the difference btw a EX Exhaust and LX Exhaust
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the difference btw a EX Exhaust and LX Exhaust
i was wondering what the difference is between the Exhaust setup of the 4dr civic EX with Vtec engine (127hp) and a 4dr LX with a non-vtec engine (115hp)?
i own a Canadian 4dr LX which is pretty much the same as the US LX model. they both have the same non-vtec engine.
what i'm trying to get to is that i had ordered a Greddy Evo which is available for the US 4dr EX model(vtec). when i went to have it installed the guys at the shop which ordered it for me noticed that the piping was different and that it would not fit at all. they double checked the paper work and it said on the box in which the exhast came that it was for the 4dr EX. so then we thought that the exhaust setup must be different between the vtec and non-vtec engines. the guy who ordered it for me said he told the person who took the order at greddy that it was going to be for a non-vtec engine.
but the only thing that puzzles me is that i've seen quite a few pictures of the engine bays in the Members Rides section and they look exactly like mine, and i'm assume the majority have the Vtec(127HP).
so i keep asking my self how could the exhasut setup be differnt?
if the greddy evo is made for the 4dr civic, i should be able to install it in any 4dr civic regardless of which engine is under the hood.
i did email Greddy and am still waiting for a reply, but until i don't get a reply from Greddy i believe that they probably screwed up and sent the wrong exhaust.
if any body can be of assistance please feel free to help.
thanx!!!
i own a Canadian 4dr LX which is pretty much the same as the US LX model. they both have the same non-vtec engine.
what i'm trying to get to is that i had ordered a Greddy Evo which is available for the US 4dr EX model(vtec). when i went to have it installed the guys at the shop which ordered it for me noticed that the piping was different and that it would not fit at all. they double checked the paper work and it said on the box in which the exhast came that it was for the 4dr EX. so then we thought that the exhaust setup must be different between the vtec and non-vtec engines. the guy who ordered it for me said he told the person who took the order at greddy that it was going to be for a non-vtec engine.
but the only thing that puzzles me is that i've seen quite a few pictures of the engine bays in the Members Rides section and they look exactly like mine, and i'm assume the majority have the Vtec(127HP).
so i keep asking my self how could the exhasut setup be differnt?
if the greddy evo is made for the 4dr civic, i should be able to install it in any 4dr civic regardless of which engine is under the hood.
i did email Greddy and am still waiting for a reply, but until i don't get a reply from Greddy i believe that they probably screwed up and sent the wrong exhaust.
if any body can be of assistance please feel free to help.
thanx!!!
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Rep Power: 0 on the LX the cat is auctually incorporated into the headers, on the EX the cat is located farther down the pipe and is completly seperate from the headers. it is very simple to change over to an EX set-up. any exhaust shop should be able to do it.
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Rep Power: 0 Originally posted by 1sexycivic
on the LX the cat is auctually incorporated into the headers, on the EX the cat is located farther down the pipe and is completly seperate from the headers. it is very simple to change over to an EX set-up. any exhaust shop should be able to do it.
on the LX the cat is auctually incorporated into the headers, on the EX the cat is located farther down the pipe and is completly seperate from the headers. it is very simple to change over to an EX set-up. any exhaust shop should be able to do it.
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Rep Power: 337 Originally posted by cambo
the LX header has its cat located basically incorporated into the header. Its shorter than the EX. The Ex header has its cat located further down, thusmaking the header longer than the LX/DX header. You can replace the LX/DX header, but it would require a new EX exhaust system. But you cant just get the EX exhaust system. There is not enough clearance with the LX/DX sway bar. That means you also have to replace the sway bar and any other screws/bolts/bushings/etc. that go along with it.
the LX header has its cat located basically incorporated into the header. Its shorter than the EX. The Ex header has its cat located further down, thusmaking the header longer than the LX/DX header. You can replace the LX/DX header, but it would require a new EX exhaust system. But you cant just get the EX exhaust system. There is not enough clearance with the LX/DX sway bar. That means you also have to replace the sway bar and any other screws/bolts/bushings/etc. that go along with it.
