i would like to upgrade my exhaust and am wondering whether i should weld mufflers into the stock cat-back or replace the whole thing. my car is only a year old so the stock cat is still in great shape. i have no problem replacing the whole thing, but what is the benefit?
Agreed. I went the catback route instead of the welded in mufflers because it offered the option of installing it myself. If I got just mufflers, I would have had to bring it somewhere to have them installed. By the time I priced out the cost of SS mufflers ~200 for the pair and 80 to have them installed, I could get a catback for that so that's what I did. I figured the 2.5" mandrel bent pipes would be a whole lot better than the stock 2.25" non mandrel bent stockers in offering better flow.
Agreed. I went the catback route instead of the welded in mufflers because it offered the option of installing it myself. If I got just mufflers, I would have had to bring it somewhere to have them installed. By the time I priced out the cost of SS mufflers ~200 for the pair and 80 to have them installed, I could get a catback for that so that's what I did. I figured the 2.5" mandrel bent pipes would be a whole lot better than the stock 2.25" non mandrel bent stockers in offering better flow.
i would like to upgrade my exhaust and am wondering whether i should weld mufflers into the stock cat-back or replace the whole thing. my car is only a year old so the stock cat is still in great shape. i have no problem replacing the whole thing, but what is the benefit?
welding is not a big deal so long as you are 100% sure you aren't going to change it again. I made that mistake with my previous car and changes the mufflers a few times because I would hear an exhaust note I liked better. Needless to say the pipes were a disgusting mess of welding scars and most likely very brittle from being changed so many times. If you can never make up your mind like me make sure you don't scar your car over it.
i went the welded route only because i found a great deal on mufflers, and saved a lot of money (i.e. free mufflers, paid $40 for welding). If you have the money, get the cat-back, however if you don't, then don't be afraid to get mufflers welded in, it will still sound good, and you won't be losing much power over the 2.5" pipes.
For instance, you can get aluminzed magnaflows for a really good price at most places.
I am content with the weld-in Magnaflows on my car. Got them shipped from Full Line Exhaust for around $62 each, and they are polished stainless steel! I really like the looks of the diagonal cut tips on the stock catback, and I keep the pipes shiny (as shiny as possible in the Winter ), so the significantly added cost of the full catback wasn't worth it. BTW, Borla now sells mufflers without the full catback, so that may be another consideration for you!
thanks for the help guys. i think i am going to go the welded route. only because i am having a difficult time ripping out a brand new cat-back. probably just replace the whole thing in a couple years.