rxtuner79

iTrader: (1)

I was wondering who out there is running a custom exhaust (mostly interested in headers). And by custom exhaust, i don't mean an RB header with a Bonez cat and Apex'i catback. I am basically trying to figure out how much it would cost to have a custom header made, and if it would be worth it. I really like the SDJ header because they are lighter and make more power than RB, but they're expensive. I want a set of SDJ headers (light, great hp/tq, durable), but without the pricetag. I also want to see what people are doing with the rest of the system. If you get a custom header, do you get the rest fabbed up or go with something aftermarket?

So if anyone has pictures, videos, ideas, stories, dyno results, or anything else about custom header/exhaust set-ups please share them. Again, I'm trying to see if it's worth it to have a header back exhaust made or if it's better to go with something pre-made. Thanks!

dumbkid

i would also be intersted

VortecBowtie

I can't help you on the header as I'm wondering also. I like the racing beat because of all the good things said about the durability. However the pacesetter is more in my price range, but it's, well, a pace setter... If anythign it would just change the sound more so than power lol.

For the rest of my exhaust I deleted the pre-cat, (bashed it out) and replaced the big main cat with a steel glass pack, even with the packing blow the sound hardly changed and I know it will hold up to the heat. (Plus it does have small baffles) I also welded in a fitting to connect the air pump to. The Glass pack connects to the the stock y-pipe with the pea shooter pipes to stock mufflers with the tips cut off and and some painted black 3 inch tips right on the muffler. Still real quit inside but has some tone. I love the way it sounds when I get in it in the morning and the cold start kicks in and to stand behind my leaf blower lol.

glh-fc

unless you have your own welder and familiar w/ fabricating,it's not worth it.i suggest getting a pacesetter header.they are cheaper than RB.not sure exactly how much,you'll have to check on that since the prices i know are in canadian funds.you could make you're own cat back for the price of a 10ft exhaust pipe and the price of a muffler you prefer.but you still have to consider the price if you're gonna have it made by someone else like a shop.

Roarke

I would think that if you got the materials and had access to the tools that it would be cheaper, but the quality of the work depends on you.
I've been thinking about doing this, cause I have no money but access to tools and metal. If I wind up doing it I'll post results, but it'll be a while before I can even think about it.
Later,
Roarke

evileagle

iTrader: (1)

We're (CorkSport) cheaper than RB considering that ours bolts to a stock cat. No having to buy another pipe. Ours is also polished stainless steel, not chromed mild-steel.

http://corksport.com/store/category/...rx-intake.html

14th item down on that page.

Average hourly rate for custom fab is ~$65 an hour, combine that with the many hours of work involved in making a header, plus materials. It'll be weasily over $300.

anewconvert

iTrader: (1)

look in the classified section. There are a glut of RB headers for sale there nearly every day for significantly less than RB sells theirs for.


BC

rxtuner79

iTrader: (1)

The reason I didn't want to go with RB is because of the weight. That's why i like the SDJ. Not only does it weigh only 9 lbs, but it produced more power than the RB and will still last.

If I were to have one made, it would be by a local shop. But the problem is, I don't know if a muffler shop is capable of making a lightweight header that will not rust or burn through. That's why i want to see what others are doing, and if it's cheaper/worth the money to have one made. And I'm going to stay away from Pacesetter. Keep the suggestions coming!

PvillKnight7

iTrader: (16)

can you weld? why dont you buy some tube and make your own?

Twins80s

iTrader: (3)

If you are so worried about weight and it seems you are trying to make a low cost exhaust. Why not get a used RB header, a cat(or test pipe), and run a single side exhaust. The single side exhaust alone will drop 30ish pounds alone.

rowtareh?

iTrader: (1)

You are paying for R&D. So why not buy something that is trusted and has been proven to give good results? Racing Beat or a SDJ header. It's the same thing with any catback exhaust that is on the market.

Also, if the guy had to ask if anybody has done it, most likely he does not know how to weld.

rxtuner79

iTrader: (1)

I don't have the supplies to weld, and have zero experience in welding. I'm depowering a steering rack right now and had to give the control valve assembly to a friend so he could have it welded.

Again, the reason I'm not going with Racing Beat is because they are extremely heavy. I'm trying to find out if anyone has had a header made that is lightweight while still not getting burned through or rusted.

