Which Exhaust?

I've a long time plan to save up money until next christmas and buy my gsr engine and swap it into my car. Meanwhile, I'm making a list of things I will need for my engine. What kind of exhaust would I put on a 97' civic dx hatchback with a gsr motor? I'm willing to get a custom exhaust from my uncle's mechanic who can mandrel bend for custom exhaust, or is there a better exhaust? All I want is horsepower gain and not a too loud sound. Tell me what you think, and thanks a bunch.

An exhaust wont give you any noticable horsepower numbers, even if its an integra GSR engine.

I say spend that money on other modifications, but thats just my suggestion.

Exhaust is dependent on your chassis, so you want to get one for your car, not your motor.
Full cat-backs I recommend:

DC Sports
Thermal R&D
Apex'i WS
RS*R ExMag
Magnaflow
Greddy Evo

If you want to do a custom exhaust go with 2.25" piping, I recommend the Magnaflow mufflers and either a Magnaflow Glasspack or 4" aluminum muffler to use as a resonator. An 18" will probably give you the nice growl that you want from an exhaust.

That was another thing I was wondering, what kind of numbers would a dc sports header and a decent axhaust put out?

My guess would be somewhere along the lines of 7-9 hp add an intake and you could get a total of 10-12.

Not really worth almost an entire $1k for 12hp IMO. $1k can get you junkyard turbo. Save up about another $1500 and you can put together a really nice kit. It's all up to you how you want to spend the money and what your goals are for the car.

A Header won't give you "raw performance" DC headers will give you at max 3-4 hp! All it does is amplify the sound of your engine, No matter what brand you buy you'll get the same results. 5 hp will be pushin it!

My guess would be somewhere along the lines of 7-9 hp add an intake and you could get a total of 10-12.

Not really worth almost an entire $1k for 12hp IMO. $1k can get you junkyard turbo. Save up about another $1500 and you can put together a really nice kit. It's all up to you how you want to spend the money and what your goals are for the car.


I agree, with $1500 you could piece yourself a nice turbo kit for the gsr and make some real power instead of waisting your money on a cold air intake and headers. you cant avoid the exhaust though. your going to have to invest on this. get like at least 2 1/2 in piping. (after you get the turbo) if your going to stay N/A get 2 1/4

Ok, so exhaust is going to be necessary for a turbo to work at it's potential... I can have my mechanic mandrel bend me a good exhaust, but what header should I go for if I'm eventually going to add a tubro to my gsr hatch.

none, you'll have to get rid of the header and replace it with a turbo manifold once you go turbo. Save your money

Ok, so exhaust is going to be necessary for a turbo to work at it's potential... I can have my mechanic mandrel bend me a good exhaust, but what header should I go for if I'm eventually going to add a tubro to my gsr hatch.


you should try doing a search to find out exactly what you need to put together a turbo kit so you dont waste your money on stuff you are going to have to replace later down the road (or buy a pre-made kit for a GSR). If you plan ahead what you want you will get more power with less money.

Ok thanks, you've all been a great help.

A Header won't give you "raw performance" DC headers will give you at max 3-4 hp! All it does is amplify the sound of your engine, No matter what brand you buy you'll get the same results. 5 hp will be pushin it!
lol, you're a silly little girl.