I've searched a lot throughout the exhaust topics, muffler topics, and cat-backs. I was really thinking about going with an A'PEXi WS but then after researching I found that it only comes as a catback. I have a shop around my house that will do mandrel bent steel tubing custom for cheap. I just want to make sure I have a good flowing muffler that isn't going to be horribly loud. I run with no cat so take that into consideration. This is for a N/A B16A1 application, I believe from what I've read that 2.5" piping will be fine. I'm thinking also about buying a resonator because I hate buzzy exhausts. Any suggestions?

 

I guess I really dont need a resonator, it doesn't need to be super quiet I just want it quieter than it is now. Right now I have no cat and a 3" hole. I dont want to have to worry about getting pulled over for noise.

Any suggestions on just a muffler to use for custom?

 

I ran high flow cat, stock B pipe, and Pace setter exhaust. Sounded extreamly nice. It wasnt loud at all under idle, as a matter of fact sounded like my completely stock setup. Only at high RPMs did that motor sound like it had any performance. I also had a humungous intake though, and alot of people dont realize that sence the intake track is shorter than exhaust, alot of teh sound you get comes from the intake, you can notice this when the car is under load (pulling up hill or under heavy throttle application for acceleration) as opposed to even cruising in high RPM.

I was with a friend of mine who drives with me all the time and his CRX is loud as all get out, we were going into a store once and we heard this really nice exhaust but couldnt see the car and he turned to me and said where did you park man? im like right here dude we just got out whats wrong with you. Point being he thought what we heard was my car, im like, man my car doesnt sound that nice...come to find out it did, I had him drive it down teh street and back and it did indeed sound so very nice under load.

I must say though I have always wanted to just run a really long resonator for teh B pipe section and maybe replace the muffler with an equally long resonator with the pipping at 2.5 and see how that sounded. If anyones done this let me know.

And to be perfectly honest, simplicity is best. Im learning that alot as time passes. Headers, high flow cat or none at all, nice length resonator, 2.5 all the way with any decent flowing muffler will do you good. Also little known fact, the tip you chose also produces some sound...so take that into consideration as well. Nothing to long or not welded well.

 

i think i will be giving the ol' parts store turbo muffler a shot. run a stock configuration for the piping in 2.5", then add in an exhaust cutout valve. i think they are like $40 for a cable actuated one, that you would open from inside the car. just think, sleeper, then, WWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Still loooking for muffler recommendations...

 

It sounds like your not picky about brands but depending on the styles you want check out ebay. they've got knock off canister mufflers for 60 bux. I'd go 2.25 not 2.5, to big.

 

I think I might just pick up the Apex'i N1, without a cat am I going to need a resonator or anything, or should I just go with custom mandrel from fake-cat back?

 

Magnaflow

 

So Magnaflow or Apex'i N1? Isn't Magnaflow a SummitRacing domestic brand?

Also, if you dont mind, which magnaflow they make a lot of different series, race, xl turbo, universal stainless?


[Modified by beta13, 5:13 PM 1/23/2003]

 

Hell no, magnaflow is not a summitracing brand. The XL turbo is the cheapest, I probably wouldn't recommend that...Go with the universal stainless steel, or the universal aluminized. Both are straight-through designs They come in round (canister-type) and oval. The round ones will be slightly louder...

You probably want to get the 4"x9", 4" being the height/depth, any wider and you run into scraping issues...Then you can choose between the 14" long or 18" long muffler...The aluminized is slightly cheaper and has a flatter finish, good for a subtle look. Both have lifetime warranties...

I just ordered the 4"x9"- 18" long aluminized oval...Hopefully it isn't too long to correctly route the piping...I;; get pics up as soon as I can...

Best prices I've seen;
http://shop.ivalueinternet.com/bigex...gory_id/50.htm

 

Magnaflow makes some high quality stuff for pretty cheap. They also sell pre-mandrel bent piping pieces, so you can create an exhaust for cheap. Just have a muffler shop weld it together. Anywho, from what I've read, Magnaflow and Borla make some of the better flowing, decent sounding mufflers. When they start charging $200+ for a muffler, be careful, usually not worth it. Best bet is a straight through design, with properly sized piping, and a good sized cat. The resonator is up to you, as is the cat. Just my 2 cents.