Hey guys, im looking into getting the pacesetter catbak system. Im curious though how it sounds. I dont want it to sound stock.. does anyone here have it? Also, what kind of performance increase does it offer compared to those universal "fart pipes" that claim to offer 4-7hp gain (more like 2-3 at the wheels). I basically need to know which one to go with, thanks!
Pacesetter cat-back vs Universal
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Don´t buy anything from pacesetter regading exhaust.
Quality is basically crap...and the pipe design is ncorrect for our engines so it will actually kill HP even though it´s supoosed to make more!!!!
If you have the 1.9l....get a HO header off a 88.5 - 90 Escort GT
With a custom 2 1/4" mandrel bent exhaust system from you local muffler shop.
If you have the 1.8l....get a Genie header with a custom 2 1/4" ehaust system
or just a custom 2 1/4" off the Stock header since the 1.8l header is already pretty good for flow.
And it will cost about the same to do all of this (with better results) as the cost of the Pacesetter catback
Quality is basically crap...and the pipe design is ncorrect for our engines so it will actually kill HP even though it´s supoosed to make more!!!!
If you have the 1.9l....get a HO header off a 88.5 - 90 Escort GT
With a custom 2 1/4" mandrel bent exhaust system from you local muffler shop.
If you have the 1.8l....get a Genie header with a custom 2 1/4" ehaust system
or just a custom 2 1/4" off the Stock header since the 1.8l header is already pretty good for flow.
And it will cost about the same to do all of this (with better results) as the cost of the Pacesetter catback
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Can you or anyone else back up your OPINION on the Pacesetter cat-back? I mean in regards to poor quality and lowering HP?
Let´s get to the TRUTH, cause I´m thinkin about maybe goin with this system too, also seeking more power and better sound. Anyone?
Also, the custom system you suggest sounds (no pun intended) like a good alternative. How would it tie in with the cat and the O2 sensor(s)? Also, what muffler would you recommend to go with the custom piping? Thanx!
Let´s get to the TRUTH, cause I´m thinkin about maybe goin with this system too, also seeking more power and better sound. Anyone?
Also, the custom system you suggest sounds (no pun intended) like a good alternative. How would it tie in with the cat and the O2 sensor(s)? Also, what muffler would you recommend to go with the custom piping? Thanx!
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How is that my Opinion?...have you ever seen how badly the Pacesetter flange lines up....and how crappy their manifold gasket is......let alone how the finish that it comes with peels off and rusts FAST!!!!
Maybe it is my Opinion because I have never had one on my car.....because I would Never Want it one my car after looking at the real deal.
Ok...so If all you want is sound...then go Pacesetter.
as for a muffler....personally I like the Magnaflow line and a few of the Dynomax styles
Mandrel bending is a process of bending pipe without haveing any "kinks" in the curves that you get with crush bending. The result is smoother, faster flow since there is less drag and turbulence (causing back-pressure) going around the corners
Drew
´91 ELX H/B
´93 ELX Sedan
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[ This message was edited by: Skuce on 14-12-2002 19:20 ]
Maybe it is my Opinion because I have never had one on my car.....because I would Never Want it one my car after looking at the real deal.
Ok...so If all you want is sound...then go Pacesetter.
as for a muffler....personally I like the Magnaflow line and a few of the Dynomax styles
Mandrel bending is a process of bending pipe without haveing any "kinks" in the curves that you get with crush bending. The result is smoother, faster flow since there is less drag and turbulence (causing back-pressure) going around the corners
Drew
´91 ELX H/B
´93 ELX Sedan
[ This message was edited by: Skuce on 14-12-2002 19:20 ]
It´s a shame about Pacesetter quality. Haven´t heard anything bad about their parts for the SECOND GEN GT, that is, the 1.8 Mazda. Design of header is accurate for power, power stroke pulses alternate rather than competing like in the 1.9 engine model. I´ve got their armor coated header for my 95 GT and it´s fine. But there´s a lot of agreement that their stuff for the 1.9 just isn´t up to snuff.
Yoster, what engine do you have?
Yoster, what engine do you have?
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177 Posts
Pacesetter is crap. it doesnt matter what car you put Pacesetter stuff on, its CRAP! just but an aftermarket muffler and get 2 1/4" pipe custom bent and put it on your car. get better results and hey its "custom" and not some out the box bullshit...just my 2 cents
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177 Posts
shit...id go Arospeed probably. yeah they are cheap, but everyone i know likes em alot especially since some have that removable silencer. they also look pretty damn decent and sound good IMO..