For what you want to do, get an EX sway bar and its necessary hardware. Swap your LX sway bar with the EX, then have a muffler shop extend the exhuast piping to make up for the shorter piping required for the EX exhaust systems.
LX Piping would be like this ============================|header w/cat|
EX Piping would be like this ======================|cat|==|header|
get it?
Last edited by cambo; Aug 19, 2003 at 02:52 AM.
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Rep Power: 337 i'd assume it'd pass smog. As long as you have all the major components, i dont see why not. The only thing that would make a big difference in emissions would be whether you have
a. no cat.
b. hi flow cat.
c. stock ex cat.
a. wouldn't pass emissions obviously.
b. might pass emissions...i dont know.
c. would be the most likely to pass emissions.
Also, the type of muffler and piping would determine your exhaust note and whether it would still be under a nosie volume laws in your area.
a. no cat.
b. hi flow cat.
c. stock ex cat.
a. wouldn't pass emissions obviously.
b. might pass emissions...i dont know.
c. would be the most likely to pass emissions.
Also, the type of muffler and piping would determine your exhaust note and whether it would still be under a nosie volume laws in your area.
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From: chantilly, Virginia, US
Rep Power: 337 Cost? i haven't done it, so i wouldnt know.
If i had to make a prediction on how much a muffler shop would charge you for extending the muffler piping...i'd say no more than $150 MAX.
the rest depends on what header you chose, the exhaust system, high flow/regular cat/no cat, piping material & method of bending.
If i had to make a prediction on how much a muffler shop would charge you for extending the muffler piping...i'd say no more than $150 MAX.
the rest depends on what header you chose, the exhaust system, high flow/regular cat/no cat, piping material & method of bending.
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hey mangoex, The reason why your friends engine light is on all the time is probably because when they installed the high flow cat, they put the sensor in the wrong place, it happened to me, and i went back and the put the sensor in the right place and the light went off.
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Rep Power: 368 without a cat convertor.. or an actual highflow cat (as in, catalyic are in the tubing, not just a straight pipe) the engine light should be on.. if not now, eventually.
some exhaust manufactures do make it easy... ie: magnaflow has the same tubbing exhaust... and they simply extend it with another tube for the LX/DX... if you buy the 01 civic, and you have an EX, you'll have one extra tube.
as for the difference between dx/lx/hx and ex:
read this:
http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/sh...hlight=exhaust
scroll down, and read my thread.
some exhaust manufactures do make it easy... ie: magnaflow has the same tubbing exhaust... and they simply extend it with another tube for the LX/DX... if you buy the 01 civic, and you have an EX, you'll have one extra tube.
as for the difference between dx/lx/hx and ex:
read this:
http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/sh...hlight=exhaust
scroll down, and read my thread.
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Re: the difference btw a EX Exhaust and LX Exhaust
could i bolt ex coupe headers right onto my lx sedan? would the bolt holes match up? or should i stick with my lx cat delete headers and get a ex midpipe section with cat? . then i need 02 sensor extension. anyone think this would pass emissions also? and bolt directly up to a ex cat back exhaust? then i also need the sway bar too?
so basically my question is: will the down pipe/cat of an ex fit on my lx headers?
seeing that it says this will fit an ex. does that mean that i can just get an ex down pipe/hiflow cat and bolt it right to my lx headers w/cat and just ignore putting the o2 sensor down pipe? that way and ex cat back exhaust system in theory would fit? assumed i already have the ex sway bar
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-...ies#vi-content
so basically my question is: will the down pipe/cat of an ex fit on my lx headers?
seeing that it says this will fit an ex. does that mean that i can just get an ex down pipe/hiflow cat and bolt it right to my lx headers w/cat and just ignore putting the o2 sensor down pipe? that way and ex cat back exhaust system in theory would fit? assumed i already have the ex sway bar
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001-...ies#vi-content
Last edited by shasam1721; Oct 11, 2010 at 01:41 AM. Reason: adding stuff
Dr Krieger of Modification
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From: canada
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alright i'll set yu straight bud. please rep me for this since it's gina take me alot of time to do for you and i've never been reped even after doing this for like 8 people with very good info.
