Alrite so i am planning on getting a DC Sports header and an exhaust system. And um I've been reading that everyone has a setup like this (catback ro axleback) ahtes the sound of it. Everyone is saying it sounds horrible and as the header breaks in it starts to sound worse and worse. What is the deal ehre! Before I buy this someone give me some info and some exhaust clips would be good to! So I can see how bad is it!

 

I have not put a header or exhaust on my tC.
However, my last car had a very similar motor (it was also 2.4 liter 4-cylinder w/ DOHC) and when I put a header, high-flow catalytic converter, and catback exhaust on, it was LOUD. I'm not talking about a nice growl, I'm talking some serious decibels. I also felt a loss of low-end power. I know people say that backpressure is not really necessary and their arguments make sense but I only know what I experienced - and that is minimal HP gains and loss of some low end with excessive noise. To me it wasn't worth it and sounded quite obnoxious.
Personally, I would just go with a nice axleback and forget about the header - especially if this car is your daily driver.

 

I think it is just with the TRD exhaust set up. No one else I know of has this issue. I am installing my header hopefully next weekend...I will keep you updated.

 

i feel obligated to chime in here b/c im on my 2nd day with my DC header and axle-back exhaust...the axle-back is a custom and it used to sound REALLY good...it was louder then stock...smooth refined exhaust note...almost exotic-like

....so back to the header.... the car feels MUCH faster for just a bolt on...but it's LOUD which i dont mind either.... but got raspy...very raspy...i was embarrassed to drive it at first , then i had a couple friends check it out and they said it sounded pretty good actually....i also was playin around with some 92-95 civic with exhaust and in comparison...my fart can sounded a hell of a lot meaner then his fart can...obviously due to the fact that we have a 2.4 and a lot fo civics out there are lil 1.6's...

so all in all... if your out to mod your car just do it man yea its loud but whatever ...a sound clip wont do it any justice b/c they always never sounds like what it sounds like in real life...

 

Yeah I installed my header wednesday when it came in (Props to Paul @ www.mcgeorgeautoparts.com) and I have to say it sounds alot different. I have the stock exhaust and the flow difference is unbelievable when you put your hand close to the exhaust at the back, but it sounds raspier too... It's hard to describe the sound, quiet, but you can hear alot more air coming out faster than before.
Anyways performance wise:
A little bit better than stock up to around 3000-4000rpm
After that, HUGE difference, much faster acceleration!!!!
This is exactly what I was looking for, as from a 20mph roll (4000rpm in 1st) the difference is amazing!! And every time you shift gears when it's floored the rpm starts out at 4000 again! I love it, did the WOW! Spark plug antifouler trick then drove to savannah and back to atlanta (500 miles) and still no CEL!
In other words:
GET THE DC SPORTS HEADER, IT'S WORTH IT!!!!

 

I have this set-up, and yes this is the set-up that everyone has a problem with.

I thought the same you, and my friends thought the same as yours. So now I'm ok with it.

 

Yeah I just put the DC header on with the Creative Compacts full exhaust and it now sounds like a single cam Honda with a straight pipe. I am kind of dissapointed with the sound but the power is awesome. The header and full exhaust added major mid range power. I think the sound problem could be caused by the S-Pipe between the header and exhaust that is crush bent and really restrictive. It creates a bottle neck because you have high flow then low flow then high flow again.

 

yea i asked a few people opinions on what they thought of the sound and they said the same thing...the fact that the headers are flowing well then the bottle neck of the s-pipe and right now stock mid-pipe and 2nd cat in have.. plus an intake might clean it up some more as well.....

SUPA.... did u choose the borla muffler on the CC exhaust???

 

when it comes to modifying your headers ,exhaust, yadda yadda...
isn't it best to make all your mods at once intake, headers, exhaust, fuel management, the whole works? let's face it, engines are pretty sophisticated and highly integrated. one little change here, may require several other little changes to really reap full potential. and who doesn't want that!
i'm no mechanic, but it seems like attaching a fire hose to your water spigut and wondering why you can't put out the neighbors house fire.
*quietly waiting to be reamed by some cool guy*

 

I plan on doing my intake seperate. but I will buy all my exhaust componeents one by one and install at the same time, header, s pipe, and catback will all go in at once. Just so the exhaust system knows ASAP its all new and goes from there. I think thats teh best way of doing it.

 

well if you have some sort of self control thats all well and good...although , ideally if you were to do it piece by piece ..like EVERYBODY else you should go from front of the car and work your way back...but oh well...either way its not going to make or brake you..or your car for that matter....

.....oh and looty man whats up with "*quietly waiting to be reamed by some cool guy*"




happy now....