Best cost option for new cat-back exhaust system?

[amalik]

Hi guys,

Im in need of a new system (piping, muffler, tailpipe) after the cat converter due to loud vibrations from the current system falling apart.

I currently have a MagnaFlow in there. The sound is alright, I wouldn't really mind going back to OEM sound if that's significantly cheaper. If prices were the same, I don't mind the little growl that I currently get from Magnaflow.

I know there are a ton of options out there, but what is the cheapest for parts? (Labor obviously will vary shop to shop. My first quote is $500 parts and labor total and I think that's kinda high. Denver area for reference).

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[19963.4lsr5]

My napa Cat back cost 153 for the muffler section and 104 for the tail pipe. It's only 4 bolts to change it.


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[amalik]

My napa Cat back cost 153 for the muffler section and 104 for the tail pipe. It's only 4 bolts to change it.


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My hangers are supposedly all installed wrong also. I can go and pull the pipes, they hit upper and lower parts of the frame.

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[19963.4lsr5]

My hangers are supposedly all installed wrong also. I can go and pull the pipes, they hit upper and lower parts of the frame.

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I had no problem removing and replacing mine with a creeper and simple hand tools. I didn't even use a jack.

Can you see where the factory hanger mounts are?


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[Scramble]

JBA Stainless Steel Cat back. $350 It's loud but it's stainless. I'll probably just change the muffler to a SS Borla in a few years after I get other more important projects done. My cheap Napa rusted away in 3 years, total junk.

 

[Scramble]

The Borla is only $540. Usually it's $7-750. It will last forever even the pipes are stainless where the JBA pipes are aluminized steel.

Borla Exhaust Systems | Huge Selection, Reviews | FREE SHIPPING!

 

[19963.4lsr5]

JBA Stainless Steel Cat back. $350 It's loud but it's stainless. I'll probably just change the muffler to a SS Borla in a few years after I get other more important projects done. My cheap Napa rusted away in 3 years, total junk.

My cheep napa was bought in 2013. Still isn't rusting. It's got around 5000+ miles may be more. It was on the 96 till it got wrecked in September of that year. I put 4000 on it since I put the engine in.

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[Scramble]

This was my cheap Napa muffler, maybe a different manufacturer than yours. I drove 50 miles each way to work in rain & snow only. Took the car on nice days.

 

[amalik]

I had no problem removing and replacing mine with a creeper and simple hand tools. I didn't even use a jack.

Can you see where the factory hanger mounts are?


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Let me get back to you, I will try to take some pics tomorrow morning.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

This was my cheap Napa muffler, maybe a different manufacturer than yours. I drove 50 miles each way to work in rain & snow only. Took the car on nice days.

Was it just a muffler you scabed into the exhaust, or was it the aluminized complete muffler flange to flange? My setup is alumized. Both sections.

Your problem reminded me of the Walker mufflers for my Saturn. Never lasted longer than 3 years. Even their supposed stainless units.


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This is the entire exhaust lying in floor this May after I pulled the engine from the 96 this spring to put it in the 97. I ran the engine 20min every 1-2weeks while it sat waiting for a vehicle to put the engine in.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Hey [MENTION=99383]amalik[/MENTION] is the TRD Cat Back unreasonable for you? It's a real beauty. You know already that I have that coupled with the TRD headers and love the set up.

https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/oem-parts/toyota-exhaust-cat-back-ptr068999014

I ended up paying $600 for them locally. A bit cheaper at Boch now. Here's a link to what they look like laying on the garage floor. Made out of 604 Stainless. Link to Cat Back Exhaust

 

[ThorInc]

JBA Stainless Steel Cat back. $350 It's loud but it's stainless. I'll probably just change the muffler to a SS Borla in a few years after I get other more important projects done. My cheap Napa rusted away in 3 years, total junk.

