hey guys, i just got myself a used Apexi Wordsport exhaust. I got it for free off a friend, too bad he only has the exhaust only and not the piping. So basically that means i either would have to do a custom 2.25 inch piping or just stick it on my stock piping. I was wondering which would be a better idea? I know that when i get a custom piping, i would have to get a resonator cuz i dont want the exhaust to sound too loud. If i just bolt it on the stock piping would it damage the engine or something? and how loud would it be if i bolted it on the stock piping. I dont want my exhaust to be loud, just when i want it to be which is at very high RPM. And if theres a good shop around LA area can someone recommend me for custom piping? thanks for your input

Custom piping is good, IMO better than stock. I don't know about your question on the resonator--I took mine off. But if you want a much softer sound, I think having it on would be good. Am not too sure since I'm not too technical, really.

what does a resonator do?

look the only reason for a resonator is if you take your cat off. someone mentioned you need a resonator a long time ago on these forums, not telling anyone that you only need it when your cat is removed!! now when people talk about exhausts i always hear about the damn resonator. you dont need it!!! if you get custom piping from the cat back you wont need a resonator. and if you keep your stock pipes it will be fine but the they somehow have to be fitted at the end to match the input on the muffler. and i think that defeats the pupose of a new exhaust. go with the extra 50 bucks or whatever it takes to get the custom piping. its really cheap.

ok..seems like u guys convinced me to get custom piping. Im planning to get a 2.25 custom piping w/ a aftermarket resonator just so it doesnt make too loud of a noise. Does anyone know a good place in socal where they do good custom piping?

A while back I went to a muffler shop, to get my exhaust,resonator and custom piping. I had them run the 2.25 pipe from the cat back, then they put on my resonator,.... the exhust with the resonator sounds great. Its like he said it gives it a softer tone. I recomend it, for people who want the performance, without the loud-as-fuck sound like the extreme ricers,.... (no offence).....
I do recomend the piping, the exhaust is up to you, I figured since my honda came withe the resanator that I would leave it on..... :bandit:

well i know that you can have custom piping and connect those to your stock resonator but isnt the resonator for the stock piping which is about 1 inch or smaller? how would that fit? shouldnt i get an aftermarket resonator that is made specifically for 2.25 inch piping? which brand is a good resonator? i heard magnaflow is pretty good and does anyone know a good shop in socal that can help me do this?

Over here in NC we have a hobby shop for military people, i did my custom exhaust, 2.25 piping without the resonator, it was loudas fuck but when i stepped on the gas as loud whizzing/buzzing sound would be heard. So i went back to the shop and put an SI resonator and it sound 100 % better imo, but the noise level went down but it still has a great sound to it.
if u have anymore questions, holla back!

an SI resonator would fit directly on to a 2.25 custom piping? arent SI piping around 2 inch or less? or did they had to mod it on

yea they had to mod the pipes very little, open them up.

You should do the custom piping, its great, some guys i know have it done. You only need a resonator if you want it to be quieter, its like a second muffler up by the cat, take it out if you want it louder. Get 2.25 for N/A and 3.00 if you are going F/I

will 2.25 inch piping be too big for my engine? i have a d16y8 and some people say i will not have enough back pressure with 2.25 inch piping. also the places im calling are asking me if i want to replace my cat converter. will i need a new cat converter or will i juss run it from my stock cat converter to the muffler?

2.25 will be fine, You could replace your stock cat with a high flow cat from Jackson Racing or just leave it, it might be a good idea to throw a new one on there if there is rust or holes but if not you should be aight.

ok..some of the places im calling says that I wouldnt really need to repipe my exhaust because the civic piping is already about 2.25 inch. they said i can juss buy a kit to repipe and it would be actually better. they also said that if i repipe it that i wouldnt need a resonator because it wouldnt sound that loud. any input on this? and does anyone know a shop in socal that does good custom piping and know whats going on? i dont know who to believe anymore

you need to believe the people you decide to trust. are you goin to trust us guys here who have done this before or the shops that each tell you a different story. leave your cat stock unless it has a probem like rust or holes. then get 2.25 inch piping whether or not the stock piping is that big. you see the stock piping may be that big but the way its bent causes restriction. if youre getting pipes made they will cause less restriction as long as you ask for MANDREL BENT. dont get that crush bent crap. its useless. then you decide if you want a loud raspy exhasut or a quieter howling one. that will tell you to get the resonator or not. oh and while youre at it i would get stainless steel piping. but thats just me. not only will it last longer than the aluminized crap they will probably be giving you but it looks 10 times better. it does cost a little more but all those aftermarket ones you see are stainless. its up to you man. now make a decision and stop listening to those stupid shops. you tell them what you want done and theyll do it. end of story. but first you have to decide!!!

yea hes so right...lol
when i didnt have the resonator, it sounded very raspy, when i put one on, it growled like a beast...haha

i just put the exhaust on 2day only w/o custom piping. the sound is great not too high and not too low. its weird how i only hear the exhaust at low rpms and when i goto higher rpm it dissapears or the engine sound would take over.

booo you need custom piping .
go get it tomorrow or your car with go up in a ball of flame and you will come out running in a heap of gas and explode never to see and hear your car with custom piping!
LOL

im planning to get custom piping but i cant find a place in socal that does mandrel bent pipes

i wish i knew the place i had mine done. my mechanic sent it to a friends shop and had it done and never told me the name of the shop. but it shouldnt be that hard to find one. do a little research

how's the performance gain for custom piping?? Should i go with custom piping or spend $500 for those expensive brand name exhaust??

khead you just missed that whole discussion man. do a search youll find it. but anyways heres my opinion. if a custom exhaust costs less, is the same diameter, made of the same material, and has the same bends and muffler as those name brand exhausts then tell me why it wouldnt be just as good for less? go with custom. its a lot cheaper with the same results.

Originally posted by edman24
khead you just missed that whole discussion man. do a search youll find it. but anyways heres my opinion. if a custom exhaust costs less, is the same diameter, made of the same material, and has the same bends and muffler as those name brand exhausts then tell me why it wouldnt be just as good for less? go with custom. its a lot cheaper with the same results.

Yeah, I thought so too. But those company like Greddy claim that they test and re-test their products to make sure that they perform like they should. But yeah, i'll try to search for that discussion:)