Stock exhaust feels faster than aftermarket

[CivicDuty]

We installed Borla headers on my friend's hatch last week and
he didn't really feel much of a difference in terms of performance
gain.

He had a straight-thru aftermarket exhaust on his car. He took
it off and put the stock exhaust back on, and it actually feels
faster.

He used to lose to my friend's RSX by about 2 cars, and now
he only loses by 1 car.

I guess stock exhaust with a little backpressure really helps
the car. This begs to question, are aftermarket exhausts,
especially the giant straight-thru canister designs worth it?

-Civic Duty

[Whoisray]

interesting... i guess the best way to find out for sure is a dyno.

[Civicvtec1ps]

our stock muffler does work
someone posted dyno. while ago

[Makross]

our stock exhaust flows as good or better then aftermarket exhaust

[SmoothOperator]

I'm curious what the diameter of the aftermarket exhaust was? Most guys are saying a 2.25" CRUSH bent exhaust works best. So you'd figure that'd be equivalant to a 2" midpipe. Anything over 2.25 is too big me thinks.

[myeverlovinsir]

Bingo! Guys, I have been touting this ever since we proved this
on the dyno, some are after looks, and others with some blown
out numbers from venders, think they can gain with an aftermarket
exhaust. No way! It's been dyno proven, the best gains
are from a 2.25" midpipe and the stock exhaust. I remember seeing
that comptech got 2-3 hp from their system, and knew somehow
the stock exhaust, mainly the muff, was built to perform well
as is. Needless to say, the only way you will see gains on a dyno
is when you combine the I/H/E. Exhaust alone is a small gainer, or
none at all. Just a nice looking(some better than others) waste of money imho.;)

[Civicvtec1ps]

i agred. and stock muffler looks pretty good in my opinion
although i do like some of aftermarket exhaust.
like hks hiper .. looks sweet.
worth 550? hmm im still debating.

[EP3_DC5]

I think that most people think of exhaust as a necessity nowadays for their cars. It's more for looks and sound than anything imo... Intake first, then exhaust. If it doesn't give you that much power, at least it will sound like you have a lot more power, you know?;)

[SmoothOperator]

Honestly, I LOVE the sound of my exhaust. I've never heard one that I liked more. Not loud, just low....and mean!

[SiBoy]

Civic duty, me and my other freind was doing the install on my car, and after i took off the exhaust, and put on the stock i immediately felt a big dif down low, now up high it still felt the same IMO minus the sound of course. In the end the money alone was not worth the gains im getting for the exhaust. I realize spending money on go go parts for a car that was not meant to drag is definately a WO$. I learned my lesson. A $500 less ROFL. THe header tho are worth the money i belive cuz it definately pulls more, good job borla, but defenately not a DIY project.

[02TafWhtSi]

Originally posted by Civicvtec1ps
i agred. and stock muffler looks pretty good in my opinion
although i do like some of aftermarket exhaust.
like hks hiper .. looks sweet.
worth 550? hmm im still debating.

Like this?
Man I love this exhaust! :D

[CivicDuty]

02TafWhtSi: that looks exactly like the exhaust my friend had on his hatch. When he went back to stock, he actually gained back HP. So if you ever actually want to make HP, put on your stock exhaust. Otherwise, if you just want your car to SOUND fast, then keep to the giant canister exhausts.

Kinda reminds me of those Toyota commercials for the Celica
"action" bodykit. It "looks fast".

Just to clarify, my friend had I/H/E. When he went back to stock
exhaust, it actually got faster with the aftermarket intake and
header combo.

-Civic Duty

[Dunrick]

It probably felt faster because It would give you better torque, but the exhaust will give up top power w/ i/h


btw, did you clamp the borla header or weld it? I clamped mine, seems to be just fine.

[Civicvtec1ps]

Originally posted by 02TafWhtSi


Like this?
Man I love this exhaust! :D
sweet exhaust.
:eek:

[SiBoy]

We hammered it in with our godlike hands.

[chubbychu]

so how about headers? worth it vs stock? im talking about dc 4-2-1 ceramic...lol!

