Catback System vs. CAI

[Doctor Ouchie]

I'm considering making an SLP catback system my first performance upgrade for my car, but my primary concerns are with the exhaust note. Now, I've done a lot of thread searching here and on other Grand Am forums, so sorry if any of my questions are redundant;)

Firstly, on some cars, the SLP system seems to carry a tinny noise. Like that of a Folger's can on a Civic. Will I be able to get a sound similar to
this (http://www.exhaustsoundclips.com/sound/gm_alero_3.4v6_slp_stainless_pn31027_catback_dual_ out_quadtips.html) and this (http://iceman.draepi.org/videos/IcemansExhaust2.mpg) (notice a slight similarity in tone to a V8 Mustang), with SLP system being the only performance mod on my vehicle? Also, how will a CAI affect the exhaust note?

Secondly, I'm on a rather tight budget, I'm not only paying for my car, but also the insanely high insurance premium, so would a CAI be a better alternative as a first mod? Which would lend better performance results?

Or would you reccomend starting off with something different entirely?

And thanks in advance for all the information you guy's have already put out there.

[3 DeeJay]

I would go cai, but that's me.. I went exhaust.. The SLP sounds NOTHING like ANYTHING on a Civic. SLP is deep and loud..

[Doctor Ouchie]

This (http://home.comcast.net/~vinaashak/MOV00458.MPG) is what I'm reffering to when I'm mean tinny. He's got an SLP system with headers and a short ram Civic intake. I'm defenitly not aiming for that type of 'noise.' The song Iceman's exhaust sings in his video is exactly what I'm after:P

Nice job with the SC/T kit BTW.

[matts]

i dont think that exhaust is that bad. alot better than some i hear around here.

CAI shouldn't have that big of an effect on your exhaust. you'll notice a distinct sucking sound when you hit the gas, but that's about it for noise difference. you MIGHT hear a little difference in the exhaust note, but not enough to make a huge difference

[Old Guy]

Originally posted by Doctor Ouchie
This (http://home.comcast.net/~vinaashak/MOV00458.MPG) is what I'm reffering to when I'm mean tinny. He's got an SLP system with headers and a short ram Civic intake. I'm defenitly not aiming for that type of 'noise.' The song Iceman's exhaust sings in his video is exactly what I'm after:P

Nice job with the SC/T kit BTW.

That's what SLPs sound like....a little raspy. Try Magnaflow or Borla for a deeper tone without the rasp.

[Kdawg207]

Originally posted by Old Guy
Try Magnaflow or Borla for a deeper tone without the rasp.


Borla here...for the same reasons you listed i went Borla

[Xidion]

oh i didnt know it was SLP so go with CIA i hate the sound of SLP go borla.

[HomeDog]

what kind of sound should i expect if i do a custom exhaust with 2.25"piping and no cat? i know it depends on my mufflers also but still. and this will be on a 93gagt with a 2.3 ho.

[matts]

no cat = LOUD usually

i dont have a cat on my truck and it's LOUD. i'm gonna put some cats on it to quieten it down a little.

if you do go with no cat dont get a straight through muffler design. get something that will muffle the sound. my mufflers are XR1 racing mufflers and you can see straight through them, no restrictions at all

[Doctor Ouchie]

Why is there such a large discrpeancy between the notes the SLP system produces? The Iceman's video and the ESC.com system sound similar to me-deep and throaty.

Judging from the soundclip of the Borla system on exhaustsoundclips.com, it sounded closer to the backfiring sound a lot of Civic's trot around. Pipes are so damn big they loose exhaust velocity and negate performance gains.

BTW, anyone know of any good videos of the Borla system?

[VanishingImage]

You'll love the Boral,trust me,if i had the v6 in mine thats what i would go with,only reason i don't is because of $$ and on a 4cyl it won't sound the way i want it to.You'll be happy with it,if you think the SLP is raspy then you'll think the Borla will sound like a v8

[Pte Socks]

Honestly, I would say exhaust. For me, money was an issue so I went with the CAI first. I will tell you outright that the CAI makesmy car sound extremely mean! If you go half throttle from 1500 to 4000 rpms, you will hear this whistle that is to die for. Past 3500 rpms and your whistle tends to be more overcome by this roar that makes it sound so powerful. I for one have yet to complete my exhaust (cant wait boys and girls, in just 30 days Ill have my exhaust put on and then I know Ill be driving aroudn town to show it off). IF your looking for performance, once again, the exhaust overcomes the CAI, though not by much. As for gains, look for between 7-10 WHP from the CAI and 10-12 WHP fromt he exhaust, depending on several factors. Btw if any of you want proof on how nice a CAI sounds, just talk to Blake ( Jibo ) or Nicole or Jordan, they can vouch for it.

[Themeneea]

if you want quite and some gain, get the flowmaster 50

[Blackrider]

Borla sounds good, not loud enogh for me, and its not the greatest flowing system around. I would go with a custome Magnaflow setup.

[matts]

my borla system flows GREAT ;) :lol:

[SonicTron]

so what would be the most efficient exhaust power-wise (i don't plan on making my I4 into a rumbly beast but more power would be great).

[Xidion]

Borla

[Old Guy]

Originally posted by SonicTron
so what would be the most efficient exhaust power-wise (i don't plan on making my I4 into a rumbly beast but more power would be great).

If you're really talking matching the perfect exhaust to an engine, the most efficient would probably be going the custom route.

The BEST IMO on a 2.4 would be 2 1/4" mandrel bend tubing with a free flowing straight through muffler. Magnaflow, Flowmaster, Borla and several other companies make mufflers that will spec out almost identical. Which you choose will depend on the exhaust note that you're looking for.

The quietest will be Borla, followed by Magnaflow, and then Flowmaster. SLP will be the loudest and most raspy, especially on a 4 banger. If you're planning on running "duals", they all make a Camaro style muffler. I don't think I'd run it without a resonator. A free flowing 4" round muffler in place of the stock resonator will tone it down in the cabin without any loss of flow.

http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21154

[Blackrider]

Originally posted by Xidion
Borla

It really Isent. The XR1 is the best Borla Muffler the others dont even come close

[Doctor Ouchie]

So the general consensus is the SLP system (even on an LA1) sounds raspy, not throaty like the Iceman video and what's up on exhaustsoundclips.com?

I would go the custom route, but I don't feel like calling around all over the place, nor do I have the 'connections' which would be a big help. Might end up saving for the Borla system then.

[Blackrider]

Originally posted by Doctor Ouchie
So the general consensus is the SLP system (even on an LA1) sounds raspy, not throaty like the Iceman video and what's up on exhaustsoundclips.com?

I would go the custom route, but I don't feel like calling around all over the place, nor do I have the 'connections' which would be a big help. Might end up saving for the Borla system then.

As i have said Borla sounds really good with headers, but if you are looking for Perf. I would go with another system. But not everyone is all about Perform. :)

[Xidion]

Well if you want your 4cyl to sound like a Ninga bike or a fart can go SLP

[Doctor Ouchie]

Welp, talked with some other folks, the SLP system sounds just fine on a V6. But I just may ask around and see what sort of custom setup I can get done around here for cheap. Thanks for all the input.