Custom Cat-back

I have a 96 Civic EX coupe and i want to get a custom cat-back done and i just wanted some advice from you guyes. I dont want to get ripped off so how much do they usually go for? Im also going to get a quiet(yet powerful) muffler, any favorites? Im kind of new at all this so i want to know what the HP increase will be with this setup. Thanks

a custom cat back shouldn't cost you more than $150 for the piping. Make sure you get Mandrel piping too. I don't know how much that costs though, it may be a little more than regular piping. As for a muffler, if you want one that's not too loud, with considerable gains, go with Thermal R&D.

I know that the muffler section back is $60 so i think u could be able to get everything for around $100-$120. I agree with the Thermal R&D as a muffler. it sounds real nice.

Real quick....I am also planning on getting a custom exhaust, but what exactly is 'mandrel bent' piping?

Thanks in advance......

This is when a mandrel is placed inside the piping so as the metal is shaped it does not kink like press bending. It gives a much more even flow for the exhaust gasses to escape then inside a press bend. It will cost around twice as much per bend as the machine costs twice as much.
Dont go bigger than 2inch for your application either as we want performance not noise. Also dont stimp on a quality muffler and get a straight through kind with plenty of packing. Brands are brands spend $200+ and you cant go wrong.:flash:

How much horse/performance can a custom catback exhaust add?

On your car I would say with a air filter you would be good for 5+hp. Even more with a programmable chip.:flash:

Why is this in the turbo section?

What about 2" on a boosted b18b? For some reason I was thinking 2.5" or so with a high flow cat. Thanks...

Is there a big differance in HP gains between a custom cat-back and say a greddy? Custom is only 5 HP??????? Also whats a good pipe diameter for a civic? I was thinking 2.25

Good sizes for nat aspirated are, up to 1.1lt is 1 and 3/4inch, 1.5 -2.0lt is 2inch, 2.0 - 2.5lt 2 1/4inch, 2.2lt vtecs either 2 1/4 - 2 1/2.
Turbo models add on 3/4 to 1 inch.

Expect 5hp out of a 1.6 to 1.8lt (at the treads) and 5-10hp from a 2.0lt and above from a good system. But power readouts are as good as the dyno they are previded on, a true dyno doesnt loose only 14% through a drivetrain its a shitload more than that.

A Full custom mandrel bent system is the best know doubt, just pick out some quality mufflers and your sweet.

The better fuel though the more power you will make, especially if you dyno tune a custom chip in, remember know two cars are the same.

I run my car on 98ron fuel permenantly and I would use 100+ if we had it.:flash:

I will disagree with you on the chip. It will only ad few ponies and only when youre not at full throttle, when youre running a wide open throttle you have same flow w/ stock as w/ aftermarket chip.

I totaly agree that a custom mandrel bent exhaust is the way to go...higher flow and cheaper. Why would anybody spend the grip on a bolt on exhaust system??

Uneducated? Afraid to go see Billy Bob at the exhaust shop? I dunno....

Real quick on hiflow cats...are most shops willing to throw it in for you if you bring it along or do you have to find a clandestine exhaust shop that is willing to tell the EPA to shove it?

Thanks....

SO if I were to go into a place that does exhausts, could I simply ask for a mandrel bent exhaust system? Would I just have to provide the muffler? How much would it cost?

posted by kane2g
I will disagree with you on the chip. It will only ad few ponies and only when youre not at full throttle, when youre running a wide open throttle you have same flow w/ stock as w/ aftermarket chip.

That is so much crap If you are running a car that is on standard 92ron fuel and get a chip tuned in for 98ron fuel you will make at least 10-15hp at the wheels.

I have seen three seperate vtec ludes on the dyno then chipped.

1st 94 vtec 99kw at the wheels with 2 1/4 exhaust and intake.

2nd 99 vtec 101.6kw at the wheels with 2 1/2 exhaust and intake.

3rd 2000 vtec 101.2kw at the wheels 2 1/4 exhaust and intake.

All on 98ron fuel than they were all chipped on a 65 degree day.

94 106kw, 99 109kw, 2000 108.7kw all at the wheels, standard at the engine is 147kw or 200hp so you could say they all produce around 158kw or 215hp now that an improvement. WOT what a load of crap.


About the install for the exhaust if you get mandrel bending make sure it is exactly that and yes they will install what ever you want them to. If you want flanges and a cat thay will do that, if you just want the muffler thay will do that, just shop around so you know the average price and then go for it.
:flash:

posted by kane2g
I will disagree with you on the chip. It will only ad few ponies and only when youre not at full throttle, when youre running a wide open throttle you have same flow w/ stock as w/ aftermarket chip.

That is so much crap If you are running a car that is on standard 92ron fuel and get a chip tuned in for 98ron fuel you will make at least 10-15hp at the wheels.

I have seen three seperate vtec ludes on the dyno then chipped.

1st 94 vtec 99kw at the wheels with 2 1/4 exhaust and intake.

2nd 99 vtec 101.6kw at the wheels with 2 1/2 exhaust and intake.

3rd 2000 vtec 101.2kw at the wheels 2 1/4 exhaust and intake.

All on 98ron fuel than they were all chipped on a 65 degree day.

94 106kw, 99 109kw, 2000 108.7kw all at the wheels, standard at the engine is 147kw or 200hp so you could say they all produce around 158kw or 215hp now that an improvement. WOT what a load of crap.


About the install for the exhaust if you get mandrel bending make sure it is exactly that and yes they will install what ever you want them to. If you want flanges and a cat thay will do that, if you just want the muffler thay will do that, just shop around so you know the average price and then go for it.
:flash: