Exhaust for noobs

[aspirin_ash7]

Hey guys,

Not THAT great with exhausts but i am currently looking to get an Exhaust installed for an Honda Integra Exhaust DC5. It is only a Semi Automatic Stock DC5 2002 model. I am looking at getting a catback exhaust installed at 'Dandy Exhausts' in melbourne and they charged 380$ with supply and install. First question i would want to know is would the exhaust they create provide any power at all more to my car or i have known for some exhausts to actually decrease torque or power to cars.

If anybody can help me that would be great and i am also open to any suggestions!

Thanks

[curtis265]

Hi, in general you are trying to remove any restriction in your exhaust - ideally it'd be a perfectly sized straight pipe of the correct length.


Also see: (regarding power/torque loss )
http://www.hondacivicforum.com/forum/header-intake-exhaust-12/backpressure-myth-why-its-wrong-3064/

[aspirin_ash7]

Oh right, and a straight pipe = catback right? I currently can't afford a full exhaust as it will set me back over 1k. ( i may get a full exhaust down the track though )
So right now im only looking for the catback

[curtis265]

Of course - but by straight i meant no bends.

The same theory still applies - do your catback at the right diameter and choose your components carefully based on your preference on sound vs performance (i'd personally go for nicer/deeper/quieter sound on a street driven car.. some would call me crazy).

You also need to be aware that you have the integra luxury model, with the intake-only-vtec, is it worth going for a full exhust later when you know you'll still get cleaned up by a dc5r? but that's up to you to decide.

[DreadAngel]

Straight pipe can be talking about the design shape of the piping's path, the straighter the piping, the more efficient the exhaust is. Straight pipe can be also referring to a catback that has no resonators meaning its very loud.

Catback is the term giving to the piping and muffler/cannon tip from the Catalytic Converter [CAT] onwards.

Correct diameter and length are part of the equation for power and torque, you need to see the bends and shape, how they affect the flow/velocity, scavenger effect, etc...

Check around other exhaust sites such as HKS, Fujitisubo, 5Zigen, Blitz, Trust/Greddy, etc to give you an idea what the usual pipe diameter and tips are. Go too big on small NA engines and watch your performance disappear. A little backpressure is needed for torque production on small NA engines.

Anyway best to ask the exhaust shop what they're supplying you:

Is it stainless steel or mild steel? [Longivity, looks, weight]
Are they crush bent or mandrel bent? [performance and durability?]
Flush against the body or hanging low? [Clearance]
Is it a muffler tip or cannon tip? [Muffler in general less noisy and less noticeable by authorities [Less headaches with police], Cannons are noisy and a police magnet]

Some questions to ask before giving them the nood ;)

$380 supply and installed I would say they're mild steel & crush bent...

As for performance increase, don't expect it to gain as much on a small efficient NA compared to a turbo...

NB: Curtis beat me to it lolz

[aspirin_ash7]

Hmm.. Yep, i know Type R would absoloutely kill me. I don't mind. Im not really looking for something TOO quick as im not going to do any other performance mods to the car other than the exhaust. So i should ask these questions before i go.

[EKVTIR-T]

Dandy are pretty good,I wouldnt worry too much

[aspirin_ash7]

Have you gone their before?? What would you reccomend i say to them. I know i went there a few weeks ago and he said he could do a 2 and a quarter inch exhaust catback but what he said after that i couldnt really remember. Is there anything in particular i should ask for or that you reccomenend i do. I do also remember him asking me what tip i wanted and from what i've read i'd rather go with the muffler rather than cannon. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks guys

[EKVTIR-T]

Yeah I know quite a few gone there. Since its a standard car and not performance they will just do a basic sports exhaust,its mainly for a bit of sound and not going to gain much power

They would use a generic rear muffler and weld on a tip of your choice

I would advise get a brand name rear muffler and have the rest of the piping custom made

and no,not a cannon :)

[aspirin_ash7]

Ahh ok well yeah thats fine. So it will improve performance right and will not actually decrease power or torque? as i have read around where sometimes this can happen.

also, the bigger the tip of the exhaust, would it produce more sound?

Because i want an exhaust from their that will sound deep and is mid-loud. But mainly something that sound really deep rather than that bad noise i hear from some exhausts that sound like farts. Do you think they'd be able to do that?

[aspirin_ash7]

What is a brand name rear muffler you would reccomend, and how much would this cost?

[EKVTIR-T]

Magnaflow,Lukey

or you can look to japanese brands but the price will be more

[aspirin_ash7]

Right... and in regards to me previous post: So it will improve performance right and will not actually decrease power or torque? as i have read around where sometimes this can happen.

also, the bigger the tip of the exhaust, would it produce more sound?

Because i want an exhaust from their that will sound deep and is mid-loud. But mainly something that sound really deep rather than that bad noise i hear from some exhausts that sound like farts. Do you think they'd be able to do that?

[EKVTIR-T]

It may improve 1or 2 horsepower and torque but nothing major

Yes you can achieve that deeper sound but you need to use 2 mufflers and not just a resonator and cannon or for sure it sounds like lawnmower lol

[aspirin_ash7]

Hmm well ill have to have a look see what i can do.
Thanks for all your help!

