Stainless Steel Exhaust Tips - What have you done?
I picked up a VR 6MT sedan last september and I changed out the exhaust with a FI catback exhaust. it sounds so much better and helps me when shifting because I know which RPM my car is at.
I think our factory tips look really classy! But if you really want to change it you can always put GTR tips on. I saw it somewhere and it looked pretty good, if you like the idea I can try finding the thread for you.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,830
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From: Rochester, NY
I've been sitting on this idea for a few weeks, and coming away less than enthused looking at Magnaflow, Flowmaster, Borla, etc. It seems most stand-alone tips, weld-on or clamp-on (no), are primarily targeted to the domestic market. And trucks.
What I don't care for on the OEM tips covers are the rounded edge, the obvious seam, and the half-length clamp-on look. Not too keen on the oval shape, either.
I'd prefer something round, angle-cut, with a straight-edge bevel. Something like this:
OP, I have a set of axle back OEM mufflers i took of my G sedan.
They are stock and im selling them cheap.
Just thought i would let ya know in case you want to do some experimenting
on cutting off and welding on tips
They are stock and im selling them cheap.
Just thought i would let ya know in case you want to do some experimenting
on cutting off and welding on tips
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 5,137
From: Rochester, NY
DJ, "Waste of money" is a debatable interpretation, but I understand the POV. Thanks.
In a perfect world, with gobs of disposable income, the Tanabe axle-back would be the temporary solution, and the Borla cat-back with HFC's would be the serious solution. But right now, all I'm looking for in the next few years is a better look to the tips.
JMP0323, thanks, but I've got a good mechanic on hand for welding work.
In a perfect world, with gobs of disposable income, the Tanabe axle-back would be the temporary solution, and the Borla cat-back with HFC's would be the serious solution. But right now, all I'm looking for in the next few years is a better look to the tips.
JMP0323, thanks, but I've got a good mechanic on hand for welding work.
Just throwing this out there as a good place to look for exhaust tips: Sebring Tuning
Good luck with your search and getting it all figured out. I guess my thinking would align with most on here in just saying to wait and get at least an axle back that would change this aspect a bit more to your liking. Hope changing the tips works for you though.
Good luck with your search and getting it all figured out. I guess my thinking would align with most on here in just saying to wait and get at least an axle back that would change this aspect a bit more to your liking. Hope changing the tips works for you though.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 5,137
From: Rochester, NY
Just throwing this out there as a good place to look for exhaust tips: Sebring Tuning
Good luck with your search and getting it all figured out. I guess my thinking would align with most on here in just saying to wait and get at least an axle back that would change this aspect a bit more to your liking. Hope changing the tips works for you though.
Good luck with your search and getting it all figured out. I guess my thinking would align with most on here in just saying to wait and get at least an axle back that would change this aspect a bit more to your liking. Hope changing the tips works for you though.
Sebring Tuning Gallery
It doesn't look like Sebring has a 2.25" inlet at 7.5" long with what I'd like to see. For example, their "Daytona" model would be perfect if in the right size.
Last edited by Rochester; Feb 13, 2012 at 11:44 AM.
Not fond of the dual tips. To me that is taking a great car and trying to down grade to a Maxima. Why? They don't even look right on a G. Stock single tips look 10x better than that.
An axle back set up is fairly inexpensive. You can get a nice sound (watch out for those "raspy" set ups) for a little cash if you do some research. You might end up spending the same amount. I bought an axle back for my Z for less than $400.00 shipped. I ended up adding on to it and doing a full cat back. Axle back installs in minutes with a few simple tools. Anyone can do it, no lift required etc etc.
An axle back set up is fairly inexpensive. You can get a nice sound (watch out for those "raspy" set ups) for a little cash if you do some research. You might end up spending the same amount. I bought an axle back for my Z for less than $400.00 shipped. I ended up adding on to it and doing a full cat back. Axle back installs in minutes with a few simple tools. Anyone can do it, no lift required etc etc.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,830
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From: Rochester, NY
For about $35 (each), Magnaflow makes a Round, SS, single-wall tip, with a 45* slash-cut. It can be had in 3.0", 3.5" and 4.0" diameter, and is about 18" long.
My mechanic says he can cut the tip to length, (about 8") and trim it to butt up to the muffler face well enough for welding. If you look at the lines of the bumper, a 45* cut should work very well with the design, and the simple single-wall edge would be a clean look. The only thing I can't figure out is 3.5" diameter, or 4.0". For perspective, the OEM tip is 4.5" x 3.5" oval.
3.5" or 4.0"? I'm leaning towards 3.5". Here's a picture. Imagine 2/3 of this tip cut away.
My mechanic says he can cut the tip to length, (about 8") and trim it to butt up to the muffler face well enough for welding. If you look at the lines of the bumper, a 45* cut should work very well with the design, and the simple single-wall edge would be a clean look. The only thing I can't figure out is 3.5" diameter, or 4.0". For perspective, the OEM tip is 4.5" x 3.5" oval.
3.5" or 4.0"? I'm leaning towards 3.5". Here's a picture. Imagine 2/3 of this tip cut away.
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,830
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From: Rochester, NY
I took a gamble on the 3.5" over the 4.0", and think it was the right choice. Tips arrived today, and so far I'm still "go" on this project. The diameter is perfect, IMO. And the 45* slash cut really works well with the curve in the bumper.
My only concern now is how little presence the single-wall edge is going to have when viewed straight-on from the back. And that's hard to gauge because the inside of the tips needs to have a nice coating of soot on them before you can made that judgement.



My only concern now is how little presence the single-wall edge is going to have when viewed straight-on from the back. And that's hard to gauge because the inside of the tips needs to have a nice coating of soot on them before you can made that judgement.



Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,830
Likes: 5,137
From: Rochester, NY
Will do. I'm planning on the install in about 2-3 weeks.
The mechanic seems unconcerned about welding to the face of the OEM muffler, even though it has this convex surface. For myself, I'm 100% convinced the side profile will be a huge improvement, I'm just worried the tip will "disappear" when viewed straight-on from the rear.
Meh. If it fails, then we do it all over again this summer with another set of tips. At which point, the cost-2-value calculation goes out the window... but that's the only risk.
The mechanic seems unconcerned about welding to the face of the OEM muffler, even though it has this convex surface. For myself, I'm 100% convinced the side profile will be a huge improvement, I'm just worried the tip will "disappear" when viewed straight-on from the rear.
Meh. If it fails, then we do it all over again this summer with another set of tips. At which point, the cost-2-value calculation goes out the window... but that's the only risk.






