I searched and didn't find much. I have a 2002 Accord V6 coupe and wanted to know if I should go with a cat-back exhaust or an axle-back exhaust? Like what are the advantages and disadvantages to each, which is cheaper, easier to install, easier to find, etc. I don't want to spend too much, maybe around $300, all the exhaust systems I found were anywhere from $500-$1000 for a cat-back. Does anybody know what size piping is on there stock, if it's mandrel bent or not, and what size I should go with? I don't want to spend the extra money on a cat-back if I end up getting the same size piping.
Also, should I buy a SRI (rains a lot in Michigan) before or after the exhaust? I heard if you get an exhaust first sometimes there isn't enough air coming in and you lose power.
Sorry about the long winded questions, thanks.

 

Today I took out the intake resonator and left the stock air box and filter, what would I have to do to install a cone filter?
Taking out the resonator was a little harder than expected because I didn't want to take off the bumper. I had to take off front driver wheel and fender liner, one bolt was right there but the other bolt was elbow deep kinda behind the headlight next to the battery. It took a little effort but I like the changes, it feels like a little more power but not much, and when vtec kicks in it gets noticably louder. Before if I wasn't listening for the vtec, I wouldn't notice it but now it's significantly louder and more noticable.

 

I definitely recommend catback over axleback....

Buy a reputable brand and enjoy

 

Catback is a full exhaust system so your going to see somewhat more power gains plus it will sound better because the entire car pipe is now a bigger size. Axle back is just from the axle back, your rear axle. So your only replacing about 3 feet of pipe.

Find a muffler you really like and go get an exhaust shop to do piping and put the muffler on its much cheaper. However you won't be getting mandrel bent, but unless your racing the car, nothing your gonna notice on the daily drive. Stock I believe is 1.5?

I went into the shop asking for 2.5 but they sold me on 2.25, creates some more back pressure plus exhaust is my only engine modification and I plan to keep it that way for a long time. It all depends what your using it for.

My first system costed $220 with full piping and a muffler. Second system costed 80 plus my muffler because I still had most of the system still on the car.

 

Does the cat-back include the catalytic converter or is the the piping from the outlet of the cat? What companies sell cat-backs for a 2002 Accord V6? I couldn't really find any that didn't cost $500+. I looked under my car and I saw the cat, resonator, then something that looked like a mini muffler right before the pipes split into a Y, then I had a muffler on both tips.
There's a shop near my house that does custom exhausts, not too sure about their prices though. What size piping should I ask for and what not?

 

Cat back is from the CAT back. Its from the back of the cat back to the end of your car. I am not sure on companies for the v6, I have a 4 banger. Google,ebay are your friends. Buy name brand if you do. However, call the shop and tell them what you have. Probably 2.5 inch I am guessing, and then you could get a nice magnaflow or flowmaster muffler (s) in your case... depends on what sound you want too.

Most shops are pretty helpful, just ask, but do some research first, youtube, and all.

 

Oh okay. I'll check ebay and the local shop. This guy I went to high school with has a 6th gen but it's all rice, I always see it parked at the shop. My buddy has a 2.5 V6 Cougar that he bought an exhaust for around $200 with a Flowmaster muffler but his is the pipe, the muffler, then it splits.
The Flowmaster 60 series delta flow muffler fits my car and is around $100 each, I think I'll go with a pair of those.
One more question, I've been told to get an intake before an exhaust. I took out the resonator yesterday, if I do one of those DIY short ram intakes like take out the stock air box and filter and fit a cone filter, will that be good enough?
Thanks for all your guys' help.

 

I wouldn't waste my money on an axle back.

 

What makes you say that? If I were to get mufflers now I wouldn't be able to get the rest of the piping done later unless I get the same size as stock right?

 

Axle back is not really going to improve much considering your air flow is only improving on the last 1/4 stretch of your cars exhaust. Just do it at once. Your going to probably want a 2.5" inch or 2.25 but I am guessing 2.5 for a v6. Thats what I run on my truck anyways. Ask the shop their opinion.

But you can always get the back half done with the right size piping and they can use a reducer to weld it to the small stock size. Don't get the new piping in the same size as stock, that is pointless.

As far as air intake stuff goes, I leave mine alone. I don't want to hydrolock my car nor do I want to suck extra heat in. I have done some reading, and if your not going ALL OUT on your engine and its going to be for racing, drop a K&n drop in air filter in your stock box. You get pretty good air flow with those.

 

I'm gonna wait until I have enough to do the whole cat-back all at once and I'll go with 2.5" unless the shop reccomends otherwise, and I'll most likely get flowmaster mufflers unless I find something else.
So you're saying to leave the stock air box in and get a K&N drop in filter instead of a cone filter?

 

That is just my personal preference. When you take apart the box, your filter has no cover now. So if its heavily raining, or dusty, everything that is blowing into the engine bay is going to get sucked in a little easier. My car is not slammed, but pretty dam low, and when it rains in Vegas, it RAINS, I don't want to get hydrolocked. But it also depends where the cone is going.

Its up to you, however, the drop in K&N shows on most vehicles to have just the same if not better amount of improving power/gas whatever else, then all the other filters.

Do some research, don't let me be your deciding factor as I have not really looked to deep into it, I am just letting you know the pros and cons and my opinion of it. Goodluck bro!

 

Yeah I haven't thought about that part, in Michigan it rains a lot and the winters are terrible