YOU DO NOT NEED AN EX SWAY BAR!!!!!!!!!!!
guys please don't give info if you have no idea what you're taking about. my mom has a 4 door lx and i hav a 2 door ex. they're the exact same car body (slightly diferent between 2 and four door). so the sway bar doesn't need to be switched which would have cost you alto of money. if you bought a cat. back for an ex the muffler will fit up and over your lx sway bar.
first off you need to know why you want an exaust set up.
power?
sound?
looks?
you won't make much power (hp or torque) even if you have a full setup, which i do.
i have
~k&n short ram intake, new $320 (but don't be stupid like me and buy brand nam, get it off ebay for $50 then buy a good aem filter)
~stock ex header (you don't need a bigger header if you have an ex since the exaust ports from the head match the header diameter. you only need bigger if you port your head)
~2in downpipe (not sure if it was stock buy it was on the exhaust when i bought her)
~2.25in megnaflow high flow cat. $100 new (make sure to get the one with the bunt whole for the air sencor between the two converter plates)
~2.25in megnaflow cat. back exhaust, $150 craigslist
~custom welded and cut for $170, for parts, labor, and tax.
with all of that i've seen minor gains in power and torque. my automatic is now at 8.2-8.5 seconds for 0-60, which is around the best time i've seen for a stock manual. so don't expect a rocket after you do intake and exhaust.
however it sounds amazing!!!!!!! and looks way better.
you also have to think about money. buying from ebay and craigs list is good for non vitale parts of your car.
now for your question. the lx (which my mom owns, has a very restrictive exhaust manifold, which has a built in catalitic converter. that will be your most restrictiv section of exaust flow. you have to remember that the smalest diameter size tube for your exhaust system (header,downpipe,cat. and cat. back) will be very restrictive even after you put a cat. back exhaust on, like you want. so if you want as much power as these bolt ons will let you have the ex header is definately better.
the ex header will bolt directly on to your lx head because both cars have the exact same engine. the lx has the d17a1 and the ex the d17a2 (there's also an a3 but don't worry). all the a2 means is that the ex has a vtec system attached to the same base engine that you have.
if you swap the header you'll need to buy a catolitic converter. what's nice is that a stock size cat., 1.25inch, is around the same price as a high performence high flow cat. (mine was $100 after tax). you'll also need to extend your o2 senosor.
there are 3 o2 sensors. one in your intake, one after the header and one in the cat.
the one in the cat. is the one you'll need to extend (just cut the wires extend with wire with high heat rated insolalation wire and remember to get the type of cat. with the air sensor whole in between the two converter plates like i mentioned above).
if you're just going for the exhaust but don't want it to do anything but look cool and sound a bit loader then just take what you bought to a GOOD exaust shop tell them to weld a pipe to extend it to the cat in your lx. they might need to add some 3bolt flanges but any decent shop can do it.
if you are going for the maximum amount of gains you can get off intake and exaust you also have to think about the diameter of piping you use. you need back pressure (i don't know the exact sciennce of it so google it). if you already baught a 2.5inch cat. back don't despare but try to get a 2.25in downpipe and cat. 2.25 is better for our car's since the engines are so low in displacment.
but if you're eventually going FI (forced induction, ie turbo or supercharged), then you'll want 3inch piping so your car can breath properly with the much higher volume exhaust of the FI setup.
2.5 is ok and alot of people us it even on the 7th gen civics, but i've read on this forum and others that 2.25 is best for NA (naturally asparated engines, so stock engines without turbo or supercharged).
