[smitherrss]

I'm kinda new to the site but so far loving it. I have an 08 LS 5-speed.

The only performance mod I have so far is a K&N short ram intake, the rest is all visual.

I'm planning on doing custom exhaust, bending the pipes myself and everything. I have a mandrel and welder. The only thing that confuses me is what diameter pipe to go with, I want either 2.5" or 3". I'm pretty sure stock is either 1.75" or 2" so it sounds like a big jump, which is whats confusing me.

Would it be robbing my engine if I went with 3" pipe? Also, any recommendations on header and dp with a high flow cat?

 

[money_man]

If you plan on going forced induction then go 2.5". If you don't then go 2.25". You can go bigger and stay N/A if you also own a honduh


Sent from the sexy electrician

 

[Plain Jane]

2.25" is arguably perfect for NA. Just don't expect any real power from it.

 

[money_man]

3" is also good for forced induction


Sent from the sexy electrician

 

[swanman35]

The bigger it is the deeper the tone. Obviously don't go too big. I'd go with what pj and moneyman said. But I'd probably do 3" if you're turbod or supercharged

 

[andrewcarr1993]

Unless you in the 400+ HP range there's no point in going over 2.5''

 

[bluegtp91]

Read up about exhaust scavaging and proper velocity.

A full 2.5" system would be just fine, you won't notice anything better or worse from a 2 1/4" system anyways...Shorty ZZP Header/2.5" Downpipe/2.5" catback.

Done and done.

My LAP 2.2 made just shy of 140 WHP and 160 WTQ with just an intake/catback, so expect a little more, I'm sure. Especially with the manual transmission.

 

[smitherrss]

Thank you and sorry for taking so long to reply.

I don't plan on doing turbo or supercharging, so it seems like the max I should go is 2.5" then.

I'm going to look into this a little more and see if it would just be worth it to get a 2.5" shorty header and downpipe, high flow cat, and the GMPP cat-back.

 

[Plain Jane]

GMPP catback is 2.25", but it'll pair well with a ZZP 2.5" DP. Look into the mid length header/dp combo and go with the 1.5" primaries and 200 cell cat. Wideband is nice to have but not necessary.

 

[bluegtp91]

With a motor that makes not that much power...and just changing the exhaust and not really anything else...a wideband probably wouldn't make any difference unless you had two cars side by side on the dyno.

 

[smitherrss]

So it's looking like its gonna be
gmpp catback
the ZZP Midlength header and dp combo
Option 1: Manual
Option 2: 1.5" Primaries
Option 3: 200 Cell Cat Downpipe
Option 4: Add extra O2 bung for wideband
then whatever exhaust tip I pick

Other than this and turbo what else can i even do to my engine that wont kill me on price?

 

[money_man]

Get the gmpp bow tie exhaust tip. The thing is the highest quality exhaust tip I've ever bought. My old one is 3 years old now and still looks brand new.


Sent from the sexy electrician

 

[Plain Jane]

The tip does look a bit dorky though. 4" exit with a big Chevy logo. You do have the option of flush cut or angled I believe.

 

[money_man]

Angled is sexy. It's what I got


Sent from the sexy electrician

 

[Plain Jane]

I went straight cut. It's the only obvious sign that my car's been modified. I drive a G5 so I don't think that bowtie looks too sharp on my Pontiac lol

 

[money_man]

They have a Pontiac one too


Sent from the sexy electrician

 

[Plain Jane]

...

 

[money_man]

Serious


Sent from the sexy electrician

 

[Plain Jane]

I must have missed that in the ordering process. Oh well, catback's still great, even if it had a Lada logo on it.

 

[bluegtp91]

What about a Ford emblem?