cat-back vs axle-back on our cars
 

I currently have a custom axle back exhaust with a magnaflow muffler. Do u guys think theres any benefit in switching to a cat-back. Is it worth it and if so what do u guys recommend? All i car is horsepower and go faster down the 1/4mile :) thanx i'm currently at 16.6

Noobness: This is something I've been wondering about as well. Is there any point to the cat-back? is the axle-back enough? is there any real difference?

I am looking for a performance increase, with as little noise increase as possible. Don't want a car that makes a lot of noise without actually doing anything.

The cat-back would have a performance gain, however, on our cars it would not be noticeable due to the small amount of power. The biggest difference in the axle-back and cat-back is cost.

their is almost no power diffrence, you will see no diffrence in racing a stock p5 and a p5 with a 2.25" mandrel bent catback exhaust.

Probably the best thing you can do for power... exhaust related... is to change the header.

Not 100% on this and I'm sure someone will correct me if necessary.

Header.. yes.
But also, keep in mind all you need for exhaust after (either than removing cats) would be to go with a good muffler.. thats where most of the power is hiding as well. Axle and cat-back will have no more than 1hp difference, IF that.

Yeah I wouldn't expect a big difference between the 2, unless you are running a complete system from the engine (or turbo) back.

further noobness: what would a complete system include?

NA: full length header + piping and possibly high-flo cat or straight pipe.

Turbo: turbo manifold + downpipe + high flo cat possibly/straight pipe and piping.

Racing Beat advertises a 4.7 whp gain over the stock exhaust for thier cat-back. I don't think any axle back could make gains like that. As someone previously mentioned, I think cost is the issue, I bought the Mazdaspeed axleback because the Racing Beat is twice the price and too damn expensive to ship up here.

..I have been through 3 exhaust set ups .. and to be honest.. There are times that I wish I had just did the axle back and left the car with that OR by a BOLT on cat back system. ..
The custom crap bend cat back systems that Meineke and most other shops do, tend to rust out , or the hangers frigin rust out and your exhaust drops off :rolleyes: ...

If you can get a bolt up system then by all means go for it .. they are the best route to go ..... as they bolt up tend to come with new gaskets(if needed) . I wish my car had a bolt up system much like the Honda's did.. Cause to be honest I would have spent the 500 or whatever for the full cat back bolt on system

You may not gain gobs of power but at least you have the peace of mind of knowing that your system is bolted on, wheather axle back or cat back....

i had my local exhaust shop make a custom bolt on axle-back with a magnaflow muffler. I dont really notice any horsepower gain but it sounds better now. And i can change it back to the factory muffler if i get tired of the noise or if it rust. It cost more than a standard weld on axle back tho. 225 bucks, but still alot cheaper than what the dealer would charge for their axle-back

well I would tend to think that if you went with a header for your car you would want to also do an exhaust system of some sort. I mean what would be the point in increasing air flow through the header if it just gets restricted again by a narrow exhaust pipe and muffler?

In theory your entire air flow system through your engine should match to make the most possible gain. as in if you use a 3in intake pipe it is better to use a throttle body, intake manifold, headers and exhaust that match so the air flow doesnt get restricted and opened several times causing pulses in the system. That is the whole point of a good header system is to reduce the exhaust pulses or more accurately even them out.

Which ever way you go for whatever reason shop around, and shop around ALOT, I almost purchased three different systems for anywhere from 230-400 and ended up waiting a while and got a steal on a ractive cat back system for 107 plus shipping.

For what is the cheapest/best out there right now, probably one of the mazdaspeed exhausts on ebay going for 195 plus shipping.