Hey guys, long time reader, first time poster-

I'm trying to build a nice looking, sounding 98 SH- but I'm doing it on a tight budget. Anyone had any luck with eBay generic cat-backs? Looking at one with a 2.5" pipe, and plan to pitch the no doubt awful muffler that'll come with it in favor of a Greddy/Skunk2/<insert your brand here> before I put it on. I found one that's designed for the SH(I think, or can no doubt do the 4" cut mod if it's non-SH) decently cheap. Any reason the pipes would be junk?

 

can i add to the question?
same thing but the whole thing
i've got a 93 si and my entire exhaust is junk. holes in the flex pipe, the cat fell out and got patched with a chunk of pipe, the cat back section was custom welded and is now patched with a tin cans. shop wants over $2000 for the whole thing, but i could do all generic stainless from ebay for around $200-$300.

also, will the header for a 2.2 fit my 2.3?

 

I can't say for sure- but I did find a link to a header that apparently fits the 2.2 AND 2.3 here.

 

In my opinion both of you guys will do a lot better getting a custom exhaust made. Check around until you find a decent price...$2000 is WAY too much. I had mine done with very good components (Carsound cat, Magnaflow muffler, etc) for $600 and that was a little too much.

The header for a 2.2 nonVTEC will fit, but the header for a 2.2 VTEC will NOT fit. Different head patterns... There's plenty of H23 headers though, so It shouldn't be too much of a problem.

 

Piece your own cat back together. Buy a magnaflow universal cat, the muffler what ever you choose (vibrant, greddy, etc etc.) and the "S" pipe at the shop that installs this all for you. Or if your doing it yourself just buy the s pipe locally, than no shipping headaches (its the biggest single section).

Break down. Cat around 120-150 (thats what I paid for a magnaflow). Muffler 250-300 (Axle back vibrant was 300+ for me when I bought it), "S" pipe is around 200 (thats what I was quoted at muffler man) which is pretty generic.

I'd say 600 is a good guess too. Labour shouldn't be more than an hour or two at a shop. If they take longer than that they are morons.

 

That's what I'm saying: I could buy a full kit for for a few hundred online, install it myself, save on labor, but it's still pretty pricey(for my wallet, not the mods in general. They're well worth their price.). All I want to know is if anyone has ever had any experience with these generic pipes/cat-back rigs. I know the muffler will probably sound like a bumblebee in a pop can- but I can switch that out for a quality muffler when I actually bolt it on.

 

Well lets put it this way. They will function and will fit with some little or no work(read the sellers feedback). The muffler might sound like crap possibly who knows. Lots of other factors in the whole sound of your exhaust. Thats why buying off ebay you can't gaurentee anything. You buy from a shop than if it sounds like total *** they will usually work with you and add a resonator or what ever they can to tune your exhuast.

As far as how long the setups will last, thats the issue. I think if your only doing occasional spirited driving ebay stuff is probably fine. If your gonna go to the track and push your car hard you should invest in all quality parts.

You'll find mixed reactions all over here. Your probably just going to have to buy it and try it in reality because I think your set on getting it already

 

Not entirely set on getting it at all- I was just curious as to the quality of the piping. Even if I DO buy a setup from eBay, I'll still have to wait a few months to save for the muffler anyway, so there's no big rush(I've got a kid, and she's first priority, followed by my mortgage, etc ). I hadn't taken the possible need for a resonator into account, nor had I considered support from an eBay seller versus a shop or a real brand name. Those two things alone will probably push me away from eBay, and thanks for making me think about it!

That said- no, I'm definitely not a track-rat, not a racer- just looking for nice tone and a little extra pickup(which is why I'll probably stop around intake, headers, exhaust, possibly ignition) while I try to restore this Prelude to top form. It's already in great shape, first on my list is to either replace or re-cover the seats, as the guy who had it before me tore the driver's side leather up pretty good. Outside of that, I'll probably replace the valve-cover with a JDM as this one has grime just baked on, replace the plug wires, heat shield- pretty much do my best to get it looking right again.

 

alright, i'm gonna try it out, why not. header all the way back, and see how it goes. anything is better than the cans and **** holding my loud *** stock stuff together.
i'll be ordering within the month, so i'll update when i get it on.

 

Ok, I have a 98SH and I just did this. So here's my advice.

Magnaflow/Carsound Universal Highflow Cat (2.5") from eBay ~$75
Two 90º mandrel bends from eBay or local parts store ~$50
One 18" resonator from eBay or muffler shop ~$50
Your choice of muffler & header ~however much $ you want to spend
Installation at local muffler shop ~$500

If you don't have the money to do it all at once, I recommend you wait until you do.

 

Sounds good- I'd still like to buy up all the parts and hold them, as it'll be a long, long while before I can save up enough to have it all done, much less convince my wife that's what I need to do with it. I'm more than happy to hold onto the parts, then do it myself over the course of a weekend(I've worked on enough Accords/Civics/CRXs that I think I can handle it ). I've always done any and all mods myself, but this is new ground for me with the Prelude.

 

I just did this to my 4th gen but with a slightly different approach. I bought the cheap ebay catback mainly for the pipes and flanges. I hack off the rear muffler section and sold it, then bought a magnaflow muffler and a J pipe for the custom work. The catback has the correct bends but the welding really sucks on the flanges. Therefore, the pieces don't bolt up correctly. I cut the flanges off and weld them back one section at a time and added a vibrant resonator during the process. Now, everything fits perfectly. I then bought a magnaflow metal core cat (2.5") and a cheap ebay test pipe for the flanges and gaskets to make a custom cat. I'm currently in the process of modding a Megan header with a 2.5" collector and a better vibrant flex pipe. The original flex pipe that came with the header started to make crackling sound after a few days.

I would say the total for all the parts is about $600 from header to muffler. Basically, ebay parts are terrible but you can make the best of it.

 

vibrant axleback tpv from autoparts warehouse.

it was like $260 but never charged my card and they shipped it so it was free lol =]

 

WHATTTT@ twistid...you lucky motha fuka LOL Good for you. Best price is free.

Yeah you'll want a resonator for sure!!

The prelude is close to an accord. You shouldn't have any trouble working on hondas.

AHHA, wish I took a pic of this asian guy working on his lude the other day. He was literally sitting in his engine compartment bay working on it. Being small and asian has its advantages . heh heh

The flex pipes are all junk lately. The design is kinda flawed though. The individual bands are too thin. If a few of them break and make a hole ur fuked.

 

what about getting a custom exhaust piping kit made from kteller.com ?