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I agree with you Skuce on Pacesetters exhaust system. A friend of mine has one on his Prelude and its falling a part on him. I rode in it this Christmas and sounded like the whole exhaust was going to come apart on the next bump. Spend the dough and get a custom jobby. My next project for my Scort next to the header. ;-)
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154 Posts
allright well first off, i have the cerami-coat header new CAT and direct fit exhaust on my 93LTS 1.8 and as far as sound it´s great it has a different pitch depending on throttle pressure without being to loud the quality is good too, the cat-back kit is powder coated-aluminized heavy guage steel. i installed mine myself at my old custom exhaust shop over a year ago, even the other guys were so suprised at the FIT, FINISH, and how clean the installation went, the gaskets matched up perfectly and came with everything i needed (ie bolts, gaskets, and welded hangers in all the same original mounting locations (which almost never happens). you cant go to ghetto-zone or where-ever and find good piping anymore- especially in a world of cost costing and mass production. but you know what they say about OPINIONS. i guess none of you are mechanics because direct-fit (or out of the box) you cant beet, to this day my exh is clean and sound the same (great- had many of compliments) and the reaction when i say it´s pacesetter is a suprise bacause i love it. i had a custom jobby done last time and it sucked, i mean plain-out sucked. and it only lasted 13months :-Y , it cost $325.00 sounded like crap and i lost high rpm´s. i feel personally offended but dont take me too seriously i have just had a really shi** day at work and the first thing that releaved some of it was on the way home playin with the rpm´s, so when i saw the trashing i had to root for the under-dog.
i´ll have to post a pic(once i find it) of the custom job from last time, it looked good but "looks dont win a race".
i´ll have to post a pic(once i find it) of the custom job from last time, it looked good but "looks dont win a race".
I am proof, my first exhaust system was the pacesetter moza system. It sucks... approx 4 months after having it, i had a rust spot right next to the down pipe and the header. the powder coated head they sell, ends up burning the powder off...the tip will rust and cause leakage. also, the pieces dont really fit right.. i was told this when the guy first put the package on for me. its just not a well designed kit and its a pile of rust waiting to happen...i recommedn picking a cat header and muffler and just getting the custom exhaust done.
ok here is my .02! As far as I HEAR the Pacesetter header for the BP motor is of quality welding and design. However the coating sucks. either strip it right away and re-paint with some high quality high temp stuff or get it "jet-hot" coated. The other problem is the exhuast ports have rumors of not being a perfect fit. some seem to agree some don´t. again this can be solved easily by taking a dremel and grinding them to match the gasket opening. Getting a better gasket doesn´t hurt either.
Now as far as rust etc. come on guys this is easily solved. either coating or painting it will fix it. You will also to keep road salt off as much as possible for those in colder climates.
So its essentially up to you. You can spend 300 for the genie with some of the same design flaws... or a bit over a 100, some paint, a grinding wheel, and a couple hours to get a really nice header setup.
I´ve heard good things about the monza system. again how well you maintain it will play a big part in determining how long it lasts.
Your probably better off doing your own work from the cat back. 2 1/4 pipe works best. I use a magnaflow myself. I also have a very simple chrome tip. any tip that changes the tone is adding backpressure so I think its best to avoid it. a simple exhuast system is the right way IMHO.
Now as far as rust etc. come on guys this is easily solved. either coating or painting it will fix it. You will also to keep road salt off as much as possible for those in colder climates.
So its essentially up to you. You can spend 300 for the genie with some of the same design flaws... or a bit over a 100, some paint, a grinding wheel, and a couple hours to get a really nice header setup.
I´ve heard good things about the monza system. again how well you maintain it will play a big part in determining how long it lasts.
Your probably better off doing your own work from the cat back. 2 1/4 pipe works best. I use a magnaflow myself. I also have a very simple chrome tip. any tip that changes the tone is adding backpressure so I think its best to avoid it. a simple exhuast system is the right way IMHO.
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OK, after much consternation and head-scratching due to the differing opinions on Pacesetter products, I went ahead and ordered the cat-back system for my 1.9L scort yesterday from NOPI.
Cost is one factor. It will probably be half what a custom-bent system would cost me, because I know if I went that route I would pick an expensive muffler. Prior experience is the other. I have had less then great experiences in the past with having custom exhaust done, and I´m not aware of a good shop around here that I really trust to do it right.
So I´ll be able to add my opinion on Pacesetter too when this comes and I get it on my car.
Cost is one factor. It will probably be half what a custom-bent system would cost me, because I know if I went that route I would pick an expensive muffler. Prior experience is the other. I have had less then great experiences in the past with having custom exhaust done, and I´m not aware of a good shop around here that I really trust to do it right.
So I´ll be able to add my opinion on Pacesetter too when this comes and I get it on my car.
the magnaflow has a nice sound. especially at idle and highway speeds. hard acceleration gives it kind of a buzz sound. I have not heard it from outside the car though. so I´d have to hear it on someone elses to give my final seal of aproval
Zeemax. I agree totaly. I was considering e-mailing them and seeing if I could snag a header for testing. they are in PHX so I could pick it up and drop it of easily enough.
Please do let us know how you like it. be fairly critical of everything so we can get a good idea.
Zeemax. I agree totaly. I was considering e-mailing them and seeing if I could snag a header for testing. they are in PHX so I could pick it up and drop it of easily enough.
Please do let us know how you like it. be fairly critical of everything so we can get a good idea.
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