Exhaust system

[Kassroth]

I have a stock '97 240 LE and I'm looking to do some upgrades to it. I would like to put a 2.5"/3" CAT back exhaust or would just replacing the muffler be sufficient? One of my dad's friends said the muffler would make the only noticeable difference in power. Also would it be better to install some kind of cold air intake before the exhaust system?

Sorry for the newbish questions :angel:

K

[orion::S14]

The stock S13/S14 piping is HORRIBLE...crush bent, maybe ~2". Bad for your 2.4 liter.

Many people have seen good gains with a full 3" system, so that's you best bet. No loss in low end, great gains through the midrange and up top.

Anything in between (size wise) will give more HP, but not as much as a mandrel bent 3" system.

Most common option is the Apex N1...around $400. There are TONS of 'em for the S14.

Chepaer yet is the SSAUTOCHROME ones you'll find on eBay...somewhere around $200 shipped, but LOUD. Allow me to repeat that...L...O...U...D. Way too loud for my taste.

Any exhaust you get will drone on the highway (in the cabin) without a resonator, so be sure to find something that is resonated, and remeber, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR in terms of fitment and quality.

That is all.

- Brian

[the head]

you dad's friend is wrong catbacks will make more power over just replacing the muffler as the piping adds to restriction far more than a muffler does intake wont do a lot but it prob wouldn't hurt search around there is a lot of good info on here regarding what to do and how to do it

[BSeay]

get the full exhaust..you'll like it better...


i've had the 2.5 hks hiper and i now have a 3" RSR...get the 3" i can tell by butt dyno about the gains up top...

[420sx]

yea and dont give in into whole redneck agenda "back presure" shit. 2.4 liter dont need no fuckin back presure, bikes and small disp Hondas do. so go 3 or 2.5 inch.

if u want i will have my 5zigen fireball for sale very soon. its 2.5 inch with great sound/clearance.

[Yoshi]

I have a stock '97 240 LE and I'm looking to do some upgrades to it. I would like to put a 2.5"/3" CAT back exhaust or would just replacing the muffler be sufficient? One of my dad's friends said the muffler would make the only noticeable difference in power. Also would it be better to install some kind of cold air intake before the exhaust system?

Sorry for the newbish questions :angel:

K

Your dad's friend is partially right... but mostly wrong ;)

if you're not going to turbo the engine, stick with 2.5" piping, 3" will be minimum gains for a 2x decibel increase (ie. "cops look at me! I have an illegal exhaust!"). ONLY go with a full catback, axleback/muffler only exhausts are next to worthless, they only change the sound of the car, most of the gains are in the mandrel (as opposed to crush bent) piping, and the minimizing of the number/angle of bends between your cat and the outlet.

You can do the CAI and exhaust independent of eachother, it sounds like you just want to do basic bolt-ons, and that's cool, nothing wrong with that, just don't expect huge power gains. Maybe 6-9whp increase from the exhaust, and maybe 3-6whp from the CAI. Add a header and you'll probably have an increase that will be noticable to the butt-dyno ;) ... but mostly you'll just be improving looks/sound of the car, no so much performance. Good Luck!

[240sx2soon]

This has been one of the nicest most informative threads for a "newbie" question I have ever seen. No horrible flaming ( which is why I clicked on it in the first place, to see how bad the poor guy got scorched for not searching first) no requests for banning, just honest informative answers..... :wtf: :rofl:

[darren240]

2nd that, this is more of what i wanna see :wavey:

[North240]

I know what is zilvia coming too?
Buy the full exhaust, install and enjoy, but be on the lookout for ear bleedingly loud exhausts, you tens to regret your purchase after a ride on the highway

[Kassroth]

Hey thanks for the replies and no flaming!! hehe I have read that the A'pexi exhaust are quite common, but it seems like most on the folks on here are from Cali or other southern states. It's rare to see a 240sx where I live let alone one that has been modified. If I decide to go with say the N1 2.5/3" on my KA, if I decide to go SR or KA-T later on I shouldn't need to change the exhaust system again should I?

[the head]

no the exaust will work for SR as well personally if you are planning on changing motors later get the 3" it is a little better for the turbo applicaton personally I run an Apexi GT spec and no cat great exaust has a nice deep tone rather loud without it's silencer though

240sx2soon: see how nice people are when you actually do research and ask educated questions