Exhaust buying question

[liebernoodle]

Here's the story:
About a year ago, I was far away from home and my exhaust pipe rusted off. Needless to say the sound was incredibly loud and disturbing. I went to the nearest muffler place, which happened to be Muffler King, and got a new exhaust pipe/muffler put on. About a year later, the pipe starts making these metallic rattling noises. I brought my car in to the Acura dealer and he said that the aftermarket pipe I had was breaking away on the inside and is just going to get louder. He also said to get a new B-pipe from them and put it in would cost about $370.

This is a lot for an exhaust, so I was thinking I might be able to find a performance exhaust for around the same price.

Does anyone have any ideas? My friend suggested trying to find a custom cat-back. Any ideas anyone could suggest would be great. thanks!

[DVSNCYNIKL]

Well, if you are gonna replace the whole thing. Get a whole catback exhaust. Along with the muffler, it should make for an interesting power boost.

[JD@af]

I always recommend taking the necessary steps to get the dealerships out of your life. I find that they will only cost you unnecessary amounts of money, and their work isn't even the top drawer quality that you think you're getting.

Definitely do not get another stock exhaust. Get an aftermarket exhaust made from higher quality stainless steel (many of them are now made from T-304 stainless, which is of extraorinary quality, and you will need to put your car through a war to get it to rust). I'd personally recommend the GReddy EVO if you want to spend in the neighborhood of $400. I don't know exactly what it will run you, but it is a better deal than another stock piece, unless you really don't want increased noise (but this GReddy exhaust is among the quietest of aftermarket exhausts).

Oh... what kind of car do you have? If you have an Integra, you're set (i.e. that there is a GReddy EVO made for your car, as well as dozens of alternatives). If not, you'll have to do some research and see what is available for your car.

[liebernoodle]

Oh I forgot to mention what car I had in the first post, oops!

It's a '95 Integra LS.

I was looking at the magnaflow exhaust. Any thoughts/comments/suggestions on this?

anything would help, thanks!

[JD@af]

Tell you what, let me tap into a few sources and get back to you later on (hopefully within the next couple days) with some recommendations. Also, I'd recommend getting a high flow catalytic converter (a very good and inexpensive option is a unit by Catco). That's another source of back pressure build-up and power loss for your engine.

I'll post again later with some 411 for you.

[i_rebel]

If what you need is a "b-pipe" . . . then you don't have to look for a muffler just yet . . .

Unless I'm mistaken your exhaust . . . is composed of 4 seperate pieces . . . which may be assembled in a different order than what I list, depending on your vehicle . . .

1 - Header/exhaust manifold
2 - B-pipe/flex pipe
3 - Catalytic converter
4 - Muffler

I suppose if you need to change one piece, you might be thinking that you may as well change everything . . . that's usually a good way to go, at least in my book, except when money is an issue.

I believe that you said money was a concern though, so you should try to concentrate your search on the b-pipe.

I'll try to help too . . . do you have an Acura part #?

[liebernoodle]

Thanks guys, I don't have a part # for you, but here's what the invoice says:

A customer states rattle coming from vehicle around 3000rpm
200 cooling/heating/exhaust related

Diagnosed and found that the aftermarket exhaust b-pipe interior baffles are rattling. Would need to replace with genuine acura part. B-pipe: $254.00 (special order) labor: $114.00.


Make what you can of this, and again, thanks.

[i_rebel]

I found this:

an "Exhaust System, Center Pipe, Integra LS . . ."

Price is: $154.46 at Parts.com

This sounds to me as if it's the part you are looking for, but I can't be certain, as Parts.com calls it a center pipe, and we happen to be looking for a "B-Pipe" . . . they also have a "front exhaust pipe assembly" or something like that, but that doesn't sound to me like what we're looking for . . . and their price is over $400 anyway.

Does this sound better?

If you decide to go with the part . . . Install should be relatively easy . . . where do you live?

[Dillweed]

Here's what we do where we live:

If you want it quiet and you're rich, you get custom or aftermarket stainless, full 9 yards.

If you want it quiet and you're poor, you get jobber normal steel piping.

BUT...

If you want sound and you're rich, get custom stainless without cat, or even without resonator.

If you want sound and you're poor, get your local garage to do some custom steel work without cat, or even without resonator.

4 options is what it boils down to. I'ts easy. Oh yeah, it's a 95... forget about your dealer, unless you want to get shafted.

[JD@af]

dillweed's suggestions are right on. However, I stand by what I posted previously. I am waiting to hear back about Magnaflow exhausts; but they are made by Car Sound, which is an excellent company, who makes catalytic converters for many distributors. But the GReddy EVO is a good choice. Don't settle for another factory exhaust.

[X2BOARD]

Just as a tip, and a fellow LS owner....unless you plan to go forced induction (turbo,s/c nitrous, etc...) in the future, DO NOT remove your Catalytic converter..... I would highly recommend replacing the factory cat with a high flow cat as opposed to hollowing the cat or removing it completely. Not only does a missing cat cause some black soot to form on your muffer tip and rear bumper, but it will steal the biggest advantage of the b18a and b18b engines.....low end torque... removing the cat will gain some high end horses, but the drop in low end torque will leave you ride sloppy acceleration off the line and dead low end pull......stock if you think stock Vtecs are dusting you now....just wait until you have no torque... ! As far as new piping, make sure you get mandrel bends and not the crush bended crap..... Stainless steel piping = no rusting.... it will not adversely affect the power if you do not use stainless, the only thing is the exhaust will possibly rust....

[b-pro]

ok heres wut ya need... go with a jdm or jdm replica header, from a type r. the collector is 2.5 inches versus 2 on most high dollar headers. then go to a muffler shop with a mandrel bender, and have them make you and exhaust that goes right up to the collector. have the muffler with you when you go, and likewise make sure its piping is 2.5". true you will lose low end torque with no cat. but ractive has now come out with a brand new gadget, fits right in front of your muffler, that controls the noise and flow out of your pipes. its a valve with holes in it that is controlled by an electric motor. closed it provides valuable back pressure, and open it allows just as much flow as if it werent there. also, a b-series engine with no cat and 2 1/2 inch pipes makes a LOT of noise. actually it can be heard SIX miles away. but the ractive valve makes it quieter, and will run you about 90 bucks. the muffler shop will weld it up for you.
all told this setup will cost you about $700, but you will have the baddest exhaust system in town

[95TegSE]

Originally Posted by b-pro

ok heres wut ya need... go with a jdm or jdm replica header, from a type r. the collector is 2.5 inches versus 2 on most high dollar headers. then go to a muffler shop with a mandrel bender, and have them make you and exhaust that goes right up to the collector. have the muffler with you when you go, and likewise make sure its piping is 2.5". true you will lose low end torque with no cat. but ractive has now come out with a brand new gadget, fits right in front of your muffler, that controls the noise and flow out of your pipes. its a valve with holes in it that is controlled by an electric motor. closed it provides valuable back pressure, and open it allows just as much flow as if it werent there. also, a b-series engine with no cat and 2 1/2 inch pipes makes a LOT of noise. actually it can be heard SIX miles away. but the ractive valve makes it quieter, and will run you about 90 bucks. the muffler shop will weld it up for you.
all told this setup will cost you about $700, but you will have the baddest exhaust system in town

Ok...why would you go and revive this thread? It's over 3 years old. Look at dates before you start to offer help. Thanks