YOU DO NOT NEED AN EX SWAY BAR!!!!!!!!!!!
guys please don't give info if you have no idea what you're taking about. my mom has a 4 door lx and i hav a 2 door ex. they're the exact same car body (slightly diferent between 2 and four door). so the sway bar doesn't need to be switched which would have cost you alto of money. if you bought a cat. back for an ex the muffler will fit up and over your lx sway bar.
first off you need to know why you want an exaust set up.
power?
sound?
looks?
you won't make much power (hp or torque) even if you have a full setup, which i do.
i have
~k&n short ram intake, new $320 (but don't be stupid like me and buy brand nam, get it off ebay for $50 then buy a good aem filter)
~stock ex header (you don't need a bigger header if you have an ex since the exaust ports from the head match the header diameter. you only need bigger if you port your head)
~2in downpipe (not sure if it was stock buy it was on the exhaust when i bought her)
~2.25in megnaflow high flow cat. $100 new (make sure to get the one with the bunt whole for the air sencor between the two converter plates)
~2.25in megnaflow cat. back exhaust, $150 craigslist
~custom welded and cut for $170, for parts, labor, and tax.
with all of that i've seen minor gains in power and torque. my automatic is now at 8.2-8.5 seconds for 0-60, which is around the best time i've seen for a stock manual. so don't expect a rocket after you do intake and exhaust.
however it sounds amazing!!!!!!! and looks way better.
you also have to think about money. buying from ebay and craigs list is good for non vitale parts of your car.
now for your question. the lx (which my mom owns, has a very restrictive exhaust manifold, which has a built in catalitic converter. that will be your most restrictiv section of exaust flow. you have to remember that the smalest diameter size tube for your exhaust system (header,downpipe,cat. and cat. back) will be very restrictive even after you put a cat. back exhaust on, like you want. so if you want as much power as these bolt ons will let you have the ex header is definately better.
the ex header will bolt directly on to your lx head because both cars have the exact same engine. the lx has the d17a1 and the ex the d17a2 (there's also an a3 but don't worry). all the a2 means is that the ex has a vtec system attached to the same base engine that you have.
if you swap the header you'll need to buy a catolitic converter. what's nice is that a stock size cat., 1.25inch, is around the same price as a high performence high flow cat. (mine was $100 after tax). you'll also need to extend your o2 senosor.
there are 3 o2 sensors. one in your intake, one after the header and one in the cat.
the one in the cat. is the one you'll need to extend (just cut the wires extend with wire with high heat rated insolalation wire and remember to get the type of cat. with the air sensor whole in between the two converter plates like i mentioned above).
if you're just going for the exhaust but don't want it to do anything but look cool and sound a bit loader then just take what you bought to a GOOD exaust shop tell them to weld a pipe to extend it to the cat in your lx. they might need to add some 3bolt flanges but any decent shop can do it.
if you are going for the maximum amount of gains you can get off intake and exaust you also have to think about the diameter of piping you use. you need back pressure (i don't know the exact sciennce of it so google it). if you already baught a 2.5inch cat. back don't despare but try to get a 2.25in downpipe and cat. 2.25 is better for our car's since the engines are so low in displacment.
but if you're eventually going FI (forced induction, ie turbo or supercharged), then you'll want 3inch piping so your car can breath properly with the much higher volume exhaust of the FI setup.
2.5 is ok and alot of people us it even on the 7th gen civics, but i've read on this forum and others that 2.25 is best for NA (naturally asparated engines, so stock engines without turbo or supercharged).
Last edited by mac25; Oct 11, 2010 at 02:29 AM.
Dr Krieger of Modification
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 84
From: canada
Rep Power: 229 Re: the difference btw a EX Exhaust and LX Exhaust
thx dood!!!!!!!! =). i also reped you back when i was asking about intakes. you, riceboy, gearbox and 20civic02 actually helped when others just said read the other threads. it's nice when people help out even for questions asked a million times.
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: TN
Rep Power: 367 Re: the difference btw a EX Exhaust and LX Exhaust
Nice write-up, that one above. You did not have to ask for a rep, it was freely given in the other thread for your own merit
Last edited by sdaidoji; Oct 12, 2010 at 06:48 PM.
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