Pics of RS-R ExMag, ST sway bar installation

[Mark95TT(ATL)]

This weekend I replaced my rusted out stock exhaust with an RS-R ExMag catback I got for a good price (Wiredspeed.com had 3 or 4 left for $450 shipped right now I think, check 240sxforums classifieds). The exhaust is designed for turbo apps, right now it's on my stock NA KA and I don't have plans to go turbo in the forseeable future. I'd heard varying accounts of how loud the exhaust would be on the KA; so far it seems pretty quiet at idle, but pretty loud at WOT, definitely at high RPMs. I've yet to hear it from outside the car, so it's hard to say for sure.

There seemed to be lack of pictures of the exhaust on the car when I was researching what catback to buy, so I snapped several that might be of use to someone on the fence about whether or not to buy if looks come into play. I didn't want a N1 style exhaust, wanted something that looked relatively stock -- this one fits the bill more than anything else I know of available for the S14.

While I had the exhaust down, I figured it'd be a good time to change out the sway bars since all my endlink bushings were cracking. I went for the ST kit b/c of price. Since it's my daily car I'm not too concerned about adjustability.

Anyway, the pics:

Obligatory comparison to crappy stock system
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg934j/images/2005/installs/S14/01.jpg

http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg934j/images/2005/installs/S14/02.jpg

ST sway bar comparison
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg934j/images/2005/installs/S14/03.jpg

http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg934j/images/2005/installs/S14/04.jpg

Exhaust and rear sway installed
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg934j/images/2005/installs/S14/05.jpg

Some pics of it on the car
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg934j/images/2005/installs/S14/06.jpg

http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg934j/images/2005/installs/S14/07.jpg

http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg934j/images/2005/installs/S14/08.jpg

http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg934j/images/2005/installs/S14/09.jpg


Overall I'm happy with the exhaust, definitely from a quality standpoint as well it's looks. It's a little louder than I prefer for a DD, but I've heard that it may quiet down a bit over time. I've also noticed one quirky thing -- I get a slight "backfire" sound sometimes when I let off the gas to coast or when the engines returning to idle. I'm all stock except for the exhaust, I don't know what else could be causing it. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Didn't see anything in Search.

The sway bars really make a huge difference in the corners. Pretty much all my stock suspension is shot (135k mi), I was getting a lot of roll in the corners before. This pretty much elimnated it totally. Very happy with them.

[S14DB]

Overall I'm happy with the exhaust, definitely from a quality standpoint as well it's looks. It's a little louder than I prefer for a DD, but I've heard that it may quiet down a bit over time. I've also noticed one quirky thing -- I get a slight "backfire" sound sometimes when I let off the gas to coast or when the engines returning to idle. I'm all stock except for the exhaust, I don't know what else could be causing it. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Didn't see anything in Search.

The sway bars really make a huge difference in the corners. Pretty much all my stock suspension is shot (135k mi), I was getting a lot of roll in the corners before. This pretty much elimnated it totally. Very happy with them.
The braap on hard decel is normal. It's even better with a header.

I have the ST bars too and they are a night and day diff.

[Ian]

make sure that it's not the exhaust shifting and hitting the rear bumper support around the tip...that happened on my old exhaust...but it was a weird noise (especially on heavier mufflers)

[Mark95TT(ATL)]

The braap on hard decel is normal. It's even better with a header.

I have the ST bars too and they are a night and day diff.


Thanks, good to hear mine's not the only one making that braap sound. Agree on the ST bars, it was my favorite handing mod I did to my Z32, proving to be the same on my S14 (although it's the *only* handling mod I've done to the 240).

[Mark95TT(ATL)]

make sure that it's not the exhaust shifting and hitting the rear bumper support around the tip...that happened on my old exhaust...but it was a weird noise (especially on heavier mufflers)

Thanks, I'll double-check that. I'm pretty sure there were no clearance issues though, and everything felt really solidly in place when I jiggled it around while I was under the car.