I run the JBA, perfect fit. If memory serves me, it's a 2 1/4 inch pipe. I replaced a TRD stainless cat back system (2 1/2 inch) with the JBA and my butt dyno thinks I lost some back pressure through the range. Still, the JBA is a sweet deal for the price vs. the quality of the system. Borla exits the rear of the T4R and I launch a bass rig and the JBA exits the Pass side like the original.

 

[amalik]

Hey [MENTION=99383]amalik[/MENTION] is the TRD Cat Back unreasonable for you? It's a real beauty. You know already that I have that coupled with the TRD headers and love the set up.

https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/oem-parts/toyota-exhaust-cat-back-ptr068999014

I ended up paying $600 for them locally. A bit cheaper at Boch now. Here's a link to what they look like laying on the garage floor. Made out of 604 Stainless. Link to Cat Back Exhaust

I'll think about it, thank you for the feedback. I did see them in your build thread, looks really nice. I am first going to visit another exhaust shop and see if my hangers can be repaired. I'm fine with the Magnaflow that's in there now, minus the hangers that are causing the tailpipe to rattle against the frame.

The first shop I visited stated the situation is unrepairable; I don't believe that shit.

BTW, this link says that TRD won't be good for my 97.

https://trdparts4u.toyotaofdallas.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=276440

 

[nc-grayson]

highly recommend shopping around your local independent muffler shops.

I'm out $180 for a no name custom job, sounds great, has held up great for 3+ years.

FWIW the same guy has done an exhaust job on 7 of my last 7 vehicles in 10 years, so find someone experienced with reviews.

 

[TonyB66]

There's also the Gibson, with a ss option now for about $450.

http://www.burtmanindustries.com/zoomprod.php?id=4run_gib_exhst_96_02&opt[6143]=9762675748&opt[2483]=

I believe this deal ends soon, possibly after the New Year. [MENTION=9]Jason B[/MENTION] can probably clarify...

It maintains the factory side exit, which I prefer too.

 

[ceviche eater]

Is there a cat-back system that will increase MPG and HP?

 

[TonyB66]

Is there a cat-back system that will increase MPG and HP?

Not sure we should expect much. If SCd, I imagine a cat-back would be more noticeable, liberating...

I have reason to believe that a cat-back can shed as much as 30 to 40 pounds. That's a good thing of course.

 

[Scramble]

Was it just a muffler you scabed into the exhaust, or was it the aluminized complete muffler flange to flange? My setup is alumized. Both sections.

Your problem reminded me of the Walker mufflers for my Saturn. Never lasted longer than 3 years. Even their supposed stainless units.


This is the entire exhaust lying in floor this May after I pulled the engine from the 96 this spring to put it in the 97. I ran the engine 20min every 1-2weeks while it sat waiting for a vehicle to put the engine in.

You're right, thanks for jogging my memory, my mechanic at the time just replaced the muffler. It left a bad taste in my mouth. I usually like Napa parts.

 

[Scramble]

I run the JBA, perfect fit. If memory serves me, it's a 2 1/4 inch pipe. I replaced a TRD stainless cat back system (2 1/2 inch) with the JBA and my butt dyno thinks I lost some back pressure through the range. Still, the JBA is a sweet deal for the price vs. the quality of the system. Borla exits the rear of the T4R and I launch a bass rig and the JBA exits the Pass side like the original.

Yea, never liked the rear exit. Mine would get crushed departing an obstacle. Another reason I went for JBA over Borla, BUT in the link I provided above, Auto Anything has a side exit option for the Borla. I would have bought that a few years ago if they had it.

 

[TonyB66]

Yea, never liked the rear exit. Mine would get crushed departing an obstacle. Another reason I went for JBA over Borla, BUT in the link I provided above, Auto Anything has a side exit option for the Borla. I would have bought that a few years ago if they had it.

I too saw that side exit option. Nice if indeed true.

Also, they note that it's 2.5" pre muffler and 2.25" post. I wonder if that's reversed because factory is 2.25" so that would make no sense...

The exact language:

"Main piping diameter: 2.5" into muffler, 2.25" out"