Your're most likely right that the power train and gearing load the engine differently causing the droning. I only bring it up because something is different about the 5AT that results in substantially poorer gas mileage than the 5MT. It's not unprecedented for a manufacturer to tune the engine in automatics differently. Mazda used a different camshaft in the 94-97 automatic Miatas to move the torque lower in the RPM band, better matching the engine to the transmission.

 

I'm trying to figure out what kind of exhaust i want. Here are some things that i did in the paint program. Thanks!!
In the last two, the difference is that one of them, the tips are round and one of them, the tips are oval.

PS: if you have any suggestions, by all means, post them.

 

not feeling it

 

All or just one or two of them?

 

what kind of locking gas cap do you have?

 

I"m using a lockign gas cap from a Toyota FJ Cruiser. I grabbed it from a friend at a toyota dealer

 

i like the single tipped dual sides

 

are you deadset on the double outlets?

 

Not only do all of those look gross, but all that extra weight is more likely to make your car slower even with higher flowing exhausts...

I don't mean to sound mean, but you asked for my thoughts and I'm being honest

 

Nope, i'm VERY glad you are bign honest. I really apreciate it. What do you suggest? I want somethign with a LOW DEEP growl. Yeah, i know it's a 4 banger so it won't sound like a V8 unfortunately, but hey, i'll do what ever i can to prevent the "lawn-mower" exhaust sound.

 

well, i REALLY love the look of dual exhaust so i guess kinda.

 

I like the last one. but I prefer both my tips coming out on one side..side by side.

 

Unfortunately, the nature of displacement and engine design comes into effect in every car. There will be some exhausts that sound "deeper" or "growlier" than others, but zinginess is unavoidable with a 1.5L I4.

Generally, the bigger the displacement the growlier the engine. Boxer engines (H4s as opposed to I4s) are an exception to the rule (WRXs for example) and can sound MEAN at only 2L, but unfortunately we are on the far left of the spectrum, and having an excellent exotic sounding exhaust is but a pipe dream for us. That's why I've decided to go silent or go stock with mine.

Having a dual exhaust doesn't really change the sound of the exhaust either, the muffler and presence of cat and/or resonator and/or silencer has the greatest impact. Most likely on a car like ours, if you had Brand X muffler single tip setup, it would sound pretty much the same as if you spent way more to craft a true dual setup exhaust with 2 Brand X mufflers, except you would have spent way more and you're hauling around that much more weight now.

tre

 

Thanks MirrorWorks. really appreciate it. What are your thought on who has the loudest, lowest growl exhaust system?

 

Spoon N1 sounds mean. i have it with the B Pipe. best sound ive ever heard coming out of a 1.5L I4

 

If I had to choose between the 4 I would have to go with the last one.

 

Looked on MOTORWEB SPORT COMPACT ONLY website and saw some good prices for the Spoon Universal muffler and a so so good price on the Magnaflo Universal muffler.
Anyone know how they are AND how loud they are before I make a drastic mistake as with my Accord with the Ractive muffs?!

 

thanx claymore how about Skunk 2? Anyone...

 

try race magnum (dynomax) it's kind of loud but the sound is terrific!!!!!

 

What you need is a NOBLESSE muffler -- it's exactly what you're looking for. They are not cheap, being a custom manufactured piece and having to come from Japan, but their quality is top-notch. They got the sound you want (or as close as you're gonna get), and the style is basically what you photoshopped up above. Here's link's to the HP (Japanese only, but pics will be obvious), and some vids of it in action (single). Don't expect to pay anything less than $1000 easy for the all stainless models. NOBLESSE is one of the premiere VIP Honda shops in Japan and pretty well respected.

Muffler HP: http://www.club-miniban.com/noblesse_fit_m_shoukai.htm

Sound clips

0-60 interior
0-60 exterior

If you're interested, drop an email to Van at www.onetongarage.com, he's NOBLESSE's NA agent and can hook you up.