Best pipe size for exhaust
 

I have a 96 sw1 in need of some exhaust. I've been pricing some and found most start with a 2 inch and the muffler has 1 7/8 in/ 1 3/4 out. Wouldn't it be better if the muffler was 2" in/out? I'm after more torque and mpg. And it needs to be quieter than present. So what is the optimum size?
Thanks Rick

While I really do not know what the optimum size is I am not sure that there is any really significant or measurable improvement that can be obtained by increasing the size considering a stock based street engine. But if you are doing this yourself most replacement pieces are designed to fit existing parts with out causing problems. And the same for having some type of a shop do it for you.
However you can get into spending a LOT of additional money trying to cob something up thinking there will be an improvement.
I have installed a high flow catalytic converter on two small engined (so to speak) cars. One stock and one modified and both cases no measurable performance gain (or loss) could be determined. Although the hi flow cat. was significantly cheaper than the OEM cat. in both cases and both satisfied smog testing as it were.
I live were exhaust systems last for ever, due to no rust, and it is neither a real problem or expense to have an exhaust system bent up to fit the car when needed.
I used to live where rust was a big problem and OEM style exhaust pieces hung from hooks from the ceiling and people with Red Hammers blew rusty parts apart in seconds and welded and bolted in new pre-bent stuff on a regular basis. I just don't see a cost benefit ratio to be met by messing with exhaust system modifications.

I have found that most of the "after market" exhaust hardware seems to be geared more to making my little engine sound like the jolly green giant on a chili bean overload, instead of making the system quieter.

Good luck with your search, and if you come up with a combination of parts that do the job (make it quieter than stock), kindly post the data here -- thanks

please no fart can

not on a saturn

gives the rest of us a bad rap

Been looking at Magnaflow header pipe, flex pipe and cat, plus a Walker Quiet-Flow 3 muffler. Found these on Summit Racing site.

Look at the thread in this section by UnclJohn -- major food for thought

Purchasing repair parts on line.
 

I see many references related to purchasing automotive repair parts on line, as if they are the only place to puchase parts.
And some times depending on the car, that actually might be true.
However, looking at a Glitzy ad, touting diskbrake parts and needing some for my Town and Country
after finally finding a page that describes that they are available and not telling you anything about them other than they have the same basic attributes that OEM does only better!
I finally found a price
that was 20% higher than my local auto parts store where I can by ceramic brake pads
and shipping was not even discussed
YET
Such a deal
No wonder e-bay is so popular
:p

capitalism at it's best

Larger pipes = less torque ...... if you have to nothing larger then 2 inch

i went with a stainless OBX ebay header. it came with the flexpipe as well 201 shipped from california to my house in nj. i also ordered an electric cutout from ebay. i kept my stock catback on so its quiet 99% of the time, or until i open my cutout (usually at the track, or when i wanna scare people lol) oh and as far as how it feels on the street- i felt no reduction in low end torque. if anything, it picked up a lil more

stock exhaust, 1/2 tank of gas,cai and ported stock tb-

60' 2.468
330' 6.732
1/8 10.235 @ 70.31 mph
1000' 13.245
1/4 15.808 @ 88.18


header with cutout open, 1/4 tank of gas-

60' 2.480
330' 6.543
1/8 9.919 @ 72.82 mph
1000' 12.843
1/4 15.345 @ 90.54

thats 4.5 tenths and almost 2.5 mph gained with a header, electric cut out, no cat and a lil less gas in the tank