CAI and exhaust

[Karma_hunden]

First I want to ask you which one would be a better pick between the two. Do you get same hps? can you hear the CAI or just barely (as in turn off the radio and listen closely)?

In order to install the exhaust system (maganflow, vibrant and/or ark) do you have to cut the pipe? Is there any way i can just mount it?

 

[ZoomVT]

well, there are a few differences and your decision should be based on what your plans are for the car. Which is more important, true performance? or performance/sound/look?
See, you can get a CAI for around $100 (Simota, just got mine for $70ish in a Group Buy) or you can get a cat back exhaust for 520 (on the lower side, still staying 50 state legal).
If you plan on adding a turbo or header to your car then i would suggest the exhaust as you will beprepping the road for those changes and complementing the performance benefits of each part. If you are more likely to just leave it as is and just add cosmetic or suspension mods then you probably should go with the CAI. Also, if budget is a concern then i would go with the CAI.
Now, as far as sound and gains, the exhaust trumps the CAI in every category, but that is why you pay more than 2 or 3 times as much. You should expect around 8HP (some people claim up to 12hp) from the exhaust but no more than 4hp (or 6hp) from the CAI.
As far as sound/looks. I just installed my CAI and i am very impressed by the sound of it. It really adds a nice little growl to the engine, expecially at WOT but not a drowining sound. Very nice. With an exhaust you will usually get a nice grwol but it will be hard to find the right onw. Depending on what you are looking for sounds, some are very loud, some are not loud enough. Some have a nice growl athat stays even after 3K ropm, others end up with a drowning tune that will drive you crazy when driving highway.
Anyway, i guess to me a logical step would be CAI then Exhaust. but you may have different plans.

 

[Karma_hunden]

thanks zoom! well im not adding a turbo, im just going for sound/performance/looks. if i add an exhaust i would add one that doesnt sound like a farting can (all ricey...), just one that gives my car a good growl like you said. not looking for one that you can hear a mile away. the growl makes the car look like it is packing power instead of the usually fartin can that sounds like a scooter no matter what rpm you are on.

Can you hear the CAI when you are inside the car?

do you need to cut your pipe to install the exhaust? Or is there a way to just mount it?

 

[tsunami]

only vibrant (more $$) makes a flanged exhuast the rest are all cut and slip fit style....

 

[Lord_Nycon]

Since we're talking about an exhaust

Which would be better keeping the original exhaust manifold and delete the 2nd cat or get a high-flow cat and an exhaust manifold that deletes the 1st cat. I don't care about sound, just whp/torque gains. Thanks.

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

deleting the second cat will give you alittle more hp on the stock exhaust, buts its still pretty small in diameter and the muffler isnt exactly free flowing. Best bet is an exhaust w\ race pipe to delete the second cat...

Tsunami has a header w\ stock exhaust and he pulled 7 or 8 whp even with the stock exhaust on.

 

[Lord_Nycon]

so the exhaust manifold and high-flow cat is the better way to go

thanks

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

Well get a header. Then instead of buying a hi flow cat, choose an exhaust system that deletes the second or puts a high flow in its place...

I really wouldnt bother just putting the header on. Its like the same amount of hp\tq you will get from adding an exhaust that deletes\replaces the stock 2nd cat, and more work to do so...

 

[Karma_hunden]

so the vibrant exhaust is the only one that you dont have to cut the pipe, just mount it? is it hard?

 

[Lord_Nycon]

i already have the high flow cat+catback i was just wondering if it was worth it to get the header or just delete the 2nd cat.


Anyway i think i'm just going to get the header. Thanks

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

Draxas, vibrant and the thunder header are all that are available. or soon to be or maybe not..

 

[Karma_hunden]

thanks LordNycon!(jacked)

 

[ZoomVT]

lol. yeah i think that deserved its own thread.
Karma, to answer your question, yes i can hear my intake from inside and it sounds awesome. Especially at WOT it sounds great, when the car is idling or at low rpms you dont hear it very much inside the car, but when you drop the hammer you get a kick in the balls and a very nice growl.

 

[Protephile]

I'll be happy to answer any Intake or Header questions!

 

[Lord_Nycon]

thanks LordNycon!(jacked)

oops, sorry

 

[Karma_hunden]

call me stupid, but what exactly is a header? is i a bunch of pipes? what are they for?

 

[ZoomVT]

nah, i wont call you stupid.
a header is the collector of the exhaust from the engine and directs it to the exhaust. So you are right, it is a bunch of pipes that collect onto one pipe that then connects to the down pipe than then connects to the exhaust.

 

[Solo2Protege]

no matter which exhaust you get, you have to cut the stock exhaust atleast once. Once if you get a racepipe/hiflow cat or twice if you get a catback.

cuts are made just behind the 2nd cat and/or just in front of the muffler.

 

[Karma_hunden]

Thanky you!! hm, so you weld the new exhaust?? if so, do you do it yourself or a shop?

 

[tsunami]

no if you get a cat back its a slip fit, if you get a race pipe or a high flow cat (header back/flex pipe back) then its a flange no welding for a new exhuast you just need to cut the old exhaust off b/c it was put on before the subframe was installed b/c its one piece for manufacturing bliss....