Exhaust System, Questions and Opinions Options

[JFossTheBoss]

I'm considering upgrading the exhaust system on my car. Since its a completely stock 420a, is it worth it? Would it sound good, or would it just sound like I'm trying to hard? Obviously these cars are pretty slow. I don't know much about cars, but ...
If I do get an exhaust system what do I need?
I saw this ... http://www2.partstrain.com/store/details/M...L/M6615691.html ... if I got this, could I just take it some place, have it installed, and be good to go or do I need something else?
Also, would I be better off getting something like this ... http://www2.partstrain.com/store/details/M...L/F1317231.html ... which is cheaper, but I don't think it comes with the piping and reasonator that the first one does. Do these things make a difference in performance and sound?

That is just two examples off the one site. Any help would be much appreciated, and if you know of a better system possibly even cheaper, let me know. I would like to save as much money as possible, but I would rather sacrifice some extra money than get a cheap ebay system.

[dannwo1]

I have the Flowmaster on my car. It sounds awesome. It's nice and quiet when you're driving normally, but when you open it up it it gets alot louder.

That's all you really need for the sound, just keep the stock system in front of it and you won't be dissapointed.

You won't really gain much HP with just a muffler or cat back system. If you get everything from the header back and put on a test pipe it'll flow better, but still you'll get mabe 5 hp.

My buddy has a '98 Eagle Talon (same engine) with the Magnaflow kit on it, and even he says he likes the sound of my Flowmaster better.

[JFossTheBoss]

Thanks, good to know. Do you think I would even notice a difference in performance if I went with the whole system, or should I just go for a slightly more aggressive sound?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. I didn't find many other options, but I'm sure they are out there.

[jonbonazza]

UGH I am tired of answering this question. If you search you will see why.

[dannwo1]

No. You won't feel 5 horsepower, but your car will sound better and "FEEL' more powerfull.

[JFossTheBoss]

So if I were to get that flowmaster system, would I have to get anything else, or just get that?

[dannwo1]

Just like you said earlier it's just the muffler. It's held on by three bolts and comes with a new gasket, and hanger keepers, but not new hardware so you'll have to reuse the factory bolts. But the threads match up perfectly. You'll also get a couple of stickers in an envelope taped to the inside of the box with the warranty card. It'll bolt directly to the factory resonator as it has a 2" flange on the end. You will have to take off your driver rear tire to get the right angle to get it over the frame tho. I would wrap the tip with a towel and duct tape or something, cus you're going to fight with it a little to get it to fit in. Use a 3/8 extension to push out the metal tubes inside your rubber exhaust hangers, because the muffler comes with push clips that will hold it in place once everything's lined up.

Still, it's definately something that can be done at home in ten minuites or so, no need to send it to a shop.

[JFossTheBoss]

Thanks a lot bro for all your help. There's a good chance I'll be getting this soon.
So I should just keep the stock piping and cat?
Will this stuff improve the sound at all? I just don't want to buy this system, install it, and have it sound horrible, so if I need other things, I'll get it all at once and install it all at once.
What did you do since you have this system?

[jonbonazza]

My best advice to you is do one of two things:

1) get some 2.5" pipe bent at a local exhaust shop, a high-flow cat such as magnaflow or equivalent, and a resonated muffler and havee an exhaust shop put it all together
or
2) do the same but get a strait-through muffler and keep your factory resonator bolted up.

[dannwo1]

From the engine back I have a Megan racing header and downpipe, a new (stock) Eastern Catalitic cat, a new (stock) one piece central muffler (resonator) from Bosal, and the Flowmaster American Thunder series muffler on the end.

So everything's stock accept for the header and muffler.

Like I said, it's just enough noise to let people know there's something there, but not so much that you'll piss off your neighbors. Not that the Flowmaster is quiet, get it up to around 4.5k and over and it's really noticeable, but with "normal" driving you never really get that high.

The looks are good too, cuz the tip is just big and shiny enough to let people know you have a system, and dosen't look like you have a chromed out coffee can hanging off the back of your car. Here's some pics of mine.

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[JFossTheBoss]

Since I'm not going for performance is it worth getting all the other parts? I see a lot of things you got are just replacement parts, would I be best off doing the same or just follow the saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it"? I don't have a whole lot of money to spend, so if I don't need something I'd rather not get it. But like I said earlier, if I need a part to make it not sound like shit, I'll either get the part or if its too expensive, not get anything at all.

Can I just get the flowmaster system, install it myself and be set, or do I need to get some piping and a cat and have it all installed?

Basically right now I'm leaning towards this (http://www2.partstrain.com/store/details/Mitsubishi/Eclipse/Flowmaster/Exhaust_System/1998/GS/4_Cyl_2-dot-0L/F1317231.html). If I get it, do I need anything else?
Thanks again.

[dannwo1]

No. You don't need anything else since you're not going for performance. The kit comes with everything you need to install it.

[JFossTheBoss]

No. You don't need anything else since you're not going for performance. The kit comes with everything you need to install it.

Alright cool. Definitely up on my list of things to get. The only reason I'm not going for performane is because everybody on here says turbo is the only performance mod worth doing. My birthday is in about 2 weeks, so I'll probably get this then if not earlier.

I don't think I ever mentioned that my car is auto. I know, I know. You think I should still get it? I think it should still sound pretty good. Better than stock. Maybe not.