After reading all catback related topics ever posted on this forum, I've cut my list to these two exhaust systems. I have a couple reservations about the 5Zigen/TypeOne combo that's making me think twice about getting it.

I don't mind an exhaust system louder than stock but I want to stay away from the sounds of an N1 system. Most of the reviews I've read said that the 5Zigen is fairly quiet until you get on it, but some say it's loud all the time. I downloaded a video file and the exhaust note was deeper and a little louder at WOT and it sounded like something I can definitely live with, more so with the optional silencer on. Are my perceptions from what I've read and heard accurate? My questions are...

1.) How loud is the 5Zigen during normal acceleration from a stoplight? I don't want every car next to me thinking that I'm racing from the sound of my exhaust when I'm just trying to get moving from the light.
2.) How close to stock is the 5Zigen when using the silencer?
3.) Any droning when cruising on the highways?

This is a matter of $300 I can save so all opinions are appreciated. If the 5Zigen/TypeOne combo doesn't meet my sound quality needs, I'm going to be opting out for the Mugen system instead.

 

custom 2.5 piping, 1 2.5inch diamater 22inch magnaflow resonator, 1 Magnaflow 2.5 muffler, spray it black, and but weld the Stock ITR tip to it

alot cheaper than any options you listed, very stealth looking, sounds great, and will flow better. IMHO, however the overal quality may no be the same, but you can replace it once and still be less than the others.

but to each there own,

-----------------mike

 

the exhasut I am refering to is a Cheap version of SMS, the quality of Dave's is Top Notch and all stainless steal. if I was rich i would of bought his, but instead I made my own..

trust me I wont try this with the header, lol

 

I have a Godspeed testpipe/factory B-pipe/5 Zigen axle-back that is really quiet, even in VTEC.

 

I bet with the godspeed test pipe, half the muffler sticks out from under the car, lol, just kidding...or am I

 

Actually, it would have. But I had the muffler shop trim my test-pipe 1.5 inches in length. And now it's a perfect fit.

 

Type one with 5Zigen

 

I like my 5zigen fireball alot. It does get loud at high rpms, but with the silencer, it is only slightly louder than stock. I still have the stock b pipe though.


[Modified by Jon7, 10:49 AM 3/11/2002]

 

What's the internal diameter of the 5Zigen Fireball axleback?

 

I think it's 60 mm...

 

The Type-One b-pipe has a major bottle neck though, I think 2.15" at the cat connection


[Modified by sackdz, 2:45 PM 3/11/2002]

 

according to one of the guys selling it

"Diameter of the inlet for the b-pipe is 63mm = 2.5 inches." not sure where you got the bottleneck info from. sure can't see any bottlenecks from the pics.

 

From doing a search, according to AJ, these are the specs for the b-pipe

Here are the specs for the Type ONE exhaust again.
-54.55mm ID is the flange inlet size for the exhaust
-63mm OD is the pipe size
-61.50mm is the ID of the pipes and resonator
-1.2mm thickness

 

54.55mm = 2.15", so it sounds like sackdz is right. Plus, I too remember seeing a pic of it where there was a measurement showing 54.5mm...tho now, all the pics are gone from the posts they were in. anyone have those pics saved?

I had a fireball cat-back before...it wasn't nearly as loud as a'pex n1 or trm, but it definitely wasn't stock. it got louder in vtec and there is a drone at 70+mph. the silencer helps A LOT!!! it made it a lil louder than stock but with a much deeper rumble.

I like Vegeta's idea better tho, but it wouldn't be all stainless.

 

You mean this? Got more info from AJ. The b-pipe inner diameter of the inlet between the catalytic converter and bpipe is 57mm=2.24in. The measurement below is for the b-pipe --> muffler connection.

 

That's a nifty measuring tool. Looks expensive.

 

Yes, thanks that is one of the pics, the other showed the OD I believe.

How can you be certain that is the muffler end of the b-pipe?

Either way, if the inlet from the cat is 57mm=2.24", it's still not 2.5", and then there is still a 2.15" bottleneck on the other end.

Anyone have specs of other exhausts, such as the Apex?

 

Thanks CPR. that's the pic I was referring to. The flange in the pic looks like it connects to the cat. I don't know of any exhaust for hondas, including the Type One, that uses a 3-bolt flange on the muffler/axle-back end. All of them use a 2-bolt flange, so that looks like the cat connection to me.

It sounds like the type one does have some restrictions making it not the full 2.5" cat-back piping it was promoted as.

As for other exhaust systems, anything that's made to bolt up to the factory cat will have a restriction at the cat -> b-pipe connection, but usually no where else. I thought the type one b-pipe was made to work with the type one header and axle-back, which both have 2.5" outlets? Strange that the connection point between the two 2.5" items would be restrictive.