rickkane

That title looks familiar doesn't it??
So I am not talking ****, I just wanted to share a little personal experience that seems to contradict most of the advice given to the newbie guys on here. I have a EG civic that came with no a/c (hooray lightness right). I swapped in a b18c w/ hytech header, 3" catback, and no resonator. So I finally get it to the strip and it runs a 14.07 @99mph on RE11 Bridgestones. Since then I get pulled over for loud exhaust and get the dreaded CA Ref ticket. So not wanting to have this happen in the future, I install a 3" random tech cat, a borla XR1 3" muffler for a resonator, and for comfy cruising on hot days, air conditioning. So I get back to the strip last night. Does anyone have a guess what it ran since I "lost all that power from installing a cat, not to mention an extra muffler, and due to all that added weight/lost power from the a/c setup?"
It ran 14.02 @ 99mph.
So now I have a car that is quieter, emissions compliant and has air conditioning, that runs exactly the same, actually slightly quicker than it did when it was LOUD, dirty exhaust and no a/c!!
I just wanted to share this result with all the guys that think running around the street with an open header pissing off everyone, or the guys that ream out or remove altogether thier stock cats to "free up some power" is the only way to go. As well as to the weight removal ****'s that rip out thier carpet/seats/headliner, spare tire and jack, and every piece of plastic trim in order to "gain a 10th for every hundred pounds!"

peaseapea

Right on, man. I've always thought removing those things
for "performance" purposes was a little silly..but if people
want to do it, thats cool with me.

I removed the AC from my car for one purpose - To clean
up my engine bay. It's made zero difference in anything
except I can get around the engine really easy now.
Really easy. Which is awesome.

primednreddy

i know that i bought my car last year from a real "backyard mechanic" who had cut the main high pressure lines and taken off the ac system, taken off the cat, installed a 4 to 1 header and run 3" pipe back to a 4" resonator..... I hate the noise and in south georgia at 100 degrees it sucks not having air. If there is a benefit to all that crap, I haven't found it because i've been too busy sweating. lol, but to each his own.

40mpg_dx00

AC doesn't suck power unless your using it. I always found the weight to be negligible for a daily driver. People seem to think that it's a constant power drain. I don't get it

Kyle is raaddd

That's kind of what I was thinking. I mean, if you're looking for that much of a weight loss, just take a **** before you go to the drag strip. Or better yet, buy a gym membership haha.

rickkane

For sure it adds weight, but it can't be more than 50 lbs at most. Furthermore, it's directly over the front wheels, which is right where you want it, if you're a drag racer! Plus, it's mighty nice to have cool breezes when it's 90 out.

96DelSol

I always felt like it wouldnt make a difference.
How did you get faster though?

Ej Girl

id perfer not to have a/c...took it out anyways...dont need it since it doesnt really get too bad in md. was ur reaction time the same? and id perfer to get as much weight out of the front as possible for handling purposes. dont need all that weight in the front when its already front heavy

slimm42

en00be

honda tuning did an experiment about removing cats and it makes you lose power instead of gain

slimm42

all good points...handling purposes being the best excuse to rip that ish out in a hot state...ive lived in tucson and florida, and i took my **** out for power, wasn't much...at least now i can justify it for "handling purposes"

rickkane

MPH was the same, just a tiny bit quicker ET. It was just a good run on that pass. MPH is the indicator that shows how much power you are making. You can have a bad ET, and still have the same MPH, so I was pleased to see the same MPH.

rickkane

I removed the AC from my car for one purpose - To clean
up my engine bay. It's made zero difference in anything
except I can get around the engine really easy now.
Really easy. Which is awesome.[/QUOTE]

X2. It's much cleaner without all that crap. I was actually bummed when I saw how much room everything takes up, but it's a good trade off I think.

Murk 'EM

everybody says "take off the cat" and "remove the ac" well first off.. the cat acts as backpressure (wich you need) and the A/C shuts off when your in WOT so no you wont get "more power" for taking those off.. the most youll get out of taking the a/c out is better fuel milage

pemd5555

a/c pulleys still have drag even when the a/c is off. BUT a cat helps with power gains depending on how much air you flow. Normally aspirated motors need backpressure to create better flow. Also you could have improved your shifting skills since then haha

farkiller

Dont do it, i bought my EK with the A/C already removed and it freaking sucks! It gets over 100 degrees where I live I have to drive everywhere with the windows down and it's embarassing to drive my friends around like that, it's gonna cost me $900 for a new unit from a junk yard.

peaseapea

Yeah dude, it was the tubing that drove me nuts. I had it in my first Del Sol
and just left it. After I got this one in April, it needed some work and I just
tore it out before I started doing anything. Pulleys and all. Gone. I can look
right down to the oil pan. Hah.

It's all personal preference. I'd like to have AC in the humid Michigan summers
but it's a trade off 'cause I'm always under the hood doing something stupid.

juda7

I removed my A/C and PS for the Turbo Setup. What a mistake!!

Keep the A/C and PS. Nothing like cold air when it's Africa hot outside.

hmoobhero

i agree with this post but i also got a question. how bout on a modified engine? such as internal work. the op's setup was basic(unless he forgot to mention internal work). my guess would be that an internally built engine would benefit from having no cat since its sucking in more air and needs to breathe out faster.

also, if you dont use the a/c, it wont make you slower.

hannslebo

WOW!! umm about the PS/AC thing? Me n my pops have a 90 integra. that we are going to build LS/VTEC/turbo. and use it as a track car. we got this car 3 weeks ago...with a bone stock B18A1. sooo we decided to take it to the track in STEELE ALABAMA. we got there and ran constant 16.2's and the best was 16.178. since then all we have done...remove the a/c system...remove p/s. and a AEM CAI. we went to the track last sunday and ran constant 15.9's with a best of 15.898 All with constant r/t. so the ps/ac has to be doing something...its not the cai giving us all this decrease in time.

en00be

+1
i deleted ac in my turbo integra.....wish i wouldnt have cuz its a biznitch

fastrxu

I just put ps in my b18 hatch and it has lost definitely lost some power. I put in a hondata gasket and power steering at the same time so the ps has to lose enough power to offset the 2-4 horsepower the gasket gave me.

So to hannslebo your gain was probably from your power steering being removed and the addition of the CAI as I'm 99% sure you werent running a/c while going down the track

fastrxu

I will be putting in a/c later next week (it was 109 F yesterday) So i'll update with some more opinions

rickkane

I actually have it somewhat modified. It's got 11.8 to 1 compression, mild ported head/intake and skunk stage 2 cams. Thats why I've got the 3" catback, ya boy! It's making 195hp at the wheels.

rickkane

I would imagine p/s would kill more power since it's running constantly. My car is still non power steering, and I like that just fine.