B18C5-EH2

Okay, I'm still deciding on what exhaust to get for my CX. I've got a B18C5 in it and of course I want the best possible exhaust in terms of flow and construction.

I see a lot of "just get it piped and throw on an ES muffler, or whatever..."

That sounds just great, but a few questions for all of you who suggest this set-up and who may also own it too:

1. Did you get mandrel bent piping? The reason I ask is because unless it's mandrel bent, the flow is not as good as it could be because of the "crush bends" in the piping.

2. How many pieces of piping were used? Specifically for the 1992-1995 hatchback really, but were there a few different pieces like stock? Just one piece? How'd they do it?

3. What type pf material was used for piping? The better exhausts on the market use stainless steel for piping, or at least a ceramic-coated steel. How do you guys keep your piping from rusting?

4. How heavy is the piping? I know the appeal of most exhuasts that I'm looking at is "40% lighter than STOCK!" and ****, so how much heavier is mild steel piping from a muffler shop? It has to be heavier than stock because it's bigger, right?

5. Hangers? This might sound retarded, but are the hangers just some sort of steel or mystery metal? If so how do you guys keep them from rusting and eventually breaking off at the welds?

6. And for the muffler - stainless or not, if the hangers are not stainless how do you keep them from risting and breaking off of the muffler?

7. Resonator(s)? What did you guys do for that?

8. How much did you pay?

9. Power output compared to a good aftermatket cat-back? Anyone ever compared the 2 back-to-back?

The exhaust I'm looking at currently is a Tanabe Super Medallion Racing Spec. I have owned 2 Racing Medallion Exhausts and I understand the loudness - doesn't bother me one bit. Along with being loud though, they were both light as ****, very well constructed, never rusted at ALL, hang high enough for good clearance, and never had anything break on them like hangers, etc.

The newer version uses thinner guage walls in the piping for even lighter weight, and all of the piping is full stainless steel as are the hangers.

This is the only thing that keeps me from getting a custom piped job with a nice muffler. Even IF I can find a good shop that does mandrel bends the durability of mild steel will always be a question mark for me. Something so "stupid" as not having stainless steel hangers would keep me from buying an exhaust.

So IMO I'm still leaning towards the Tanabe because of its superior construction, light weight, and good flow.

The only thing that seems to be better about the custom jobs is the price difference. I will be spending about $450.00 on the Tanabe (don't ask me how, I work at a shop) so it's not as though I'm spending the usual $550-$600 or so.

So what do you guys think?

DragII

I think a custom stainless set up wll be just as good as any aftermarket set up. Mandrel bends are a must for sure.

the only thing I would look into is....the competancy of the welder, because shitty welds can obstruct flow if they are hanging down into the pipe, and aproxamate cost vs. ease of buying an aftermarket model.

I know the piping can be had for just over $100, or even less, and labor depends on if you "know a guy"

deepnite

after all that..get whatever u want..seems like uve got ur mind made up already...a prepackaged cat. back just too many opinions out there to address each of ur concerns

B18C5-EH2

So where would one get enough stainless piping to do such an exhaust?

I have never heard of any Atlanta area shops that do stainless piping. The ones that do mandrel bends that use mild steel usually cost about $150 for the job plus what ever the muffler costed you.

Stainless steel (if available) would defiantely cost more than the mild steel.

So have any of you gotten full stainless piping from a muffler shop?

B18C5-EH2

No my mind is not made up for sure, but when I see those "just get custom piping instead of wasting money on a namebrand exhaust..." it makes me wonder.

Well?

B_CRUZ!

IMO get the tanabe. When i had my B18C1 coupe, i regretted getting custom piping even though i got mandrel bends with it. i kept snapping the bolts that connected the exhaust piping to the header(i had a straight pipe).it had something to do with the angle of the flange. it was supposed to be a reputable welder/muffler shop too.

I got lucky and bought a full trust system with a f_cked up muffler for $75.00. i took that to my muffler shop and replace the muffler with a stainless steel magnaflow one with no welded tip.

I am currently WAITING for MY MUGEN twinloop from WAFFLES...


[Modified by B_Cruz, 4:26 PM 4/29/2002]

DragII

go to http://www.google.com

search for 2.5 or 3" stainless steel piping

you will find many places...most dealing with domestics. Piping, even stainless is reletively cheap, I believe even JC Whitney carries some that is already mandrel bent.

DragII

did you not use flex pipe??

B_CRUZ!

nope

Maximus

Well since I am putting a b20/vtec into my civic with a header that I haven't decided on yet I doubt an aftermarket exhaust would be a bolt on affair. The muffler I will use for my setup is a hytech twin loop mated to a 22" magnaflow resonator and mandrel bent piping from a local muffler shop. Can anyone recommend a shop in the Southern California area that is known for exceptional custom exhaust work?

blackANESE

iTrader: (2)

I have the racing medalion and I love it.
If you don't mind the sound which you
don't, I'd say go for the Tanabe. Added
bonus is that it is all stainless now too.

