So, I have a muffler coming for my OBS. My options are: 1. Go to Advance Auto Parts and get the necessary stuff to do it myself at work. 2. Go to muffler shop and have them make the 2.5" pipe needed to go from flange to muffler and cut and weld it myself at work. 3. Have a good muffler shop do the work for me. I'm on a budget, so I want to do this the cheapest way possible, but at the same time, I don't want it to look like crap, and I want it done easy too. I've pretty much decided that if a muffler shop won't charge much more to do it all than to bend the pipe, I'll let them do it. But if it's a huge price advantage between the three, then I will piece it together myself. Anyway, since I'm new to the area, I don't know what shops here are allowed to do, and what are the good shops to go to. Help please.
I would recommend Nathan (wrxboy2003) however I am unsure if he still has the means to create exhuasts. Dupes on here had a 2.5" exhaust made (he supplied the muffler) for i think around $150 at one of the truck stores in long lake. that was just for piping, no resonators/cats ect.. just a consideration: you might get better response from 2.25" piping. the guys on RS25 like the 2.25" more than the 2.5" for NA purposes. but thats up to you.
2.5" FTW!!! PEAK POWER for NA application!! I ran a 2.5" catback with custom headers. Sure the 2.25" helps with driveability, BUT it's not gonna be like a littlle 1.6L Honda with the 2.5" catback.
That's pretty much what I was thinking. I'm pretty sure the Stromung exhaust I had on my RS was 2.5 and it was wonderful and sounded delightful.
I liked J&R in Chanhassen they have done 2 of my cars. They also built my radiator and some custom piping for my intercooler
Are they reasonably priced? Can you estimate piping for my back box section? Where are they located in Chan, that's nice and close.
I thought they were resonable if u arent doing 3" then they are really cheap they did full duals on my dodge ram for 400 from the headers back...
O and they are off of highway 5 by the Public Storage place... (952) 474-5258 1300 Park Rd Chanhassen
if you are going to have some muffler shop make it for you they are going to be using a pipe bender that will be pinching the metal down ware they bend it. mandrel bends are the way to go but allot more $$ to have made and most shops don't have that type of bender. so i would go with a 2.5 because its just going to be pinched down to 2.25.
I understand all of that, which is why I sort of just wanted to do it myself, but it's alot of work to mimmic mandrel bends when all you can do is cut and weld.
the crush/pipe benders suck in that way... thats what mine is.. I still have it but no hookup for it... Fobia is correct for sure.... and yes most shops do not have the basic $18G means to start with a mandrel bender... I have researched into these a lot for starting my next shop/venture... the base pull style mandrel model that can bend up to 2.5in piping starts at approximately $11,500 before paying about $1000 for each die set.... ie 1in, 1.25in, etc etc... so yeah most exhaust shop will just buy the piping like Fobia did on his car and piece it all together, which can be tedious but just as effective.... so to answer your question.. if I was still up and running and all you needed was to adapt a flange to some piping to make a muffler work I would have maybe charged about $50 depending....
I hope this was a joke, cause that would be a pain in the arse, but the cheapest route that I can see.
So then, is there a place (locally?) where I can purchase mandrel bent sections instead of having to cut and weld a straight piece 50 billion times until it curves "mandrelly" like my factory exhaust? In 2.5" diameter?
US Tire & Exhaust but you need an account... its not a retail supplier not sure of any other places.. try Checker, Pep Boys or something...
From what I can remember, it's been a while since I looked for exhaust pieces, I think auto parts stores have crushed tubing. I guess crushed 2.5 with a "high-flow" muffler will at least be better than a factory exhaust. I could probably try to "straighten" the exhaust route as much as possible too.
The place i told u about pie cut my 3" exhaust im telling you to check them out if u want to go somewhere around chanhassen
Don't worry, I will check them out. I'm just weighing my options and getting other ideas. I'm not the type of person that sticks to one option while I'm waiting on parts like this. My mind likes to think about all the options, and if it's something I can do myself, it just makes it that much cooler.
Btw ive seen you like 5 times in the past two days lol. if you decided you want to do it yourself and you need some tools let me know i have chop saws and welders...
Thanks for the offer, but I work in a fab shop, so I have access to everything I need, even a 20 ton overhead crane so I can have easy access to the exhaust. :laugh: I take it you weren't in the WRX? I've been watching for people, because of course when I was in my truck I saw all kinds of club stickers, and now nothing.
this is ware i get all my bends. http://www.globaltecheng.com/ProductCart/pc/viewcategories.asp?idCategory=65&pageStyle=H they are fast at shipping and great customer service. plus un like other places you get about 6 to 8 inches of straight on each bend as to were most just give you a 90 and thats it, or a "j" bend.
Thanks, those are some pretty good prices for the couple pieces I estimated. Did you do stainless or carbon steel? If carbon, did you do anything coating wise after to keep it from rusting?
I made a catback for a friend's Toyota Paseo and it was all "pie cuts." It was fast too!!! Could creap away from yours I bet because it was right next to me and I had FULL headerback!!! Well I did port the heads on it too so there was good power. hahahhaah
First off, thanks for all the suggestions everybody. I had my car on jackstands Thursday night while I was painting my wheels and decided to do the exhaust myself cause it looked so easy. I did a full cat-back for less than $50, and have the satisfaction of saying I did it myself. Here's some pics:
