Thread: gotta go bigger then 2 1/4 inch exhaust?

The best exhaust for a VE is none. We've seen VE's make more power by disconnecting it.

Lol that's the feeling I'm trying to get back.

Get a exhaust cut out.

If they didn't leak and sound like shit leaking I would.

My question remains unanswered and I am still wondering how is that possible besides that engine was just a piece of shit.

My set up was tuned by Jamie a few months back. It's in the signature. Now, this number might seem a bit low seeing as how it has a 2.5" exhaust and SR16VE cams, but the FIRST dyno pull we did, the car was only at about 150WHP. And that was with a stock catalytic converter in place as well. A test pipe was dropped in and LOTS of tuning on Jamie's end to bring it to the 178WHP figure.

Now, for having no lightened crank pulley, no lightened flywheel, and only a 2.5" vs 3" exhaust, this is a nice number. Those added could raise the car into the 195WHP range. This N1's would bring it to 200+ easily.

The reason why the power numbers aren't as high STOCK as people would expect is because some engines have more wear. Some transmissions don't run as well. There is more parasitic loss. Nothing is perfect or optimal. The 15% rule is a theory, and Jamie has ACTUAL numbers. The proof is in the puddin'.

What I am trying to ascertain from my questions, is what is the smallest exhaust that can be utilized and still get good numbers out of a bolt-on VE (I/H/E and proper tuning)? Hell, throw in some Thermoblock spacers, a lightweight flywheel, and some underdrive pullies for good measure on the bolt-ons. Is that pretty much already 3" exhaust time? DD, I'm not concerned about a few whp, but I sure as hell do not want 136whp (!). I would like to be around 180(+) out of a fully bolted-on and well-tuned VE.

I do not want a header to hang below the crossmember. I literally live on a dirt road with a nasty RR-track crossing. Nor do I want any unnecessary crazy noise levels, stealthy as possible suits me. Hence my line of questioning.


28 whp is why I sure as hell want my future VE to be properly tuned. Holy crap. And 178 seems totally reasonable and solid based on your mods, I'd be happy with those results.

With your 2.5" exhaust, why would the stock cat, 2 1/5 in/out, affect your results much if the cat was healthy (?).