Ok, so I usually hate "what <insert product here> should I get" threads... but after much research, I am still at a loss on this one. I have a 93 Integra. I currently have a custom 2.5" crush bent exhaust with an ES oval. The crush bent piping can only take you so far in this world, so I want to purchase a mandrel bent exhaust. Here is what I am looking for:

* I don't care how it sounds, only that it makes good power.
* I like the idea behind the RS-R Exmag GTII, but not the ground clearance, or lack therof.
* Preferably not a giant canister. They look stupid on DA's.

With this said, I have narrowed it down to:

* RS*R Exmag
* Thermal Research CL

I would really like to make 200whp (or at least close to that) with a JDM ITR with nothing but tuning, good bolt-ons, and cams. This is why my exhaust selection is so crucial.

I am also open to suggestions. Please give me your recommendations!

I am highly interested in hearing what has worked well for people with similar set ups. TIA!

 

I could be wrong by saying this but instead of focusing on the exhaust piping, think about the header because it has a much bigger influence on exhaust flow.

With that...mandrel bent is and i dont know about 2.5 or 2.25" piping...i ran 2.5 for a while and lost torque bigtime but gained on the top end. I switched back to stock exhaust and have ran it ever since! I guess its just personal preference on piping diameter...

 

did you do a dyno comparison on the exhaust? back pressure is a wives tale. i gained 10-15 ft/lbs of tourge in midrange and 7 hp up top. from 2.25 or 2.5 what ever tanabe racing medalian is, by running open header. i did tune it though.

my say is bigger is better. get a thermal 3"

 

i say get a good header go with the Rs*R or the tanabe SRM ...both are made by quaility companies so you know they cant be crap ...me for my setup im goin with either SMSP big tube header or a 2.0L DTR header with 2.5" mandrel bent piping and a 3" apexi N1 ...

 

nobody likes thermal? that is what I want for my CRX.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by meanEG &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">did you do a dyno comparison on the exhaust? back pressure is a wives tale. i gained 10-15 ft/lbs of tourge in midrange and 7 hp up top. from 2.25 or 2.5 what ever tanabe racing medalian is, by running open header. i did tune it though.

my say is bigger is better. get a thermal 3" </TD></TR></TABLE>

ya, that whol scavenging effect is probly a wives tale too, why not go 5" all the way back if bigger is better.

 

my theory on back pressure is that the exhaust pulse has to flow out regardless of what pressure because the exhaust valve is the only escape for the wastegas to leave....something under that much cylinder pressure is going to have to go somewhere whether theres a backpressure helping to pull it out or not.

i could be wrong though....

 

Thanks for your help so far everyone.

I have already purchased an AN-R compact header (pic). Not to be a dick (because I realize everyone is just trying to help, and for that I am very greateful) but I didn't ask about which header to run. Lets try to keep it on topic

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gabe_ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I didn't ask about which header to run. Lets try to keep it on topic </TD></TR></TABLE>

like i said..the header is going ot have the biggest impact on things, just keeping the topic in your best interest is all

 

Its not so much backpressure fellows, it more about velocity. Everyone always talks about backpressure when truely its more along the lines of velocity and keeping up with exhaust flow.
For you exhaust chooses I like the thermal but they are only 2.25, your going to have to do custom to get a true 2.5" exhaust. Even though I think the Apexi gt spec exhaust is 2.4" Its huge though it has a huge fat canisiter on it. I'm personally looking at the rs-r also, but the straight through one with only like one obtuse angle.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mastarolla &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

like i said..the header is going ot have the biggest impact on things, just keeping the topic in your best interest is all </TD></TR></TABLE>

It's all good... nothin but love I just didn't want this to turn into a possible header debate.

The main issue at hand here for me seems to be that the RS*R is not a straight thruough muffler, while the thermal is. Is this a big deal?

I have read up on the different exhaust theories, and I find it hard to believe that 3" is the right size for me.

 

If you want quick power save up and invest in a whole smsp header/cat/exhaust system. They have a great reputation and are proven to have good power. However, the price and waiting period for these are very high.

 

so you only are looking for a catback system? ...i mean if you dont think 3" is the right choice for you and you arent too sure about the RS*R system ..why not consisder 2.5" custom madrel bent piping and the muffrel of your choice ...i wouldnt keep them all in mind ...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by b18cpower &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you want quick power save up and invest in a whole smsp header/cat/exhaust system. They have a great reputation and are proven to have good power. However, the price and waiting period for these are very high. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I know that is the way to go, but I don't want to spend that much money, or wait that long. The other con is that the SMSP header does not clear my stock crossmember. I do not want to cut it, or buy an aftermarket one as they hang quite low, and my car still sees a fair ammount of street time.

I settled on the AN-R because it seems like a good bang for the buck, has good ground clearance, and works fine with my unmodified stock crossmember.

Any other ideas on exhaust? Does it REALLY matter?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM2ndGen &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so you only are looking for a catback system? ...i mean if you dont think 3" is the right choice for you and you arent too sure about the RS*R system ..why not consisder 2.5" custom madrel bent piping and the muffrel of your choice ...i wouldnt keep them all in mind ...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I haven't completely ruled this out... My friend makes some really nice custom mandrel exhausts, but for some reason I like to believe that there is actually some R&D that goes into the other exhausts on the market. I could very well be wrong though...

 

i know kteller was selling mandrel exhaust pieces for a good price all that had to be done would be to weld it together.

I thought you had a jdm gsr motor ? then upgraded to a jdm itr nice.... the thermal is a nice piece and has good build quality

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gabe_ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I haven't completely ruled this out... My friend makes some really nice custom mandrel exhausts, but for some reason I like to believe that there is actually some R&D that goes into the other exhausts on the market. I could very well be wrong though... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Gabe, I have my doubts as to whether every version of any particular manufacturer's cat-back exhaust is "dyno-optimized". As with headers, a properly constructed custom setup should have no problem equaling (and usually surpassing) the performance of an "off-the-shelf" model.

 

Visit accordinglydone.com. He sells 2.5" mandrel piping kits. IMO that would be the best route for acheiving your goal. 2.5" collector &gt; 2.5" cat or test pipe &gt; 2.5" piping &gt; 2.5" muffler. Like I said, this is just my opinion seeing as that's why the post was started.