First off Welcome Ben.

A cat back exhaust means just that, it replaces everything from behind the cat. It will still pass emissions in all states as long as the car is still there.

Now on the suspension and wheels. Do not rush into buying anything yet. Do lots of resreach and reading on here. There's a big difference between a 1.5" drop and a 2.5". Look around in the Rigz/Stance/Suspension areas and see what others have done and what appeals to you.

Anytime you change the springs you also need to change the shocks/struts. The stock shocks/struts are longer than ones made to work with shorter drop springs. When people on here refer to springs they're talking about springs that are not ride height adjustable. When we say coil overs we are talking about adjustable ride height springs/struts.

Hope that helps.

 

flush.hellaflush.we want.

 

Thanks norcalfocus01

The one question i have is that the stock exhaust has the cat after the bolt connection. the new magnaflow exhaust replaces everything and doesnt include a cat.( i called magnaflow with the part numjber and he said so) The magnaflow goes onto the stock bolt connection and everything; i.e. the cat, muffler and the resinator, from there back to the tailpipe is replaced.

 

Idk much about duratec, but my 2000 zx3's fswerks stealth exhaust bolted right to my flexpipe which is after my cat. I know duratecs are backwards of zetec, but I hope this helps.

 

Duratec's have two cats. Your only replacing the second one. The first and main cat is part of the exhaust manifold.

like this...

The only time you'd be tearing out that cat is if you got a header. You can out the magnaflow exhaust in now connected to the stock manifold and if get a header later on, it will bolt up to your new exhaust.

 

That makes so much more sense now because i saw something that looked like a cat when it was in the air.

 

lol. dumb duratecs just kidding! glad you found your answers mate. lol.