Ok, so I live in CA (Los Angeles area) where emissions are quite the issue. So, what's a good mid-pipe option for those of us who would actually like to drive their car legally after the work's been done to it?

Granted, I know next to nothing about any of this exhaust stuff. I know, for the most part, that my exhaust upgrade is going to consist of 3 parts: headers, mid-pipe and cat-back. I hear a lot mentioned about o/r midpipes, but aren't those the ones that have the cats removed so they effectively won't be a good option for me? Also, how much do you think I'm looking to spend, realistically, on a midpipe/cat-back-or-muffler combo? I was hoping to keep that part of the upgrade to around $500. I can go more if I need to, but $500 was what I was figuring.

I also don't know how to install this myself, so I'm going to have to bring it to a local muffler shop for them to put it on. How much should I expect to pay to have it installed? So, if they charge me more than "how much" will I know I've been ripped off?

Thanks for helping out a newb like me. I'm looking forward to learning a lot from you guys.

P.S. I'm secretly hoping this has been asked a bunch of times before so I can see gt96stang's amusing lil' "You did not use the search button" message again

 

No, I won't use it this time. But we just had the disscussion about catback vs. muffler disscussion like 2 days ago that's all. You are really going to be stretching that $500. You can get a catback, but you cannot get both plus you can install this yourself.

 

you could get the catback and midpipe for bout 500 but you'd need more for install. the longtube headers alone will be around 500 and install will be killer, like 300-400 so im sayin 1.5k for FULL exhaust with cats and total install

 

Show me a catback and midpipe with cats for $500.

 

Shop around for a couple months on corral parts forums... I did my entire catted exhaust for $850. Brand new ceramic long tubes and loudmouth II catback. Only thing that was used was a catted H, which i really dont feel buying a new H pipe when you can get one used in decent condition is worht the extra money.

 

You could get a Pypes catted X pipe from brenspeed for 300 bucks shipped. Thats the cheapest I have seen a catted one....