Custom 3" True Dual Set up

[qwikz28]

A bit of backstory, I found some pictures of a custom exhaust setup on the "Explore" page of instagram (Mickey Beggs had liked the pic which put it on my feed) that looked like high quality work. I realized the shop was in Clifton and reached out to the proprietor for quotes on custom work. I was having trouble with fitting my current exhaust system, and decided to just have a custom unit made (let me know if you want a Kooks ORY and/or a SLP Powerflo system). Since I liked what this guy (CJ) had to say, I eventually scheduled time to bring my car by.

I told CJ that I wanted my car to be quieter but still retain the flow. He was confident he could do it while improving upon the ground clearance of the current setup. Further, his prices were extremely reasonable, so I decided to give it a try. Full 3" T304 Stainless, mandrel bent, tig welded, v-bands, using vibrant components and a 6LE CME. The results blew me away:


We ultimately decided to do cats and resonators and mufflers to get the sound down. He was very particular about keeping the cats and resonators at equal distances to tune the sound. As you can see in the picture, the resonators are right behind the cats. the floor behind the driver was clearanced to tuck in better.


It's tough to see, but he also fabricated me a driveshaft loop, as nothing off the shelf worked. The driveshaft loop also has reliefs for the exhaust to tuck in better. He had the loop powdercoated for me by a friend without charge. Shout out to Mickey Beggs for the help with the loop.


Dual 3" pipes going over the axle. CJ was concerned about the heat generated by these pipes being so close to the gas tank, so he ceramic coated the parts of the pipe near the tank, and then wrapped them. Not satisfied with that, he put some gold reflecting wrap over the tank to seal the deal.


I asked him to put the mufflers vertical between the spare tire well and the trunk. He didn't like that resolution, so with my authorization, he clearanced the spare tire area to allow the mufflers to lay horizontal. Looks way better. He also realized my battery tray was not secure (I admittedly forgot to fasten it after using the self-tapping screws), so he took care of that for me while he was at it.


Center mount exhaust tips! The rear section is truly fantastic.


And how it looks from behind!

I'm very happy with the outcome and the quality and professionalism of the shop. I plan on going back for other projects, and have already referred them to friends. CJ mostly does roll bars and race car fabrication, but exhaust work is still a major line of work for him. He mostly does work on BMWs, since the shop used to be a premier BMW shop in the area, but he is a american muscle guy and drives a cammed C5 vette making about 480whp. My car has quieted down to a reasonable volume, but has a throaty, yet refined sound. It doesn't scream like it used to, it has more of a deep bellow. We tried to get a sound clip, but it doesn't do it justice.

PM me if you would like information on the shop. His prices are excellent and his work is even better.

-Jacob

[The Fixer]

Looks really slick, very nice!!!

[sweetbmxrider]

Looks awesome, I'd love a nice single setup that tucked that well! You definitely need to get some sound clips though!!!

[Blackbirdws6]

Looks great with an excellent attention to detail. As mentioned, post some sound clips.

[firebirdcrazy]

Awesome!!

[edpontiac91]

I always loved the center exhaust tips from SLP on the SS Camaros. The attention to detail is AWESOME, this coming from someone who looks at all the small details knowing the big ones will take care of themselves.

[maroman88]

wow thats prettttttttty

[NJSPEEDER]

That looks sweet!

[JW]

Looks good, what kinda cost for this?

JW

[qwikz28]

Originally Posted by JW

Looks good, what kinda cost for this?

JW

Including the custom driveshaft loop and fabrication work to get it to fit, it was 2700. Materials was over $1500 alone at his cost. There was room to cut costs, but I didn't want to. For example, the v-bands were $80 a piece.

[NastyEllEssWon]

you get what you pay for....and that looks like quality right there. cant wait to hear the sound clips

[omarcamaro]

nice job

[greenformula92]

I do have to say it looks great. I'm sure it sounds great too. But that is a lot of cash

[ar0ck]

Awesome looking set up Jake! When I get home in a few months I may have you take me to this guy for the Trans Am. We used to have a local Minekee that did a good job that I had used for years, but the guy no longer works there! I dont plan on running anything crazy like your set up, but ground clearance is a major issue for me as well.

[LS1ow]

CJ and a great guy and he is an animal with the welder!

Felt good getting the chance to work on a 4th gen again jake! glad you liked how it came out.

Anyone interested in more of CJs work check out his facebook and his instagram. Both are under the name of the company, C2 Race Development.

[qwikz28]

CJ is the man. Thanks again for the help you did on the car.

I spent a lot of money on different exhaust setups for this car, and there's just nothing that can be had off the shelf that will bolt on. This is a "once and for all" solution. I don't regret it. Since getting the new exhaust, I've got 4 or 5 thumbs ups while driving around.

[xrelapse13]

Oh wow small world. I'm bringing him my longtubes this weekend for ceramic coating.

May have to talk to him about an exhaust while I'm there.

[qwikz28]

Let him know his work is getting a lot of love. I've counted 5 thumbs ups from strangers since picking it up. Before, I was lucky to get one every couple months.

[r0nin89]

Looks like quality work. I just got done doing the exhaust in my truck with the same deal. V bands, mandrels, and although not as important when you have dumps but of course the mirror image of two very different routed tail pipes where they end.

My point being, with the amount of time and work it takes the labor rate seems very reasonable. Anyone whos done fabrication work knows the time sink that is mocking something up, tacking, removing, proper bench welding so it doesnt look like turds, coating/paint/wrapping, and then reinstallation.