Exhaust vs Headers

Hi, im new to the car world since i just got my license and a 91 acura integra. i bought an intake right away and installed it myself without much trouble, it made the car faster and added some deep tone to the engine. the next thing i want to add to my car is anything that really makes a loud noise, so i was thinking either exhaust or headers. i heard from a friend of mine that for headers and exhaust you have to take it to a place so they install it for you unless you have your own rack to lift the car up. so i was wondering, would exhaust or headers be the next best thing to buy, i am eventually going to get both, but which makes more of that deep tone like the cars in fast and the furious. if i were to get exhaust, should i just get a new muffler to make the noise, or a whole catback system, i dont have a whole lot of money, still paying off the car on a minimum wage job... i know that a catback greddy exhaust would be the best, but $600 plus $100 for labor/installation for 10 horse power isnt exactly what im looking for. one last question, if i got headers before i got the exhaust, would it "cramp" the exhaust? like... the exhaust would not be able to handle the extra emissions that the wider header pipes were letting through. if this all sounds dumb, sorry, im new :)

Tis not really a dumb question at all. Now you can look at this two ways. If you replace the entire exhaust system, headers all the way back, you can expect anywhere between 20HP - 50HP gain depending on the car. Your car will most likely be in the 20HP range. I would say that it is definitely worth it, not only will you get more HP and torque you will get better response from the engine. For an exhaust system I would only suggest Borla, Magnaflow, and perhaps Apex-i. Borla may be expensive but they are the best and you will get the best sound and most power from them. You will have to take it to a shop to have it done unless you have a lift and a welder. I would say that if you plan on modding the car it is the best next step unless you plan on adding a turbo later on.

My suggestion for you right now would be to get headers installed. You can always work from there back later when tou get the money. As for cramping don't worry about it. If you get a muffler now itll make the noise you are looking for, but with almost no added hp because of the fact that your exhaust is still being held back by your stock headers. When you get the money your best bet would be to invest in headers 2" to 2 1/2" straight pipe exhaust, a high flow cat, and what I like to call a fart pipe or one of those big chrome mufflers. this will probably add 20 - 30 hp total. Exhaust is a great way to start modding a car so good choice. A cat back system would work well also, but probably wont give you quite the noise you are looking for. Hope this actually helps:grey: