Sure, good question.
1) I purchased a new exhaust for my 2001 and the aftermarket catalytic converter had an incorrect jig. It was a headache. In the end I purchased from Mitsu.. I'm not a mechanic by any means, but it still sucked waiting, returning etc. I have not patience.
2) My mechanic who can or knows people who can perform anything related to cars, told me to buy a fitted system. It's to hard to make the bends fit with accuracy.

That said, your point is made and I'll look into it for the pipes out of the manifold.
Thanks,
Brian <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

The right manifold is cracked and I just purchased from a junk yard in Atlanta.
I'm just trying to get the 1996 Monty running reliably. It still needs a lot of work. The motor runs rough, has a bad idle or tension pully, forget which. I need this thing to be reliable before I start having fun!
Hopefully a top rack, Hell's behind the grill. I have a JL amp and 10" sub waiting to be installed.
Not to mention the rust on the frame from Northern winters makes it a pain to work on.

I disagree. I had the entire exhaust system behind the crossover pipes replaced on my 95 SR a few years ago, which included a high-flow catalytic converter, low-restriction muffler, and 2-1/4" piping for $240. It fits well with no banging or clunking, has a nice aggressive sound and slightly improved the top-end power of the engine (as measured by my butt-dyno).

If your system has pre-cats then it would be a little more complicated and expensive, but still no comparison to what OEM parts would cost. I feel your frustration with parts that don't fit properly, but with a custom exhaust being fabricated a shop would be able to use aftermarket converters and muffler, so trying to make aftermarket parts bolt up to the factory exhaust wouldn't be an issue.

My experience has been that mechanics don't always recommend what's best for the customer's wallet, or for the vehicle they're working on. The mechanic's time and income is usually more of a priority, and if your mechanic doesn't have the equipment to fabricate an exhaust system himself he's going to recommend replacing the individual exhaust system parts rather than send your vehicle to an exhaust shop and lose the job.

Good to know!

I paid $190 for Walker muffler and exhaust tip with all the hardware. $120 (over paid) for a connector piece between catalytic and muffler. And the guy I purchased from just installed a new catalyic converter, thankfull.

So the only pieces left are the two pieces L,R out of the manifold. For those I will take your advice and visit a muffler shop.

True it won't sound throaty or be much fun but will be okay for me.

Thanks,
Brian

Sounds like you have CA emmissions, as you mention OEM wiht cats on those downpipes. If so, $600+ per for them OEM. I did see a source once for aftermarket, can't recall where. They were something like $250.

Remember that aftermarket cats will not last anywhere near as long as OEM. Just saying...

You say no emissions in MI. Based on that, try getting the non-CA downpipes. Not sure if you need a different Y as well. You'll have to deal with the second bank of O2 sensors in the process. MBrannon can point you towards some ECU-fakers that plug in for something like $50 each. The 3S crowd uses them when they modify their exhausts.

Interest piqued! What turbo exhaust will fit my 96 3.5L SR?

The stock 3000gt vr4 turbo exhaust manifolds bolt directly to your heads. That's the easy part. Then you have to route oil feeds, oil returns, intake pipes, intercooler(s), install larger fuel injectors, find a way to control the computer to compensate for the increased fuel, larger fuel pump, make an entirely new exhaust after the turbos. It's on my bucket list, but I was just being silly suggesting it for a solution to your problem.