I just wanted to post this to see if anyone had the weapon r intake or header for the 2000-2004 cavalier ecotec 2.2, did it respond good with power and torque, does this header eliminate the catalytic converter ? and if anyones selling one or would want to trade for something let me know?
Pacesetter headers are your friend.
what ya say then, a pacesetter header, a high flow cat and what kind of cat back system would you guys recommend ?
why would you think a header eliminates the cat??
The pacesetter (and pretty much any header) won't eliminate the cat. The back flange of the header will stop at the downpipe, which then leads to the cat.
Our cats are actually much more free flowing than most think...if a shop is willing to modify it a bit (some won't touch factory emissions equip), have them get the inlet/outlet back a bit towards the body and it matches up pretty well with 2.5" pipe. This way you can stay emissions legal. The cat also helps in volume control/tone, even when running a resonator.
My new system is a pacesetter header leading into 2.5" stainless steel pipe. Downpipe leads into a magnaflow resonator, stock cat (opened up to mate with the 2.5"), and a dynomax super turbo muffler.
Resonators aren't a must, but they will help reduce raspiness and that "bees in a tin can/honda" tone. Some people go with as long a resonator possible, I'm going with a new style magnaflow this time that is baffled and stuffed differently...basically a shorter one of these has the same effect as a generic long tube resonator (but gives me room to keep my cat).
I find most times, if you get a header and muffler and have a local shop contruct the rest, you get a better quality system at a better price than a pre-fabbed bolt on system (which many bolt on systems still require some minor welding or modding to fit)
cody hamm wrote:thanks again EVILution 
lots of help.
Anytime man
Forgot to mention, I recall in your post in the performance forum that you're planning on a port n polish and boost in the future. I would definitely go 2.5" exhaust in that case, and if you do indeed go with a pacesetter header (and I would recommend checking turbo tech racing, I'm pretty sure Aaron has the best price around), get an LSJ header, its going to have slightly bigger runners and collector
Keep in mind too, when it comes to brands, there really is no right or wrong (considering you stick with well known names with good reputations), its simply a matter of opinion. I say Dynomax super turbo is a great sounding mufflers for ecotecs, but the next guy might swear by magnaflow, and the next by Borla, etc.
If you're doing a performance build, then you definitely want to spend some time looking at specs of different mufflers/resonators and see how the internal design differs from one to the next, because that can effect not only the sound, but the performance of the muffler and overall how it will compliment the rest of your exhaust system.
Also, if you have future performance mods in mind, you'll probably be wanting a wideband o2 sensor...while you're at the shop having the exhaust installed, have them weld an o2 bung into your downpipe right away for the wideband so you don't have to go back later, it'll probably cost you less that way.
EVILution (KGM Godfather) wrote:cody hamm wrote:thanks again EVILution lots of help.
Anytime man
Forgot to mention, I recall in your post in the performance forum that you're planning on a port n polish and boost in the future. I would definitely go 2.5" exhaust in that case, and if you do indeed go with a pacesetter header (and I would recommend checking turbo tech racing, I'm pretty sure Aaron has the best price around), get an LSJ header, its going to have slightly bigger runners and collector
Keep in mind too, when it comes to brands, there really is no right or wrong (considering you stick with well known names with good reputations), its simply a matter of opinion. I say Dynomax super turbo is a great sounding mufflers for ecotecs, but the next guy might swear by magnaflow, and the next by Borla, etc.
If you're doing a performance build, then you definitely want to spend some time looking at specs of different mufflers/resonators and see how the internal design differs from one to the next, because that can effect not only the sound, but the performance of the muffler and overall how it will compliment the rest of your exhaust system.
Also, if you have future performance mods in mind, you'll probably be wanting a wideband o2 sensor...while you're at the shop having the exhaust installed, have them weld an o2 bung into your downpipe right away for the wideband so you don't have to go back later, it'll probably cost you less that way.
the design of the exhaust is much more important if you will turbo your car later on also. you want it as free flowing as possible to let the turbo spin as quick a it can. so, mandrel bends, and bigger(to a point) is better...don't go with a 3 1/2 inch though, lol, you can always overdo it and waste your money. 2 1/2 to 3 is good for turbo. there is a formula for calculating exhaust diameter needed for your setup i just don't remember it. i'l try to find it.
