Alright so I just replaced my invidia catback with a RS*R because the cops have been ****** about the sound of my car. Ever since then the car seems to have no top end power, which is weird because before the exhaust swap it had awesome top end power. I started thinking and I don't think I am hearing VTEC engage, and I don't know if it's because the exhaust is quiet and more restrictive than my invidia and that's why I lost my top end power. Or if my VTEC is not engaging anymore, any ideas?

 

No offense, but alot of people think their cars are faster when they are louder. Allthough it's also possible that the quieter exhaust is more restrictive. Perhaps the butt dyno just needs a recalibration? As for the possibility of your VTEC possibly not working... what engine? any check engine light codes? good oil perssure? do you have an intake/can you normally hear VTEC?

 

disconnect your exhaust from the header and drive...it'll be loud enough for you to hear if vtec is engaging...then reattach...I'm sure it's working though and you just don't hear it well due to the restrictive exhaust. You can also take the intake tube out instead of the exhaust, just to magnify sound..

 

Well I took her out last night, and VTEC is engaging...
The new exhaust makes it so quiet that you can hardly tell, my first B16 CRX had a JDM 1st GEN b16a and when VTEC engaged it made a super loud "buzz" like noise that was unmistakable. This CRX has a USDM B16A2, and VTEC engages at 6K RPMs and it's super quiet, and it kinda sucks in a way. I definitely am going to get a chipped ECU soon, because I want earlier VTEC engagement and I hear that 5200 RPMs is the sweet spot. Now I have a JDM P30 ECU, should I just swap that for a phearable.net ECU, or should I send it to them and have them chip it? From what I have heard the JDM P30 is a well sought after item.

 

I have a pr3/hondata stage 2 (obd0), 10x better than what you're about to put in your car and it's sitting in my garage...make me an offer.