GaDawg

I really dig the Erebuni Style 451 Full Body Kit....I think that's the one I'm going to get next year. Thanks for the research Dude.

Jibby, I think I may be underestimating the power gains a bit. When I get it in that sweet torque band (3K rpm) it screams. I will definitely get the torque converter after I take care of the cats. You mentioned that you had to add a transmission cooler because of the Dragon, where did you get it and how much was it? I've found the single Magnaflow cats, but I haven't found the 2-in-1 Magnaflow cat...any idea where I can get it? How about tightening the throttle cable? I read on some thread where this guy tightened his throttle cable to take up some of the slack, making his SC more responsive.

Just aft of the engine the headers converge from 4 pipes to 1 on each side of the engine. The single end of the header attaches to a single in/out cat with the oxygen sensor immediately after it. These two pipes (one from each cat on each side) converge into a third cat, which is the rear/center cat, which in turn refocuses the exhaust into a single pipe. This pipe travels an additional ~14" to a Y junction. This Y piece splits the exhaust back out into two pipes, which then travel to a HUGE resonator on each side; these are there to reduce sound, but they cause a MAJOR loss of back pressure in my opinion...lose 'em for MUCH better flow and killer sound! Then after the exhaust travels through the resonators, the pipe resumes in 2.5" pipes to each of the two mufflers/tail pipes. A cat-back system includes everything from the behind the cat to the tailpipe, it doesn't replace the cat, hence it s name cat-BACK (after the cat). I had custom work done from just aft of the Y junction to the mufflers, then had them hang the mufflers/tips of my choice. If you buy a cat back system, it usually includes stainless steel pipes (vice aluminized steel), muffler, tips, all of it, as a package...that's why they're so expensive. So, if you went with a cat-back set up, you will still need to replace the cats (and headers if you want to all the way). This is exactly why I went with the custom pipe route; I got the same effect, looks, etc..., for a fraction of the cost. If I went ALL the way and TOTALLY refurbed this car, then I might consider a cat-back for looks (polished) and long term durability (stainless vs. aluminized steel); when I say durability, I mean LONG, LONG-term because the alumized steel is still steel. The only thing that's different with a cat-back IMO is that you can install yourself, while the custom work is above 99.9% of our abilities. Removing bolts and reinstalling cat backs are not terribly cosmic from what I can tell, its when you have to cut and bend pipes when it gets to be too much. Jibby...thoughts?

Jibby, 'It idles perfectly, but it hesitates at launch. So based on your second comment, I can fix it with a new Dragon Torque Converter...then it must be done. The Magnflows are nice. I notice some gains (5-10 more HP), but I expect the big gain after your suggested cat replacement. I bought the offset oval polished stainless Magnaflow mufflers (part # 14335) to keep more of a stock look with a little bling. They are not straight through liek yours, so there may a hair of back pressure compaired to yours, but MUCH moire flow than stock. BTW, my stock mufflers had water sloshing around in there...nice...and man they are heavy as hell. Love to take weight off wherever I can.

Jibbby will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'll give it a shot. Hit the HottExhaust and AutoAnything sites to find the most choices I've found...and man did I look! Here's a site for the Blitz... http://www.optionimports.com/scseries.html http://www.overboost.com/obs/browse_cat.as...Exhaust+Systems Magnaflow Cats.. http://www.car-sound.com/02product/shopdis...0&cat=SC400 http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/performa...2&year=1994 Call these guys, their pretty helpful. While a lot of book sshow our rear cats as a single in/out, you need the 2-in-1 for the center and either the foward cats with or without the oxygen sensor. Magnaflow Cat... Single: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...me=STRK:MESE:IT 2-in1: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=8072154583 One thing I found VERY apparent when searching for mufflers and exhaust systems for the SC is that there is VERY little out there that is listed as specific for it. However, there are plenty of universal components (from very reputable manufacturers) and set ups you can go with. I had my exhaust aft of the center cat replaced with the piping bent to fit around the differential and other suspension components in a way that is a close to straight as possible, then went with the Magnaflow mufflers and tips. With this I avoided havign to buy the entire piping/exhaust set up. I went with the oval offsets because they fit into the stock bracket set up, but you can easily go with the straight, round shape like the Blitz but pay a LOT less with Magnaflow or Jibby's Megan NI style. Then you can pick your own choice of tips. If you go with the dual ended tips on each side you'll have to bring them out far enough to clear the bumper, so be careful how long you get them because it'll look pretty screwed up if they hang out past the bumper. As far as replacing the cats, we can replace each of the three cats with Magnaflows and leave the stock piping between the two forward and center cats, as well as the stock piping up to the resonators without any problems or major cost. It's obviously your call, but you can easily spoend twice as much as what I've spent and will spend to get something that's not going to give you any more HP with a "slightly" different sound, but not a difference worth the dough. As you have probably read throughout this thread, I have gone over this time and agian with Jibby and I've seen the light. Just my 2 cents trying to help out a fellow Southern boy , but we all know everything we do with these things is to put our own spin on it. Cheers, Dawg

