get a cat back. axle back wont do much if at all for performance.

Tanabe's Axle back was dynoed and showed I think a 4.3hp gain to the wheels.  I believe Stillen said that their axle back system was good for around 7hp.  This isn't documented on their site but was written to someone in an email.  Stillen said that there were no additional gains for having a cat-back.  Of course, they weren't doing 2.5" piping.  They're probably doing 2.25.  At 2.5" for a cat-back, some people have complained about a loss of torque but more ease up top. 

Basically, if you plan on doing a full exhuast mod, I'd go for the catback.  However, gains are documented for the axle back system so it is not a waste if you aren't interested in a full exhaust mod.

sharpmaxell wrote:

get a cat back. axle back wont do much if at all for performance.

Absolutely not true...we have pretty good pipping from the cat back an axle back will work just fine. That's why there are only axle backs available on the new Spec V because there is no gains to be had on a full cat back system. Unless you go with the VRS or BRM system that deletes the cat. However if you are really interested in getting more flow and still keeping you cat I would recommend that you look into high flow cat. Not just some high flow looking cat from your local dealer but something from Stillen or another reputable company. This will allow you to stay legal and get the best flow from you system.

I personally went with an Apexi WSII universal muffler and had it swapped out for $100. It sounds great and I kept my torque, if you talk to a few other people on here they will tell you that they lost torque when they went to a 2.5" and cat delete. Just my suggestion but don't wast your money on a tanabe, you are paying for a brand not a product. Get a universal muffler and swap it out...

Yes tanabe makes very good stuff.

ok. We have 2.25 piping stock already I didnt know that and decided to go with 2.5 because I wanted more powa. Now I fucking lost torque, also YOU ARE A DUMBASS if you spend 200$+ on a axleback a.k.a a muffler with 1 foot of pipe.

Yes the axleback is tad bit pricey, but in my eyes, that price is the price i'm paying for not having to deal with smog. I can either pay $350 for an axleback, or $420 for a catback, plus $90 for a high flow cat, and then however much it costs to have it all welded. Personally, I'm going with the axleback. Not sure which company or anything yet, but definitely an axleback. If that makes me a dumbass, well, then I'm a dumbass, but at least i'll be content with myself and my car.

yeh I decided to go custom cat back for 200$ installed with a magnaflow muffler and I love the sound and more top end, I was just stating I lost torque, but I gained hp. If you dont care how much money you spend then go for it,  I have the EXACT same thing as everybody else only I didnt spend 500$+ install.
Do some research, youtube some muffler sound clips to help you find what you like, use ebay to buy the muffler, and call around to see who will give you the best price.

*also, I used to have a civic, cai piping is JUST piping

naturalsk8ter17 wrote:

yeh I decided to go custom cat back for 200$ installed with a magnaflow muffler and I love the sound and more top end, I was just stating I lost torque, but I gained hp. If you dont care how much money you spend then go for it,  I have the EXACT same thing as everybody else only I didnt spend 500$+ install.
Do some research, youtube some muffler sound clips to help you find what you like, use ebay to buy the muffler, and call around to see who will give you the best price.

*also, I used to have a civic, cai piping is JUST piping

If you didn't dyno the car before and after, you don't really know do you?

It really doesnt matter what everyone else says, if you want an axleback exhaust, go for it. Heres some sound clips i found for you.

  Stillen exhaust w/short ram intake
  Greddy exhaust w/cai   

I cant find soundclips for the Tanabe exhaust anywhere. Here are some clips from a b15 (catback) for a rough estamate.
  Tanabe Concept G
  Tanabe Medalion Touring

greddy axle back sounds sweet, love the way it looks.

naturalsk8ter17 wrote:

Now I fucking lost torque, also YOU ARE A DUMBASS if you spend 200$+ on a axleback a.k.a a muffler with 1 foot of pipe.

So if i'm a dumbass for spending $200+ for an axle back axhaust that net gained me torque and hp and what does that make you for spending $400+ for a cat back that lost torque and gained the same amount of horse power?

PS Tanabe is a great brand but I coudn't justify $500+ for a muffler and pipe.

Last edited by Hitman86 (2008-08-21 17:59:34)

whysoSERious wrote:

Not sure if the different shape effects anything other than sound.

You have hit the nail on the head it comes down to shape and size. As long as they make the mufflers the same way it shouldn't matter.

Small round canisters will be loud and largert more oval canisters will be lower and more growl imo.

It's not that you lose torque, it's that the torque is changed from low end to more midrange/top end when going to a larger diameter No torque is lost, it is shifted.

An exhaust whether it be catback or axleback is going to provide marginal gains because the only real restriction is the cat and unless you get rid of that you won't see much power from a exhaust.

Where can I buy the Tanabe Concept G?

The concept G is the one with the deepest tone, or is it the Touring one???


Which catback - axleback has the deepest tone?

Regards,

Last edited by DARK RICHARDHAUNTER (2008-08-21 22:03:11)

Stitch wrote:

It's not that you lose torque, it's that the torque is changed from low end to more midrange/top end when going to a larger diameter No torque is lost, it is shifted.

An exhaust whether it be catback or axleback is going to provide marginal gains because the only real restriction is the cat and unless you get rid of that you won't see much power from a exhaust.

The cat itself is not the main source of powerloss in the exhuast sytem.  There are other factors such as bends and diameter that helps for power gains.  Of course, having a cat and several pre-cats will noticeably take away from performance.  Just removing the precats in an aftermarket exhuast system should be sufficient for gains.  Eliminating the main cat puts you at legal risk even if your state doesn't test for emissions.  I believe there are Federal laws regarding the removal of the Catalytic Converter.  I'm sure most people wouldn't notice a difference between running a High-Flow cat versus no cat.

Lol zan, the cat is the MAIN prohibitor of gains from an exhaust system. Naturally there are other factors, but the cat is afterall the main issue. Legal issue, fuck that shit, yah sure inspection sucks but if you're not in cali it probably isn't a large deal.

With a full cai, header and catless exhaust the powerband will shift more towards midrange and top end, but hopefully with a tuning solution we can flesh out the curve a little bit bringing the low end back while enhancing everything else.

Gogo Uprev.

Last edited by Stitch (2008-08-22 09:10:05)

I dont see how someone doing what they want makes them a dumbass? Just because it isnt what you think is good, doesnt make it dumb. I DO live in california, so im not saying "fuck that smog shit" because as stated before, i actually want to pass. If the axleback will give minimal gains, then thats fine with me, Id rather have minimal gains and pass smog then have a little bit higher gains and fail.

naturalsk8ter17 wrote:

Hitman86 wrote:

naturalsk8ter17 wrote:

Now I fucking lost torque, also YOU ARE A DUMBASS if you spend 200$+ on a axleback a.k.a a muffler with 1 foot of pipe.

So if i'm a dumbass for spending $200+ for an axle back axhaust that net gained me torque and hp and what does that make you for spending $400+ for a cat back that lost torque and gained the same amount of horse power?

PS Tanabe is a great brand but I coudn't justify $500+ for a muffler and pipe.

ignorance is fucking bliss!!!!!!!!!!!!
where the hell does it say that I spent that much? I CLEARLY said I paid 200$ installed for a custon catback. I feel that I did loose low end, but gained top end. Pretty sure im going to be in good shape with 2.5" when the header and midpipe come out also.

just to clarify though
$200+ for a muffler on top of paying to get it installed = FAIL
$200 because your not a dumbass and know how to shop = FTW

So what brand of muffler did you get and installed for $200.00? Man things must be super cheap where you live because when I was looking into a cutom setup it was $250 plus muffler where I live and that's a good price anywhere you go. I know I got quality on top of positive net gians plus I know that the install was done by a profesional. You spend whatever $ amount and lost or moved your torque into an area that you car realisticly never sees and if it does see that high RPM range often your gas milage must really suck. So i'm not sure why you feel that you have to be a jack ass but... oh wait this says it all

naturalsk8ter17 wrote:

*also, I used to have a civic, cai piping is JUST piping

However, as you can see no here going to agree with you so why don't you just chill.

Last edited by Hitman86 (2008-08-22 15:33:07)

naturalsk8ter17 wrote:

like I previously stated. I bought a MAGNAFLOW off ebay. Like I also stated. Shop around for pricing on install.

Wow, detect sarcasim much?

whysoSERious wrote:

The website i found is asking $360 shipped for the tanabe concept g exhaust. It is a bit higher than I want, but its still the cheapest I found, and like i said earlier. i feel i am paying extra so that i dont have to worry about that smog shit. Its also cheaper than paying tanabes price of 420 + tax + shipping.

Plus it will probably bolt up to your stock pipe so you wont have to go have it welded on. If not your looking at an additional $50-$100 for welding (quality job that is).

At this point man I would wait a week or two and do more research on it. You don't want to get something and then not be happy about it. It took me a month or so of research before I bought my Apexi WS II muffler and put it on. If you do have to have it welded into place find a good company in your area and talk to them about your mod see what they think. These are the guys that do this for a living they know better then anyone on here...

Keep us posted when you get your axleback dude!!!!!!!

whysoSERious wrote:

I will do that. I'm debating whether or not I should order it tonight. I mean, I really want it, but in the last like month and a half, I bought the injen CAI, and new rims, so i've already spent a decent amount of money.

If you haven't bought the exhaust then you haven't spent enough...LOL jk jk man but seriously you need to buy it like NOW!!!

I would go with the route that naturalsk8ter17 proposed. Go to a muffler shop and their custom catbacks are carb exempt so you would still pass DEQ because your not removing the cat. Even if it is crush bent instead of mandrel bent that makes less than a pony difference. Its also cheaper, and if your intent on a certain sound just go with the muffler and save a hundred dollars or more.

damn man. Ive gotta say you have some balls. I used to live in cali and I heard about the raid they did a while ago in the Inland Empire how they took as bunch of the ricers and crushed them. I wouldnt put anything in my car that isnt carb exempt. That includes a header, but hey thats just me. If your not sure and your not really getting the answers you need go to a muffler shop and ask whats legal and whats not.

If you get a true high flow cat be sure to do your research first don't just buy it from some muffler shop that "says it's highflow" some high flow cats can do more harm then good so be cautious.

Here is a web site with some information...
http://www.randomtechnology.com/