Need Exhaust Advice

[Player0]

My Honda's exhaust has been broken for a good 6 months now. I need a new cat back, and I figgure I might as well get a good one since I have to replace it. Im gonna be ordering in a couple weeks.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=BIG%2D81430&view=33

I really like the ratings on the FlowMaster ThunderMuff here, but for $440, it's pretty costly. I dont mind spending the money, but if Im gonna buy it, I want to make sure im not tossing my money away.

Anyone have any other recommendations on parts, or where I should buy?

I have a 94 Accord LX 2.2L.

PS - Think this is something I can put on myself? I also have a leaky exhaust header, and I might replace that as well.

[Farabomb]

See, I become partners in a install shop and I spread the infection. :D

Borla makes a great subaru exuast and I figure the honda one can't be all bad. For Hondas it's eaiser yet harder to pick something because of all the choices.

Now to pimp my shop. ;)

If there is anyone in the tri-state area looking for a good install/speed shop check out AZPinstalls. (www.azpinstalls.com) I am now the new A in AZP so if you need anything PM me.

We're mainly a subaru shop but we have a resident Honda guru and if you're interested in Auto-x or tracking your car we're the ones to talk to. We go to most NASA HPDE events within 8 hours of us and most NASA and SCCA auto-xes (along with some other events here and there). There are tons of places that will make your car look like it's going fast but we will make it fast. We're racers, not ricers. :)

If you're interested in Auto-x or tracking your car we're heavily involved with both and even if you just want to check it out let me know and when we're in the area come on down and see what goes on. Even if you're just interested in cars it's a worthwhile trip just to see the vechicles there.

Ok, done pimping on this thread. :D

[Player0]

Im still hounding you to do my breaks ;)

Borla doesn't make exhausts for the Accord.

Magnaflow makes one for $480. This one is Stainless.

DNX also makes a stainless for $270.

Im so out of my league with this choice. Doing research, but all syggestions appreciated. I want performance, under $400 would nice nice, loud sounding (hey, im used to it now), and something I can get a lot of use out of (Stainless i guess)

Other Q's:

Cold Air Kit - worth it?

Alu Pulley Kits?

High performance distributer caps?

High performance plugs?

[Denovin]

I know I found out the hard way with my saturn thats its not always best to buy premade stuff. If you go to shop, they have the tubing and stuff usuelly, nice stainless of all sizes that they can shap and weild for you. Mine they had to bend and cut a little because even though it was made specifically for my car, all cars are different by slight degrees and milimeters make a huge difference when you follow it out 5 feet.

I say go to a shop and ask them shop around from experts that do exhaust. In person they are usuelly much more responsive, expecially if they can see the car. So go take it down to AZPInstalls and get us a review. heheh

[Synthohol]

Originally posted by Denovin
Mine they had to bend and cut a little because even though it was made specifically for my car, all cars are different by slight degrees and milimeters make a huge difference when you follow it out 5 feet. aint that the truth! 12+ years as a mechanic i can vouch for tht 1000x over ;)
Brakes? did someone say brakes? thats cake:)

[Player0]

The problem is, I dont know any shops.

[Farabomb]

I never said I wouldn't do your brakes. I haven't talked to Racingbrake about accord rotors yet. They're going to be expensive because of the bearing issue and the fact that they can be a b*tch to remove (don't have a slap hammer).

I'll find time soon enough. Check tirerack.com for brakepads and rotors. We use hawk HP+ pads on track and auto-x but I'd go for the HPS's for the street. I'd avoid crossdrilled rotors (they will crack under track conditions) but the slotted are ok.

You get the parts and I'll see if I can drag Synth up and we can have an install-fest and mini-LAN. Might take a day or two to complete. :D

[Denovin]

dont you have a white and yellow pages book? heh. if not..
www.questdex.com should help

[speculative]

I envy you Honda guys and your cheap parts! Are you talking just muffler or full catback exhaust? Minimum I'd look to spend for a catback for my rig would be 800$ :o

-spec

[Player0]

Alex, probably not doing rotors at this point. Mine are pretty good. I mostly just need good new pads (sporty) and im sure I need rear break service.

Some of the catbacks Im looking at Spec are $700-$800, at least the ones Im having recommended. But thats too much for my car.

Realistically, I dont think I'll be dropping any H22 in to this Accord. It's just not in my budget. Seriously, it would only get me in trouble anyway. Most of my budget is going to go in to parts that are going to make the Honda more livable and safe. I wouldn't even be getting a good catback unless I didn't have to. Given the roads I drive on now (more back roads, less highway), im looking for more low end power and definitely better handling. Im probably going to pick up some sway or strut bars. Maybe have a suspension upgrade put on. A nice CAI probably wouldnt hurt. I need a new exhaust header.

Thing is, when I buy things, i always buy decent stuff, even if the car doesnt really need or warrant it :)

I pretty much know what I want now. What Im not sure is if I can do it myself. If im just doing a cat back, can I do that in the driveway?

