My first post isn't totally correct. quote:Some information staright from Thermal. "The system is considered a cat-back. It mounts to the first flange after the cat. We didn't think that there would be a market for a system which required you to cut your stock exhaust system off and weld ours into place. It is a two piece set-up with the muffler running parallel to the rear bumper. We went with a single 3" exhaust tip. Anything bigger looked too overwhelming on the vehicle and I don't think they had clearance for duals in the existing cut-out." This means that the system is a axle back exhaust system and not a true cat back exhaust. A cat back exhaust would be a exhaust that connects right behind the cat.Research everything before you buy. Cat Back exhaust for the Vibe and Matrix may only be an Axle back system because it is the closest flange to the cat. Do your reasearch before you buy!! I'll continue to search for a true cat back exhaust.I have heard that Vibrant will have a true Cat Back exhaust system that will be cut and weld installation and mount just behind the actual cat. I have e-mailed them requesting info.
http://www.vibrantperformance.comVibrant isn't a well known name in performance exhaust but they are very good at what they do. They took a stock 2000 Honda Civic (DOHC VTEC) and dynoed it and got Max Power 131.4HP Max Torque 93.0 ft/lbsThey installed a type V axle back exhaust with inner silencer removed, stainless steel intermediate pipe and gotMax Power 138.5HP Max Torque 100.2 ft/lbsThey then added a Streetflow ait intake kitMax Power 141.0HP Max Torque 102.3 ft/lbs