What he said.... 
Exhaust Basics for Noob
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 182
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From: East Tennessee
Exhaust Basics for Noob
Trying to plan my mods, and I've gotten hamstrung over a couple of simple, basic items. The stock system - it goes headers; catalytic converters; H-pipe; mufflers - correct? If so, when one does just a cat back exhaust, where does it go and what do you do with respect to the H-pipe? I'm going to stop right now with the questions in case I'm already way out of line.
Thanks for the help,
Joe
Thanks for the help,
Joe
Safety Car
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From: Wisconsin
if your putting on a Corsa or Borla type cat back it goes on right after the h -pipe, replacing the over the axle pipes and mufflers. Check out the pics of the systems at a vendor site, not to hard to see where the parts fit
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From: Kelso Washington
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From: Plano Texas
Oldtimer
Think of the catback as - axel-back. They are the left and right exhaust pipe-muffler-outlet tips assembly that starts in front of the rear axel. The exhaust pipe goes over the rear axel and is the inlet to the muffler (one left and one right). The outlet(s) from the muffler end in the exhauts tip(s). A stock catback is a single welded together assembly. After market units are usually composed of multiple pieces that are connected with clamps (as opposed to welded)
Thread Starter
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From: East Tennessee
Got it. I was originally thinking just in terms of the full mod of Vararam, headers, X-pipe, and "cat back". Then I started thinking, since I will enjoy the sound, why not just do the cat back first, see how I like it, decide if it's too loud, and then do the headers, etc.
So now, I would wonder - if I'm going to do just the cat back first, do people also do the X-pipe? I've read that leaving the H-pipe results in a lot of backfire on deceleration, and an overall rougher sound. Is it desirable to do the X-pipe with the cat back, it's just that it's more money?
So now, I would wonder - if I'm going to do just the cat back first, do people also do the X-pipe? I've read that leaving the H-pipe results in a lot of backfire on deceleration, and an overall rougher sound. Is it desirable to do the X-pipe with the cat back, it's just that it's more money?
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Cat backs go right after the h-pipe - there is a flange at the end of the h-pipe that the catback bolts up to. Simple change to the car for a good sound.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: East Tennessee
Picking it back up with some new questions.
The X pipe install involves cutting the H pipe out. Are the X pipes typically clamped in? Is there any welding in the installation?
If everything is fitting and working correctly, should one be able to mate any catback to any particular X pipe that has been installed?
The X pipe install involves cutting the H pipe out. Are the X pipes typically clamped in? Is there any welding in the installation?
If everything is fitting and working correctly, should one be able to mate any catback to any particular X pipe that has been installed?
Le Mans Master
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From: Belleville Mich.
Just go with the catback of your choice,& they will bolt right up to your stock H pipe.
When you get tired of that sound, & your ready for headers.
Buy the headers of your your choice with the same brand X pipe to go with it.
You will then have a complete modified exhaust system.
When you get tired of that sound, & your ready for headers.
Buy the headers of your your choice with the same brand X pipe to go with it.
You will then have a complete modified exhaust system.
Last edited by bumble-z; Jul 6, 2012 at 02:47 PM.
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Picking it back up with some new questions.
The X pipe install involves cutting the H pipe out. Are the X pipes typically clamped in? Is there any welding in the installation?
If everything is fitting and working correctly, should one be able to mate any catback to any particular X pipe that has been installed?
The X pipe install involves cutting the H pipe out. Are the X pipes typically clamped in? Is there any welding in the installation?
If everything is fitting and working correctly, should one be able to mate any catback to any particular X pipe that has been installed?
cats.
The X-Pipe has flanges on one end (hooks to Cat-Back/Axel Back)
and slip fit on the other end (where you cut the H-Pipe)
The flange end will bolt to the cat back and the slip fit end will
clamp to the location where you cut the H-Pipe
If you have an questions, feel free to call.
Peace
Chip
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I started at the front and went back. Vararam, late model intake, Ti catback, then headers with hi flow cats and x pipe. I had to do the Ti's before the headers because my stock exhaust broke a weld.
Many of the header systems come with cats, intermediate pipes and x pipe. I wouldn't add an x pipe to an otherwise stock exhaust knowing you want headers later.
Watch the for sale section. All these things pop up used and you'll save a boat load of money.
Many of the header systems come with cats, intermediate pipes and x pipe. I wouldn't add an x pipe to an otherwise stock exhaust knowing you want headers later.
Watch the for sale section. All these things pop up used and you'll save a boat load of money.