After almost 1 year of waiting and what not, I have all of components for my header and exhaust install. The DC went in without any complications. For those of you who think you need to take the radiator out, you are wrong. It took me 5 minutes to install the DC 4-1 into the R without the radiator removed. You just have to angle it a little bit. I also wraped the header in a t-shirt so it would not get scratched.

The SMSP carsound cat alos went in without much to say, but now we get to the T1 racing exhaust....

The install went without problems, but the fitment of the exhaust left a nasty taste in my mouth. Here are some pics:

This is what the ups man left at the door. I think they thought it was a football or something


For ioburn, this is what you need to invest in




This is what the T1R exhaust looks like.



After i took the OEM manifold out this is what I found . I bought the car in Boston and drove it there for about a year...not sure if this hole is from the rust but damn....


DC JDM installed


This is what the section of pipe that is rubbing looks liek after a 2 mile test drive.


This is the last section of the series of heatshields. This is the one that is right in fornt of the gas tank. The E-brake cables also run on top. This si what i tried to do. I had to pound it out becuase the strap that holds the gas tank runs right on top of the heatshield. Because of this, the heatshield protrudes out to accomodate the strap.

I tried to pound this out and this is the result.


It worked at first but when you rev past 5k it starts to chatter like a ***** after sex. So the only way i could think to remedy this is to cut that section of the "dip" in the heatshield out where the strap is.



Here is the final look of the exhaust. I am pretty happy that at least it sits in the cut-out. But it does still angle to the left a bit, but you cannot really tell.



In conclusion, after i cut the heatshield the exhaust does not rub on it anymore. BUT now the exhaust rubs on the Strap itself. But only during certain rpm's. Especially from 3.5K to 4K. I am still trying to figure this out. i might wrap that part of the exhaust in some kind of thermo wrap or something...

The power is there. The sound is great, but ti is VERY loud when you get on the throttle. The funny thing is at 3K rpm the exhaust is dead silent...

My ratings:

Look/Style of exhaust-

Fitment of exhaust-

DC JDM-

SMSP Carsound cat-

IMHO if you are looking for an exhaust i would look elsewhere. The T1R looks great and sounds really nice, but the fitment problems are just ridicules. It might be my install, but i doubt it.

So far the best fitting exhaust that i have used is Greddy or HKS. I will try again this weekend to fix the exhaust rubbing, but i dont see how. It is just a design flaw i think...but thats just my oppinion and you know what they say about oppinions.

 

What's the butt dyno tell you?

 

I have the exact setup and im very pleased with it. Still trying to get the rattles out......

 

You aren't the only one with fitment problems. There was a whole thread with other's that had the smae problems as you. I guess you got one of the ones in the bad batch that went out.

 

dont forget modding the ECU

 

This setup without doubt increased the power. i can chirp 2nd gear without much effort. I will be heading to DSR in the comming week and have the car tuned along with the VAFC and will post dyno plots then.

 

I think those people complained about the tip not fitting in the cutout. Mine fits in there fine, but the problem is the rubbing issue. I think that is just inherent with the T1R exhaust...but who knows.

Like i said, im very dissapointed in the fitment of the exhaust in general and would Not reccomend it to my friends.


[Modified by Art Vandeleigh, 7:28 AM 4/4/2003]

 

can i ask where you bought it from. i was talking to mike at ips and he told me that the fitmets problems were solved. also, how long have you had the exhaust before you put it on?

 

It sounds like this exhaust has the same problem like OBX exhausts or headers...

weldings looks good, but fitments are crap ..... Where are the Quality Control? HELLO?

I wonder where this exhaust is made in? anyone know?

 

made in taiwan

 

Looks good. Mabe u can send back the mid pipe for a new one since there is a tiny flaw

 

Serious? I thought it was made in JDM land, or at least Canada

I was really considerin this exhaust but now I think i'm looking more towards the Fujitsubo...anybody have any comments on that?

 

what cat do you have?

 

 

I really hope your question was not asked to me...

 

looks good!!! nice garage too. anyway, do you think there might be a problem with the heatshield being gone in the strap section of the fuel tank? the heatshield is meant to protect the heat generated from the exhaust right? anyway, just wondering because i bought a spoon n1 and will be getting the T1R b-pipe from mike and i don't want it to rub. regardless, cool cool.

 

carsound has differnt models...i was asking which one u had...sorry if i didnt phrase that correctly

 

sorry, was confused by your question.

i have the 94066 carsound cat. it weighs 6lbs just a fyi.

 

Got mine from AJ-racing, Alan told me they were made in Japan.

Since I bought new T1R exhaust, I'm a bit hesitent on getting their 4-2-1 header as I had planned; fitment , don't need anymore trouble.

 

Is this cat, SMPS new OBD-2 cat?I recently bought one from Dave,he said it was new/different cat (not sure of part,in garage now & snowing like a bitch) than he used before.He said new one's he uses are bigger than before & MAY need to be modified to fit.Did u have to mod it in any way for it to fit?

Also, if this is one of DAVE's new cats., is it throwing any CEL codes.He said it may if u run it untuned.

Thanks,DAVE.

 

i'm very sure it's made in taiwan

 

I am sure Japanese products has way better fitment and quality control...


so I think they are made in Taiwan too....

Maybe Alan@AJ-Racing can back this up? I think AJ will replace your bad fitment for sure or refund. There is a 30days guarantee on products right? Isn't that a Law in U.S. ?

 

No, there's no laws regarding gaurantees on products.

Buyer beware.

 

R rated:

I am not throwing any codes as of now...(knock on wood) but i will be getting the car tuned in the next week with the VAFC. I dont kow if this is one of his new cats and the size if you are refering to the flanges is 2.5"

RDX:
I dont know what AJ can do about this, short of redesigning the exhaust. If they do then i will for sure want the redesign...because at this point this exhaust SUCKS ***.

hopefully someone from AJ will see this post and respond.

 

I had some fitment issues with my 3 piece trust exhaust but found that the middle pipe needed careful alignment due to the play in the bolt holes before being tightened up.

Not sure if this helps but it worked for me