Jibbby, I love my set up now. :D It's nice to know that the noise won't increase without the cats because I like it the way it is and its BAD A**. It's not overbearing or attention drawing, but it does let everyone around know that there's a V8 lurking under that yacht-like hood. I will replace the cats for the additional HP gains. Total cost = parts ($234.86) and labor ($250) came out to $484.86 for the whole set up, minus the cat work. I have one question on throttle response...I generally have good response when I push down the pedal, but ther is a slight gap there that sometimes leads to a surge forward when I'm pressing down. Is this because my throttle cable is loose? Is it my torque converter? Or is it that my throttle body needs cleaning like you described to 95 SC400? Where is the snorkel tube? I have a pretty good CD manual from eBAy, but you could get me there without having to dig in. Dawg

I second Jibby's Magnaflow recommendation! I just got mine back yesterday and it sounds SUPERB!! It has a nice V8 tone, but not an obnoxiously loud or with any burbling. I haven't replaced the cats yet, but I expect slightly more noise when I complete that mod, but it'll still be classy, but bad-A**! I removed everything aft of the center/rear cat and replaced it with 2.25" piping (minus huge resonators) that are straighter/more direct towards the mufflers. Then I replaced the stock mufflers with Magnaflow offset 2.25" in/out piped high-flow mufflers (part # 14335) from Hottexhaust (fast and efficient and cheapest around... http://www.hottexhaust.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=14335). They hung the mufflers using the existing bracket on the car. Next I replaced the tips with Magnaflows oval, angle cut tips, which are 4.5"x3.5"x7.5"from AutoAnything (also fast, efficient & cheap... http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts-muffl...A2468A0A0.aspx). I had them extend the tips out an additonal inch, so they'd hang out there about 2.5-3" further than stock. I liked the way it looked initially, but now I think I would rather have then back an inch. It'll work perfectly when I get a rear airdam, but right now it may be too far (I'll post pics soon). It has a nice rich tone at start, idle and cruise, followed by a much deeper/richer tone with throttle. I LOVE it! Just with this mod (as well as the Bosche wire, NGK plugs and K&N stock box replacement air filter), without the future cat replacement, I can tell a HUGE difference. It's still a bit of a torqueless wonder, but once it gets going its smooth a sin and fast as hell. You will not be disappointed. The only issue I had was with the shop. They make their money off the overpricing the parts (by100%), so don't be surprised if they insist on charging a bit more per hour to compensate (I paid ~$60/hr versus $50...normally they would have charged me $70 for bringing my own parts in, but I argued my point well enough). Good luck homey!

Nice ride LuckyApril7. I have a 94' Pearl White SC4 and plan on adding the rear, side and front air dams next year. What style/company did you go with?

This weekend was fun. I replaced my air filter with the K&N stock replacement filter. I also replaced my plugs with NGK platinums and the OEM High-tension cables with Bosche. MAN WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! I haven't had my muffler work done yet and I can feel a HUGE surge of HP. While the torque isn't there (convereter here we come), but once it gets going it throws me back in the seat.....NICE!!! I'll post some pics of my muffler set up as soon as its done. I'm going to replace everything aft of the center cat first, then I'm going to replace the cats per your recommendation.

I don't know why they would advise you not to replace the OEM tips, it won't hurt anything and may add a flavor to the sound. I just bought some nice magnaflow tips (http://www.autoanything.com/exhausts-mufflers/65A2468A0A0.aspx) from AutoAnything.com. They have PLENTY to choose from. I like the OEM's oval shape, as well as the Angle cut, so I stuck with that look, but got them a little longer and wider than stock. It would probably be best to have a muffler shop (nonfranchise may be cheaper) to install tips. Mine are supposed to arrive today, so I'm unsure if they clamp on or not, but I think they need to be welded on...recommended. Happy hunting fellow Atlantan.

