Just wanted to see what you guys use for exhaust systems?
Looking for something kind of budget as I'm not dumping a ton of money into my car, but unfortunately someone stole my cat, shop estimated me like $300 and I figured I could piece together ebay parts for not much more than that and have a better performing and sounding system than stock.
I have a 1993 Honda Accord EX with F22A engine I can't remember if it's an A1 or A6 but I'm planning to check tomorrow.

Either way, the point I want to get to is that I can find 4-2-1 headers which have a flex pipe and 2" outlet, and then I can use a 2" cat, but I can't find a cat-back system smaller than 2.25".... Most of the cheap amazon/ebay stuff is 2.5"...
Would it be worth welding on an adapter flange of some sort to make it work? Maybe have the shop do that part as I don't have a welder? Thought about investing in a welder too...

Any thoughts would be great. If I could find headers with a 2.5" outlet I'd be happy with that too but I imagine going too big is going to cause me problems later on... If anyone can recommend a system they use or think would work, or maybe even a type of adapter flange, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

 

If you're buying cheap headers, just make sure you find a seller with good ratings. otherwise, it doesn't matter much what you get.

2" outlet to a 2.25" for the rest isn't a big deal as long as the bolt holes of the flanges match up (or there is enough material to widen the smaller one into a slot to match). In theory this "choke" point aids flow.

I like using the kit linked below. multiple sizes available with 2.25" being the smallest. can be ordered as aluminized steel or stainless. you pick your own universal muffler and resonator which offers a lot of flexibility to get just what you want sound wise. Jones full boar mufflers are a good budget alternative to the typical magnaflow perf-core. They can be found on summit racing.

thin-wall exhaust tubing can be a frustrating place to start learning to weld. just be aware.

pre-bent tubing kit

 

Morning and welcome for your first post.

Sorry to hear about your cat! theft seems to be all too commmon.

Do you live somewhere that requires a cat for emission testing, or can you get away with a resonated test pipe? They are usually cheaper than a cat and less likely to risk theft again.

Re the 2" outlet flange for the header, most headers for the F series from my experience come with this size. Years ago, I had a shop cut mine off and replace it with a 2.5", but honestly unless you are modding for power 2" is enouigh so it won't matter much. Can do a 2.25" system all the way back cheaper than a 2.5" i think. Rockauto (and a few other places) has OEM-replacement pipes etc as well

My take would be this, if you are on a budget, just replace the cat with a resonatoed test pipe. Cheapest solution to make the car driveavble
If the rest of your exhaust is not in a good condition/rusty then yes look into replacement, but be warned re catbacks, those N1-style catbacks tend to be LOUD. As a general rule, the bigger the muffler, the quieter it will be

 

@hondamark35 Thank you for taking the time to response it's super helpful.
With this how do I know if the flanges will line up? Do I just need to order a 2.25" and hope that the flange matches or make it work by widening the smaller one? I'm asking as some of these sellers don't seem to have reliable dimensions posted all the time. Seems like something the shop might be able to help me out with.

Siiiiick, very nice thank you. I didn't even know these existed and definitely worth taking into consideration.

That makes sense, another thing I had no idea about. Thanks for the heads up.

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@nicolaselias Thank you very much! Haven't posted in the introductions thread yet as I'm too embarrassed to share my car in it's current state LOL. I suppose we all start somewhere though. Thanks again for taking the time to reply it's much appreciated.

Thank you for your consideration! It's all good I mean they obviously needed it more than I did hehe.

​​​​​​​Valid question, I was planning to do a test pipe as well, decided a cat might be a little better in terms of emissions but fortunately my state doesn't require emissions testing so I can get away with test pipe and it's definitely an option. Would like to have both though so that I can swap out as needed.

Not REALLY. I'll take what I can get but I'm not planning to dump loads of money into it right now.
Thanks for the tip on the budget test pipe.

For sure. I wouldn't say it's terrible by any means but they messed it up quite a bit when cutting out the cat and as I mentioned before I can almost get a whole budget system for similar price as the shop has quoted me. Which isn't terrible they gotta make their money but if I wanted to do it better anyway... Figured I may as well. Regarding the loudness I'll keep that in mind. I was hoping that I could get one with a removable silencer. I used to drive an eclipse gt with a similar one and it was pretty loud just a little louder than I liked but it had a v6 so... I figured the I4 wouldn't be too terrible especially with a silencer. Thanks for letting me know.

Thanks again to both of you for responding, super helpful.
My biggest concerns right now are finding a 2" test pipe and then finding a way to get proper fitment on the 2"-2.25" sets but your resources and advice definitely give me more confidence to get the job done.

 

universal style exhaust flanges normally come in either 2-hole or 3-hole flavors. sometimes the 2-hole flanges will be slotted already which is helpful. 3-hole normally are not, but I have seen it before. just make sure you match the hole count to the mating component and then line it up to see if it needs some trimming.

 

Glad to be of help whats_a_wrench. Don't worry about the condition of the car, we are all ALWAYS building. People like myself and Ghost have been working on our cars for 15+ years and probably still not done. No pressure from us here, just happy to see new people driving these old accords

Re the flanges and getting it to match up, i wouldnt stress it too bad. I'd say try to get under there with a caliper (or even a ruler?) and try to see what you are working with. What size piping do you need coming off the exhaust manifold, and what size piping do you need on the outlet side of where the cat was and try to match up, straight weld on, no drama.

Did they go with your o2 sensor/s as well?

Considering you not planning to mod for power, i would say go the cheapest way that'll get you back on the road and running. Re resonated test pipe they used to be common and a lot cheaper too , I got a megan for mine for about $40 back in the day, same part is over $80 now (man i'm getting old, talking this back in the days talk). But yeah, still cheaper than a cat right?

The reason for getting it resonated is that it can be quite loud as a straight pipe test pipe, as the cat actually has quite an effect in quietining things down.

Good luck man!