Is there such a thing as the "BEST" exhaust for 2002+ NSX's?

[EuroBoutique]

I'm finding myself at a slight cross-road here.....currently have the rare GT5.1 exhaust and love the look of it + quality

However it's WAY too quiet for a weekend fun "toy" car and I find myself looking for something better and louder.

People told me to get headers but I can't find either a Fuji or Comptech header for sale right now. Will the header really dramatically change the sound of the GT5.1 exhaust I currently have? I know on the s2000 headers do not make that big a difference?

The other option was going with high flow cats but I get mixed responses on whether the Prospeed high flow cars (vendor on here) will work on my car with no CEL. Everyone who seems to buy from him have the older NSX's.

What is the BEST quality NSX exhaust system out there in your guy's opinion?



thanks
rick

 

[docjohn]

your car already has "headers" from the factory.Going aftermarket will not change sound that much.I would try the cheapest and easiest rout first,just buy some bypass pipes to go completely catless to at least see if you like the increase in volume you will get.If you do some searching on prime there is an O2 sensor solution so obd2 cars do'nt throw cels.

 

[LJSB]

Wow. A GT5.1 is way too quite? That's a surprise.
I think that at WOT it is one of the loudest exhaust available.

 

[EuroBoutique]

Wow. A GT5.1 is way too quite? That's a surprise.
I think that at WOT it is one of the loudest exhaust available.

Dude trust me ~ I'm used to modded cars and my NSX is the only one I can use my bluetooth and carry a normal conversation with my passenger.

At local NSX meets here - I can tell you whenever I'm following other NSX owner cars I can hardly hear the thing. My engine is completely stock except for the bolt on exhaust.

and just to be sure we are talking about the same thing - this is a shot of my exhaust....

 

[RacingHeart]

The GT-One V5.1 is considered very loud. I dont think you can get anything of the shelf that is louder. Ok, maybe thet Taitec exhaust whith a single tip and no mufflers.

I really dont think the cat-back is the bottle neck here. Like doc suggested, try getting a set of test pipes.

Or you could go the custom route. A friend of mine had a custom X-pipe exhaust with no mufflers. It was loud as hell!

 

[EuroBoutique]

your car already has "headers" from the factory.Going aftermarket will not change sound that much.I would try the cheapest and easiest rout first,just buy some bypass pipes to go completely catless to at least see if you like the increase in volume you will get.If you do some searching on prime there is an O2 sensor solution so obd2 cars do'nt throw cels.

I'm trying to avoid running test pipes out here in CA - just too risky not to mention the black residue that collects on the bumpers.

I don't mind buying a header if it will help, take a look at this thread....opposite of what you posted, all this mixed info is so confusing.

http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1557322#post1557322

 

[omeganorm]

if you get the headers, it will be louder. I have the GT One 5.1 and it got louder when I installed headers.

 

[HBui39]

you want more sound, then testpipes are the way to go. im not sure if the Pride V2 is louder than yours or not, but i certainly love the sound with headers. (i have an early model, so there was a big difference) test pipe might be too much for me.

 

[docjohn]

if you get the headers, it will be louder. I have the GT One 5.1 and it got louder when I installed headers.

what year car do you have? ,the op has an 04.

 

[jrnsx]

I have a 02 with a comptech supercharger, comptech headers, Pride V2 exhuast and Angus's resonated test pipes and the sound is unreal.

I had the comptech exhaust and it was too quiet for my tastes. Once I put the Pride on, it was louder but not loud enough. In came the resonated test pipes and the sound is unreal. It turns peoples head when I am on the gas. Downshifting sound is even better.

The test pipes do not throw a cel code at all.

Cheers.

 

[dawk]

I own the Pride and with my cats on it is too quiet. I run test pipes without a cel and the sound is amazing (obd2). No black residue on bumper. If you are worried about getting caught, I would purchase 100 cell cats.

 

[gleibig]

I used to have the 5.1 and it was quiet with stock headers/cats. I tried high-flow cats with stock headers but that didn't sound too much louder than stock. I did headers and tp's at the same time and the sound went from a 3 to a 10. But, that also increased the tinny/raspiness a bit too much. So, right now, I'm running comptech headers with resonated test pipes. Seems like I may have found a winning combination.
(I sold my 5.1 and am now running Pride V1)

 

[blue_myriddn]

I used to have the 5.1 and it was quiet with stock headers/cats. I tried high-flow cats with stock headers but that didn't sound too much louder than stock. I did headers and tp's at the same time and the sound went from a 3 to a 10. But, that also increased the tinny/raspiness a bit too much. So, right now, I'm running comptech headers with resonated test pipes. Seems like I may have found a winning combination.
(I sold my 5.1 and am now running Pride V1)

I can personally testify to the sound of this gleibig's NSX. In our last meet, I believe he had a group of girls leaning outside of their SUV windows as he wound up his exhaust note. The car makes some SERIOUS noise.

 

[myw]

+1

ive heard the gt1 + TP and like others have mentioned it is LOUD and RASPY. call me old but its far too loud (and annoying imo) for non spirited neighborhood driving.

you want more sound, then testpipes are the way to go. im not sure if the Pride V2 is louder than yours or not, but i certainly love the sound with headers. (i have an early model, so there was a big difference) test pipe might be too much for me.

 

[EuroBoutique]

Guys, I know sound is totally "subjective" so let me try and explain this in words.

For me there is a difference between throaty/aggressive and just plain annoying loud - definitely DO NOT want the latter.

