Exhaust Question (Pricing)

[PepiMartinez]

Hi all,

I was quoted $600 (incl labor) to replace everything behind my catalytic converters which I think is a little high, so I had a couple questions...

1. Has anyone tried the eBay cat-back with the silencer? I'm almost in the 30s now, I rather not let the neighborhood know I'm accelerating. (wink)
2. Is there a good place to grab stock parts from? Most sites I've looked at are very generic.

Thanks in advance! I posted this somewhere else, but I think it wasn't the correct location, so sorry for the double post for anyone who responded to that!

Pepi

 

[CTt3P5]

As I mentioned in your other thread, that is way too much.

I see you found the ebay exhaust thread and from what I've heard they can be hit or miss. One guy just posted up that his has a leak after about a year of use, not sure which brand or from what seller but FYI. I see it the other way though, if they hear you coming, then those kids playing in the street will get out of the way faster.

If you are looking to stay OEM, I'd suggest you try a junk yard, search the f/s threads here and start a WTB thread for such. To buy new, I'd check into onlinemazdaparts.com or mazdaparts.org

 

[zackmac]

i'm the guy that posted about the ebay cat back, it lasted roughly 1 year... you get what you pay for
check the ebay exhaust thread or the official exhaust thread, they have feedback on it too.

if you want a quiet exhaust. go with racing beat. i literally JUST (as in minutes ago) finished the switch from ebay catback to racing beat catback
it sounds stock. well maybe i was just used to a loud annoying leak for a few months. but im SHOCKED how quiet this sounds. i will post a video at some later date

 

[rit14623]

$600 is nuts. You can get a Magnaflow stainless steel cat-back system for less than that, but you would have to install it yourself.

1. Has anyone tried the eBay cat-back with the silencer? I'm almost in the 30s now, I rather not let the neighborhood know I'm accelerating. (wink)

No.

2. Is there a good place to grab stock parts from? Most sites I've looked at are very generic.

You can get Bosal exhaust parts as OEM replacement for everything behind the second cat. You'll need to get four parts.
256-214 gasket (between the cat and the resonator)
282-653 resonator
256-272 gasket (between the resonator and the muffler)
171-631 muffler

Replacing the exhaust hangers (256-170) is optional unless they are worn out.

www.rockauto.com and www.autopartswarehouse.com

 

[PepiMartinez]

Thanks for the replies all. It was $600 installed, so parts and labor are included in that price. I found this up on eBay, thought it would be better than the "eBay aftermarket" one. Seems to be the stock set up. I'm waiting for a reply from the seller. - http://www.ebay.com/itm/290698427461?_trksid=p5039.m570.l4456&_trkparms=gh1g%3DI290698427461.N8.S2.M1479

Seems that Rockauto.com would be less than that though.

Edit: Special thanks to RIT14623. Incredibly helpful post!

 

[mp5la]

i'm the guy that posted about the ebay cat back, it lasted roughly 1 year... you get what you pay for
check the ebay exhaust thread or the official exhaust thread, they have feedback on it too.

if you want a quiet exhaust. go with racing beat. i literally JUST (as in minutes ago) finished the switch from ebay catback to racing beat catback
it sounds stock. well maybe i was just used to a loud annoying leak for a few months. but im SHOCKED how quiet this sounds. i will post a video at some later date

Are you running an aftermarket header with it? I'm curious how it sounds if you're not, I've been on the fence about putting one of these on.

 

[zackmac]

for the longest time i only had the ebay catback with stock everything (well i had a cold air intake as well at the time)
check my build thread its linked in my signature, there is a youtube video posted of the sound with stock header.
now i run obx header > sls midpipe > racing beat cat back

 

[mp5build2013]

If you REALLY don't wanna do it, and the price includes parts, labor, and some kind of warranty or guarantee id say go for it, however... It is not very hard at all. i actually had to almost do it when placing my "ebay header". the bottom bolts wouldnt budge no matter what so i unhooked the entire exausht off and yanked it back to slide the studs through the header holes. besides unbolting it into pieces i pretty much removed it, the hung it right back. deffinately not a $300 job, but hey those guy gotta make their money.... and they ARE doing something you dont want to do..
In case anyone was wondering, i have been running a header with stock exhaust and a "ebay CAI" I LOVED IT until blew my engine lol.. but im sure ill be loving it again this week. only problem is the EGR pipe did NOT fit, i cut if off and clogged it, just yesterday i put a breather on it, well see how that goes.

 

[PepiMartinez]

If you REALLY don't wanna do it, and the price includes parts, labor, and some kind of warranty or guarantee id say go for it, however... It is not very hard at all. i actually had to almost do it when placing my "ebay header". the bottom bolts wouldnt budge no matter what so i unhooked the entire exausht off and yanked it back to slide the studs through the header holes. besides unbolting it into pieces i pretty much removed it, the hung it right back. deffinately not a $300 job, but hey those guy gotta make their money.... and they ARE doing something you dont want to do..
In case anyone was wondering, i have been running a header with stock exhaust and a "ebay CAI" I LOVED IT until blew my engine lol.. but im sure ill be loving it again this week. only problem is the EGR pipe did NOT fit, i cut if off and clogged it, just yesterday i put a breather on it, well see how that goes.

I've really never worked on cars before, but if it's a bolt-on job, which it seems to be, I might be willing to give it a shot. Hanging it would seem to be the hardest part, but I have a garage and all, so...

Hey, worst case scenario, I can't make it work the right way and I call AAA and have them tow it to my local shop, and they'll charge labor. The stock parts I've sourced for $206, so that means they were charging $400 for labor, which is insane.

 

[mp5build2013]

oh ok my bad bro, it is pretty simple though. have a friend help you, take pictures of the exhaust from front to back before you mess with it.(for reference in case you get lost or something) An impact wrench would be your best friend in this situation. un-hang it from all the hangers (so you wont rip them on accident with the tugs), i suggest using a lube so theyll slide out easier. unblot it from back to front. Reverse the process when installing the new one. (front to back) dont forget to place the gaskets as you are bolting on the new one. use lube as well when re-hanging it. if you really have doubts start on a sat. morning, im sure you will be fine though

 

[kosteniuks17]

Holy crap man 600 bucks thats a ton for exhaust you can do it yourself in like 2 hours the entire exhaust. I say go obx header, non fouler, and mazdaspeed exhaust for 100 bucks. Dont forget about your gaskets.. total it would be only for 200-300 bucks for all the parts and two hours of your time. Maybe one weekend day if you take your time and do it all right

 

[Nocturin]

i'm the guy that posted about the ebay cat back, it lasted roughly 1 year... you get what you pay for
check the ebay exhaust thread or the official exhaust thread, they have feedback on it too.

if you want a quiet exhaust. go with racing beat. i literally JUST (as in minutes ago) finished the switch from ebay catback to racing beat catback
it sounds stock. well maybe i was just used to a loud annoying leak for a few months. but im SHOCKED how quiet this sounds. i will post a video at some later date

Awesome! This is the exhaust I wanted to use, and I want quiet. Only 500$ through RB, so it's not a bad deal at all, installation should be a cake... might need a larger breaker or impact wrench though .

 

[Mp5Noob]

$600 is nuts. You can get a Magnaflow stainless steel cat-back system for less than that, but you would have to install it yourself.

This is what I did. Took me less than two hours and it sounds perfect.

 

[rit14623]

I've really never worked on cars before, but if it's a bolt-on job, which it seems to be, I might be willing to give it a shot. Hanging it would seem to be the hardest part, but I have a garage and all, so....

Exhaust replacement is a simple task.

The hardest part is getting the rusted nuts and bolts off. It is easier if you have a cutting tool or grinding tool to remove the old bolts and/or nuts. Trying to torque off a rusted on nut/bolt is futile. The hangars keep swinging and stretching while you are trying to break it loose. Second hardest part is slipping the exhaust hangars off and on the muffler.
95% of your time in labor will go to removing the old exhaust system. 5% will go into installing the new one.