I'm about to start calling the muffler shops around town to get estimates on installing a cat and running a catback. My 25 year old cat finally clogged up and I think its long past time that I get rid of the crappy lg4 dual muffler exhaust thats on my car. It's a freakin' joke.

I was thinking about getting an 80 series flow and maybe a magnaflow cat if they have it with 2.5" pipe from the cat back. (dual exits) How much do you guys figure this would run me? I was thinking maybe 400-450 bucks (parts and labor). I'm not looking to get an incredible deal, but I don't want to ripped off either.

 

Why not do it yourself?Cat and cat back is no big deal...hardest thing is cutting the pipe near the axle to get the old one out.You can rent a sawzall from home depot for a few hrs and save a lot of $

 

I really don't have the tools to do it because my jack and stands are all in storage and I don't have the time. I'm working 2 jobs at the moment so I'd only get like 2 hours at a time to work on it. If my 'maro wasn't my daily, that wouldn't be a problem but I don't have the luxury of owning 2 cars. I know it would be cheaper but it's really just easier to have a shop do it for me. Plus my dad said he would pay for however much the parts cost.

 

Your about right on there, maybe you can find some non-chain store muffler shop for cheaper, depending on where you take it. They may rip you on parts tho, I'd get the muffler and cat from summit or something. Since they sell them for a non jacked up MSRP price. Plus see how much their charging for a cat. I know you can get a high flow cat at summit (catco? I stink?) for cheap.

 

Well I went to a local muffler shop and they quoted me $388.05. I think this guy is out of his mind but he said I didn't need a cat anymore since my car is over 25 years old. (In TX, they stop sniffing your car at 25 years). I thought the rule was you had to have a cat no matter what but I didn't argue with the guy. He's a licensed inspector so I guess he knows what he's talking about.

He's going to saw off my old busted cat and run a 2.5" intermediate pipe from there back over the axel. Then stick an 80 series flowmaster (2.5 in and out) and chrome tips back there. It breaks down to $165 for the muffler (about $40 overpriced), $110 for the I-pipe (No idea how much that should cost), $65 for the tips (I know he screwed me there), and $20.00 for labor. Plus a 28.05 tax charge. My dad said he would pay for $300 of it and I said deal! It looks to me like he screwed me on parts but screwed himself on labor so it looks about even. It's only costing me $90 so I'm happy. Gotta enjoy Dad's handouts while they last! I'll pick up the car tomorrow night after I get off work.

It's illegal for him to remove the cat and not replace it, right? He wrote "remove converter" down on the work order and I made a copy. If I ever get a ticket for no cat I'm bringing that to him and to court and making him pay for it. I'll play dumb and I say I didn't know it was against the law.

 

Your about right there. I don't think you'll have an issues with the cat, but keep the work order just in case. He's got to make his money some where so that price sounds about right. The Price for a I pipe from say summit is like $99 bucks so sorta right on there. The tips may be a rip off or maybe not depending on if their just that cheap plated crap you get at pep boys or some nice one you'd get at Summit or something.

 

I picked it up tonight after work. My girlfriend brought me up there and when I cranked it up her eyes were as big as saucers. It was pretty funny.

My little turd gen sounds ****ing mean now! It feels like its got a lot more power too. I'm not sure if the gain is from removing the clogged cat or getting rid of the retarded early dual muffler system or both. At any rate, it runs like a V8 ought to now. I didn't get to go WOT for long because the cops were thick as flies tonight but I'm sure the old butt-dyno will feel it when I finally get the chance.

This thread turned out to be little more than me rambling but, oh well, I'm happy!

 

Good deal. Exhaust is supper important to performance and does alot when you get the right combo. As you'll find out tonight. Good to hear your happy.