[illmatik]

As a 90 accord owner whos been recently doing the same stuff , I'd say be careful w/ the catback you choose. A lot of them have that horrendous bark bigger than bite sound I like to call civicfart. I'll have to look in my notebook and see the model rpmnyc.com recommended that increases power w/o the queer noise. You'd probably want to be able to lift your car a decent bit to do a cat back and I'm 99% positive some welding/cutting is going to be involved. I dunno bout you, but I'm 6'4" 220 lbs and wouldnt feel too comfortable holding a cutting torch under a car thats only like 2 feet off the ground. Maybe Alex has some better tricks up his sleeve for shade tree style jobs like that.


As far as suspension, I just swapped mine and can tell you
DO NOT BUY TOKICO HP Shocks and springs. Although I can now take city corners a lot faster than is humanly safe and undergo much less body roll(need strut and sway bars replaced and it will be way sick), and the car is 2.5" lower, the car is way too stiff. Uncomfortably stiff. (and I used to own 2 E30 bmw 325s w/ the meanest coilover track suspension) If you go tokico I'd say get the adjustable illuminas w/ neuspeed or ST springs.

Just 5 mins ago my clutch came in. I'm dropping in a 200+hp exedy clutch and new master and slave cylinders in the coming week. Sigh.. If only I had the time and money to get up to montreal so my pals could get one of their jdm h22'z in there.

In nyc, its all about the married family style sleeper ride. Nothing too flashy or it wont be yours for too long :(

[Denovin]

what illmatik said, but more positive about the wielding, unless of coarse if you dont have to get smog checked, why even bother with a catback? *cough*

[illmatik]

I wasn't being negative.. just disappointed w/ the tokicos and want to make sure nobody else succumbs to the 'good deal' they offer, it really is getting what you pay for, and @ 380 shipped, a bit much.

It's true he could saw thru remove the cat altogether, and depending on the last emissions inspection you had, and whether he intends on junking or selling (in which case you can get into trouble for selling a car w/o a cat) the car when he's done w/ it may or may not be worth it. Personally, with New York State's new emissions initative, I'd rather not risk the penalties of getting caught w/o a cat (even a hollowed out one). I watched the emissions test when i got my car inspected @ one of the 24 hour shops in my neighborhood, and it's pretty hardcore. The inspector puts your car on basically a dyno connected to an emissions meter and has to get it up to (and hold it at) various speeds all the way up to 60 mph. Pretty nerve wracking experience for me. Not that I was gonna fail (my car is from the bay area and has CARB compliant emissions) but it's a 5 speed and during shifts, it looked like the car was going to jump out of the dyno and right into the lift behind it holding up a huge lincoln navigator (Good ol NY state requires this test I think every 4 years, but of course holds NO responsibility for what happens during or after it. bastards)

Well enough of this babble. Tom I talked to the guys @ rpm and they recommend a unit like this for better performance w/ stock sound.
exhaust #1 (http://www.greddy.com/products/product_detail.asp?catidx=1&catname=Exhaust%20Systems&prodtype=14&prodtypename=Evo.%20-%20Exhaust%20Systems&productidx=127)

I've seen these on ebay and in mags for 50%-60% less than the price you see there.

If you happen to like civicfart





exhaust #2 (http://www.greddy.com/products/product_detail.asp?catidx=1&catname=Exhaust%20Systems&prodtype=79&prodtypename=%20%20SP2%20-%20Street%20Perfomance%20Ver.%202%20(NEW)&productidx=58)

[Denovin]

You lived in the Bay Area? Which Bay Area? Cali's San Fran Bay Area? Where they emmission test like every year or something rather? heh I hated that..

Its actuelly better to have a cat back anyways, a little back pressure is good for the engine, its made for it

[Player0]

Ive done some reading and im going for a full stainless catback, no hybrids like that one there.

Im pretty sure we dont get emmisons testing up here. Anyway, I know some 'people' so inspection stickers are not a problem. Ive also had cars with drilled out cats. The cat provides the engine with MORE than enough back pressure, im not sure having a muffler there would make any difference at all.

None of the catbacks ive picked will have a civicfart, they are all good quality beasties. I want a little loud, like I said. Im not going for stock quiet.

Regarding removing the old cat back, it's already removed itself. The pipe broke at the flange. All I have to worry abotu is getting the flange bolts off. I can go have that done anywhere I think.

[illmatik]

Yeah, you luck out being in dutchess

A High Enhanced emissions inspection is required for vehicles registered in the nine county New York Metropolitan Area (NYMA) of Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Westchester, and the five counties within New York City, The purpose of this inspection is to measure the amount of hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, and carbon monoxide pollutants coming from the vehicle exhaust. The High Enhanced emissions inspection includes a Simulated driving condition test (on a dynamometer) for gasoline powered vehicles, 1981 model year and newer, that weigh 8,500 pounds or fewer. An "idle emissions test" (engine at idle only) is required for gasoline powered vehicles that weigh more than 8,500 Pounds, are less than 26 model years old, and were manufactured for the 1980 model vear or- older.

[Farabomb]

NJ has the dyno load test as well but the scoobie is exempt. Ahh.. the beauty of all wheel drive. :D

Get a can of PB blaster and hit the bolts with it as often as you can. It may not help when it's time to take them off but it's sure not gonig to hurt.

[speculative]

Emissions testing is the work of the devil. :mad: Think of the small percentage of people who mod their cars (mostly teenagers/younger 20's) and I don't see why it's such a big deal frankly...

-spec