HELP! my '02 not loud enough

[randall]

should i buy a cat-back system or replace the muffler only?my concern is i don't know how aftermarket tips will look on a '02?

[This message has been edited by randall (edited 05 February 2003).]

 

[beckertb]

Randall,

Congratulations and welcome back! I've seen your posts over on the .org board. I kept my NSX and added a Venom 600 RT/10, but I digress........

There seem to be several options for exhaust systems and it is a very personal choice. I, for example, run an open exhaust (not cats, no muffler, just tips after the turbos) and I think it sounds great. Others may disagree. If you think your exhaust is too quiet, the cheapest option is to just replace the muffler with an aftermarket (ie flowmaster) by a competent exhaust shop and have the OE tips grafted on. If this doesn't work out, you'll only be out $150 or so, and then you can go for something else (taitec, comptech, tubi, or ?) Only down side is that you'll have hacked up the OE exhaust which unless you have the shop perform some more welding, won't be going back on. I do agree with you, though, that the stock system is just toooo quiet.

Happy motoring,

Ben

 

[nsxtasy]

I think it's worth noting that, of the hundreds of NSXs I've seen and heard, Ben's is the loudest by far, with the possible exception of RealTime Racing's race cars. If anyone is an expert in making an NSX louder, it's Ben...

[HUMOR]

...as long as you can hear his words over the sound of his exhaust.

Randall, go outside late at night and listen towards the east, and I bet you can hear Ben's car. After all, it's only about 130 miles away.

That's why Ben chose to live in his neighborhood, consisting of housing for students and faculty for the local Academy for the Deaf.

Fortunately for Ben, the police patrolling that neighborhood are blind, because they don't look too closely at his car, which looks like this:

[/humor]

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 05 February 2003).]

 

[randall]

i don't mind spending the money for a system.i know the tubi will not work due to the dual tips.has anyone put a system on a '02?
BTW Ben,i hope that smoke is comming from your tires

[This message has been edited by randall (edited 05 February 2003).]

[This message has been edited by randall (edited 05 February 2003).]

 

[docjohn]

jmo shop around for a new cat back unit,if you are on a tight bugget then the flowmaster surgery is an option.The only observation of interest about the 02 valence is that it can overpower smaller tips ie. swallow them up visualy,that is why the stock tips are rather beefy.My taitec gt lightweight tips look a little lost with the 02 valence imo.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by randall:
BTW Ben,i hope that smoke is comming from your tires

It wasn't.

 

[D'Ecosse]

Originally posted by docjohn:
... The only observation of interest about the 02 valence is that it can overpower smaller tips ie. swallow them up visualy,that is why the stock tips are rather beefy.My taitec gt lightweight tips look a little lost with the 02 valence imo.

I guess we have different persepctives Doc - with the cavernous gaps for the pipes on the pre-'02 valence, I think a single exhaust tip looks "lost", but on the '02 style, looks IMO, perfect - the stock tips on an '02 are 100mm (4") which is similar size to what is on my avatar - I now have a Comptech which is mayybe 110mm if I remember correctly & I couldn't be nore pleased with the look. I wouldn't swap my '02 valance appearance for a dual-tip exhaust with pre-'O2 valance - one of primary reasons I didn't go Tubi. I have had countless compliments on the new look vs the old & have honestly yet to hear a dissenter.
However, that's what makes the world turn - would be boring if we all had same tastes & were a bunch of clones!

Reading again, I see you are commenting on smaller tips, but surely that is even more profound on "old" style"?




[This message has been edited by D'Ecosse (edited 05 February 2003).]

 

[docjohn]

Let me clarify ;the 02 valence creates more visual volume (not that the cutout for the tips is too large)and my taitec tips do not project posteriorly enough too be that noticible,imo.I agree with you that I like the 02 valence over stock, I was surprised that my exhaust did not extend as far back as I thought it might.Fitment is perfect however.The stock 95-01 exhaust tips are 3.5 in.? and are thin walled compared to the 02 tips I,m wondering if honda changed the tip design to compensate for the new valence.It is a quiet exhaust as was mentioned earlier.And I am certainly not offended by anyones personal taste,looking at my car(bumblebee) I'd be the last person to make that call!

 

[ACR_Motorsports]

We will be building an exhaust system that will fit the 2002 NSX. If you can wait 2-3 months, I think you will be pleased with what we will have to offer.

