Catback VS Axelback

[6X117]

Looks like i'll be getting a exhaust (and maybe intake) upgrade for my protege this xmas... just had a few questions first...

Is it true that if I go with 3" piping from the cat back, that I will loose quite a bit of power in low rpms?

The only cars i've ever upgraded were v6's and v8's and i know 3" is the optimal diameter on those in most applications. I wasn't sure about this 4 cyl (I have the 2.0l btw), just concerned about backpressure, etc...

This brings me to my next question, is a cat back setup the most optimal upgrade to do for just a daily driving car? Or is axel back just as good?

Either way i'm going to be complimenting the new exhaust with some type of CAI setup... probably custom....

Also, If i decide to just keep most of the stock piping and do some type of axelback setup (I'm thinking mazdaspeed), should I look into new headers as well? Or is this kind of pointless due to the fact that i'm not enlarging the majority of the piping?

Seems to me the best setup for overall performance, efficency and of course, sound :) is new headers, hiflow cat, new piping (2.5, 2.75 or 3"?) and nice muffler (magnaflow?).... but I dont know if i'm going to be able to squeeze out that much money for my presents :)

[night rider]

ive heard that 2.5 is the ideal diameter with the n/a engine. the turbo kids run 3inch but i hear its not such a good idea without the forced induction. if u get a axel back i dont know if u will get much preformance as there will still be the small piping on the way to the outlet.

[Striker187]

if you're NA, definitely don't go larger than 3". it's way too big. 2.5" will be good for you. for daily driving, it really doesn't matter, but i say go catback since you'll see bigger gains that way, even though the gain may be only a couple hp.

if you do get an axleback, there's really no point in getting headers since you'll still have the tiny stock piping for most of the way.

magnaflow, i guess that's a nice muffler....if money is tight, magnaflow is a good choice. otherwise, you could try looking at hks, apexi, blitz, 5zigen, greddy, etc.