Exhaust systems

[JeffNJ]

Okay, so I need a new exhaust system. As my research has not been Honda-specific, I thought I would share what I've got so far, and ask for some further clarification.

So far, I've crossed the following off my "possible" list after learning they were either excessively loud, ineffecient, or both... Tanabe, Apex, Thermal R&D, Flowmasters, Borla, RKSport, and Dynamax. Remember, I am un-interested in those because of performance OR because of volume level. So, if I'm wrong on both counts, please correct me - that's why I'm asking.

Now, from what I've read, the following are good performers, AND aren't obnoxiously loud - which is precisely what I'm looking for. I've got on the list: GReddy, HKS, 5Zigen, and Blitz.

Now, as a side note, the only one of those four that I've been able to find compatibility with a del Sol from is Greddy, so I am obviously leaning farther towards them than anyone else, but, I am up for hearing suggestions. So, disregarding compatibility .. after all, the information would be more helpful to a Nissan owner that way, =) .. does any one have anything to add (or subtract) from what I've learned thus far?

Thanks a bunch! =)

[gschroeder78]

I've only got a couple things to say since I'm not really experienced with exhaust systems. I would imagine that loudness is in the ear of the beholder but from what I know, it might depend alot on the car. My fromther got a N1 Single for his Galant NA and it is extremely loud. I have the N1 Dual for my 89 240 and it doesn't seem loud to me (of course I'm inside the car and haven't heard it from the outside when someone else is driving). As far as Greddy goes, I have the Greddy SP dual exhaust on my Z32 NA and have been told that it is pretty loud. Where this leave you, I don;t know but those are my observations.

Hope I helped at least a little bit &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/butbut.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':but:'>

[tnord]

5Zigen is real quiet, but at the same time still sounds good. i've heard it on my car as well as my friends modified Si, and somehow they sound very similar on both cars. If you have the Si del sol this could be very relevant information for you.

[JeffNJ]

Actually, it was the GReddy SP that I was thinking about, coincidently enough. And, I didn't see del Sol compatibility at 5Zigen's site. Guess it's time to re-think both of those names then. &nbsp;Uhm, anyone know where I could even get a 5Zigen exhaust system? &nbsp;A number I could call, perhaps?

Thanks! Keep the good info flowin'...


(ps: I was able to find 5Zigen for 240's athttp://www.5zigen.co.jp/dj/ce_view.html)

[HippoSleek]

If Comptech makes one that fits - I'd buy it (reasonably quiet and best performance short of high $$ exotics).

The Greddy SP (traditional muffler) provides decent power, okay longevity (about 2 years for the core), and is pretty quiet at the start. &nbsp;The PE (bulging cannister) is supposed to be better for power, but louder (almost like an N1), and it hangs so low that a lot of people have problems breaking the piping (usually near the resonator).

The Fireball is popular around here. &nbsp;Raspy, but not too loud (depending on if you do axle back w/ stock resonator or aftermarket - which is always louder - or if you get all the piping from them).

I can't imagine the Blitz would be good for a Civic (I've never heard good - but I haven't heard much). &nbsp;I don't know anyone who runs an HKS anymore.

[tnord]

why don't you build your own system? magnaflow offers pipe kits that come with a crapload of bent and straight sections. you can then buy a universal muffler and have it welded on. or just go to a muffler shop and have them bend some pipe for you. it'd be much cheaper, and work just as good if not better than systems offered by the major manufacturers.

[JeffNJ]

Wooo.. as it turns out, my mechanic has sent my car to a friend of his who does custom exhaust. &nbsp;I'm kinda excited about it, so I thought I'd share.

[240sBoMex]

hey JeffNJ, u doin custom dual exhaust?! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'> &nbsp;let us know how it turns out!

[JeffNJ]

It's not dual exhaust, actually, just a regular ol' cat-back replacement.

I'm going up from 1-3/4" stock diameter to 2-1/4" (I was told if I went much bigger, I'd start losing low-end pull). &nbsp;The inside of the resonator (what is that, btw?) will be stainless steel so it doesn't rot one like the one I'm replacing now (that's the biggest reason I'm replacing my exhaust at all - btw) (that and the perfect excuse it provides to buy performance stuff). &nbsp;The piping itself will be aluminized steel.

Supposedly, it will be tuned to offer that nice, low, quiet, rumbling kinda sound instead of a loud, high-pitched, buzz. &nbsp;I can tune this a little bit more upon pick-up; if I don't like it, he can retouch it to sound nicer to me.

And, though my mechanic picked out the muffler for me, he said I'd like it, and I trust him because he pretty much knows my tastes by now. &nbsp;It's straight instead of angled and chrome tipped, for a touch of class slight enough to say, "I care about my car" but not too much to say, "I also care that you do."

13 days and counting until installation. &nbsp;I'm pretty excited about it. &nbsp;Oh, and $395 for all parts and labor. &nbsp;Any thoughts about this before I go through with everything (April 10)?

[sykikchimp]

I believe the resonator acts just like the resontor on the stock intake of most car. &nbsp;It is used to lower the (sound) volume.

[SimpleS14]

If the exhaust you buy is too loud, you can always buy a sliencer. &nbsp;I would go for the Blitz Nur and a 3" sliencer to dull the sound to a nice bass. &nbsp;But then again I like the N1 dual because my car is NA and I might go turbo, but I'm not sure. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'>

[tnord]

2.25 is definitely as large as you'll want to go (you have the 1.6l del sol right?) i think SCC might have even suggested 2'' but you'll probably be ok....just as long as you don't have anything rediculously large you should be ok. i think custom exhausts are very cool, who really cares if you get a name brand, if the piping is the right size, and the muffler is effecient, you can sometimes even build systems that are better than aftermarket systems. so yeah......good work

[blackdiamond]

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> well my brothers friend just said to get the 5ZIgen Fireball for the 92-95 hb civic. &nbsp;That's what he is using. &nbsp;He also bought his at www.autoimaging.com