stock muffler's gotta go. For now, a 2" Cherry Bomb with 2 1/2" tip uncorked it well without being loud for only $40 Cdn. For just a few bucks, I also recommend a ground upgrade for more torque and driveability, as well as motor mount inserts...

Yeah - I've been reading about the ground upgrade and I believe I'm going to do that as well. Seems to be a rather inexpensive and worthwhile upgrade.

Thanks,
Trav