Exhaust - Stock vs. CS vs. Custom?

[jerseymods]

So I have been debating this for quite some time now, but I think I might pull the trigger, but wanted to see what the community thinks on here. My msp is completely stock mechanically and just hit about 39.2k miles.

I am debating on which exhaust upgrade, IF ANY, that I should do. Should I stay with the stock racingbeat setup, go with the corksport 80mm setup, or have a custom system made?

One of my friends in my town owns a black msp and has the 80mm CS and it sounds great, but when your inside car there is such a big drone noise, which I know is going to happen regardless, but it just seems really obnoxious.

Then I was reading on the forums that there really is anything special about the CS and I would be better of just building a custom setup.

Still would like some more input from the community before I pull the trigger; if I even decide too.

Thanks!

 

[Valk]

Without an upgraded manifold, downpipe, intake/intercooler and more psi, don't touch the exhaust. Your lucky to have such a low.milage one. I'd lower it but otherwise keep it in good shape. Work on something else heh.

 

[hornsfan10609]

Lol I kind of agree, keep it clean and original and try to keep the miles off of it. Personally I have a catless midpipe with the stock S pipe and resonator and the corksport axle-back and muffler and it doesn't drone much inside the car. If you upgrade the muffler and keep the resonator or delete the resonator and keep the stock muffler it will sound more aggressive without being too loud.

 

[jerseymods]

Without an upgraded manifold, downpipe, intake/intercooler and more psi, don't touch the exhaust. Your lucky to have such a low.milage one. I'd lower it but otherwise keep it in good shape. Work on something else heh.

Lol I kind of agree, keep it clean and original and try to keep the miles off of it. Personally I have a catless midpipe with the stock S pipe and resonator and the corksport axle-back and muffler and it doesn't drone much inside the car. If you upgrade the muffler and keep the resonator or delete the resonator and keep the stock muffler it will sound more aggressive without being too loud.

Lol I hear ya both! Everyone always tells me to keep it original and leave it alone. I just don't know what else to do with it since everyone recommends I don't mess with it.

 

[Valk]

In fairness I cut up the factory.midpipe. just had blank pipe welded in place of the cats to retain the sensor. No cels yet.
once you mess with it its a slippery slope lol. I might just leave my.msp alone and work on the p5 heh.

 

[jerseymods]

Lol I kind of agree, keep it clean and original and try to keep the miles off of it. Personally I have a catless midpipe with the stock S pipe and resonator and the corksport axle-back and muffler and it doesn't drone much inside the car. If you upgrade the muffler and keep the resonator or delete the resonator and keep the stock muffler it will sound more aggressive without being too loud.

Its my dd. Hard to keep miles off lol

 

[mica.msp]

I say do what you want...or you'll get bored with it. But do it right. If you don't know what you're doing, have a professional do it. That way it doesn't look so janky. lol. I wish I had bought a stock MSP. The previous owner before me must have had his head on backwards and had 2 lazy eyes...everything is so messed up, broken or cheaply done. It looks like crap.

 

[mica.msp]

But in reference to an answer to your question, get a custom mandrel bent or wait for Pope to come up with an exhaust. I think his are going to be pricey though, but will be well worth it. His stuff is so high quality. It will be more than the Corksport anyway, which I don't even like.
But personally I wouldn't get an exhaust until I got a Pope downpipe to go along with it...and then I'd want a manifold. And then a SSAFC, FMIC, CAI, wheels, coils, and the list would never end. LOL.

 

[thepope540]

It is possible to have a great sounding, drone free 3" exhaust just not with a fart can on the end of it. Have a reputable shop weld up quality, good fitting system and put a decent muffler in the back and you'll be very happy with the results. That being said, if you haven't upgraded several other parts - manifold, downpipe, intercooler, and tune there's just no reason to bother with the exhaust.

 

[Valk]

i will say that deleting the cats makes a really huge difference.. the stock system is quite good, but two cats back to back really neuters it. get a high flow catted midpipe or delete them and it will flow pretty good. if your manifold isnt cracked, count yourself one of the few lucky ones.
maybe pope could offer a downpipe option for those who didn't want to replace the exhaust the corksport was a good option but has been out of production for a long time.
i think for the flow rates the stock turbo does at or slightly above stock boost levels, 3" is way overkill.

 

[jerseymods]

i will say that deleting the cats makes a really huge difference.. the stock system is quite good, but two cats back to back really neuters it. get a high flow catted midpipe or delete them and it will flow pretty good. if your manifold isnt cracked, count yourself one of the few lucky ones.
maybe pope could offer a downpipe option for those who didn't want to replace the exhaust the corksport was a good option but has been out of production for a long time.
i think for the flow rates the stock turbo does at or slightly above stock boost levels, 3" is way overkill.

My stock mani indeed does NOT have any cracks. CS still sells their exhaust, they are just back ordered.

Any good options to recommend for high flow cat midpipe? I know SLS use to sell one way back

Honestly just want a more throaty sounds.

 

[thepope540]

My stock mani indeed does NOT have any cracks. CS still sells their exhaust, they are just back ordered.

Any good options to recommend for high flow cat midpipe? I know SLS use to sell one way back

Honestly just want a more throaty sounds.

I HIGHLY doubt you'll be able to buy a new CS 80mm ever again. They say they're backordered, but I talked to Derrick a while back and he made it clear that they are completely dropping the protege platform.

Support a local shop. You'll get the opportunity to spec out your exhaust exactly the way you want it, it won't cost much more, and you'll have someone to take it to if it needs adjustments or changes down the road.

 

[BOOSTR]

The choke point on your car is the factory catalyst pipe. I agree go local and have a shop fabricate piping and add the canister of your choice. Or keep the Racing Beat which is not a bad muffler.

 

[jerseymods]

The choke point on your car is the factory catalyst pipe. I agree go local and have a shop fabricate piping and add the canister of your choice. Or keep the Racing Beat which is not a bad muffler.

So go with the same size piping? And completely remove cat or get a high flow? If so which would you recommend?

 

[jerseymods]

I HIGHLY doubt you'll be able to buy a new CS 80mm ever again. They say they're backordered, but I talked to Derrick a while back and he made it clear that they are completely dropping the protege platform.

Support a local shop. You'll get the opportunity to spec out your exhaust exactly the way you want it, it won't cost much more, and you'll have someone to take it to if it needs adjustments or changes down the road.

Oh wow. I know there was nothing really special about the CS to begin with but it was just the convenience of ordering and bolting on. You need to design one Pope! Lol

 

[BOOSTR]

So go with the same size piping? And completely remove cat or get a high flow? If so which would you recommend?

2.5" with a small s/s flex hose. If you need a cat for emissions regulations then you have your answer.

 

[323]

i also agree that a catless midpipe def gives the car more oomph. just get ready to smell some fumes lol

 

[boubou22]

My MSP have a Pope 3'' downpipe and GHL 3'' exhaust and it sound really good. A kind of subaru at idle and not that bad on highway speed and when I want more sound, I put my right foot down haha

 

[jerseymods]

My MSP have a Pope 3'' downpipe and GHL 3'' exhaust and it sound really good. A kind of subaru at idle and not that bad on highway speed and when I want more sound, I put my right foot down haha

Wish I could have gotten my hands on a GHL back then!

 

[thepope540]

Oh wow. I know there was nothing really special about the CS to begin with but it was just the convenience of ordering and bolting on. You need to design one Pope! Lol

I build exhausts pretty regularly for local guys. I do $800 installed for a straight pipe turbo back with no cat or muffler, add ~$100 for each muffler, cat, and/or resonator. I can build you an exhaust and ship it, but I have no interest in trying to inventory exhausts. They're too big and too difficult to ship.