# New Header...nice gain, too frickin loud **URL:** \ **Category:** SON240sx Automotive\ **Created:** [May 7, 2006, 8:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675 "2006-05-07T08:30:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GTS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/82dd89/32.png) [@GTS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GTS)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 8:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/1 "2006-05-07T08:30:51Z")
Hey guys Just threw on a DC sports header (Thanks Phil). Had to remove the stock cat, I replaced it with a Magnaflow cat. So my set up is now Header \> Magnaflow cat \> 2…25" pipping \> HP racing muffler [http://www.car-sound.com/catalog/universal/500.aspx](http://www.car-sound.com/catalog/universal/500.aspx) This is the cat [http://www.hpracing.com/parts\_detail\_disp.php?part\_no=50-M18&id=41&](http://www.hpracing.com/parts_detail_disp.php?part_no=50-M18&id=41&) this muffler to be exact. Now the gains are great, but it’s loud now…too loud. At idle, it’s okay, but on acceleration it’s just too loud (that civic blaring volume), and at WOT, it just blares. At this point, what are my options to make it quiet. I wouldn’t mind taking a minor loss in power so long it’s at least more than what it was before the header. but my main concern now is to get the noise down. what are my options? Add resonator? Add another cat? change current cat? change muffler? What are losses with each option? Your input is greatly appreciated ---
**Author:** ![GTS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/82dd89/32.png) [@GTS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GTS)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 8:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/2 "2006-05-07T08:47:35Z")
oh, forgot to state that this is on a 97, KA engine ---
**Author:** ![Jedi\_Car\_Fan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Jedi\_Car\_Fan](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jedi_Car_Fan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 9:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/3 "2006-05-07T09:00:32Z")
ditch the muffler… finding a muffler which will add performance + be quiet is something your gonna have to get custom made ---
**Author:** ![GT1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5e925/32.png) [@GT1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GT1)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 2:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/4 "2006-05-07T14:42:13Z")
flowmaster resonator. in stock at overdrive auto. 905 836 0600 done. GT ---
**Author:** ![seth](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/seth/32/3175_2.png) [@seth](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/seth)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2006, 4:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/5 "2006-05-07T16:18:59Z")
^ I agree with the resonator idea, its a great way to quiet it down. you could also put a muffler in the line like the hks hi power exhaust does. ---
**Author:** ![DarkForceJackal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@DarkForceJackal](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DarkForceJackal)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2006, 1:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/6 "2006-05-08T13:13:07Z")
Definitely go the resonator route, the bigger the better. ---
**Author:** ![TorontoGT-R33](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/torontogt-r33/32/5500_2.png) [@TorontoGT-R33](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TorontoGT-R33)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2006, 2:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/7 "2006-05-08T14:03:23Z")
When I had my KA I had a Hotshot performance header with a 2.5 straight pipe right to the back, connected to a Magnaflow strightflow daul tip muffler. It was way too loud but it was a good sounding loud, not that civic fart can sound, it sounded more like a rummble. Anyone that heard my car loved it and everyone used to ask what kind of exhaust I have. ---
**Author:** ![GTS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/82dd89/32.png) [@GTS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GTS)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2006, 2:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/8 "2006-05-08T14:24:49Z")
i’m going straight to the exhaust shop after work today… any brand name resonators in particular? the shop that i go to always seems to have a plethora of magnaflow products, so I’m probably gonna end up with a magnaflow resonator. any reviews/comments on this product? ---
**Author:** ![cgguy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cgguy/32/5508_2.png) [@cgguy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cgguy)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/9 "2006-05-08T14:53:36Z")
I have the Magnaflow resonator. Sounds great, I love it! Only thing to worry about is clearance. You might need stiffer hangers so that puppy wong bang around durring hard cornering. ---
**Author:** ![TorontoGT-R33](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/torontogt-r33/32/5500_2.png) [@TorontoGT-R33](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TorontoGT-R33)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/10 "2006-05-08T14:53:39Z")
Magnaflow has a real good line of quality products that are performance tested and sound good on most cars. Don’t waste your money on a resonator if you don’t mind the loudnes and you want your car to realy sound nice. ---
**Author:** ![Ed1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/958977/32.png) [@Ed1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Ed1)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2006, 7:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/11 "2006-05-08T19:56:11Z")
my ca18et dones’t sound like a civic w/ the magnaflow cat and muffler. it sounds awesome at idle too 😛 ---
**Author:** ![G-E](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/g-e/32/5546_2.png) [@G-E](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/G-E)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 2:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/12 "2006-05-09T02:33:15Z")
this maybe a bit off-topic but I’ve played around with exhaust design on 4cyl before, and I mean resonators/mufflers/piping/tips… I found some curious things in no particular order: - resonators can cause a flat spot at part throttle, it feels like it bogs with a light foot - the tip shape makes a huge impact on sound, you can make a tiny exhaust into a trumpet and it will blare, I prefer straight tip for that reason - piping diameter affects backpressure and sound, if your piping diameter increases steadily towards the back, like 1-7/8 to 2 to 2-1/8 to 2-1/4 to muffler, the gas velocity slows down and blends the sound more, you can get rid of the raspy sound in a raunchy exhaust note - cats affect sound, sometimes they act like resonators if the engine pulses aren’t tuned (ie normal shitty manifolds) but they do muffle sound a bit - turbos act like variable mufflers, the turbine housing has an affect on the overall tone, but the rest of the pipes really determine the sound - using a resonator in place of a muffler will cause rather extreme resonance, not car-falling-apart kind but like pager set to vibrate, you feel it, and depending on your interior things will buzz and rattle for the split second you are in the resonance band my preference will always be an increasing diameter exhaust with an oversize (by the car’s standard) padded and baffled muffler with a straight single or split tip ---
**Author:** ![GTS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/82dd89/32.png) [@GTS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GTS)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 8:37am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/13 "2006-05-09T08:37:50Z")
got a resonator put on yesterday… using a resonator in place of a muffler will cause rather extreme resonance, not car-falling-apart kind but like pager set to vibrate, you feel it, and depending on your interior things will buzz and rattle for the split second you are in the resonance band this was the first thign I noticed - i think i might have to increase my piping diameter. If i do increase the piping size, should i leave the resonator on, or take it off? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2006, 8:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/14 "2006-05-09T08:39:04Z")
I like ther Cat/Res/muffler combination works the best 😃 ---
**Author:** ![GTS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/82dd89/32.png) [@GTS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GTS)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2006, 5:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/15 "2006-05-12T05:42:31Z")
got a resonator - tried a straight through, it was still too frickin out, changed a chamber - made it quiet i guess ill be saving up a for a muffler so i can ditch the resonator later on…it just doesn’t feel right. hehheh ---
**Author:** ![cgguy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cgguy/32/5508_2.png) [@cgguy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cgguy)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2006, 7:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/16 "2006-05-12T07:40:33Z")
> [@Benson240sx](#): > > I like ther Cat/Res/muffler combination > > works the best 😃 Agreed. This setup will work best for what I think you have in mind. 2.5 or even 2.25 inch piping is going to work perfectly on your KA. Your main problem in all of this was ditching your cat when you replaced the stock cat with headers. You might consider replacing the second “dummy” cat (the one that connects the downpipe to the muffler piping) with a hi-flow cat from Magnaflow. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2006, 7:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/17 "2006-05-12T07:41:28Z")
> [@cgguy](#): > > [quote=Benson240sx]I like ther Cat/Res/muffler combination > > works the best 😃 Agreed. This setup will work best for what I think you have in mind. 2.5 or even 2.25 inch piping is going to work perfectly on your KA. Your main problem in all of this was ditching your cat when you replaced the stock cat with headers. You might consider replacing the second “dummy” cat (the one that connects the downpipe to the muffler piping) with a hi-flow cat from Magnaflow.[/quote] Agreed ---
**Author:** ![S13GG](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/s13gg/32/5506_2.png) [@S13GG](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/S13GG)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2006, 8:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/18 "2006-05-12T08:10:24Z")
> [@Benson240sx](#): > > [quote=cgguy][quote=Benson240sx]I like ther Cat/Res/muffler combination > > works the best 😃 Agreed. This setup will work best for what I think you have in mind. 2.5 or even 2.25 inch piping is going to work perfectly on your KA. Your main problem in all of this was ditching your cat when you replaced the stock cat with headers. You might consider replacing the second “dummy” cat (the one that connects the downpipe to the muffler piping) with a hi-flow cat from Magnaflow.[/quote] Agreed[/quote] yeah especially since the cost of the tow/impound will be more than the cat, when you get caught… not to mention the fine/plate fees ---
**Author:** ![GTS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/82dd89/32.png) [@GTS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/GTS)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2006, 11:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/19 "2006-05-12T11:53:58Z")
I have the magnaflow cat (suprisingly small btw, less than 1 foot in length). I had it installed with the header. I had a resonator put in on Monday, it’s much more quiet now, took a minor loss in power but it’s okay. I might think about changing the muffler, if I do change the muffler to a “better” one - would I have to keep the resonator, or can I ditch that? ---
**Author:** ![s14\_2Nv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/s14_2nv/32/5476_2.png) [@s14\_2Nv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/s14_2Nv)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2006, 12:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/new-header-nice-gain-too-frickin-loud/95675/20 "2006-05-12T12:08:17Z")
They are just talking smack. They know nothing about your muffler that would make it a crappy muffler. Just keep it, your muffler is not loud at all, compared to mine or most others on here. Another option would be getting an rsr exmag or similar catback which is suppose to be quiet…