khamiari

I've got a '96 Civic ex with vtec with nearly 200000 miles on it. When I bought it it had been driven in the north and had some rust problems but nothing too major. That was back in high school, and now the rust is starting to look a little dangerous so I'm looking to replace my exhaust because it looks like my cat is about done. So now to my question, my friend told me if I get a more efficient cat I can get better mileage, is that possible? I mean it's just an everyday car so I'm not necessarily looking for a huge increase in hp but if I can get both then so be it. So if anyone has any recommendations or articles for me to read through I'd appreciate it. Also, if you have any other parts that would increase my mileage recommend away. Thanks in advance!

ek-g6

A Test pipe or hollow cat, will increase a small amount of hp, but not too noticeable, but will give you better gas IMO. My daily beater eg coupe has an aftermarket intake, dc header, and test pipe, and gives me better gas mileage than i did before. It wasent the biggest increase, but with gas prices, itll go a long way. Also a tune will help if you havent done one in a couple years.

khamiari

I've also been reading a lot about O2 sensors and I've been pricing on ebay. Since my car is a '96 would it be a good idea to go ahead and replace mine? What's the standard life on it? I feel like it has probably never been replaced so might not be a bad idea lol.

ek-g6

Yeah i would replace the o2 sensor, if it havent been replaced before, but just get a full tune up on the car.

tw1tch

Don't get a test pipe if you are in Cali. It's a huge fine.

chai_ek9

yea agree. i live in cali. when it comes to smog time. SUCKS. and about gas saving..well you drive a HONDA. just dont step on IT all the time. theres a gas saving tip. i have i/h/e i spend about 26 buck for a tank since gas is kinda high now. (miss it when 20 bucks gets me a full tank). but thats the thing when you own a car.

and for exhaust. i have a full cat back apexi w2 exhaust. it sound super nice. not as expensive as greddy though. but if i had the money i would get the greddy sp2. since you are replacing you exhaust. research. alot of options out there

mugencx

Dont get a test pipe, you will get a check engine light. Obd2 cars are really touchy that way. You will make less power and get bad gas milage with a check engine light.

93egSLEEPER

get apexi ws2, a high flow cat, and call it good. smog legal, sounds great and is quiet

boostatic

go to the muffler shop and have them put a replacement cat and exhaust on and drive the car..but usually u dont change the cat just because of rust..

ALLxMOTOR EG

ES tune oval for stock looking.

khamiari

Well the problem is it's not just a little bit of rust. It looks like if I give the cat another year it may just come off with the amount of rust combined with vibration. I'll check into the ones you guys have recommended and keep doing my research, I just needed some starting points. Thanks! If there's anything else I should check into lemme know!

jonrice

Apexi Ws2 exhaust FTW! or even the Tanabe gold medallion exhaust, has a good deep tone and not too raspy at high RPM

khamiari

So it looks like its pretty much accepted that the apexi wsii is a good. I read some articles though that said that diameter of the pipe was pretty important. A lot of people go for a larger diameter, but the problem is that's too large for the small amount of exhaust being pushed out. From what I've read the diameter needs to be proportional to the amount of exhaust being pushed out, and possibly even smaller is better to a certain extent. The apexi wsii is 3.93 in. Is this sufficient? Too large, too small, what's the consensus or is what I've been reading even applicable.

blkcivic99_03

Apex wsII is ~2.25 piping. Most built turbo cars run 3+ inch piping. The wsII looks and sounds really good. I've had mine for about 4 years now and no problems what so ever. As for the cat, I'm using a skunk2 test pipe with a blox cel eliminator. No check engine light, but I've got to move the O2 bung a little bit because of the tight fit. I'm currently running an aem intake, dc 4-2-1 header, skunk2 test pipe, ws2 catback, and aem trupower pulleys and still get about 35mpg!

MPH Imports

get a cold air intake..