any recommendations for a cat-back exhaust for a 03 sedan? i was looking at the invidia gemini titanium tipped exhaust but they dont have anything for a sedan.

 

Megan is pretty decent, true 3" all the way though. Plus it has a lot less 2500 rpm drone than the Tanabe.

 

Hey sorry to pop on your thread, but I'm wondering sort of the same thing... I have done some intake mods and now I'm starting to think my muffler/resonator has a leak (can smell the exhaust sometimes).

If I wanted to replace "stuff", what exactly do I replace? The end is the exhaust tip, correct? And then the oval/box is the resonator? What's the muffler? What kinds of sets can I buy for 2003 Sedan that will replace both the tips and the box?

Again apologies for my level of newb here. If there's somewhere else I should post, feel free to move this or let me know.

 

If you want to replace it all you would be looking at a "cat back" system, that replaces everything behind the catalytic converter (which bolts to the headers and sits pretty much directly under the driver seat).

Typically the exhaust sytem goes like this

engine - headers - catalytic converter - y pipe which merges the two pipes into a single pipe - midpipe with a resonator installed in it - muffler that has the exhaust tips a the end.

I'm not familliar with the sedan exhaust systems AT ALL but I've heard good things from everyone who has used the magnaflow system with an extra vibrant resonator installed in it if needed.

The two issues you will have with exhaust system, first is RASP and if you are making the exhaust louder then you are adding rasp into the system, it's ok to a certain point but past that it sounds very ricer and VERY shitty, rasp is measured in DECIBELS. The second issue is called DRONE, the exhaust flow is a very rapid series of air pulses coming out of each cylinder in a specific order, this creates a resonant frequency, some frequencies are VERY annoying and will make your ears hum, this can be mitigated by adding a resonator (or multiple resonators) to the exhaust system, drone is measured in HERTZ.

Typically a more expensive system is engineered to keep rasp to a moderate level and reduce drone to be nonexistent, this is NOT ALWAYS THE CASE however and some very high end systems will still drone/rasp. A good muffler shop can help in suggesting a resonator or muffler to eliminate this but the Vibrant resonators have a good reputation here for being a quality item that works and doesn't break the bank.

As for the exhaust leak, get the car on jackstands or a lift so you can properly inspect, then you can use a halloween smoke machine (since it's almost that season and you can find them easily) and hook it to the exhaust pipe and pump the smoke back up the exhaust and look for leaks. You can see the smoke where it leaks. Obviously it needs to be a pretty tight seal at the exhaust tip so use duct tape as needed.

 

Thank you for such an informative reply! I appreciate it.

I've compiled a list of brands, looking for a cheap, but decent quality setup... either cat-back or axle back. (Does axle-back actually help with any HP or Torque at all? I can't imagine much is helped by just replacing the muffler and exhaust tips... but mine look all nasty and janky so I'd like to replace them anyhow.)

Are there any of these brands you'd recommend that don't have too nasty rasp (definitely don't want to sound like a ricer!) or drone?

Looking at: flowmaster, magnaflow, borla, corsa, gibson, mbrp, banks monster exhaust system, afe exhaust systems, jba performance, hooker

I know you recommended the magnaflow system... is it possible to replace parts one at a time? Or do you have to replace the whole exhaust system at once?

edit: I looked at a magnaflow system, am I correct in my labeling/understanding here? red = exhaust tip, orange = muffler, yellow = midpipe, green = resonator. not pictured y tubing, catalytic converter, headers


One thing I noticed while looking at muffler/exhaust tips is different measurements... from 2.25 up to like 4". What is the stock inlet size/outlet size? What should I shoot for?

Hope this is helpful to OP and that I'm not hijacking his thread! Sorry/Thanks again for all your help!

 

3" diameter is good, should give a bit more power even if otherwise stock. The Megan exhaust you can buy in pieces, the mid pipe section and the rear (muffler) section if you want to break it up to make it more affordable. You'd start with the rear section so you don't go from 3" pipe back to 2.25 OEM size through the muffler. Or if you have a performance oriented muffler shop in your car, they can build you an exhaust. If you want more of a quiet exhaust, you can use the Vibrant resonator and a Dynomax Super Turbo muffler.

I do have a Tanabe exhaust that I replaced the muffler and resonator with those pieces (Vibrant and Dynomax) that I'd let go for $150 (can't get the muffler and resonator that cheap new) if you're interested since you're in the Dallas area.It has way less drone than the muffler and resonator the Tanabe came with.

Also, if you aren't a member of DIE/DNE, you should be. Lots of good information through the Facebook group plus a couple really good mechanics who can help you sort out any other issues you may have.

 

Curious if he took you up on your offer? I live in Southern California so it probably wouldn't be worth it to ship?

I've been looking at all these different brands but it doesn't seem like us Sedan owners have a lot of options. I drive a 2003.

Question, some of these websites and retailers have "universal" or "universal fit" type products. Can these be trusted or should I only purchase something that says specifically it is for the G35? I'm curious if I can do a relatively cheap axle-back setups (just the muffler and exhaust tip) with one of these 'universal' type setups.