I am most likely going to just buy the SDJ header, Bonez cat and either get a Corksport catback or have a custom one made to sound like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN18yNMl5G0

I still want to see what others are doing just so I have some more reasons to choose one or the other. So more opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

cool_as_crap

Dear god, do NOT buy a pacesetter header. The money you save will need to be used to replace it once it starts to crack 4 months after you put it on.

cool_as_crap

No it won't. You think one side of a cat back weighs 30 pounds ? Try closer to maybe 3-4 lbs.

rxtuner79

iTrader: (1)

I know Corksport's catback saves 36 lbs. off the stock unit, so it's probably a combimation of the material used, lighter muffler, and -1 muffler. And like I said, I'm going to avoid Pacesetter like the plague.

Another reason i might go with a custom catback is because I think that Corksport's 3 1/8" is too big, and I think it would be bad for velocity compared to a 2.5"

Twins80s

iTrader: (3)

Such as rxtuner79 said the corksport is said to be 36lbs lighter then stock. Which from what rxtuner79 has said it sounds like his exhaust is stock. Ya it might be 3-4 lbs lighter then other aftermarket exhaust, but for a guy who is trying to save weight by not buying a heavy manifold then those 3-4lbs might sway him to that direction.

rxtuner79

iTrader: (1)

My catback isn't stock. It's some piece of **** that the PO threw on there which doesn't even hang on the stock hangers. He put some sort of metal clamps around the doughnuts to get it to sit properly on the hangers, and they both ended up falling off. Now, one muffler has one stock doughnut holding it up, and the other has the "custom" hanger holding it up. Each muffler has two tips on it, so it looks stupid and hangs crooked.

Also, if you guys haven't read through my dyno/quarter mile info thread, I am going to be turning this into a track car after I save up enough for another daily driver. When it gets to that point, every pound will count so that is the reason for trying to have a light exhaust.

1SWEET7

iTrader: (1)

For one if you have an NA you shouldn't be worrying about weight. Our cars are not going to be rockets. I have come to terms with this. First the rule of thumb is for every 100lbs you lose .1 off of your quarter mile times. So you are looking at less than .1 second even if you approach a 100lb exhaust. Second the gains with a header over a downpipe have not been compared to the best of my knowledge, but Racing Beat says the gains are negligible while offering a quieter exhaust note. I have had multiple exhaust systems and have settled into liking my current setup very much. Custom downpipe into custom piping back to the stock dual mufflers. I had a single exit system with A'pexi muffler and it was just loud as hell, and I ended up getting a ticket for it. My current setup also cost me $100 including piping and labor so that was nice. Rotary God knows his shiite on exhaust systems and I would reccomend PM'ing him for more great info. Good luck.

rxtuner79

iTrader: (1)

I've read a few of Rotary God's posts, and some of C. Ludwig's and Paul Yaw's stuff as well. But I've never seen a comparison of custom vs. pre-made, which is why I'm trying to get some input from those who went custom, as well as a debate about which one is better/more cost effective.

My car is mostly going to be used for autocross, and I would also like to get into some hillclimbs with the occasional drag race. As I said before, once I get another DD my car is goin to be my designated track car, which means it will be stripped, caged, etc. When I get to that point, weight will be an issue. A few pounds off the exhaust is not going to make a difference, but once I take out all useless accessories, carpets, sound deadening, etc. those few pounds will make a difference.

PvillKnight7

iTrader: (16)

Custom, when done by someone who knows what they are doing, is better and more cost effective. period. When you make something for yourself it will always be better then something mass produced.

glhs0867

I agree with something custom.

if all you do is put on parts off the aftermarkets shelf, you will have no edge over the other RX7s, besides driver mod!

fcdrifter13

ANd by custom i hope you mean hours of preplanning measure remeasure and then measure some more, testing flow and ll that jazz.

cool_as_crap

36 lbs? No way in hell. No more than 10 lbs difference, and is not noticeable and a non-issue for street cars.

1SWEET7

iTrader: (1)

I have to disagree with that statement. Just because someone knows how to weld or has exhaust making experience doesn't mean they can make a better product than a company with thousands of dollars to put into R&D. Racing Beat didn't just slap some pipes on a flange and call it done i'm sure they tested several designs and settled on what they sell now. The same with Cork Sport and SDJ. Designing a good exhaust system is a science that takes many years of experience to get right.

rxtuner79

iTrader: (1)

But there is the argument that every engine is different. So those companies have found setups that are good for RX-7's, but they will not have the same effect from one car to another. And like fcdifter13 said, it takes hours of measuring, flow testing, etc.

And I'm glad we can have a serious debate without someone blowing up. Thanks everyone!