Ok guys im about to buy a 2.5 exhaust cat-back on ebay found here. I have a 04 cav with the ecotec and i almost 100% this will fit but not sure. it says from 95-03 and i know 03 is the exact same bodie as 04. What do you guys think??

I have the same exhaust made by TopSpeed out of Texas. I would strongly recommend against it. There is an error in the design that requires additional bending to clear the axle and correctly line up with the squeeze joint. I had to take it to a shop. It is not 2.5 inch, but rather an oddball 2 3/8 (outside diameter). The guy that tweaked the bends for me didn't think it was even mandral bent to begin with--there was ovaling on the tight curves and he said he could have replicated the constuction with his compression bender. I also had to fabricate a extension plate for the rear stock hanger, and alter the welded prong that mates with the forward stock hanger....not really what you want to do with an aftermarket part that should have been right to begin with. Fire Fighter, on this forum, also could not get that exhaust to fit and sent his back.

If doing it again I would probably not even get stainless steel. Stainless has major expansion when it heats (a full inch over the length of the catback). Alumininized steel is less expensive, has a good life too (ok, not as long stainless), and is much easier to work with.

all 3rd gens have the exact same catback. and 2.5" is too large without forced induction. you are better off going and getting a custom catback built.




I was a retard, and now I'm permanently banned.

ok well theres multiple companys selling different cat-backs so i can take a closer look at the 2.5s and make a wise choice. No one around my area has a mandrel bender (michigan) i called like 10 different places =(

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and 2.5" is too large without forced induction

you obviously didnt read my mod list =p