Want opinions on redblock exhaust/muffler

supermattyp

So, some of you have seen the new header I've bought and had thermal coated. I'm getting ready to do the install but have decided to take your advice and have a local shop build me a custom system. Having said that I have a few questions and I'd appreciate your feedback.

1. Is there a recommended shop that will do quality work without killing my very tight budget? Larger exhaust shop chains or specialty shade-tree shops?

2. i will only entertain a mandrel bent system....proper diameter for an NA 2.3 redblock. This is the B230FX which supposedly has a larger diameter stock exhaust from the cat back. This new header will remove the stock cat so take that into consideration.

3. brand, type, size of muffler? I'm looking for something NON-ricer but would like a nice mellow tone that won't drone on the highway. Nothing buzzy. Anyone use a canister at the rear with a tip or does everyone use the standard volvo setup of a horizontal muffler then an S-pipe for the tip?

4. How do I know what a fair price for this would be? Pricing is very different here than I'm used to. Should I provide my own muffler when I go and have them install the header at the same time to avoid issues? Will they remove the factory cat or should I do that first?

Rob

Show a picture...

supermattyp

i need to get one now that it's coated. It's actually locked up in the trunk right now. I'll snap a pic or three this weekend after I finish CPR training.

Rob

Cleaned up so that @Tigabu will not yell at me for OT hipocracy. :D

Vee_Que

On topic.

An exhaust that you'd want shouldn't cost more than $500 with a name brand muffler. I wouldn't go bigger than 2 1/4" for n/a judging by what everyone else has said like 240Joe and Ash.

Don't listen to Dauntless on the advice for how many mufflers, He is deaf and loves cars droning at speeds. You must have a cat and that can be a 100 cell cat. Which then means you can have a hot dog muffler in the middle then put in a bigger muffler in the rear in the stock position. I prefer magnaflow myself.

I wouldn't bother putting the S bend in though.

supermattyp

$500 with a cat? In the states a new aftermarket cat is at last $300 in its own. A nice magnaflow muffler is about $150 depending on size.

Ex850R

I can get you a cat for $100 , ginger , black and white , white or black , plenty of choices....meeeow.

Vee_Que

Our labor rate is higher Matt. You also earn a fair bit. You seem to want a good job so I wouldn't pay more than 500. The muffler prices are higher here too from the shops.

A_Volvo_Driver

I recently got a 2.25" exhaust installed with headers that I got off Ash for around $500. My car is pre-cat, so I didn't need one. I am happy with the note, just need to get the manual box put in so I can hold the revs longer :)

supermattyp

Vee_Que;13744 wroteOur labor rate is higher Matt. You also earn a fair bit. You seem to want a good job so I wouldn't pay more than 500. The muffler prices are higher here too from the shops.

i'm not understanding what you're saying.

I understand the labor rate is higher.....
I do make decent money.... (i'm not being cheap. I'm asking what to expect to spend)
I want a decent job...just not junk. I dont want the exhaust to cost more than the car!
You wouldn't pay more than $500 for someone to install the header, and build the custom exhaust from scratch and include the muffler? I actually think that would be cheap. Thats what I was saying above.... I think $500 is les than what I was expecting so I was trying to clarify what I'd get for that price.

PaddlerEd

700 for headers and custom 2.75" on our Land Cruiser, 2k on the 4Runner For similar...

supermattyp

does that price include muffler and cat??

Vee_Que

supermattyp;13799 wrote
Vee_Que;13744 wroteOur labor rate is higher Matt. You also earn a fair bit. You seem to want a good job so I wouldn't pay more than 500. The muffler prices are higher here too from the shops.
i'm not understanding what you're saying.

I understand the labor rate is higher.....
I do make decent money.... (i'm not being cheap. I'm asking what to expect to spend)
I want a decent job...just not junk. I dont want the exhaust to cost more than the car!
You wouldn't pay more than $500 for someone to install the header, and build the custom exhaust from scratch and include the muffler? I actually think that would be cheap. Thats what I was saying above.... I think $500 is les than what I was expecting so I was trying to clarify what I'd get for that price.

Oh I see, sorry that I misread it. I wouldn't expect to pay more then $150 for a 100 cell cat, you can buy them cheaper yourself online, same with the muffler. Broken up, labour should be under $300

supermattyp

Does that Labour cost include their materials for them to label bend a pipe?

jamesinc

Can you post some pictures of this header? Start a build thread already!

supermattyp

i may actually go handle this exhaust issue tomorrow... The header is just sitting in the trunk at the moment. I really want to get it sorted but I'm pissed about the XC70 being fucked up so I haven't been thinking about it much. I'll do some searching tonight and see if I can find a local shop that will work on saturday and do same day work. I'm partial to the magnaflow muffler as well, so someone that carries them in stock would be gravy.

jamesinc

@supermattyp it is unlikely they will turn it around same-day for you. You'll probably need to leave it with them 2 or 3 days.

PaddlerEd

I had my land cruiser done in one day, but it was close.

I think if it was a lwb it would have been quicker as it would have been closer to off the shelf.

jamesinc

Eh maybe they can do it in one day, otherwise just borrow a car from someone for the day.

Vee_Que

If you booked it on for tomorrow last week they could have done it. Your Mustang was done in America. Not here...