Cool. I graduated Norcross High in '86 and UGA in '90. Parents still live near there and I plan on heading back there as soon as I retire form the AF in 2011. Love my town and miss it BIG!!!! Jibbby, OK. I'm sold. I will replace both the forward cats and the center/rear cat. I've found MUCH better prices all over the place, but I need some clarification. Everywhere I've looked have given me some conflicting info. First, I've found Magnaflow Universal Cats that supposed fit the '94 SC400, but I've found both 2" and 2.25" in/out pipes...which is it? Second, I found a 2-in-1 cat on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D8072154583%26fvi%3D1&rd=1&item=8072154583), but once again I'm unsure on the sizing. I will go to 2.25" after the center cat for sure, but it looks like I'll go with a 2" in/out up front, then 2" in/2.25" out on the center cat. Third, several sites show the rear/center cat as a single pipe, not the Y 2-in-1 like OEM. WHy would they show that unless they expect us to add a Y pipe before the center cat. If we have to do that, what do you think the effect on airflow will be? Finally, where did you find your 2-in-1 center cat...that will solve half of my problems right there. Thanks, Dawg

Where in Hotlanta are you from?

Thanks for a little more guidance/push. I'll keep searching out there for a better price on the the 2-in-1 cat. I found the tips and mufflers at half the price the shop quoted me, so I don't know why I can't find the cat for half as well. If I can go that route, then I would have addressed all of your solutions except the headers. More to come. BTW, did you try the Seafoam?

Thank God you did this!! I was REALLY nervous about tearing into the headlights and trying to reseal them afterwards. Your headlights look AMAZING! I'm definitely going to polish as recommended, with the vinyl film to ensure long-term shine. Can I get the vinyl film from any auto store? Did you ever answer as to exactly which 3M Perfect -It product you used? Is it the rubbing compound, the wax or glass enhancer? SK--- let me re-phrase that, "if you dont want them to ever re-oxidize then clear them , my employee cleared his stang lights 2 years ago and he noticed no difference in lighting" GO DAWG--- the product line is Perfect-it 3 rubbing compound, sorry for the mix-up.. ALSO , i bought a wool disc for my 3.5 DA and DAMN!!!!! even BETTER!!! then i hit it with the cleaner wax again with the 3.5 DA with a foam pad..... i have 3 cars to do tmrw!!! 2 supras and one sc300! i gues we really are an all-in-one shop LOL! JP So, I'll polish w/the 3MPerfect-It 3 Rubbing Compound. Do I then follow up w/something like Maguiar's PlastX? Can I get the clear bra at any auto store?

Jibbby, Long time, no speak...I finally have the exhaust in the works. I made some slight alterations to the plan. I decided to keep the car stock to just aft of the center cat instead of adding a Magnaflow 2-in-1. For the $300 price, I decided to stay with stock because I'm not quiyte sold on the slight increase in airflow being worth the cost (obviously a personal opinion). However, after that I'm reducing the pipe down to 2 1/4", straightening then out and removing the resonators and the stock mufflers and tips. I'm adding polished stainless steel Magnaflow mufflers ($150 a pair at AutoAnything.com) and Magnaflow tips ($84 a pair at HottExhaust.com). I'll be sure to take some pics for ya. Thanks for your guidance up to this point.

Jibby, I just plan on printing up your advice when I walk into the shop and use that as my guide...danke schon. When I SeaFoamed, I didn't get any smoke. When I crank it up after its sat for several hours, it'll let out a small amount of white smoke for a second, then its done. When I talked to a very knowledgeable chap at the auto store he said that SeaFoaming via the gas tank cleans most of the componenets over a longer period, versus the crankcase route, which does it all at once...hence the HUGE amounts of smoke. He had a guy (after he told him not to) put it in via the PCV and it put out so much smoke that it shut down a four lane road behind it...unreal. I plan on burning off all of this tank, then swapping out the plugs (and cables, just to add a little oooomph). I would go ahead and put the SeaFoam in a full tank (1 1/4 cans), but as you know, put some crappy/old plugs in to collect the garbage until the tank's done. I'll keep y'all in the loop for sure. Cheers

Thank God you did this!! I was REALLY nervous about tearing into the headlights and trying to reseal them afterwards. Your headlights look AMAZING! I'm definitely going to polish as recommended, with the vinyl film to ensure long-term shine. Can I get the vinyl film from any auto store? Did you ever answer as to exactly which 3M Perfect -It product you used? Is it the rubbing compound, the wax or glass enhancer?

I SeaFoamed last weekend and I can tell a definite difference. My car seems a bit more responsive and smoother. It should really be noticeable after I run through this tank of gas, replace the plugs with NGK's, replace the plug wiring with a higher-end version, as well as swap out the stock filter with a K&N. I agree completely with you and Jibbby...I am going to have the exhaust work done by the pros. I'm going to go with the resonators, Borla tips, Magnaflow mufflers and cats, with customized 3" piping split into 2.25". I'll let you know how it goes when the time comes...if I can sell my Mazda6 soon, it'll happen ASAP.

