Backbox vs catback vs full system

[Jordcazorla]

Been to long life exhaust today for a quote, really can't stomach £600-£700+vat for an exhaust, nor could I really see myself spending £450+vat on a catback, which leaves me with £200+vat for just the backbox, which I don't mind paying. So basically, on my ecotec which isn't currently, nor ever will be tuned to its eyeballs, am I going to see any difference between full system/catback/backbox?? Has anyone got just the backbox from long life, what's your review of it considering how highly regarded they are for their full systems?

[Allys Cally]

for a start £450+ vat for a cat back is a bit steep, I recently had a cat back stainless done for £350. don't be drawn in by a lot of these big company's try some local dealers as that's where you find you'll probably get a better job done and at a cheaper price.

sometimes all you doing is paying for the name doesn't mean you getting any better of a job though

[Mark1]

I have a Longlife cat back on mine and paid £510 10 years ago now and have never had a problem with it.

[Jordcazorla]

The car cost me £700, I've just replaced all the brakes and had some welding done at a cost near 700, so spending upwards of £700 on an exhaust would put me in calibrate turbo cost territory.. I think a proper shop around is going to be necessary or a good old eBay hunt!

[DanSE4]

I'm guessing exhaust prices have changed a bit over the years then!

I have a Power Flow cat back SS on mine which was fitted in 2003 for (if I recall correctly) £230.

Over 12 years down the line now & expect if I was still on a mild steel system then I would probably have replaced various parts & exceeded that cost by now. As has been mentioned, keep an eye on eBay & other classifieds for an SS cat back system rather than pay the full, new cost. They do what they say on the tin & last!