So I've just swapped some exhaust parts around. I started with 1.75" y-pipe into 2.5" to the back with one muffler. I welded a factory 1.5" y-pipe back with a resonator and 1 muffler in. Then welded a 2.5" tip on the back.

 

The stock mid and rear made the car sound almost stock and fairly quiet. Also it made it sound like a dodgy old 80's car. But it got rid of the drone in the cabin of the car. Putting the large tip on gave the car a deeper note (not quite as deep as it was 2.5" all thru) but didn't bring back the droning or the noise. Performance effect was not noticeable, keep in mind this is on an EA81 dual carb 101hp factory.

 

So my thoughts are... Unless you've got forced induction don't bother with modifying your exhaust unless you are just going for loud. And if you just want a different note then ok go for a 2" cat back with 1 straight through muffler.

mufflers are optional.

mufflers are optional.

Not here... Without a muffler most engines go over the dB limit and the car can be defected. For an 80's car theres most likely no way to reverse the defect too due to all the other defectables cops don't see but inspectors do.

 

Still, our racing subie didn't have a muffler and it sounded pretty nice. Personally I'm over driving on the road with a loud exhaust though...

I know the feeling dude. I had a 5zigen catback on my RS here that sounded like something off a honduh. Buddy of mine was cleaning out his garage and gave me a full STi catback. Installed for $40, looks great and very quiet.

 

If this was on a WRX, I would be running 3 inch no cats.

The eventual sound I want from my car would be a stock 99 WRX. But I think that would cost me around $9000aud....

I had REALLY good luck with the factory 1.75" Y-pipe into 2" that ran all the way to the back to a fabricated 2" Y that fed a pair of Harley-Davidson "cigar" type mufflers. See my avatar. This will give you a nice mellow sound at partial throttle, but at WOT it bellows.

 

Harley straight-thru's also work but are probably better for either larger engines or forced-induction engines.

I had REALLY good luck with the factory 1.75" Y-pipe into 2" that ran all the way to the back to a fabricated 2" Y that fed a pair of Harley-Davidson "cigar" type mufflers. See my avatar. This will give you a nice mellow sound at partial throttle, but at WOT it bellows.

 

Harley straight-thru's also work but are probably better for either larger engines or forced-induction engines.

 

 

Please post up some pictures of what HD mufflers you used. My dad along with most of the guys he knows all ride HD's so I know there has GOT to be at least a handful of spare mufflers lying around.

I no longer have this setup. Sorry. But they seem to be referred to commonly as "cigar" type mufflers.

Much obliged Scoob, thanks for the time.

i have a gutted cat and stock exhaust back to the rear axle joint where i grafted ( i think thats the correct terminology) a 24" x 2" hotdog (cherry bomb , glass pack? ) - called hotdogs in australia - that is very worn out and is what i had . only just fits with about a 4" long 2 1/4" tip under the rear bumper.

 

this is on a completly stock EA81 and the sound is nice - quiet deeper note at idle and hwy speed, howls when pushed and some satisfying popping down hills etc

 

i am very happy considering the investment - nothing.

 

am still watching this one to see what everyone finds out

I'm coming to the opinion that the size of the exhaust from y-pipe to the back including the muffler is loud related and the tip is note (high or low pitch) related.

But I've already come to the opinion that a 2.5" pipe gives no noticeable performance over a 1.5" pipe. So the exhaust should be made with what ever size to make the user happy sound wise.