[ERDoc74]

Hello,
I've been drooling over the IS-F since it came out in '08, but finally recently purchased an new '11 ISF (USBM) in December and then had a small accident in the first 6 weeks and first 1500 miles leading to a new bumper and new Left front wheel. GRRR...
Anyway, I LOVE my ISF and this is my first true sports car. I've been happy with stock performance so far, but recently have been thinking about aftermarket upgrades including intake/exhaust for sure, and possibly headers, after talking to a former ISF owner who had a Joe Z exhaust and intake and seeing videos of various exhaust setups have made me OBSESSED with getting that aftermarket sound! LOL I'm still confused about if I got headers and the Joe-Z exhaust if I'd have any cats or not.... Anybody have some comments/useful info about this?
I have had some extensive law enforcement countermeasures installed on my car including a Beltronics STi-R Plus custom installed radar detector with the display custom integrated into my Rear view mirror. Also have a Laser Interceptor laser jammer Quad setup installed. This setup has saved me several tickets so far!
The former ISF owner mentioned above GAVE me his Blizzak winter tires that fit the stock wheels.... I'm trying to decide the best options for wheels to put these tires on so I can swap the cars "shoes" for the current weather easily without having to swap the tires on one set of wheels every winter/spring season. I'd LOVE to buy a set of older style stock wheels that someone has sitting in their garage because they bought some aftermarket wheels, or possibly getting some good looking but still somewhat economical wheels that are the stock sizes so I can use the Blizzak's.
My car came with the Bridgestone Potenza's and I'm not too happy with them. So far I only have 3,500 miles on them but am considering swapping them out with the new Michelin PSS's... Anybody have any comments on this idea or know who might be interested in buying the barely used Potenzas???
I'm sorry for the long first post, I've learned a lot so far in the last week reading threads on here and CL, and look foward to learning more and getting your experts opinions!

 

[lowrider]

I'm still confused about if I got headers and the Joe-Z exhaust if I'd have any cats or not.... Anybody have some comments/useful info about this?

It depends if you want cats or not. Having both headers and the JoeZ exhaust eliminate both the stock primary and secondaryCats. Both PPE and Sikky come with electronic O2 simulators that you install in lieu of the catalytic converters that fools the ECU so that you don't have a CEL. I have PPE headers with a custom dual exhaust system that utilizes the stock mufflers. I am also running hi flow cats installed into my dual system. If you wanted the JoeZ and wanted cats, you would need to add them as I have done. I am attaching a couple of pics showing my cat installation.

Lou

 

[ERDoc74]

It depends if you want cats or not. Having both headers and the JoeZ exhaust eliminate both the stock primary and secondaryCats. Both PPE and Sikky come with electronic O2 simulators that you install in lieu of the catalytic converters that fools the ECU so that you don't have a CEL. I have PPE headers with a custom dual exhaust system that utilizes the stock mufflers. I am also running hi flow cats installed into my dual system. If you wanted the JoeZ and wanted cats, you would need to add them as I have done. I am attaching a couple of pics showing my cat installation.

Lou

Is the purpose of using the stock muffler to just make it quieter? I think I read somewhere you describing your system as being louder than stock, but not as loud as some others with headers/third party exhaust without any cats... Is that right? Would adding a high flow cat such as you did between the headers and the Joe Z exhaust just make it a little quieter and maybe reduce emissions a bit? ( I've seen video clips of various setups and full headers and third party exhaust combos are a bit loud overall for me) but I wouldn't mind an "in between loudness" of that and just a third party exhaust setup by itself without headers... So just that i'm clear, would adding a high flow cat in between would accomplish this? I thought I read somewhere that you had magnaflow high flow cats but I couldn't find them on their website... Am I mistaken? and/or what product would you recommend for a good mix of: value/performance/etc. that would be my best option..? TIA!!!

 

[lowrider]

Is the purpose of using the stock muffler to just make it quieter?

Yes.

I think I read somewhere you describing your system as being louder than stock, but not as loud as some others with headers/third party exhaust without any cats... Is that right?

Yes - Not much louder, but certainly deeper.

Would adding a high flow cat such as you did between the headers and the Joe Z exhaust just make it a little quieter and maybe reduce emissions a bit?

Not much to the first question and Yes to the second.

So just that i'm clear, would adding a high flow cat in between would accomplish this?

No

I thought I read somewhere that you had magnaflow high flow cats but I couldn't find them on their website... Am I mistaken?

Yes they are MagnaFlow hiflows and are on the MagnaFlow Site. PPE also sells them.

I am attaching the sound clip.

Lou

 

[ERDoc74]

Yes.

Yes - Not much louder, but certainly deeper.

Not much to the first question and Yes to the second.

No

Yes they are MagnaFlow hiflows and are on the MagnaFlow Site. PPE also sells them.

I am attaching the sound clip.

Lou

Ahhh, I see.... Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my Newbie questions!!
BTW your car sounds awesome!!!

 

[F'n around]

Welcome to the forum. Let us know which way you decide to go with your mods.