[DreadAngel]

On the subject of gain or loss? This is in NO relation to Dandy, I'm located in Sydney so I don't know them, just some theory...

When you hear stories of losses with bolt ons... Its usually because people do it wrong without researching properly.

Intake for example is very easy to stuff up, just replace your factory airbox with a pod [ie plug a pod on the end of a factory intake pipe]. To the ignorant they may sound like they're going faster, on a turbo car it might not matter so much but on very fussy and efficient small NA engines like yours, Honda didn't spend all that $$$ and research only to be beaten by a $100+ pod filter so you lose power, torque and response. Proper kits [SRI/CAI] are needed to gain anything other than noise however you need to weigh up the gains and cost...

Same with exhaust, there is a lot of theories and what not, its easy to get it wrong though... Cheap and rough jobs will cause imperfections and flow which interrupt the exhaust gas getting out in an efficient manner. Result is loss of power, torque and response... Going too big on a small NA engine is also bad... Same result...

[aspirin_ash7]

I have installed a Exhaust w/midpipe now which i gave to dandy exhausts to get installed. I purchased a 2nd hand DC5R 5zigen proracer a spec exhaust and installed it on my stock dc5.

The sound is produces now is not too bad. Is there any way i can adjust it to produce more sound at all on the exhaust?

[bossxr]

The sound (tone,volume) is dictated by the bore of the exhaust, the number of bends (mandrel vs press),the main muffler construction and the resonator. The easiest(cheapest) way to get it louder is to delete the resonator and replace it with a straight pipe. The problem with this is that it can make the exhaust illegal from a noise perspective and also can become very boomy in the car at highway speeds. To get something you're happy with will cost money. Maybe you're better off getting the local exhaust shop to come up with some options for you which you can hear on your car and you work out what you can afford and which sound you like the best.

What ever you do - try and keep the original exhaust so you can put it back to stock when you sell the car. Generally mods will tend to detract from price rather than add to it unless you use expensive brand name JDM gear and even then there is a limit. I know as I've owned over 30 cars and have done money cold before.

[DreadAngel]

I have installed a Exhaust w/midpipe now which i gave to dandy exhausts to get installed. I purchased a 2nd hand DC5R 5zigen proracer a spec exhaust and installed it on my stock dc5.

The sound is produces now is not too bad. Is there any way i can adjust it to produce more sound at all on the exhaust?

An increased number of JASMA approved catbacks have a reducer pipe inside to make it comply to the JASMA level [90dB, 96dB or 98dB]. So while the tip maybe say 120mm, the reducer inside actually makes the pipe more like 90mm. Might be possible to remove the reducer to make it louder if that's your aim.

[aspirin_ash7]

will take a look, thanks for all the help!

[Demanufacturer]

aspirin is basically asking all the questions i need to ask since i just got a 06 dc5 auto as well..

is it possible to have this kind of combination?

deep/mean/subtle kind of sound
still almost as quiet as possible
doesnt attract cops
increases power

???

DreadAngel i think i need to hire u as a consultant for mods for my car!! you're in all these threads!

[EKVTIR-T]

aspirin is basically asking all the questions i need to ask since i just got a 06 dc5 auto as well..

is it possible to have this kind of combination?

deep/mean/subtle kind of sound
still almost as quiet as possible
doesnt attract cops
increases power

???

DreadAngel i think i need to hire u as a consultant for mods for my car!! you're in all these threads!
yes you can achieve those goals but being an auto the minor power gains will be quite muted

using 2 of this style of muffler with 2.5" piping

http://s15.postimage.org/5bgkal0rf/car_muffler_repair.jpg

a subtle rear tip or even painted black for less cop attention





and avoid this type of muffler style as they are usually louder

http://www.aspecperformance.com/images/Megan%20GT%20Muffler.jpg

[aspirin_ash7]

Search around on this forum under the Parts for Sale thread- wait till someone sells a DC5 aftermarket exhaust (either Type R or Type S)
You can either go with a catback or full exhaust with headers.
Lot of people say dont go with full exhausts with header for a auto but Sky is the limit.

I waited around the forums and bought an 5zigen Proracer Exhaust catback with midpipe.
When i went to install it i had to change some of the piping as it came of a type R and didnt directly go onto my base model so thats a FYI.
Sounds deep and is pretty quiet toned as well i really love it.
Let me know how you go + goodluck!

[int5]

Save up and go for full exhaust with headers man else don't bother with catback, for the price you pay only 1 or 2 hp gain or you could loose power. Also you need other supporting engine mods too for bit more power gain, even that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference in power gain. Engine mods aren't cheap either.
It'd be better off spending on improving braking/handling with base models.
If you want power then save up buy type r or s or even dc2r.

If you have time read timmy_b base dc5 build thread (http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?126648-Timmy_B-DC5-Build-Thread.) there are heaps of great info there

[DreadAngel]

DreadAngel i think i need to hire u as a consultant for mods for my car!! you're in all these threads!

Feel free to PM =)

Working with quite a few cars of late so ;)

[imaxsameer]

Ive got a Skunk2 Megapower muffler. Can fit your car with minor modifications.
Pm me if interested.