I have a financial interest in this product.
Applicable to '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Cat back "turbo exhaust
This exhaust system has a wonderful sound. It is louder than stock with a very pleasant, deeper tone, yet quieter than the JR catback system which I found to be uncomfortable because of resonation with the top up (with top down the resonation disburses) at 3000 to 4000 rpm.
I really like this product. Combined with the JR cool air intake, and a 14 degree ignition advance the car is nippier.
I bought it from PBC for $399. Originally the wrong tail pipe tip was sent (the Austrailian version which is oval) which didn't fit. A month later I received the round tip, a bit underwhelming in appearance. The rest of the system is a visual knockout.
I recommend the Genie to those with slightly sensitive ears who want more growl than the stock.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to '90 - '97 1.6 liter
High-flow cat-back system. Made from 304 stainless steel, it has a polished tip, canister and resonator.
Too nice to be hidden under the car. Exhaust seems a bit loud when cruising at highway speeds. It could be because the CAT is hollow. My new turbo on order should take care of that. Had no problems removing original exhaust even though I didn't soak the bolts. A perfect fit. It took less than 30 minutes to install. I can't really judge whether there was a performance increase. The previous exhaust was rusted out and filled with CAT pieces.
Recommended by PBC. They offered free shipping but since I wanted it the next day, we split the cost. Would recommend this exhaust. Doesn't look very popular here, but I would not hesitate buying another one if I had to.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
2-piece catback stainless steel exhaust, bolts in place of the factory exhaust. Separate screw-on polished exhaust tip - mine was round, and some of the newer setups I've seen have a BIG oval tip. Steel was quite substanial - the Genie is supposedly at least 5-10 lbs more than other aftermarket exhausts, but don't ask me for exact numbers.
Purchased and picked up from Performancy Buyer's Club back in March 1997 for about $450. Was installed at a local muffler shop, since the connecting pipe needed a OBD-II tap for my '96 welded in and some bending of the supports to prevent rattling. There's a support for which no hanger was present on my car, probably for earlier models, which banged up against the underbody while the engine was cold until it was bent out of the way.
The muffler sounds great - I would say deeper and more mellow than stock and almost as quiet. The dreaded 3000rpm buzz is noticeable only when the top is down, and I get around it by simply cruising at 4000rpm. Performance? Subjectively better with higher revs, with the needle seeming to move to redline faster past 5000rpm. I had my timing bumped some time after the muffler was installed, and the combination of the two mods have me using 1st gear more often than before. Either that, or I'm just mashing the gas harder.
The PBC guys - Peter and Khoi - were nice enough to split the cost of muffler installation, and buy me lunch while waiting around. I wouldn't expect the latter from them on a regular basis, though.