the bends that JC Whitney sells display the ID and OD as the same number. I can't believe this is true since it would be impossible. Did anyone know if I should use a presilencer of some sorts and if i could eliminate the pre cat with the flexible pipe stuff till the header comes out as I will be putting a high flow one on the exhaust system?

 

I got under the car and looked at what bends are needed. looks like x4 45 degree bends are all that you would need. Thats about $90. Plus muffler and piping and labor....about $350 for a nice exhaust...not too bad.

 

I really don't think redoing the stock exhaust system in 2" would make much of a difference. I have the 2000 1.8L. The bends are not of the crush type, possible they are done hydralically. 2" sounds about right for the pipe size. I think the pipe walls are only maybe 1-2mm thick so outer and inner diameter are pretty much the same. I'm no expert here but even if the stock pipe size is 1 3/4" to 1 7/8", going to 2 " will not make any noticable differance. It's a half decent exhaust system on a stock car.

I plan on getting a stainless steel magnaflow muffler (not polished), with a non-ricey tip. Probably will get them to redo the 1' of pipe up to the fist flange from the muffler so that when the stock exhaust system rusts out, it's not as much of an issue to save the muffler. I really don't expect any noticable performance differance. I just like the nice tone of the magnaflow...used to have one on my VW.

Has anyone taken off the resonator or even the second cat on these exhaust systems? Just curious if they are restrictive at all and maybe replaced with higher flowing ones. I guess if this was the case, it would probably be worth re-doing the whole exhuast system.

 

Did anyone know if I should use a presilencer of some sorts and if i could eliminate the pre cat with the flexible pipe stuff till the header comes out as I will be putting a high flow cat on the exhaust system

 

I am working on a diagram with dimensions of the exhaust and all its bends. I was under the car and it has 4 defined 45 degree bends two are horizontal and the other are verticle through the rear suspension I think. I have never had the heat shield off so I can't say what the precat or exhaust manifold look like. I believe that the Protege5 already has some type of a presilencer as I saw it a huge bulge in the exhaust (not the cat).

 

I talked to Brullen before new year, they have complete 2.25" SS mandrel bent system for PR5. Richard said that they got 6 lb/ft and 6hp gain at the wheels with NO loss anywhere in the powerband. www.brullenexhaust.com
I am pretty sure stock system on PR5 is 2"(I was under the car yesterday) and putting another 2"system on it seems like trading Pokemon cards.(Sorry to all Pokemon lovers)
As for mandrel bends, check out www.jcwhitney.com
Alex

 

I would be curious about the brullen exhaust. Would like to see the muffler and tip. And does anyone sell them that you know of? There are no distributors in VA, NC or MD. I will measure the exhaust piping to find out if it is indeed 2"

 

you can get if factory direct. or call any of the distributors close to virginia. installation can be done by any local shop, or even yourself.
As for tip style-can't tell what distributors have, you have to call around.
Alex

 

The tip should be the same from all of the distributors. It would depend on what the manufacturer made. I will call them to see how much it costs tomorrow.

 

I agree that going from 1.75" to 2" will yield a higher possible airflow due to the larger cross sectional area. I just don't think that going from 1.75" to 2" will yeild 23% better airflow (differance between area of pipe sizes). The differances in pipe size may translate into a significant increase in HP for a engine that is a little more tuned but for someone who is basically putting a K&N drop in filter and putting a better muffler, I think the change in pipe size over a decent stock exhaust system will not yeild any significant change.

Look at the exhuasts on other cars. A V6 accord looks like it only has a 1.5" exhaust. Corolla looks small too. I'm just saying that the Protege exhaust (for 2000) is decent and changing the piping won't yield the same results as on other cars. Again, this is all just speculation on my part.

 

Accurate speculation.