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My sport exhaust arrived today, and I installed it on my 1999 SE HOT in my driveway after work. It was a beautiful Ithaca spring day : mid 40's, and the rain was falling more or less vertically.
Taliaferro included a tube of silicone exhaust sealant and the required extra stainless exhaust clamp: the little things do count! My clamshell clamp fasteners were a bit rusty, but the stock exhaust came off in about 20 minutes (only note was that a long screwdriver was needed to pry a rubber hanger off stock system), and the new one went on in under an hour (lots of sealant and anti-seize used). I used a floor jack to slightly raise the rear of the car (wheels not off ground) to afford me elbow room. I had no jack stands, but at least I'd die in one of my favorite places.
The thing I noticed first about the stainless sport exhaust was how much lighter it was than the stock one! My stock muffler was full of water and rust, but just by leaving out the middle muffler on the sport exhaust, Saab saved a bunch of weight. Everything fit without a hassle, including my shiny double-walled oval tip. I positioned the tip so it sits about where the stock black one did; the set screws allow some flexibility this way. It certainly doesn't look out of place.
The performance increase is noticeable! Granted, I don't think this is from the exhaust alone, but my stock exhaust seems to have been the limiting factor to my intake mods (3" intake, K&N, TBTC rework etc.). With the new system, the car spools up more quickly, and has more grunt at mid-high rpms. I know I am not imagining this. I am well pleased by my initial seat of the pants impressions.
As for the sound, I can't believe people were complaining about the noise. It is a lot QUIETER than my hole-ridden stock system, and certainly isn't at the decibal level where little old ladies are going to be casting withering glances your way. With the windows up, it is well in the background. I suppose if you commute in echoing environs (sky scrapers, canyons, etc.) it may get loud, though as a 25 year old red-blooded male, the prosepect doesn't bother me. And the exhaust doesn't sound like a Civic with diarrhea, for those who are concerned.
I'm looking forward to weathering many more salty winters in my Saab without further exhaust holes!
Best,
Lutfisk
posted by 24.59.101...
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