Hello lads,

I have exhausted (no pun intended) the forums for information about my situation, but have not found anything that directly hits the pony.

I have a 2001 Integra SE, with the only modification being a short ram intake. I recently purchased a Megan MSPECII 2.4" Exhaust Muffler (a universal weld-on), and am currently looking to install it. I don't plan on ever boosting my car, just breathing (intake + exhaust, including Megan headers somewhere down the road) since I don't have the money nor the skill.

That being said, I am thinking of using 2.25" aluminized piping (sprayed with enamel spray) from the cat to the muffler. I definitely want a resonator in my setup, so am therefore faced with two options: Get the shop guys to "stretch" my stock resonator to fit the 2.25" piping, or get a new resonator altogether. As I said, cost is a BIG issue, and if performance will not really be affected by the "stretching", I think I will go for it.

I know, the other option is simply to weld the muffler on the back and keep the stock piping, but I really want the extra .25 inches for the (very) little help it can add.

Any advice, comments, suggestions? I am mainly concerned about the resonator "stretch", is this a good idea? Will it potentially screw up/hinder performance?

Best,
Ron

P.S. I know SS is a lot better than aluminized steel, but I would have to custom order it and my wallet just doesn't seem to agree.

 

If your on such an extreme budget, don't modify the car. Do it right and spend the extra money on a new resonator. Aluminized steel is fine as long as you don't drive year round, I've had my pipes on for 6 years with no rust at all.

 

I have used aluminum pipes for all my exhaust and drop year round with them, and they have never rusted on me.