Let me give some examples - if any of you are familiar with the factory e46 m3 sound - it is tinny, sounds like a high pitched chain saw and I HATE that sound.

Compare this to my IS-F (V8) with the JoeZ which is a throaty rumble sound that is both deep and also racy at the same time.

There's a few local NSX's here that are just plain annoying in sound. (nothing against the owners if this is what they like) but I hate that sound and I'm pretty sure they are running TP's.


hope this helps you guys distinguish the sound I'm looking for.

 

[LJSB]

Dude trust me

Dude. He called me "dude".:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Ha ha ha ha ha. That kills me.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Look at me...I'm a dude. An exhaust dude.:biggrin:

 

[HIJACKER]

I'm VERY picky on exhausts as well. Like you, I prefer a loud throaty sound, not a loud annoying raspy sound. I've heard PLENTY of exhausts locally and none of them have appealed to me.

I've received SOOO many compliments on the sound of my exhaust. At idle or average driving, it's very subtle. I can be on the phone without issue. However, on the track at WOT, it sounds PHENOMENAL.

I have the Angus APX exhaust system, stock cats, and stock headers. I've considered getting HFC's or test pipes just to boost the sound a bit for the track only, but I'm on the fence on whether or not I want to do that.

Mine is a 2004, so you and I are in the same boat.

Edit, here's a video of me flying past a guy driving a Corvette VERY slow on the track. I will pass on the right side, between 18:00-18:15. http://youtu.be/Bs4nWcGA-PM?t=18m

 

[docjohn]

Dude. He called me "dude".:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Ha ha ha ha ha. That kills me.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Look at me...I'm a dude. An exhaust dude.:biggrin:

Lol,I was thinking ..."ya...ya...dude looks like a lady ..ya...ya."..

 

[EuroBoutique]

I'm VERY picky on exhausts as well. Like you, I prefer a loud throaty sound, not a loud annoying raspy sound. I've heard PLENTY of exhausts locally and none of them have appealed to me.

I've received SOOO many compliments on the sound of my exhaust. At idle or average driving, it's very subtle. I can be on the phone without issue. However, on the track at WOT, it sounds PHENOMENAL.

I have the Angus APX exhaust system, stock cats, and stock headers. I've considered getting HFC's or test pipes just to boost the sound a bit for the track only, but I'm on the fence on whether or not I want to do that.

Mine is a 2004, so you and I are in the same boat.

Edit, here's a video of me flying past a guy driving a Corvette VERY slow on the track. I will pass on the right side, between 18:00-18:15. http://youtu.be/Bs4nWcGA-PM?t=18m

I always seem to be in VA buying cars so next time I'm out there I will definitely have to hit you up if you don't mind. My M3, IS-F and NSX came from your state!

Dude. He called me "dude".:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Ha ha ha ha ha. That kills me.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Look at me...I'm a dude. An exhaust dude.:biggrin:

LOL sorry if you are a lady - just a habit for me to use that word, call me old school :biggrin:

 

[HBui39]

Guys, I know sound is totally "subjective" so let me try and explain this in words.

For me there is a difference between throaty/aggressive and just plain annoying loud - definitely DO NOT want the latter.

Let me give some examples - if any of you are familiar with the factory e46 m3 sound - it is tinny, sounds like a high pitched chain saw and I HATE that sound.

Compare this to my IS-F (V8) with the JoeZ which is a throaty rumble sound that is both deep and also racy at the same time.

There's a few local NSX's here that are just plain annoying in sound. (nothing against the owners if this is what they like) but I hate that sound and I'm pretty sure they are running TP's.


hope this helps you guys distinguish the sound I'm looking for.

well, why do you have the Gt5.1 exhaust then? sounds like you would prefer the Taitec GTLW, which has a deeper tone and its also probably the lightest and makes the most power. it is a little louder than my pride v2, which is higher pitched and the sound I prefer.

 

[EuroBoutique]

well, why do you have the Gt5.1 exhaust then? sounds like you would prefer the Taitec GTLW, which has a deeper tone and its also probably the lightest and makes the most power. it is a little louder than my pride v2, which is higher pitched and the sound I prefer.

LOL easy, it came with the car doh!


Looks like I will have to look into the Angus and also shop around for headers. I'd like to do headers if possible since I really like the "look" of the GT-One.

 

[LJSB]

LOL sorry if you are a lady - just a habit for me to use that word, call me old school :biggrin:

Lady? Me?
What must it be like to live in California...

Back to topic....

The best way is to check out other exhausts at a NSX event. What are they called out there? "Cars and coffee"? :biggrin:

There are sure to be some 02+ cars with a/m headers and a GT 5.1 exhaust. Ask Vance Hu. He should know one and then you can decide if it's just right for you.

Personally I'd go to a track event so you hear them under heavy throttle.
That way you can really hear the sound and not spill your latte hanging your head out the window while trying to drive. :wink:

 

[hlakhani]

s4play,

I'm local, have an 02 with the angus ap-x v1 exhaust and otherwise stock engine, if you'd like to hear what it sounds like.

 

[NetViper]

Personally I'd go to a track event so you hear them under heavy throttle.
That way you can really hear the sound and not spill your latte hanging your head out the window while trying to drive. :wink:

I don't agree. At WOT you wont hear all the potential issues with droning at low speeds. The best way it to get a ride around town where you have to top at red lights multiple time and hear how it sounds at low RPM and daily driving.

Of course, if drone doesn't both you than that doesn't really matter.

 

[arista5]

Can i buy your 5.1 :biggrin: