Hello there! I am debating on removing the 3rd cat and the mid muffler. I consider myself handy and have done TIG welding before. I'd like to chop the 3rd cat and the mid muffler but I'm debating on doing it myself. Has anyone without mig welding experience ever done this themselves? How did you do it?

 

hmm...no need to chop the 3rd cat...it just unbolts...what are you going to put in their place?

Just some advice, save the hack job and get something that isn't very expensive for what you get (RV6 or comparable J-pipe) and has proven gains.

 

Jpipe removes the 3rd cat and adds some noise/power. The third muffler trick doesn't really do much.

 

^these guys are awesome!

 

Yea I'm gearing the car more towards Autocross so most of my money is really going to suspension work but I figured I could shave a few pounds. To spend 4 or 500 bucks to get a 10 or 15 extra ponies wont really help with lap times but I will definitely look into it. I definitely want to chop the muffler to save the 8 pounds (compliment of Innaccurate ). Have you guys ever done exhaust welding before?

 

If you use 16ga steel it's a piece of cake. Butt welding is hard unless you've got a method to purge the pipe but overlaps come out great.

I've done both 304 SS and mild steel.

Do you have access to a welder?

 

I dont, but I was thinking about just renting one. I've done TIG welding before and from what I hear a MIG welder is easier to use

 

I've never done TIG but doing MIG was very easy to self learn. Just have to make sure to get the heat and feed correct before diving in.

 

Have you ever tried to butt weld with 20ga SS? Fun, Fun

Today, I had a professional welder "throwing fits" trying to do that

He had to use MIG with 0.030 SS wire to get it done. And then, it was not a pretty picture either. Bit, we got it done.

Lesson Learned - Don't try to save weight by using 20ga SS and using butt welds.

 

If you believe you can do it, I would do it. Worst case scenario it may cost you maybe $100 in materials and a couple hours of your time.

 

Woah, you are going WAY into weight savings. I tried and failed miserably with butt welding even 18ga. Looked like a tour of a cavern inside even though I didn't burn through.

 

Got more welding done today. After climbing the Learning Curve, welding the 20 GA is not too bad now. The trick is to cut slits into one end and to expand that end slightly to slip past the other end piece. The small amount of overlap allows the welder to direct the heat toward the double walled section. The welder was even able to revert back to using his smooth TIG instead of the cranky MIG. He did beautiful work in light of the challenge.

The 3" diameter 20 GA tube is like a Coke can. We lightly clamped the work piece (aka pipe section) to the work bench as gentle as possible, and the pipe will dent under the slightest clamping pressure.

But, the final product is very much worth the hassle (at least in my eyes). The 20 GA is super lightweight stuff.

 

I invested in a higher quality hand type pipe stretcher that is used with my air impact. Has been a life saver for me.

http://www.lislecorp.com/divisions/p...s/?product=565

 

^ For sure that an expander would be the proper tool. This is my first time to do exhaust fabrication and buying an expander was an oversight on my part.

Next time, the very first thing that I purchase will be the expander.

Thanks for the link. I love Lisle products.

 

Inaccurate, did you go with a single exit or just stick with two mufflers? Just wondering since you're the Master Dieter!

I'm highly considering a single 3" setup myself...with resonator and decent muffler...what are your thoughts?

 

I went with a custom, uncivilized, loud system. From the J-pipe collector is a 2-1/2" to 3" Transition. Then 3 feet of 3 " tube to a single 18" Magnaflow Round Straight-thru muffler (aka, resonator). Then out to a SINGLE 3" exit on the right side of rear bumper. No other mufflers in the entire system. The entire system has just a single 18" straight-thru round muffler.

Getting the last 24" tail piece welded in the morning. I have not driven it yet. But, I have fired up the engine with what I have thus far. I LIKE IT ! I blipped the throttle in neutral and it appeared to rev up a lot quicker. It had a cool pop (micro backfire) as I let off the throttle . AWESOME !

It is loud, but no more so that what I had expected and bargained for.

Regarding offering you any advice - I will need to get some seat time with this exhaust before I can offer any advice. But from researching it from others that have done similar systems, a single 3" is the winner for making power.