[SiBoy]

dont get the dc one, i think they suck like shit.

[Mad02Si]

Yeah hopefully most will realize that aftermarket exhaust is for looks, and sound. I didnt get mine hopeing to gain 5-10 hp. But when I go Turbo the increased diameter should help the flow better and possible give better gains. But unless you get the whole combo IHE your not really getting anything with your 500 bucks. I just love the sound and look of mine..

[02SilverSiHB]

I think I might try and put my stock exhaust on and go to the dyno some time and see if this comptech is killing me or not.

[02SilverSiHB]

Well, just put the stock one on. I felt a little more torque, and a tad bit of loss up in the higher rpms. But overall, I'm going to go ahead and sell it. I might regret it later, but oh well I guess. I put it up for sell in the classifieds if anyone is interested.

[audomatik]

has anyone tested this theory with the spoon axle back? i was thinking of getting a midpipe and the spoon exhaust... but if i just get a midpipe and the stock is just as good... hell, i'll save my money on something else... i wish our stock exhaust was a little louder, i like the intimidation factor, will the larger diameter midpipe unleash a couple more dBs?

[kenis138]

Im thinkin bout swapping back to my stock midpipe as well....

IS IT BAD FOR THE CAT TO HAVE I/H WITHOUT A MORE FREE FLOWING MIDPIPE?? SOMEONE LET ME KNOW PLEASE...
I also have Hondata. Tks!

[CivicDuty]

In my experience, the Apexi WS and the RSR EXMAG exhausts
are great for those who aren't after big flashy bling bling and
monster fart sounds.

Both Apexi WS and RSR EXMAG are just slightly louder than stock,
providing a deeper, sportier tone. Apexi WS is polished steel,
so you should get that if you're looking for a little bling.

RSR EXMAG on the otherhand, is painted black, and is shaped
like a stock muffler. It is very stealthy and will look as if you
have a stock exhaust on the car.

Both of the exhausts don't drone, and they don't make the
distinctive, loud, Civic fart-can noise.

UNFORTUNATELY, both exhaust systems are not available for
the EP hatch. So if you guys generate enough interest, they
might produce 'em.

http://www.apexi-usa.com
http://www.rs-r.com/exmag.htm

-Civic Duty

[02SilverSiHB]

Originally posted by CivicDuty
In my experience, the Apexi WS and the RSR EXMAG exhausts
are great for those who aren't after big flashy bling bling and
monster fart sounds.

Both Apexi WS and RSR EXMAG are just slightly louder than stock,
providing a deeper, sportier tone. Apexi WS is polished steel,
so you should get that if you're looking for a little bling.

RSR EXMAG on the otherhand, is painted black, and is shaped
like a stock muffler. It is very stealthy and will look as if you
have a stock exhaust on the car.

Both of the exhausts don't drone, and they don't make the
distinctive, loud, Civic fart-can noise.

UNFORTUNATELY, both exhaust systems are not available for
the EP hatch. So if you guys generate enough interest, they
might produce 'em.

http://www.apexi-usa.com
http://www.rs-r.com/exmag.htm

-Civic Duty
you forgot comptech in that list. It sounds like what you just stated. It's pretty much the same as an apexi ws exhaust

[1fastminivan]

now you say aftermarket exhaust................do you mean a name brand full catback system......or one of those muffler specials with a straight 2.25midpipe no resonator and an aftermarket muffler for example an N1style muffler?

[SiBoy]

He meant full cat back like the one i had, buddy club spec III.

[02SilverSiHB]

hahahha, screw this shit, I'm not selling my exhaust. While I was driving around with the stock one on, I started to notice that even though there was a little bit more torque in the low rpms, it seemed to disappate and then the horsepower didn't feel to climb like it was before. So I decided the hell with this butt dyno crap, I'll take it to the dyno. I lost 18whp! I'm going to post a new thread on this with the comparison dyno sheets

[SiBoy]

ouch.

[02SilverSiHB]

Originally posted by SiBoy
ouch.
no kidding, check out the thread
http://ephatch.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=18372