Got a question about OBX Performance mufflers

Hey, im a complete newb and dont know much about cars. I just got my first car, 95 accord coupe and would like to add a few things to it and learn a couple of things at the same time.

I was looking at the OBX performance mufflers (http://www.2kracing.com/index.php/cPath/28) and was thinking about getting one. What is the difference between the catback exhaust system and the OBX muffler? What comes with the OBX muffler and do i need anything other than what comes the OBX muffler? Please any info would be greatly appreciated and if you can explain the difference between the two that would be great!


Thanks!

*EDIT: I was also thinking about getting an AEM cold air intake but was told that it collects water and may damage the engine. In order to prevent it from collecting water you need a filter and have to cut the intake etc. I was reccommended the AEM short ram intake but was told that that cold air intake is ultimately better. Which do you guys recommend and why? Which is better performance wise etc?

Again, thanks!

anyone???

well i have an aem short ram and its has no water problem if ur worried bout water on the cold air one theres a bypass vale u can get from aem aswell. iand i dont no well bout obx mufflers tons on ebay tho but im the type that have to have my brand names so....

How does the short ram sound? i think im just going to go with the short ram and an Apexi WSII catback.

Also, if i decide to lower my car with coilovers, do i need strut bars and wat do they do? ive noticed just about everyone that lowered there car has strutbars.

I have the AEM short ram on my 97 LX. It has a great sound...very loud on WOT, but silent any other time. SRI have their own unique sound, kinda hard to explain because it's a powerful sound, but doesn't sound like an exhaust. It also makes a whistling type sound at idle and certain other RPM's...some people don't like this...I don't mind it, it's only annoying if you are really sensitive to high frequencies sounds..

I went with the SRI because there is no chance of water, the performance increase with a CAI over a SRI is negligable, and the SRI is half the price of the CAI. (I've heard that the bypass valve for the CAI reduces the performance which kinda defeats the purpose of the CAI over the SRI in the first place)

I think you will be much happier with the Apexi over the OBX. I was deciding between the WS2 and RS-R ExMag, but chose to go with the ExMag. If the OBX is anything like my current muffler, it is annoying... very annoying. Can't wait to install the ExMag.

yea, i herd that performance is the same or even less than the SRI if u add a bypass valve on the CAI. Im going to go with the AEM SRI. The only reason i was considering going with the OBX was because i read on another forum where it has a nice sound to it. Also this link mentions that it give up to 18hp so wat would be the difference between the catbacks and the muffler if both do the same job?

http://www.2kracing.com/index.php/cPath/28

Here is wat the OBX mufflers sound like. IMO it sounds pretty good though the clip isnt the clearest. It still benefits me performance wise so whats the difference between the catback and just a muffler? I would be saving so much more just getting a muffler that does the same job or close to.
http://www.2kracing.com/muffler_sound.html

btw, is it easy to install the short ram urself? Also how much would it be to bring it to a shop for them to put on the SRI and a catback? Dont need an exact price but a good estimate would be nice.

Thanks!

i got the obx exhuast setup on my crx, headers,freeflow cat,straight pipe,muffler i like it. it looks alot better than the coffee can style mufflers,nice sound. cant see paying a crap load for a setup, header to exhaust. obx is resonably priced and it will give you the same results as top shelf name brands :2cents:

how much did your setup run you without the headers? cuz i think imma wait on that.

The SRI is very easy to install. Getting the old air box out is the hardest part and that's not really a problem. It's a fun, quick project.

thas good, i think i wll be installing it myself.

around how much does a normal shop charge for installing a catback?

muffler cost 175, straight pipe 90,free flow cat 40,headers about 175,,,check ebay and if you dont find anythiing goto ssautochrome, i hear all sorts of differant things on ssautochrome, but they are somewhat cheap, for prices, bought all 2.5 stainless pipes on ebay

not bad, i think imma go with the apexi WS2 and maybe new headers later on...

www.turboimports.com has great pricing on the WS2 ($379.00 for 5th gen accords). That's where I got my ExMag from and the service was good. They sent me order confirmation e-mails and tracking number. Check them out. http://www.turboimport.com/catalog/accord.htm

To answer a few questions that weren't answered
1) no you don't need tower strut bars when you lower your car, essentially they are metal bars that brace the two front or the two rear strut towers(a strut tower from each wheel) It connects the two to stiffen up your chassis and frame and improves handling a bit. It is a good mod to get and very easy to install, but is not necessary when lowering your car.
2) the difference between a muffler and a catback
a) it sounds like you don't know too much about your car, you may wish to take some time off from modding and do some reading to further help your decision making and overall enjoyment of modding.
That being said, when exhaust fumes leave your engine, they go out through the header(channels them down under the car), through the cat(catylictic converter eliminates some pollutants), then out the pipes(catback) and through the muffler(lessens the noise). An engine produces power with air + gas, when the engine has more air flowing, ie, both in AND out, it opperates more efficiently. Freeing up restrictions in your intake and exhaust systems allow the engine to breathe better. A muffler, is just the end of the entire exhuast setup, whereas a cat-back is what the name implies, it is all the piping from the cat(cat not included) to the back of the car. By just putting on a muffler, you change very little, the more of the exhuast system you open up, the more dramatic the results. Now realize that this isn't going to do huge increases in power, without forced induction such as a turbo, supercharger, or nitrous, bolt on intakes and exhaust do not offer huge hp gains, but it is still a start. You mentioned something about 18hp. In all honesty, intake/header/exhaust may give you 10-20 combined. The companies always exaggerate hp gains.
Back to the point, the catback is a better choice than just a muffler. Many exhaust shops can build you a custom catback for a significantly lower price then retail if you bring in a muffler of your choosing and then just ask them to build your catback and attach it all. I had this all done on my honda for $200.
3) as far as cold air intakes sucking up water, everyone has heard that, and people have mixed opinions, my take on it, you don't need a bypass valve unless you are planning on driving through 12inch deep puddles. I know plenty who have them and driving in the rain doesn't suck water into them at all. But everyone has their own opinion.

Thanks for clearing up a few things and yea, im pretty new to the whole performance scene.