I know this might be kind of a stupid question, but I don't know a lot about exhaust work. How hard is it to install a catback by yourself? I know there are some kits that are supposed to bolt on, but is there any welding involved at all? Will the integrity of the system be weak if it isn't welded? The guy at my local shop can install a Flowmaster catback for just over 300 bucks, but I figure I might be able to do it myself cheaper.... any input would be appreciated.

 

Installing a catback isn't that hard. Whatever you do don't get a flowmaster exhaust. They are one of, if not the worst flowing aftermarket exhausts period.

 

most kits can be installed using just clamps. which is an adequate means to connect the pipes. just be carefull not to clamp down too much, some clamps will crush the pipe, causing a smaller diameter.

most slip fit connections with a simple band clamp will make for a good solid leak free seal.

$300 just to install a cat back? or does that include the cost of the system?

i had my magnaflow welded up (bought it used so it was cut off) for $100 at a local muffler shop.

 

Yeah, the $300 was for the system,extra parts, and installation. So Flowmaster is the worst kind to buy? I'm not just looking at flow, I also want it to sound good

 

flowmaster sounds good, but doesn't flow as well. I love the flowmaster sound, alot of people that have flowmasters just get cutouts.

 

I just put the Flowmaster cat-back on my car about 2 weeks ago, and without a dyno to prove one way or the other, I don't think there's any power lost. The car will still break the tires loose from a roll like nothing, and regardless of how the Flowmaster compares to other aftermarket systems, it still flows better than the factory system, and it sounds 100 X better than the factory exhaust!

$300 for the whole system and installation? Sounds like a good deal to me!

 

Not hard at all. The hardest part for mine was removing the factory exhaust. Installing the Loud Mouth was easy. Took about 3 hours to do the whole project.

 

Very well said!

TS

 

Installing a cat-back isnt too hard. I did it myself with 2 friends on a lift. It was a Borla system and didnt exactly have the greatest fit. My Hooker seems to fit perfectly. I had to have it installed because my custom y-pipe didnt come close to fitting the Hooker I-pipe. $125 to modify the y-pipe and put the cat-back on and weld it together.