Triple.Sevens

I finally did the secondary cat and resonator delete with an xpipe this morning and I am totally happy with it. I've been complaining that the exhaust note in my car is whisper quiet and now it is just right. There is definitely a noticeable change in the tone, it's not too loud so it's perfect for me. Although I may start feeling the bug and work toward a louder one now :P.

Big thanks to Johncy2000 since he recommended the shop.

And now for the pics, they were taken from my phone so quality isn't the greatest.

This stock setup looks so bulky and unnecessary.

Johncy2000

Wow looks like they did a flawless job. I told you it would sound better. Alfred is great did he hook you up?

Triple.Sevens

Yes it sounds great! But I think I can see why you progressed to a muffler, I'm sure after a while I'll want it louder haha. But for now it's perfect.

I think so, $250 seemed reasonable to me. I think the fact that I found a shop willing to do this stuff is well worth. Plus I don't know the guy as well as you do!

030:63

you should of kept the H-pipe in and just delete your 2nd cats only . resonator replace with X-pipe is good.

Johncy2000

That great your happy and I've asked other muffler shops in the area and as soon as I said catalytic converter they said sorry. So it's hood to have a friend in the business.

SterlingG

It is against the law to remove any type of emissions devices from the exhaust. I hope it will pass inspection....... Just out of curiosity where are the O2 sensors?

Speedriven1

Post sound clips? Looks like they did a good job.

Evolved8

X2 Lets hear a clip, Iam debating on leaving the resinators or cutting them with the cats.....

Infiniti

aluminum piping?

Triple.Sevens

The sensors are right after the primary cats, you can see them if you poke your head under there. I think you can see the passenger side one in one of the pictures it's a little thing that looks like a spark plug sticking out. Yeah I hope it passes smog :O. The reason I went ahead with it is because there's 4 cats! I'm guessing the secondaries are to go above and beyond emissions. I have the stock setup if I need to swap it back.

I'll see what I can do but I don't think a vid would show much difference. I can definitely tell a difference driving around but it's nothing like having an after market exhaust system since after all it is still a stock muffler, I suppose it sounds like a stock SL55? I find it is good for me since my truck has cut outs in it and it's really loud, the Merc should be a little more reserved...at least for now until I want more noise. All in all a nice thing to have for the price.

efivefiveamg

You may want to remove the plug to [____] and his shop.

Triple.Sevens

Yeah lol. So hard to have fun with cars these days your pretty much not allowed to do anything fun... sigh

pearlpower

Did they put the chassis cross brace back on after the photo?

Triple.Sevens

They didn't, crap I need to see if it's still there. I'm picking up my stock system tomorrow anyways. I think the problem was that the xpipe is too large, I should see if there's a way to get it on there.

mikey33

Looks like they did a great job! Please let us know if you have any issues passing emissions because I am worried about that here in Arizona as well.

Triple.Sevens

According to the DMV it says "Owners of vehicles six or less model years old will pay an annual smog abatement fee for the first six registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification."

Does that mean I only need to pay the Smog abatement fee ($20 according to the site) for the next six years? err I guess it's next 2 years since mine's an '06. I suppose I should just get a smog just to see.

pearlpower

Had my 04 smogged last year. Passed. Then did all of my mods. Now this year, another smog is due with the registration. WTF? So I am not happy about this and will contact them to see if this was a mistake. Welcome to Kalifornia. $65 to swap back and forth on the exhaust with the 2nd cats to pass visual.

Hammer Down

you are good until your registration is due in 2012 and at that time you will have to get it smog'd. Once you get it smog'd you won't have to do it again until 2014

Hammer Down

why did you get it smog'd last year? All 2004's didn't need to be smog'd until this year.

pearlpower

Purchase

mikey33

We will not pass with primary cats in place???

pearlpower

I'm sure it will pass emissions, justs not visual. But, I'm going to give it a go anyhow.

BenzoBoi

Just wait til the mod bug gets you. You'll get some LT headers and that'll REALLY wake up the sound on that thing. Oh and it'll give you a nice lil bump in hp and trq too

mikey33

In AZ they do not do a visual. They just plug into the obd 2 and put the machine on the exhaust pipe and thats it. If it is done that way I should pass correct? Thx.

skratch77

looks good,my next mod is the resonator delete,Im keeping the rear cats because I already deleted my primary ones and dont want the car to stink with having no cats at all.