I've been wanting to fix the exhaust tip issue for a while on my Speed 6 and finally got started yesterday on a more appealing solution while trying to keep the cost on the low side.
I do realize that you can get a real nice cat back set up, but frankly I hate the idea of replacing what isn't broke and I like the quiet of the stock set up, just not the look.
Final product on page 3
Tools needed:
Good quality Tin Shears
A very sharp and manueverable cutting blade.
Rip, medium, and fine tooth files in "flat" and "half round" style
Course, medium, fine wet sandpaper
Beer
First, I opened the Guinness to calm the nerves and get ready.
I did an initial trace line very carefully with a very sharp cutter to get the cut line.
I then used some tin shears to trim the plastic off right below the cut line on the large flat areas, you will have to use the cutter to do the rest as the shears will break the plastic on curved areas at the top of the lip and they do not make sharp turns without chewing up the plastic.
This takes a steady hand, patience, beer, and it is not for the weak of heart..afterall you only got one shot at this.
I then used a file, I have one that has both "rip" and "medium" teeth and a flat side and half round side for both teeth, all on one file.
I used the "rip" side to quickly dispose of extra plastic to get close to my desired line, using the flat side for the flat areas and the half round for curved areas. Then using the "medium" side I evened out the roughness and then stepped down to a "fine" tooth to further smooth the edges.
I also chose to make the edges look "thinner" by filing the edge of the plastic down to a third of it's original thickness to give it a cleaner appearance.
Next, you use varying grades of wet sandpaper to further smooth the edges down for the final product.
This is part one.
In part two I will be having some Magnaflow tips installed that are double wall and very hard to find in the right size as we only have a very short amount of "straight" pipe from the last bend of the exhaust to the flush area of the back bumper as I don't want these to extend past the bumper like the stock ones did.
I chose Magnaflow tip #35127 as it is only 4 1/2 inches long, 4 inches around, and has an angle that should flow well with the shape of the bumper.
These were $55 each at my local speed shop back in December, but when I checked recently, they no longer could get them and could not tell me if they are made anymore.
I saw a Borla tip that was kinda similar in size but they were $77 each!! and they "clamp on"...that's friggin' nuts.
Luckily I found the Magnaflow's I wanted on-line and they were only $35 plus change with free shipping!
Here is the link to it.
http://www.performancepeddler.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=MAG35127
I will be posting pics of the finished product when they come in and are mounted up.
One concern I do admit having is that the size of the opening may be to large even with a 4" tip, I was going to go with an Oval shaped tip to fill the area more but could not find even one that was big enough in diameter and short enough in length, most are 8 to 10 inches long....I guess we'll know soon enough, but I feel it's worth the chance.
Stay tuned.(drinks)
I do realize that you can get a real nice cat back set up, but frankly I hate the idea of replacing what isn't broke and I like the quiet of the stock set up, just not the look.
Final product on page 3
Tools needed:
Good quality Tin Shears
A very sharp and manueverable cutting blade.
Rip, medium, and fine tooth files in "flat" and "half round" style
Course, medium, fine wet sandpaper
Beer
First, I opened the Guinness to calm the nerves and get ready.
I did an initial trace line very carefully with a very sharp cutter to get the cut line.
I then used some tin shears to trim the plastic off right below the cut line on the large flat areas, you will have to use the cutter to do the rest as the shears will break the plastic on curved areas at the top of the lip and they do not make sharp turns without chewing up the plastic.
This takes a steady hand, patience, beer, and it is not for the weak of heart..afterall you only got one shot at this.
I then used a file, I have one that has both "rip" and "medium" teeth and a flat side and half round side for both teeth, all on one file.
I used the "rip" side to quickly dispose of extra plastic to get close to my desired line, using the flat side for the flat areas and the half round for curved areas. Then using the "medium" side I evened out the roughness and then stepped down to a "fine" tooth to further smooth the edges.
I also chose to make the edges look "thinner" by filing the edge of the plastic down to a third of it's original thickness to give it a cleaner appearance.
Next, you use varying grades of wet sandpaper to further smooth the edges down for the final product.
This is part one.
In part two I will be having some Magnaflow tips installed that are double wall and very hard to find in the right size as we only have a very short amount of "straight" pipe from the last bend of the exhaust to the flush area of the back bumper as I don't want these to extend past the bumper like the stock ones did.
I chose Magnaflow tip #35127 as it is only 4 1/2 inches long, 4 inches around, and has an angle that should flow well with the shape of the bumper.
These were $55 each at my local speed shop back in December, but when I checked recently, they no longer could get them and could not tell me if they are made anymore.
I saw a Borla tip that was kinda similar in size but they were $77 each!! and they "clamp on"...that's friggin' nuts.
Luckily I found the Magnaflow's I wanted on-line and they were only $35 plus change with free shipping!
Here is the link to it.
http://www.performancepeddler.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=MAG35127
I will be posting pics of the finished product when they come in and are mounted up.
One concern I do admit having is that the size of the opening may be to large even with a 4" tip, I was going to go with an Oval shaped tip to fill the area more but could not find even one that was big enough in diameter and short enough in length, most are 8 to 10 inches long....I guess we'll know soon enough, but I feel it's worth the chance.
Stay tuned.(drinks)
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