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Hey! So I'm looking to buy a car within the next few weeks and it seems like this site is gonna help me out.

Hope I'm posting this in the right forum...

I'm shopping for a used Civic and I came across an '01 EX coupe that rides great. It's been modded a bit - Injen intake, Greddy catback exhaust, 17 inch wheels, tinted windows, all pedals changed (I don't remember what they are now, but they're not stock). Basically I love this car. My only issue with it is that with the intake and exhaust combined, the thing is so freaking loud. It actually started to annoy me a bit on the test drive and probably wouldn't work out too well considering the tiny, quiet town I live in. I'm all for mods, but the super loud stuff is a little overbearing. So here's my question:

Would you say the intake or the exhaust contributes more to the sound?

I'm considering either a) making a deal with the seller to remove the exhaust before I buy the car (and maybe removing the intake myself if it's still too loud), or b) telling the seller to remove both the intake and the exhaust before I buy it. I don't really know if that's a good idea though... would I be better off buying the car as-is then reverting to stock and selling the parts? Also, if the intake is the lesser problem I'd prefer to keep that on.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help, and I look forward to meeting all of you!

-Cherry

 
Rep Power: 388

The intake will growl, but only if you stomp on the pedal and have it at WOT (wide open throttle). It might be a little loud, but def not what your hearing.

The exhaust is where your loudness is coming from. You can buy a silencer that fits inside the end of the exhaust tip to cut down on the loudness. You should let us know what kind of exhaust it is and we could tell you if there is a silencer out there that will fit, or how much the exhaust is worth if you want to sell it.

Make sure that the person your buying this from has the stock exhaust, a lot of ppl sell it or trade it or do something that makes them not end up with the stock exhaust in the end... mine is huge and bulky and is like 8 ft long- I had to put it in my attic.

Anyways... I wouldnt want that guy working on my car anymore, I'd want to do it. And for the record, swaping and aftermarket to a stock exhaust is pretty easy. You just need to jack the car up (the car should come with a jack in the trunk, and then find a buddy who has some jack stands and put the car on them so it doesnt fal, get under there and at the connection points there are two or three bolts that need to be taken out, and I think there are two or three connection points, and then you have these exhaust hangers that are rubber hooks the exhaust hangs from- you just need to shoot a little grease or wd40 on it, and the slip out. Just do the opposite for the reinstall. It should take you maybe an hour, or two if you have never taken a bolt off in your life. (these are conservative estimates- its really straight forward and easy)

Goodluck

 
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I'm a little embarrassed to say I've never worked on cars before... my ex boyfriend was really into modding his SVT Focus, so I learned a little from him and his other tuner friends. But I haven't had any hands-on experience. I'm sure a few friends of mine could help me convert the exhaust to stock if it's as easy as you say. The only issue is that the current owner most likely doesn't have the stock parts... the owner before him was the one who did most of the mods. I can ask, but I don't know if I'll have much luck.

As mentioned in the original post, the car currently has a Greddy catback exhaust - not sure about the spefic details, but I can find out more if that would help in figuring out what to do.

Thanks so much for helping!

-Cherry

 
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Pictures would help too. Most of the people on here can identify stuff if you can get them a picture. The more info you can get, the more they will be able to help too.

Good luck!

 
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Oh I guess I missed that its a greddy- I think those are known for being loud- someone else chime in that has one.

Really tho, its easy!!

Just get a silencer though, they are like 15 bucks on ebay

 
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Oooh really? So I guess there's some specific type I should be looking for based on what the exhaust is? I'm such a newb. Hahah. I don't have pics of the exhaust itself, but I have the ad that led me to the car:

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/car/677245345.html

(Yeah I know, craiglist, blah blah blah)

Input on the car itself would also be appreciated. I don't want to end up with something that's pure rice.

 
Rep Power: 347

I think it's a good start. Nothing on it screams "ricer" at all. $8,500 seems like a good price, but don't buy it without getting it inspected by an independent mechanic, or someone you trust. Make sure to get the transmission checked out, b/c automatics on this generation can go bad fairly quickly.

 
Rep Power: 388

Seems a little high to me. Around oregon civics sell for a premium. But most other places they sell a lot cheaper. you should be able to talk down to 8k, if not more.

 
Rep Power: 412

take the exhaust off and replace it with a new one. DC sports TCS is quiet, but heavy.

Check out these threads.
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/2...read-info.html
https://www.civicforums.com/forums/2...r-exhaust.html

But if you can, buy one used. A new exhaust is like $600 and it won't give you any power gain.

I've heard the thermal, HKS axle back, DC sports TCS, and the DC sports single canister in person. I like the thermal for sound and look, but few people have it.

I agree, I wouldn't pay more than high 7's or 8k.

 
Rep Power: 388

And I got the TCS... perfect sound level- quiet most of the time, but it has that low rumble when you get on it.

 
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Thanks everyone. Yeah, I'm definitely negotiating that asking price down quite a bit as well as taking it to a mechanic to have it checked out (the seller already agreed that it would be a fair move). And if he doesn't want to take what I'll offer, I'll find another car.

Robb - Thanks a bunch for directing me to those threads. I think taking the exhaust off and replacing it with a different one is a good move, but I -being the broke college student I am- don't have a lot of money to shell out. I'd almost rather just go back to stock than spend a ton of money on a higher-end setup.

Hm... so I'm thinking I should take the car as it is (pending mechanic inspection and price negotiations), then trade or sell the exhaust. Either that, or start looking for other civics. *shrugs*

Any other opinions on this?

 
Rep Power: 277

I know you didn't mention a header but that'll make it even louder again. Just by taking that off and going back to stock it might bring the sound down to a bearable level.

 
Rep Power: 811

go on ebay and search "universal silencer" for the exhaust and make sure you measure the diameter of yours so that it fits inside. then you attach it with one screw by drilling into the bottom of the exhaust. should make it alot quieter.

 
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Thanks guys, I'll consider everything you've said and figure it out from there. I also just heard back from another seller with the same model and year, but no mods. I'm gonna check that car out tomorrow and keep that in mind as a backup in case this exhaust thing becomes unreasonable for whatever reason (or if the seller doesn't like the price I'm offering).

 
Rep Power: 249

ill take the greddy off ur hands and give you a stock muffler.

 
Rep Power: 388

What ever happened with the car?

 
Rep Power: 279

she found another and didn't like that one so possibly still on the search? it was somewhat continued on another thread involving scratches and touch up paint if I remember right...