Originally posted by randall:
i don't mind spending the money for a system.i know the tubi will not work due to the dual tips.has anyone put a system on a '02?
BTW Ben,i hope that smoke is comming from your tires

[This message has been edited by randall (edited 05 February 2003).]

[This message has been edited by randall (edited 05 February 2003).]

------------------
www.acrmotorsports.com / 949-929-8973

 

[D'Ecosse]

Originally posted by docjohn:
...And I am certainly not offended by anyones personal taste,looking at my car(bumblebee) I'd be the last person to make that call!

I LIKE your Bumble-bee look - add the interior from pbassjo's & it will be the perfect complement!

 

[randall]

ACR,can you give any details about your system?

 

[mlambert890]

Originally posted by D'Ecosse:
I LIKE your Bumble-bee look - add the interior from pbassjo's & it will be the perfect complement!

I think it looks really cool too. It caught my eye and left an impression the one time I saw it in person and that was flying past docjohn in opposing traffic!

 

[docjohn]

Thanx for the the positive comments,the scheme does do what I intended,increase visability!Luckily the local troopers have a sense of humor

I have thought about carrying the bee theme further but I can't bring myself to mollest the tan interior.Underneath it all the car is still a black/tan which to me is a classic combo and with the nsx a not too common one at that.BTW,Joe L. has made many gracious offers to help further the cosmetic mods.

 

[ACR_Motorsports]

Hi Randall, our system will be a full stainless cat back system utilizing dual exhaust canisters with options of single tips or dual tips. The exhuast will be built with F1 quality Tig-Welds. Our goal as far as sound will be that of a high-pitch Ferrari type sound.

Originally posted by randall:
ACR,can you give any details about your system?

------------------
www.acrmotorsports.com / 949-929-8973

 

[DONYMO]

Hey Ben,

I think that's me in the background of your smoking picture.

Ken,
That was one hilarious post

Perhaps you could go on the comedy circuit?

 

[beckertb]

If anyone is an expert in making an NSX louder, it's Ben...

I am in awe........Ken called me an expert ;-) THANKS!!!!!!

Randall, no, the smoke was definately NOT from the tires, rather it was from oil backing up in the new turbos and dumping into the exhaust through the seals as the oil return setup was FAR from ideal. I believe we have since gotten this corrected. Most know the story, but 6 days before NSXPO, I abandoned the Aerodynes and went with a new twin-turbo setup using Mitsubishi 14b's. There invariably was a steep learning curve (which hopefully we are on the plateauing portion) and now just need to get the AEM installed and sorted before the upcoming track season. Ken is right, my car is loud; however, I rarely drive it on the street (I'm not sure you could get away with it to be honest). I wasn't suggesting you run open. I guess, still, though, I'd just install a muffler in the otherwise OE setup and see what you think.

Don, I can't tell if that is your car in the background or not. I had my smokescreen set on high at the time.

I had heard a rumor, though, that TX noticed a 30% reduction in the mosquito population the week of NSXPO 02. Coincidence?!?!?!

 

[cojones]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
I think it's worth noting that, of the hundreds of NSXs I've seen and heard, Ben's is the loudest by far, with the possible exception of RealTime Racing's race cars. If anyone is an expert in making an NSX louder, it's Ben...

standing near the brat stand near Canada Corner at Road America, I believe Ben's NSX is actually louder than the RTR NSX, although the latter shoots cool flames when blipping for downshifts.

Not sure if straight pipes are "legal" at all tracks though, particularly those with strict noise limits like Laguna Seca.

 

[Tom Larkins]

Ben,

Do you ever do and track time @ Heartland Park or Mid-America up in Iowa. I see your in Mizzo central and i'm not to far from you. Like to see your ride in person, sounds like a real burner...no pun intented!!

 

[beckertb]

Tom,

I haven't been to Mid-America, but get to Heartland Park occasionally. I plan to run at a track event there April 13th (along with at least one other NSX owner from here in Columbia). Maybe we can get together at that event.

Best regards,

Ben

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by cojones:
Not sure if straight pipes are "legal" at all tracks though, particularly those with strict noise limits like Laguna Seca.

Straight pipes per se are legal. What's not allowed is noise above their limits (which the pipes may contribute to).