[mike13]

popping and crackling exhaust > *

[Torso]

I also have this exhaust on a NA ka24de (96 S14) right now as well, I get the same cracklin and poppin on decel also, I actually like it, and do not want it to go away..makes the car sound thoatier and like it actually has some balls. My Cobra driving boss likes it as well. Putting together turbo kit right now, hopefully some of it will stay once boosted.

Torso

[nightwalker]

I believe the ST front sway bar is exactly the same size as the stock one, just solid, and with urethane D bushings and endlinks.

The rear one is the one that will make the most difference. With coilovers, I noticed my car handled better and rode smoother with a bigger rear swaybar.

[Mark95TT(ATL)]

I believe the ST front sway bar is exactly the same size as the stock one, just solid, and with urethane D bushings and endlinks.

The rear one is the one that will make the most difference. With coilovers, I noticed my car handled better and rode smoother with a bigger rear swaybar.


The ST rear bar was definitely larger diameter then the stock rear one. On the front, it's harder to tell but I think it was slightly larger diameter as well. You can kinda see it in the picture I posted. I'd have to measure to be sure. But yeah, both F/R are solid with urethane bushings, noticably better handling.

[S14DB]

The ST bar is FAR from the same size. Everyone that picked it up did curls with it. It was that heavy.

[nightwalker]

I'm talking about the front bar. The rear bar is very obvious in size difference. Heavy is not a good thing for a sway bar though.

I've heard the ST were pretty cheap, how much did you pay for the pair?

[okis14]

I'm running the ST bars too and like them. Is it me or are your sway bar bolts the wrong way. I'm sure it wouldn't matter on performace but it's that much closer to the ground and kind of looks like your lowest point on the car.

I threw away the manual so I don't remeber how it said to install them but I know I have my bolts the other way.

[S14DB]

He installed them the right way. I didn't know it would fit the other way.

Yes the Front bar is huge compared to the stock one
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg934j/images/2005/installs/S14/04.jpg

[97DubTruck]

Overall I'm happy with the exhaust, definitely from a quality standpoint as well it's looks. It's a little louder than I prefer for a DD, but I've heard that it may quiet down a bit over time.

Most exhausts get louder over time with the baffling wearing out. And the RS*R exmag is about as quiet as aftermarket exhausts get.

I think I met you at the z club car show in Buford. You told me about a 95 you had at home you wanted to do stuff with. Good luck with it.

I really liked your Z by the way.

[s14unimog]

I have the ST kit on my car, the front sway bar is only a little bit larger but the thickness keeps the bar from flexing as much as the stocker..thats why they weigh so much...

Like S14DB said, they are the difference between night and day.

[okis14]

Here's how I have my bolts. They go up.

http://okifx.dynu.com:8383/drift/images/temp/st%20sway%20bar.jpg

Did any one else's run out of threads when tightening the nuts? I used washers so it could put a little more pressure on the bushings.

[nightwalker]

hmmm, that's neat. The swaybar sits much flatter.

[Mark95TT(ATL)]

Here's how I have my bolts. They go up.

Did any one else's run out of threads when tightening the nuts? I used washers so it could put a little more pressure on the bushings.

From the ST installation instructions, the diagram is labeled "control arm" between the bushings at the top of the bolt and "anti-sway bar" between the bushings at the bottom. So I think I installed them correctly. The confusing part is they use the same picture for the front and rear bars, but in the front the sway bar goes above the lower control arm instead of below like in the rear.

Yeah, I got near the end of the threads when I was tightening the nuts, but I ended up backing off a bit because I felt like the bushings were bulging too much. The manual says "tighten the end links until the grommets begin to bulge, but do not crush them". Of course they don't give a torque spec. I thought the instructions were pretty crappy overall.

[Mark95TT(ATL)]

Most exhausts get louder over time with the baffling wearing out. And the RS*R exmag is about as quiet as aftermarket exhausts get.

I think I met you at the z club car show in Buford. You told me about a 95 you had at home you wanted to do stuff with. Good luck with it.