Ok let's see if I can answer these questions - Sorry I don't have any pictures of the back of my car...Need to shoot some...My hardrive fried and I lost all my pic's...Most upsetting.. Straight thru mufflers are circular and probably don't look as good as the ovals...They are the best performing mufflers out of the bunch...Megan N1 mufflers is what I have.... The Magnaflow 2 into 1 center main catalytic converter I got at a local muffler shop for like $100...Installed for $50.... The resonators are also circular and mount behind the mufflers right after the bend in the pipes...Any striaght portion of the exhaust is where the high flowing resonators can be mounted..It really doesn't matter... You don't have to replace the stock piping, but if you want better flow 2 1/2 non mandrell piping or 2 1/4 inch expensive mandrell piping will flow just a little better then the smaller stock piping..Not a big difference as the mufflers, all three cats and the stock headers are what really restricts the exhaust flow...Remember the easier the exhaust gases can travel thru your exhaust system the more power and performance you will get.... Headers - scroll back up this thread and I think I described three header options available for the SC4's.... You will lose a tiny bit on lowend toque and I probably wouldn't consider the header upgrade until the torque converter is upgraded first...While you do lose a little at lowend you however gain a ton at topend...Torque converter first then headers would be my advise...Headers and deletion of those two little cats really makes a huge difference with exhaust flow.....Get the true bolt on headers when you are ready and not the S&S SC400 Headers like I have...There is some custom expensive fitting needed with the S&S Headers.. Hope that clears things up for you a bit... Thanks Jibbby, that's exactly what I needed. Sorry, I guess I had to force you to dumb down :chairshot: the explanation a bit in order for me to truly grasp it all...I like visuals and details, and now I have both. I know exacttly what direction to go now and I'll be sure to let you know (w/pics) as to how it goes. Thanks again for your patience fine Sir!!

Jibbby, Need a hair more clarification...don't worry we'll get there soon. I thought your mufflers were oval like stock, oh well. I found the Megan's on eBay, do you have any pics of how they look on your car? Where did you get your Magnaflow 2-in-1 center cat, from Magnaflow directly? Where do the resonators go? Are they just before the muffler or just after the cat? Do I have to replace the piping as I've seen in several forums or is it plug and play? If I remove the two small cats and get headers, how much are we talking there and how involved is that? I thought I read somewhere that you have to lift the engine up slightly for that mod. Does this lower the back pressure at all...am I going to lose any of that precious torque?

Are you still planning on putting some pics for this refurb on the thread? If you don't have pics, could you be so kind to walk me through the removal process? I'm concerned about the airbag part of the equation the most, but it would be nice to have a walkthrough. I REALLY want to refurb the wood trim all the way around, but I also want to fix the two cracks as well. From what I've read, I have to replace the unit as one, with a uncracked one.

Jibbby, I think you're right about sticking with the Magnaflow...I like the stock, oval shape better. OK, so this should be a good plan: 1. Replace mufflers....Where did you get the Megan's? Where should I get them? Cost? 2. Add resonators...what brand should I look into to? Where to get them? Cost? 3. Replace main cat & Y pipes with magnaflow 2-in-1 cat w/Y design....where should I get this? Cost? 4. Should I replace all of the piping between the cat and the mufflers? What diameter? Cost?

Are you still planning on putting some pics for this refurb on the thread? If you don't have pics, could you be so kind to walk me through the removal process? I'm concerned about the airbag part of the equation the most, but it would be nice to have a wlakthrough. I REALLY want to refurb the wood trim all the way around, but I alos want to fix the two cracks as well. From what I've read, I have to replace the unit as one, with a uncracked one.

Where do you get the ground wires? Is it as straight forward as it sounds to replace them?

LuckyApril7, I found these on eBay for $190. They have both the drilled and slotted rotors, zinc plated, as well as pads. Here's the address for the rotor/pad set up I was looking into, whatcha think? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lexus-SC300...44120QQtcZphoto I definitely plan on upgrading my plugs , as well as the wires. Where did you get the cables? I'm also about to replace my entire sound system, so I'll look into the battery/starter/alternator wire upgrade. I don't want the loud rice rocket action either, but I want them to be as free-flowing as possible...so I'm looking at the Blitz Nur Spec R w/ silencer, but I want them to look more stock, so Jibbby's Magnaflow set up is a definite option as well.