I'm planning on getting a complete exhaust setup. I am definately getting the Budget Y-Pipe. As for the catback, I am not sure. I was planning on getting the APEXi WS, but now I am thinking about ordering the Budget B-Pipe (w/ resonator) and either an aftermarket muffler or the 5th gen muffler. I do not want a loud exhaust. Not too sure about replacing the catalytic converter.

Now for the questions:

Leave the stock catalytic converter or go aftermarket? Which aftermarket ones are good? I've only heard bad things about the aftermarket catalytic converters.

Which catback setup would you choose? Which one will have the best gains, or will they be about the same?

 

i'd say go with ur plan with the resonated budget b pipe. also go with a 5th gen muff for the quietest setup, most anything else will be pretty loud. Leave the stock catalytic converter, there are no real gains with straight pipe, or aftermarket converters

 

 

do you need welding for 5th gen muffler?

 

yup u definately need welding for the 5th gen muff

 

Any other opinions??

 

Greddy sounds beautiful. It doesn't give a loud abnoxious wine but yet people will know that its not stock. It give it a deep throaty sound. I have had hardcore domestic owners tell me my exhaust system sounded good. Go Greddy man.

 

Its actually faster w/o the after market Str8 Pipe for some reason, a lot of people were complaining on how there car gained more power after they re-installed the stock str8 pipe. My idea is that you get a Budget y, with the resonated B pipe. Get the 5th Gen Exhaust, but weld a better tip on it for the looks.

 

Current Results:
1. APEXi - 0
2. Budget - 3
3. GReddy - 1

 

I'm running a Warpspeed Y pipe. Posts on some other threads here suggested that the flex pipe in the Warpspeed was lined inside where the Budget is not and that some people had slight noise at WOT with the Budget Y's. Not sure if this is BS or not. I wrapped my Warpspeed Y just in case, added it and test pipe and the noise is the same as stock, with stock B pipe and muffler.

Added Budget B pipe to the mix this last weekend, but stock muffler flange is bad after removal of stock B pipe so it leaks. Until I weld a new flange on, won't be able to see if the sound level is the same as stock. I did notice the factory B pipe on my 98 had pink insulation batting held over it with a sheetmetal cover. I believe this insulation was to keep the pipe form overheating the gas tank cover, not noise issues. I wrapped the B pipe too, for schits and giggles, in case the factory insul really did deaden any noise.

From what I've read through searches, people who convert to 5th gen mufflers need to cut the muffler inlet pipe about an inch or so and then reweld the flange. Hanger locations on the 5th gen mufflers match ours so, no mods needed there. The 5th gen muffler is a variable pressure muffler that opens up a valve/door for more flow under WOT conditions, but is supposedly pretty quiet cruising and under light acceleration. Might be the best of both worlds.

 

have anyone experience with the stock 4th gen muffler with aftermarket B pipe?

 

I say you wait for the Newer Greddy SP2 Exhaust. I called greddy they said it should be out by Late Next month. (You know how companies are with new releases though ) Anyhow I say you wait for the New Greddy Design Exhaust the SP2. Should be around $520, from what CustomMaxima.com said to me on the phone, Greddy wouldn't give me a direct price though.

 

could it be cheaper with a budget B and a stock muffler.

 

I have a stock muffler and unresonated b pipe and y pipe. Definately not loud at all. I'd rather have the OBX catback on right now though. Depends what you're going for. If you've got a y pipe, resonated b pipe, and stock muffler, you have a nice sleeper. If you have a catback people will know even if it isn't loud at all. Personally, if i'm about to spend money on an exhaust I want people to know and it to look and sound good(not ricey), but thats just me.

 

what was the price on your 4th gen stock muffler?

 

I am actually going to have to agree with Tight_Whip on this one. Because if the SP2 sounds and performs anything like the SP1 does it will be worth it. Its Greddy so you know they aren't just going to come out with something to say they have something new out. It will be improved. Go Greddy man.

 

i forgot to mention that i meet someone who has stillen y and greddy installed and failed inspection in new york city. does anyone else has the same experience?

 

A lot of people recommend the 5th gen muffler for the quiet ride. Does anybody know what the inlet pipe size is?

I have just installed a budget B pipe but the size is 2.5" and the stock muffler (jobber) is 2". The flange of the stock muffler doesn't fill the pipe on the Budget B pipe so major exhaust leak.... it sounds like a ricer wannabe

Anybody knows what the size of the pipe is on the stock 5th gen muffler?

Thanks,
Stephane

 

Sorry, I have all my exhaust in now (Budget Y, Budget B w/ Magnaflow Resonaotr, and the 2k2 muffler).. but I haven't intalled any of it. I have to wait until the body work is done on my car. If I get it installed before anyone replies, I'll let you know.