Before we dive into this video clip sampling the Flowmaster Force II cat-back available for the Chevrolet Cruze with either the 1.4L LUJ/LUV or 1.8L LUW/LWE Ecotec four-cylinder engines, we think it’s worth going over the meaning of the term “ricer”.
The word stems from the notion of using “racing-inspired cosmetic enhancements” on a car that is more of a daily driver than a track competitor. It puts negative pressure on the boundary between form and function, meaning it’s typically used as an insult – and not just toward questionably-modified Asian imports. Cars from any country can be ricers.
It’s not solely just about how a car looks, either. For instance, a Honda Civic rolling down the street with an extremely loud exhaust would be considered “ricey”, because in this context, the modification is still less about performance gains than it is about showing off.
Now then, seeing as how this exhaust system offers gains of less than 5 horsepower, we think it’s safe to say that this modification is for folks who want to make their Cruze more lively via a more audible exhaust note. We suppose you can call it “ricey,” but that doesn’t necessarily make it a bad thing.
At $721.97 plus shipping, the modification isn’t exactly cheap. From where we stand, you could save a good chunk of money by simply deleting the stock muffler – especially since this system doesn’t use one. That said, a do-it-yourself muffler delete doesn’t come with a limited-lifetime warranty, stainless-steel tubing to replace the original piping, or a dual-rear exit. As they say, you get what you pay for.
So, without further ado, have a listen to the exhaust clip for yourself, and give us your thoughts in the comment section below.
For more information on the system, click here.
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