97 Civic, Sounds Raspy After I,H,E installation
#1
08-03-2008 | 05:41 PM
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From: Orlando
97 Civic, Sounds Raspy After I,H,E installation
I just installed a AEM SRI, Megan Racing 4-2-1, and Apexi W2 exhaust on my 5 speed civic. It sounds very raspy, there is no deepness like what I hoped for. Is this common with the applications I added or is there a problem somewhere within my hookup. The exhaust does not have a catalyic conveter, may this be my problem could anyone give me some suggestions or if you direct some trouble shooting.
#6
08-04-2008 | 01:21 PM
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From: FL
like i said in this thread's identical twin, I went through the same exact problem and fixed it by getting a catalytic converter. I suggest you read my post as I had the same setup as you so I can very accurately relate to this problem.
it's raspy because you are using a test pipe. Also, check your header's midway flange (the joint of the two header pieces) for an exhaust leak/bad gasket. Megan headers are notorious for blowing midway gaskets... trust me. (although megan headers are still great budget headers, don't get me wrong)
Is the WS2 piping too long to use a cat, or is the section of piping where the cat normally goes removable? If so, take that section off and put your stock cat back on. Do you not care that you are throwing a CEL? Your car will run in limp mode and have less power than before you installed the exhaust.
When i first installed the WS2, I was using the exact same setup as you, including the test pipe.
I switched the test pipe out for a magnaflow direct fit high flow cat, and the sound improved tenfold.
I am now using that same setup (AEM s.r.i., Megan 4-2-1 header, magnaflow cat, ws2 exhaust) and it sounds great. I can guarantee a positive sound difference by switching to the catalytic converter.
Is the WS2 piping too long to use a cat, or is the section of piping where the cat normally goes removable? If so, take that section off and put your stock cat back on. Do you not care that you are throwing a CEL? Your car will run in limp mode and have less power than before you installed the exhaust.
When i first installed the WS2, I was using the exact same setup as you, including the test pipe.
I switched the test pipe out for a magnaflow direct fit high flow cat, and the sound improved tenfold.
I am now using that same setup (AEM s.r.i., Megan 4-2-1 header, magnaflow cat, ws2 exhaust) and it sounds great. I can guarantee a positive sound difference by switching to the catalytic converter.
#7
08-04-2008 | 02:48 PM
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From: Orlando
It just sounds like the way an exhaust system sounds when there is a hole in it. But it sounded like this with the header and SRI installed first, so maybe this is where the sound is coming from. I installed the exhaust system one day later and the sound never changed, remember Im straight piping 2 1/2 piping with no catalyic converter so tell me is this sound about right and Im overreacting or does this hookup seem like somethings wrong.
#8
08-04-2008 | 03:05 PM
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From: FL
did you ignore everyone else's posts? i'm telling you, the raspiness is being caused by not having a catalytic converter. I went through the same EXACT situation.
if you think it was the same before, check your midway header flange for an exhaust leak. it's not a rare problem on a megan header.
if you think it was the same before, check your midway header flange for an exhaust leak. it's not a rare problem on a megan header.
#9
08-04-2008 | 03:15 PM
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From: Orlando
Ok I understand checking the flanges and the lack of a catalytic converter. Right now im not throwing CEL because my O2 sensor is not installed and I would like to know how this also affects performance. Would you say I would achieve better sound and performance by cutting my test pipe and reinstalling my factory or an aftermarket catalytic converter
#10
08-04-2008 | 03:33 PM
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Posts: 11,417
From: FL
By throwing the CEL for not having a cat, your car is currently running in "limp mode." Right now, you actually have less power than you did when the car was bone stock.
EDIT: i misread. you are not throwing a CEL... strange. The computer can actually throw a code without lighting up the CEL. To check this you can go to an auto parts store and have them scan your computer for codes. they'll do it for free at most places.
They make an item called an o2 simulator (the wiring for it goes in place of the secondary o2 sensors wiring) which will tell the ECU what it wants to hear, and you won't throw a CEL.
But for the sake of global warming and clean air, get a catalytic converter. you will be better off getting a catalytic converter than an o2 simulator.
EDIT: i misread. you are not throwing a CEL... strange. The computer can actually throw a code without lighting up the CEL. To check this you can go to an auto parts store and have them scan your computer for codes. they'll do it for free at most places.
They make an item called an o2 simulator (the wiring for it goes in place of the secondary o2 sensors wiring) which will tell the ECU what it wants to hear, and you won't throw a CEL.
But for the sake of global warming and clean air, get a catalytic converter. you will be better off getting a catalytic converter than an o2 simulator.