Which catback? opinions please

[mrg666]

Installed the HKS Hi-Power Spec-L Ti catback yesterday. It is a high quality exhaust, feels solid, and fits without any problem. Sound and looks are exactly same as the videos I posted in the second page. So I will post my review later. The weight difference is 19 lbs; stock is 40, HKS is 21 lbs. It looks like a substantial number until one realizes that it is less than 1% of the curb weight. The sound difference compared to stock is hardly noticeable while cruising at freeway around 2500 rpm @75 mph. Sound is mildly loud at WOT. That ability of stealth acceleration is gone now. Everybody around knows that my car is accelerating now.

There is one problem with the sound that made me change my diving a little bit to avoid it. If I don't downshift at a slight uphill but push the throttle a bit to maintain my speed while cruising at low rpm, there is deep bass growl that annoys me a lot. So I downshift earlier now

Unrelated to the new catback, installation was much harder than I thought. The stock catback bolts were completely rusted. I had to drop the complete stock exhaust assembly (catback + mid pipe) in one piece. While doing that, one of the bolts on the mid-pipe/front-pipe connection snapped. I had to go buy another from Advance Auto. I had to buy a donut gasket anyway, since the HKS catback package didn't include it. Maybe I could have used the old donut gasket but I changed anyway.

There is no power difference that I could feel. Overall, I think I am happy with it.

[SuperTom]

Originally Posted by mrg666

Installed the HKS Hi-Power Spec-L Ti catback yesterday. It is a high quality exhaust, feels solid, and fits without any problem. Sound and looks are exactly same as the videos I posted in the second page. So I will post my review later. The weight difference is 19 lbs; stock is 40, HKS is 21 lbs. It looks like a substantial number until one realizes that it is less than 1% of the curb weight. The sound difference compared to stock is hardly noticeable while cruising at freeway around 2500 rpm @75 mph. Sound is mildly loud at WOT. That ability of stealth acceleration is gone now. Everybody around knows that my car is accelerating now.

There is one problem with the sound that made me change my diving a little bit to avoid it. If I don't downshift at a slight uphill but push the throttle a bit to maintain my speed while cruising at low rpm, there is deep bass growl that annoys me a lot. So I downshift earlier now

Unrelated to the new catback, installation was much harder than I thought. The stock catback bolts were completely rusted. I had to drop the complete stock exhaust assembly (catback + mid pipe) in one piece. While doing that, one of the bolts on the mid-pipe/front-pipe connection snapped. I had to go buy another from the Advance Auto. I had to buy a donut gasket anyway, since the HKS catback package didn't include it. Maybe I could have used the old donut gasket but I changed anyway.

There is no power difference that I could feel. Overall, I think I am happy with it.

Thank you so much for this review. Are you still on stock Header + frontpipe?? If so that could the reason for not a ton of sound change. My setup is catless headers (switching from Gruppe-S UEL to ACE 350) & Invidia catted front pipe. So for me it will be much louder but hopefully driveable


That weight loss is highly substantial forget the 1% part. My setup after I install my sparco seats will put me at nearly exactly 2500lbs. I have HKS Legamax catback which is about the same as stock. So switching to this exhaust would put me at 2480lbs. Also loosing weight at the ends of the car and keeping the mass central is better weight loss. My goal is to hit 2450 without a gutted interior, only comfort I had to give up so far was AC at 15lbs.


Thanks again im glad the weight is where it is advertised at.

[mrg666]

Originally Posted by SuperTom

Thank you so much for this review. Are you still on stock Header + frontpipe?? If so that could the reason for not a ton of sound change. My setup is catless headers (switching from Gruppe-S UEL to ACE 350) & Invidia catted front pipe. So for me it will be much louder but hopefully driveable


That weight loss is highly substantial forget the 1% part. My setup after I install my sparco seats will put me at nearly exactly 2500lbs. I have HKS Legamax catback which is about the same as stock. So switching to this exhaust would put me at 2480lbs. Also loosing weight at the ends of the car and keeping the mass central is better weight loss. My goal is to hit 2450 without a gutted interior, only comfort I had to give up so far was AC at 15lbs.


Thanks again im glad the weight is where it is advertised at.

Yes, I still have the stock header and front pipe. The weight difference is so much more noticeable when you are the one carrying it. I didn't know stock exhaust was so heavy. The weight gain is like eliminating a full-size spare wheel/tire from the trunk.

[86geek]

Originally Posted by microSDHC

I have the Perrin 2.5" resonated. It doesn't really drone and it sounds deep and has a slight rumble to it. It sounds "mature" in my opinion. If you're concerned about flow they do have 3" version.

I have Perrin 2.5 resonated. Deep sounding & loud when it needs be. Perrin FTW!