Emissions-Free County Problems

Growing up in a county that required annual emissions testing put a huge restraint on how extensively I could modify my car.  Even a software tune was detectable by their OBII reader tools, meaning I had to annually revert my car to stock performance prior to testing.  Although, I shouldn't complain when considering what my German friends go through with the TüV.

This past year, I moved to an emissions free county. "Lucky you!" you might say.  It is true, renewing your registration without submitting any emissions documentation is a liberating experience.  Plus, it saves you $15 and 10 minutes every year!  However, I have recently discovered a slight issue with living in an emissions free county.  There are endless possibilities for your exhaust!

Maker Motorsports rear diffuser and custom quad exhaust tips

Just 3 weeks after moving, I ordered a 3" catless downpipe.  Hooray for hurting the environment!  My dad recently bought a hybrid, so that should balance out my family's carbon footprint... Right?  After installation, I upgraded to a Stage 2 tune and really began to enjoy the improved sound and performance.  But the post-"cat" cutout now results flames UNDER my car.  This is where my first world problem begins, straight pipes are too loud for a daily driver, but the restrictive factory muffler loses 2psi of boost when the cutout is closed.  Therefore, more money must be spent $$$.

Here's how my car previously sounded with the Magnaflow cutout partially open:

After pondering the decision for a few days, wanting to maintain a similar throaty tone, I settled on a 5" round Magnaflow muffler.  This will go in place of the cutout and the factory muffler will soon be deleted.  Stay tuned for progression pictures and sound clips!

5" Magnaflow muffler