I’ve spent the last two days reading this site and my head hurts. I have a ’95 EX w/D16z6 and never had to drop a dime on the car. Muffler gave out the other day and I picked up a used MagnaFlow 15641 SS catback for it cheap. I went to install the system but just couldn’t bring myself to bolt that nice SS system to the stock cat. Now I want to put in a SS header/cat system or should I just get the cat. I’m a cheap 47 year old fart and don’t care about squeezing every ounce of HP out of the engine either. I just want a bolt on solution with no modification to the car…ebay has a bunch of solutions for cheap but I thought it best to ask you guys for your experience, advice & opinions. The last time I messed with headers…was on my ’68 Camaro RS back in the day.

Oh ya…Is it legal in Jersey?

Thanks for any info...

 

If you decide to upgrade to a highflow cat converter and a aftermarket header be ready for a rather loud exhaust system. The header/cat always add drastically to the sound level esspecially if your mating them to a magnaflow catback exhaust system. If your not concerned about the sound level then grab a cheaper ebay highflow cat converter off ebay but when it comes to a cheap header most of the ebay models aren't dyno tested and may not = any gains. If you want something thats hp/tq dyno proven then grab a dc sports header but be prepared to shell out some cash.

 

Thanks for the fast reply. Do you think it's louder than a stock system with no muffler? I tourched off the old one over the weekend...wasn't doing much good anyway and I didn't want it falling off running down the road. Some of the setups on eBay claim they are dyno configed.

 

It will be equally loud or louder then a stock system without a muffler I would think. But it will likely be a nicer sound and tone.

The keyword is "claim" as far as hp goes. If you frequent ebay often enough you'll see some pretty stupid hp/tq claims for just about anything. Again it all comes down to whether or not you want a loud car or not. I just finished shutting mine up because listening to a loud exhaust gets very tiring FAST. You'll probably find yourself wishing you could actually hear the motor at work after a few months.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by H.crx-si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you want something thats hp/tq dyno proven then grab a dc sports header but be prepared to shell out some cash.</TD></TR></TABLE>

dc sports = OBX = Megan Racing its all the same stuff.

all those generics are DC knockoffs, so if you don't care about the name then save the $50-$100 & get one of the less popular brands.

personally i think DC sports is WAY overrated when it comes to headers.

 

for all you're trying to do, I would just get a ceramic dc header, or greddy ss if you want stainless, and any kind of hi-flow cat from ebay. Good prices and you know the fitment will be decent with name brands.

 

I have the Ractive SS header on mine and it has been great so far. on ebay $127 shipped and it fit perfectly.

 

I was looking at this. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...&rd=1

The price is right and it is a Megan Racing setup...as for it being too loud. If it is, couldn't I get an Adjustable Silencer?

 

That'll work just fine.....just install everything and see if it's too loud for you, you can always add resonators down the road.

 

Well the MagnaFlow setup comes with a resonator. Would be wise to switch over to a CAI system? I read a post in hear about using the Integra setup because it is 3" instead of 2.5" for a Civic.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jmayhew &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

dc sports = OBX = Megan Racing its all the same stuff.

all those generics are DC knockoffs, so if you don't care about the name then save the $50-$100 & get one of the less popular brands.

personally i think DC sports is WAY overrated when it comes to headers.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Don't listen to this false info. DC sports headers are dyno proven to make power, none of those cheap knockoff headers come with any proof of making power what-so-ever. When a company doesn't take the time to prove that their products produce power then something isn't right.

 

Thanx for the info…

Well…I dropped the stock exhaust to fit the magnaflow and of course it is NOT a bolt on solution…or I got ripped by an ebay seller selling me the wrong ****. It is about 3” – 4” too short to the stock cat. I bought the Megan Racing setup off of that guy on ebay, so I’m hoping the new setup will make up the difference but I doubt it. Anybody out there experience this with magnaflow?

 

You could always buy a small flex pipe so the system meets the cat as long as just extending it makes it fit.

 

I think you and I bought the same exhaust off the same seller. Mine came with a Magnaflow cat (universal, so no flanges). Mines pretty damn quiet. People don't even hear me when I drive by. I wouldn't gut your cat because it sounds like *** in my opinion.

What are you asking is legal in NJ? Gutting the cat? or just installing all the exhaust parts? Gutting = not passing emissions. Exhaust parts = tickets

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by H.crx-si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You could always buy a small flex pipe so the system meets the cat as long as just extending it makes it fit.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Now that I picture it in my head, it is the S pipe that is short. I remember the res hangers were set back about the same distance that I was short between the res & cat. So if everything holds true when the header/cat comes in I will probably get a shop to make me a flanged SS ext. I’m a little **** about my work and flex pipe isn’t going to cut it. Plus the 4” tip hits the bumper cover so I’m going to have to cut/drop & weld new hangers.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SkoundrelUSA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think you and I bought the same exhaust off the same seller. Mine came with a Magnaflow cat (universal, so no flanges). Mines pretty damn quiet. People don't even hear me when I drive by. I wouldn't gut your cat because it sounds like *** in my opinion.

What are you asking is legal in NJ? Gutting the cat? or just installing all the exhaust parts? Gutting = not passing emissions. Exhaust parts = tickets </TD></TR></TABLE>

I got the magnaflow catback of a guy that said it was a #15641 for a 92-95 Civic coupe/sedan and that jives with the magnaflow site. The bends in the S pipe fit perfectly its just a little short…go figure.

The cat is a Megan Racing straight thru…I got the whole set coming in next week but I’ll be in Ohio on biz, so its going to have to wait ‘till I get back. I’m glad to hear that you think the setup is a little quiet…I’m past my drag pipe days. Back then it was 327/427…

As for the Jersey thing, I’m just wondering if the straight thru cats are legal?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bluebark &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I got the magnaflow catback of a guy that said it was a #15641 for a 92-95 Civic coupe/sedan and that jives with the magnaflow site. The bends in the S pipe fit perfectly its just a little short…go figure.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah its the same guy I'm pretty sure. I'm surprised you didn't you get the free cat...? Mine didn't really have problems because I had to get the cat welded so it had to fit...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bluebark &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
As for the Jersey thing, I’m just wondering if the straight thru cats are legal?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, and I wouldn't risk it. I think some cops have been checking to see if you're running catless or not. And it is a pretty big fine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SkoundrelUSA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">No, and I wouldn't risk it. I think some cops have been checking to see if you're running catless or not. And it is a pretty big fine.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Then why does MR call it a Hi Flow “Catalytic Converter” if it don’t convert…I thought I read somewhere in here someone saying that they were legal on older cars. I figured it would be alright since the cars over 10 yrs. old.

 

Oh I thought you said a straight pipe. I'm not sure what Megans look like but if its that cheap ebay pipe, I don't think it does anything. I could be wrong though.

 

I think the megans is a straight pipe



Quote from RobearRacing.com-

...The straight-through design is made with stainless steel with a chrome finish and is a direct bolt on.
* For off-road/race only* &lt;Quote Ends&gt;

It's a test pipe/resonator. It's not legal in New Jersey for use.

I don't think you'll be able to pass emissions... I couldn't even pass with a magnaflow carsound direct fit OBD2 one and I remember reading that it was legal for street use and could be passed on it's website.

I remember hearing test-pipes set of CEL's...

At least I was able to get a used one from skoundrel


Modified by saxqtzk at 11:11 AM 6/23/2005

 

Figures…I guess I’ll be putting the old stock cat back on when I have to run it thru inspection in ’07.

Thank for you input guys...