I need help. I want the cheapest way to replace my exhaust. I know that there is a hole or a few holes in it because I got this car at an auction and it is making exhaust sounds (rattles and loud).
What is teh cheapest way to go? Should i just take it to meineke? Do they sell whole systems? because it is a 1991 Legacy what other system woudl work.
I'm not really looking for speed. Is there a place that sells exhausts on the web.
I live in DC there are not too many junkyards and even then it is hard getting to them in Maryland or VA.
I just need the car to be able to pass inspections without putting too much money in it. It has 193 K on it and i don't know how the person took care of it before me.
1991 Legacy exhaust replacement
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evolutionmovement
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Re: 1991 Legacy exhaust replacement
If you need the whole thing, try to get a take off from a newer Impreza or Legacy in the junk yard or from a Subaru board—the turbo systems from behind the down pipe back might even work (though I'm not positive), and WRX guys get rid of those cheap all the time. The mid pipe from the system on a regular Impreza will probably have to be lengthened, but that's it. The original exhaust is stainless steel. Whatever you'd get from a chain place would likely be the cheapest pre-rusted steel they could get from China. They usually offer Lifetime Warranties or similar, but it's a scam—they only cover parts (which cost next to nothing) and are designed to rust out in about a year so they can hit you again with the labor.
Also, the exhaust might not be that bad. The rattle is likely just a heat shield, which can be yanked off or tightened down to silence it by putting a few stainless hose clamps around it. As for the noise, find out where it's coming from—if it's just a muffler, then that's all you need and you can get generic "stainless steel" mufflers for real cheap that should last a couple years.
Also, the exhaust might not be that bad. The rattle is likely just a heat shield, which can be yanked off or tightened down to silence it by putting a few stainless hose clamps around it. As for the noise, find out where it's coming from—if it's just a muffler, then that's all you need and you can get generic "stainless steel" mufflers for real cheap that should last a couple years.
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Re: 1991 Legacy exhaust replacement
evolutionmovement wrote:If you need the whole thing, try to get a take off from a newer Impreza or Legacy in the junk yard or from a Subaru board—the turbo systems from behind the down pipe back might even work (though I'm not positive), and WRX guys get rid of those cheap all the time. The mid pipe from the system on a regular Impreza will probably have to be lengthened, but that's it. The original exhaust is stainless steel. Whatever you'd get from a chain place would likely be the cheapest pre-rusted steel they could get from China. They usually offer Lifetime Warranties or similar, but it's a scam—they only cover parts (which cost next to nothing) and are designed to rust out in about a year so they can hit you again with the labor.
Also, the exhaust might not be that bad. The rattle is likely just a heat shield, which can be yanked off or tightened down to silence it by putting a few stainless hose clamps around it. As for the noise, find out where it's coming from—if it's just a muffler, then that's all you need and you can get generic "stainless steel" mufflers for real cheap that should last a couple years.
Thanks man I guess i will check it out I saw some Nuts missing from the headers I assume that is where some of the noise is coming from. But I don't feel like doing a trial and error especially with a muffler system. I will go under the car and try to check it out. What year Impreza or legacy do you think will fit?
Really i was hoping that i would spend $200 or less since i bought the car for that and i don't want to find out after i put on new parts that something else is wrong.
Re: 1991 Legacy exhaust replacement
Cheapest way would be to get one on here probably, post in the Parts Shed
Also depending on the damage you might be able to get it patched up, take it to a muffler shop and have them look at it.
Only thing I know for certain about exhaust interchangeability is that the GD Impreza exhausts need to be lengthened about 6", and I think the flange rotated, should be cheap to have done. Really anything can be made to fit though, and would be under $200, I have an Invidia N1 on my car and I just had the muffler, had to have an exhaust shop make the rest of the axleback so it would bolt up, cost me $90 out the door, though I did get a deal, most places wanted ~$150
You could get a universal OEM replacement, but it kind of cheapens the car IMO, when I see one on a car that's for sale I tend to think "here's someone who isn't willing to pay to have things fixed right" whether it's true or not, it's just the impression I get.
Also depending on the damage you might be able to get it patched up, take it to a muffler shop and have them look at it.
Only thing I know for certain about exhaust interchangeability is that the GD Impreza exhausts need to be lengthened about 6", and I think the flange rotated, should be cheap to have done. Really anything can be made to fit though, and would be under $200, I have an Invidia N1 on my car and I just had the muffler, had to have an exhaust shop make the rest of the axleback so it would bolt up, cost me $90 out the door, though I did get a deal, most places wanted ~$150
You could get a universal OEM replacement, but it kind of cheapens the car IMO, when I see one on a car that's for sale I tend to think "here's someone who isn't willing to pay to have things fixed right" whether it's true or not, it's just the impression I get.