118mph

I am considering installing a cut out valve into my 06 civic LX. I was also considering installing a new exhaust system, but that would be more expensive and would free up less horse power. The cut out valve would be installed on the downpipe, bypassing the catalytic converter; since I do have some consideration for the environment, it would need to be easily accessible so that I can activate it on the go when I arrive at my speeding destination.

The commercial ones seem to run upwards of $300 usually, and I heard they do not seal perfectly. So, I am thinking of making my own. Because I do not have a welder or any fancy tools, it would need to be done in a mechanical fashion. My main problem is that I cannot think of a good way to attach a pipe to a hole that would be cut into the downpipe. Glue will not work, effective gaskets will fail due to the heat and pressure...no welding, and no crimping.

So, this leads to the question: Is there a type of rubber piping material that can withstand exhaust pipe temperatures?

My current idea is to take a "Tee" type pipe, cut the appropriate amount of downpipe completely out of the system (6" or so) and install the 'tee' in its place. The need for the rubber like material arises from its ability to be clamped onto the pipe, creating an air tight seal. If I could acquire such an item, this might be doable.

I would then run another pipe out of the tee and to some point near the edge of the car. The pipe would have threading on the end so that I can screw/unscrew an end piece onto it to seal and unseal the cut out system.

Any thoughts? Better ideas?

02civicsi02

Just buy a race header and quit taking these weird ways to get power.

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

you need welding for this one, and you prolly will be surprised how cheap it is to weld a few pipes together if you have them layed out already. most welding shops and even exhaust shops dont charge very much.

TRIZ

iTrader: (14)

Yeah... race headers and spark plug non foulers are prob your best bet. Either pay for a cut out valve, or just skip the idea and swap for a K series or do some serious NA/turbo work.

118mph

Hey, but I like my weird ways

How much do you think welding would cost? (ballpark estimate)

Si Dean

shoulda bought an si

02civicsi02

Your goijng to get this cut out valve and weld it on and think you get so much power but you wont. You might gain like 3 hp and spend 300 when you can get a race header and gain so much more.

But like said above you should of bought the si for power or just go ahead and swap in the k series .

Si Dean

haha get hondata it might help but it sucks you dont have vtec

TRIZ

iTrader: (14)

Yeah it sucks we didnt buy a better car to begin with, but we got what we got- there isnt anything wrong with modifying it. A cut off valve does sound like a waste of money. I had a race header before- it did give some more power on the top end, but didnt help much unless you were redlining it.