ok so ive decided to sit down and start planning out my exhaust system, and how much it will ultimately cost me.

I know that im going magnaflow muffler and resonator.

i dont really know what my options are for headers/DP's.

im going to want a high flow cat, (im thinking ill just go with magnaflow for consistancy)

so at this point i need to know my options for DP's and headers, what they'll do for me, and what im likely to pay for them.

i may end up cutting a y or h pipe to run dual outlets and run 2 mufflers or even 2 resonators aswell.

so please inform me of whats out there, and whats good, and how much it will cost me (on average)

Im running an 07 Cobalt SS 2.4 N/A

just took another look around... thinking I might go for the ZZP med header/DP combo with the magnaflow cat. thoughts??

 

bump

...id really like input guys...

 

For the money, I think the CA/XTC setup is by far the best bang for your buck.

I've been running this setup since November '06 with no problems and I love it.

I have the CA v1 header ($200) and the XTC 2.5" de-cat downpipe ($180). Now you said you wanted a catted downpipe, and XTC also offers a 2.5" dp with a high flow cat for $240 I believe.

Another practical option would be the ZZP midlength combo, which would provide a slightly different powerband than my setup. Its a bit pricier, and ZZP's downpipes have been known to have issues, so choose wisely.

There are other header/downpipe combos for Cobalts, but I'd advise against them as they are either a bit small (DC Sports, measly 2" collector on the header) or too large (CTI, Vibrant JBP, all have 3" collectors and 3" downpipes with their combos, and 3" is overkill for a 2.4). Hahn's header/downpipe utilizes a 2.75" collector and downpipe, which might work well if you plan on camming your LE5, but isn't neccesary if you just plan on doing basic bolt ons. Weapon-R also has a long tube stepped header with a integrated downpipe, which uses a 2.5" collector I believe, but I've yet to see it used on a Cobalt, so I can't really reccomend it to you. Finally, Clear Image might have some header/downpipes that would work well for a 2.4, but I haven't checked their site in a while, so give them a look as well.

If you need any more advice/help, feel free to ask.

 

fpr the most bang for the buck wrap that header it will net you a few poneys and work as a good assist for heat shielding. It also helps prevent warpage.

 

ive suddenly heard some bad things about that zzp combo... im still looking around for what to go for... im thinking stainless head, stainless dp w/magnaflow high flow cat. not sure where to go for them, but i know there are options... im thinking about asking a muffler shop about getting them to make me a dp, and just supply them the cat. but ill likely het the headers before i go for the dp setup... just seems to make sense. unless i go for 3" on the headers, in which case i need a different dp right away. gah. to many things to think about right now!!

 

there isn't any room to run two resonators, if you have to run dual, a y-pipe after the rear axle will do.

 

Just get the CA/XTC setup. Its inexpensive, you'll get nice gains, and I believe it to be the best all around setup for a 2.4.

 

ill take a look right now.

looks pretty nice, the magnaflow is a 2.5" pipe, and thats what im getting eventually, so what i was looking for was a 3" dp with a 2.5" exit... but this sucker bolts right onto both 3" exhausts and 2.5" exausts doesnt it...