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Can power be gained by upgrading the exhaust IF you still want the car to remain relatively quiet? Take my '97 Civic for example. (i know this is not the 6th gen forum, but i am just using the car as an example) What if i bought a full exhaust system with bigger pipe? This would include a smaller less restrictive cat, as well as a performance manifold. But then put a quiet muffler on it? Would there be any point in this? I want the benefits of a full aftermarket exhaust system, without the loud, annoying noise. So what if i installed a full aftermarket exhaust system, but instead of the coffee can muffler i just used one that was similar to stock? With bigger in/out ports, of course. It would need those to not be too awful restrictive.

Would i see any gain? I am after the power and fuel efficiency gain that a nice exhaust system typically offers. But i can see where the exhaust would be traveling along, all happy cause it is so easy for it to move now. But then all the sudden WHAM!! It hits that quiet muffler and then all the gain goes down the toilet. What are your thoughts and opinions on this? What do you think i should do?

 
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Ok, I'm sure you know, but noise does not equal power. Also, if your pipe gets too big, it will cause performance decrease. There are many manufacturers that make quiet exhaust systems. Almost any aftermarket muffler will flow better than OEM, however on this generation there is little to no improvement for such add ons.

 
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Hmm. So what would you recommend doing to my 97 civic then? (ok, now it is about a 6th gen car lol) If i want it to be quiet, just leave the exhaust system stock? What about just adding a performance exhaust manifold?

 
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I'm not very familar with that generation. I beleive it would respond better to basic bolt ons than the 7th gen. Adding a performance manifold, or headers usually adds a little power, but can usually make louder. I reccomend actually calling a couple different companies and telling them about your predicament. I believe Flowmaster makes what is called a hush puppy, but not sure whether this application can be made to fit your car. As I said before, power can be lost if exhaust is too open. I know a guy with a prelude that bought a very nice exhaust, it flowed too good. He ended up having to get a supercharger. Yeah it is quick, but it cost alot more than he wanted to spend and eats up more gas. Do a good tune up, and basic bolt ons. I wouldn't reccomend doing more than 2 1/4 inch piping. Look around and ask manufacturers. Ask around on the 6th gen forum, they prolly know more about it than me.

 
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^ your friend with the supercharger should be getting better gas mileage if he isnt stomping down on the accelerator every few blocks to make sure his SC is still fast as hell... but with a SC, you cant blame him.

As was said, sound doesnt equal power. (But think of every fast car out there, its pretty loud). If you get an aftermarket header, it will free up some power for sure. A hi flow cat will also be less restrictive, and actually, if you get the RT pipe, its restrictiveness is the same as a test pipe without the added nasty exhaust fumes, a def plus! Upgrade your pipes to a slightly larger diam, your stock exhaust is a pea shooter. Its mainly in the muffler, find something thats quiet without a silencer. Silencers are bottle necks. If you put a silencer on, theres no point in having any of your pipes bigger then the silencers outlet diam.

My exhaust FAQ thread would be a good thing for you to look over, even though its geared toward a 7th gen (6th and 7th are fairly sim)

 
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^ your friend with the supercharger should be getting better gas mileage if he isnt stomping down on the accelerator every few blocks to make sure his SC is still fast as hell... but with a SC, you cant blame him.

As was said, sound doesnt equal power. (But think of every fast car out there, its pretty loud). If you get an aftermarket header, it will free up some power for sure. A hi flow cat will also be less restrictive, and actually, if you get the RT pipe, its restrictiveness is the same as a test pipe without the added nasty exhaust fumes, a def plus! Upgrade your pipes to a slightly larger diam, your stock exhaust is a pea shooter. Its mainly in the muffler, find something thats quiet without a silencer. Silencers are bottle necks. If you put a silencer on, theres no point in having any of your pipes bigger then the silencers outlet diam.

My exhaust FAQ thread would be a good thing for you to look over, even though its geared toward a 7th gen (6th and 7th are fairly sim)

 
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Thanks for the replies everyone. Do most aftermarket mufflers not have a silencer? Or is it something that i will have to look into for whatever i may be considering? Also, with what i have said in mind, is there a complete system sold that yall would recommend? Minus the muffler, of course. I will need to find that on my own. But it would be nice to get all the rest from one place, at one time.

 
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if you want a quiet system that looks nice and MAY give you some extra oomph look at the World Sport 2.

Seriously though ANY exhaust system isnt going to make much of a difference on a 97 SOHC. I would suggest sticking to a 2.25" pipe, either using a twin loop muffler (hytech mugen or that OBX knock off which isn't actually that bad) or a chambered (magnaflow xl for example) and keeping the stock cat. To have a quiteR with some gains system while not being completely stock, just do an axle back and a resonated test pipe with a 4-2-1. Give you some extra MPG (maybe) and some extra power in the middle.

Another quick aside (i know its getting long ) i dont think your building a race car right? keep that in mind, if looks and sound is all you want, your choices are pretty much made for you.

anyways thats my 2

 
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If you're only doing a light build then yeah, a twin-loop style or sport style cat-back or axle-back with 2.25" piping is going to be your best bet. If the pipe size is too big you'll lose back pressure. Even with the most optimum pipe size for your setup you'll only be seeing minimal gains. Also, keep in mind that swapping the cat with a hfc or test pipe would net you a couple horses, but the tone of the exhaust could possibly become much raspier depending on the exhaust.

 
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yeah thats true^

I added it a resonated test pipe to my factory exhaust with a header and an axle back and it sounded sex tho. I mean no rasp and smooth. Just an added bass sound when cruising, complimented the intake.

 
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Yeah i am only going for things that will either add, or have no effect on fuel mileage. If it will lower the MPG in any way shape or form i am not going to do it. That is why i am looking into an exhaust system. I know that a good exhaust system will free up horsepower and fuel mileage on any vehicle. I am also looking into something like a full MSD ignition system. That is another thing that would increase mileage. As well as add a little power. Anyway, i used to have the big bad loud exhaust on my Civic Del Sol. But man, that was back when i was younger. I am 27 now and i just dont want to listen to that anymore. Or anything like it. I just want it to be quiet lol.

 
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id get a cheapo eBay header and wrap it get a resonated test pipe (provided emissions aren't an issue) and get a 2.25 axle back. Good to go. The oe muffler isn't as restrictive as people say it is, the stock cats are the most restrictive parts on those exhausts. If you do get an axle back get a good quality universal like the ws2 ($250) or a magnaflow oval ($100) and about a 3" or 4" tip (resonated preferably) to lower the pitch