I really liked your Z by the way.


Yeah, I remember meeting you, and I believe S14unimog as well. I can just remember screen names though, never remember real-life names.

Here's a pic of the Z from that show:
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg934j/images/2004/GZC_car_show/01.jpg

I like your S14 as well, it's very tastefully done.

[S14DB]

I followed the FSM cause the ST ones sucked. I put the bolts facing down(Mark95TT(ATL)) cause I couldn't get the wrench in with them facing up.

I had to add 2 washers cause they were no where near compressed.

[exitspeed]

Thanx a ton for those pics of the exhaust. That just cemented my decision to go withthat exhaust. It looks so stock! Perfect for were I live...

[Mark95TT(ATL)]

Thanx a ton for those pics of the exhaust. That just cemented my decision to go withthat exhaust. It looks so stock! Perfect for were I live...

No problem, glad to help.

[Flipzide]

do you think you could post a sound clip for us to hear? ive only heard this on a turbo app not on a n/a

[prophet_19]

Hey Mark, are you having any problems with exhaust leaking though where the cat and exhaust meet? I mean is there exhaust leaking from where the gasket is? Just wonder.

[twong85]

I've had the exhaust for over half a year now and the "backfire" noise went away about 3 months ago. Also after about 4 months I noticed the exhaust became very quiet, now its barely louder than my old stocker.

[G_Fish240]

I also have this exhaust on a NA ka24de (96 S14) right now as well, I get the same cracklin and poppin on decel also, I actually like it, and do not want it to go away..makes the car sound thoatier and like it actually has some balls. My Cobra driving boss likes it as well. Putting together turbo kit right now, hopefully some of it will stay once boosted.

Torso
It will increase and you will shoot flames sometimes, atleast thats what my 4AGZE does in my ae86 with header and 2.5 inch exhaust

[SilviaDriver]

how big is the tip in inchs?

[Mark95TT(ATL)]

do you think you could post a sound clip for us to hear? ive only heard this on a turbo app not on a n/a

I don't have one right now, but I'll try and get one up in the next couple of days. One of the members on here had one up on an NA S13 for awhile...I think his SN was "twong85". Might wanna email him.

[projectRDM]

Thanks for the non-invite to the install party. :ugh: You know I love working on 14s.

[Mark95TT(ATL)]

Hey Mark, are you having any problems with exhaust leaking though where the cat and exhaust meet? I mean is there exhaust leaking from where the gasket is? Just wonder.

No, I checked for leaks when I got the car on the ground -- none to be seen or heard. It actually mated up better to the stock cat than the OEM piping did.

[Mark95TT(ATL)]

how big is the tip in inchs?

I *think* it's 100mm, which is almost 4".

[Mark95TT(ATL)]

Thanks for the non-invite to the install party. :ugh: You know I love working on 14s.

Well, if it was a party I would've invited you :) It was just me though. Don't worry, I'll be calling on you when clutch time comes...

[twong85]

The clip of my exhaust isn't up anymore, no more webspace left to host it :cry:

Oh yea and if you put a test pipe and headers you'll get flames out of your exhaust :goyou:

[S14DB]

Oh yea and if you put a test pipe and headers you'll get flames out of your exhaust :goyou:
Yep, teh roxors.

[projectRDM]

Well, if it was a party I would've invited you :) It was just me though. Don't worry, I'll be calling on you when clutch time comes...

Joy. I've already done two this month.

[s14unimog]

Hey Mark, I remember meeting you around the end of the car show in Buford my name is Brandon. I really liked your 300zx. My car was the Blue Zenki out on the street. Jays was the Black Kouki in the show. I did my ST bars with the bolts facing up and I also ran out of threads when tightening them down.

[s14unimog]

Joy. I've already done two this month.


If you get too much work Russ send some my way :bigok:

Also I saw your pictures on that guage location thread...Very nice :bowdown:

[DamnedButDetermined]

can you please make me a sound clip of the exhaust...I have been looking everywhere and can't find one.

thanks