BELOW ARE **MOCK-UP** PICS

 

I used 20ga on my civic and it is super light. I can hold the entire exhaust up with one hand. If only I can find a lighter header

 

Inaccurate - awesome! Thanks a bunch for info AND pics! Definitely in for power and final looks results....I'm definitely a fan of some popping engine braking backfire too...

The single exit may not win any beauty awards, but it sure is cheaper and lighter...and possibly produces more power...I'm *almost* completely sold! If I go that route, I may have it turned down slightly right before the bumper...unfortunately there would be the two blank bumper cut outs, but I dunno...

 

I NEED RECOMMENDATIONS PLEASE

In the pics below, would the pipe look better unpainted (natural stainless steel) or painted black (Photoshop'ed below)?

 

Hmmm....definitely black over bare steel...maybe a nice rolled tip?

 

I forgot to mention, there will be No tips . All business. Just the bare cut end as it appears in the pic.

MORE VOTES PLEASE

Thanks for the input fenda.

 

Definitely painted. Thanks guys!

 

painted... But i'd considered getting a cover (tip) for it just for some kind of looks. not really feeling the bare pipe look.

 

Bare tip is very RACEY. It reminds me of the the Formula Fords with the bare side pipes. BADASS

 

Got my exhaust finished today. I drove it today for the first time. I LIKE IT. I don't have the popping and the backfires although..... wish it did.

It for sure has more power in higher rpm with no drop in the low rpm range My tires spun in 2nd gear (5AT) during a downshift. It NEVER EVER done that before except on wet pavement. Today, it was dry concrete.

From my limited test drive today, mine sounds identical to Sonnick's Open-Y videos (click here). I am very pleased with the power and the sound. I wish I had the backfire, but I suppose I can't have everything.

 

The big question now is how much weight is saved.

 

Who cares about weight







Seriously, the 3" single exhaust is just one part of a multi part Diet update. I am still working on the other parts before I post an update in the Diet thread.

 

 

Sound clips

Glad you like it, Tim! The 'tip' pictures loaded on my computer and it looks great! Very aggressive.

As the piping 'breaks in,' you may actually experience a little backfire (hopefully). It may take a full tank of gas, but it should actually get slightly louder. I remember when I first put the mufflers on it was a little quieter than it is now.

 

In for the vids....and in for moar low!!

Can't say it looks good, but if it performs and sounds good who cares!!

 

Damn Inaccurate....that looks AWESOME !!!

I would love to hear some sound clips....

I bet you will be saving atleast 15lbs over stock....i can trade you some misfire sounds if you did like, i get em with my true duals

and dont paint it....leave her BARE !!!

 

Hmmmm.....that does look good.

I'd like to hear how that sounds too.

If you don't mind, could you tell me where you found the tubing and bends?

 

I got a remedy for that

 

Excellent...can't wait for the updates! And I guess I should've said it does look great!

 

no offense, but that exhaust looks funnny

 

^ It is not for Show :devilgrin

 

Hi KN,

I have not forgotten your question. Just short on time to write what I want to include. I will give you pics and part numbers later. But, the short anwser is Burn's.

 

Magnaflow Muffler PN #12649 (count = 1) (click here)
Burns Stainless Steel Mandrel Bend 90 Degrees (count = 2) (click here)
Burns Stainless Steel 3" Tubing (count = 10 ft.) (click here)
Burns Stainless Steel Transition (count = 1) (click here)

 

Which flange did you use?

 

The 3" exhaust rocks

Just minutes ago, I raced an American muscle Camaro. It was a newer model and it sounded healthy at the stop light. It had wider tires in the rear, two white racing stripes down the top of the car, etc. It was *not* a base model with factory weak engine.

From 20-100, I pulled two solid car lengths. And, I had thought that I needed nitrous for this feat

P.S. - I terminated the race at 100 with a healthy applicatikon of brakes.

He got a ear-full of my new exhaust. I was in the left lane and him in the right lane. So, my 3" outlet was in his face thru most of the race