V8KILLA

Try Stone Mountain Muffler. They do pretty good and inexpensive custom setups. I plan on gettin a lil somethin done until i can afford name brand for my recently swapped coupe. I don't know the number off hand but i can find out.

DragII

well their ya go.

Chugger

the custom exhaust is only as good as its maker there is a shop here in Va actually in fredericksburg called SMSP have you ever heard of it?
Contact Goerge Knighton he has a custom exhaust from SMSP and it performs great and sounds great to boot he is running a mandrel bent pipe with a 2.5 magna flow resonator and a 2.5 in magnaflow muffler i have heard it first hand and it sounds great
i cant find his number but when i do i will post it he might already have the specs for a hatchback and can make one and ship it so you wont have to travel i think he already had a test hatch to get the measurements
hope this helps
chris

khoalie

what ever you do tell the shop to make the weld with ss rods instead of mild steel welding rods
this way your welds will not rust before the piping

Halo

I went to "The Muffler Man" today in Fullerton and he used 2.5 mandrel magnaflow pipe connected to a 14" magnaflow resonator, carsound cat, and jdm header. I am very satisfied with this set-up except that it is not as quite as everyone makes it out to be. It has a very mellow DEEP base sound. A cop with a good set of ears will still bust you. I paid $170 for the piping and having everything installed. It took nearly 3 hrs to hook it all up, since with mandrel you cut and weld as you go along, it takes 6 times longer than conventional crush bent exhasut installs...Oh yeah I also have a 2.5 Magnaflow muffler which is identical to the ES, if you want to truly be stealth then go with the 2.5 oem ctr b pipe and muffler


[Modified by Halo, 5:06 PM 4/29/2002]

Maximus

How is the quality and workmanship from "The Muffler Man"? What type of steel did the shop use for the piping? Also if its loud maybe you should switch to a 22" magnaflow muffler which SMSP uses in his exhaust system which is supposed to be pretty quiet. SMSP is a member of honda-tech and you can IM him anytime to ask any questions. There was a thread about George Knighton's exhaust system making very nice numbers on an ITR. SMSP's custom exhaust system runs around $900.

ill phil

Is crush bent really going to be that bad, like a definite noticable difference from a mandrel bent system? There are no shops around my area that do mandrel bends, so it looks like I'm gonna get stuck with crush bent if I go with a 2 1/2" custom piping.

hondafrk

I just had my new exhaust made at the shop I used to work at, It is 2.25" stainless with crush bends and an N1 style muffler with no resonator. The piping ran me about 100 bux including labor and the muffler ran me about 100 bux. Its loud but It flows real well. I did notice quite a difference on my butt dyno over my 5zigen fireball cat back. Crush bends dont really make a huge difference but that is IMO. Dont waste your money on a prefab aftermarket exhaust spend it on something else like a set of lightweight rods or something

Kengs

DIY JDM exhaust

http://www.car-promenade.co.jp/coco/index.html

00MRSi

SMSP would be my choice if I wanted a custom exhaust. Other systems I would think of: Type One catback, Buddy Club Spec III, Kakimoto N1. These are all JDM spec systems with "true" 2.5" piping. Quality is second to none, but not cheap. Around $600-$650. Have you ever seen the Buddy Club Spec III, looks sick. Good luck.

broke1

i have the es muffler with mandrel bent pipe.

Mr. Thunderlips

IMO, I'd rather spend a few bucks to get a nice quality, smooth bent, pre-welded, perfect fit brand name exhaust. I hear it can be very pricey to get someone to actually do good mandrel bends, and the pipes can be a little on the heavy side. Competency of the welder also comes into question. Will the muffler and pipes hang correctly? Will the welds last as long as I'd like them to? Just a few questions to ask yourself before you go and spend almost as much as the nice Tanabe exhaust you've been running on your last two cars.

vtecvoodoo

nice username..Rocky III

We built a 3" system for a friend`s boostin gsr. Bought the stainless piping on line and took it to a very good welder. Total price, including muffler and labor, was about $400. It was pretty sick. If you don`t know a GOOD welder, just buy something off the shelf.

Ryan

Jonathan_ED3

here's what i'm doing. full 2.25" mandrel bent piping. stainless (for weight purposes only). it will have a flange over the rear wheel just like a stock/aftermarket system so i can take it off easily if need be. ES oval muffler, resonator, etc. when it's all done, i'm going to get it all powdercoated, except JUST the tip of the muffler...all done in a really nice silver to match my car. all together this should run me ~250-300 including the muffler, and the piping/install and powdercoating..it's gonna flow good, look very nice, won't rust out on me, and will be surprisingly stealthy

edit: right now i have a full 5Zigen exhaust...nice powerband with it. as soon as i get my new exhaust done, i'll have a test back-to-back....i just gotta come up with the money first!

EDIT2: I'm getting a b18c5 swap in my 92 CX...should I stick with 2.25, or go 2.5? I just assumed 2.25"......?


[Modified by hot_EF, 8:38 PM 4/30/2002]

[Modified by hot_EF, 8:40 PM 4/30/2002]


[Modified by hot_EF, 8:42 PM 4/30/2002]