fireball catback
 

looking to eventually get a catback on my civic.. what's is your opinion on the 5zigen fireball model?

i've heard that 5xigen producs are good so i think their cats should be too

I've heard that the fireball is fairly restrictive. I'm not sure who said that, but you might want to search this site for it. :hmmm:

what price are you spending? personaly i do not like 5zigen products

why don't you like them? im thinking no more than $450... im not addicted to racing or anything, just want some sound and extra hp.

well sound doesn't relate to hp. The 5zigen is ok, but there are better. In terms of restriction, I have seen tests that show an impedence of airflow in some of their systems, but that is not due to lack in quality. I always like the tanabe medallion, maybe just because of the name though. Remember that whatever you choose is not going to make a huge difference unless you plan on doing FI or major modifications to your motor and airflow. I recommend you look at the styles you'd like and focus on looks since that is where you will find your greatest gain.

why don't you just get a muffler if you are concerned with sound and save the 300 dollars extra and do something else with it, like buy a bodykit. You can get a kit and muffler for under 500.

well, body kit means youd have to repaint the entire body, which is money i dont want to spend. i thought about getting just a muffler, but i knew id get no gains from that at all. so what you are saying is catback=no gains unless i get into more serious engine mods?

and by the way, "sound" is not everything... i know no matter what i choose, the sound will be there. i really want some some extra kick for my car; more hp to have fun with.

Umm... or you could just get the kit painted.

kinda hard to match the colors on a car that old.

haha, yeah, and its not a black or white civic... its that burnt wood color.. id think that'd be tough. i really need to get some pics up.....

You are going to get some gains from a catback exhaust and you dont ahve to have F.I. to see some. I have heard from many people I know like the 5zigen catback system. When you get bolt on mods like catback exhaust if thatas the only mod you have then you wont see its full potential until you get an exhaust header and an intake. With more air going out your exhaust you need more air going in right?? Well with an aftermarket intake thats what it does sucks more air in. Yeah its not a significant amount as compared to a turbo or supercharger, but its still more air. JUst make sure when you get your exhaust you dont go biggger than 2 and 1/4 inch piping on a civic with the 1.6 like I think you have even the 2" would be sufficient. I have 2 and 1/4 in on my accord and I love it. PLus if you get just a muffler the sound is gonna be kind of nasty cause all your doing is making your exhaust louder. With the new piping from the cat to the muffler it also changes the tone fo the exhaust. So go for the 5zigen its a nice exhuast.

I would be suprised if you dyno'd more than a 4hp increase with the cat-back, that is with the intake. putting a muffler on will increase power by decreasing back pressure. you should listen to my car and tell me that my car sounds loud and nasty, all i've done is change the muffler for that side of the car. for what you are trying to accomplish I believe the kit and muffler idea is the best. I can understand the painting issue though. But it will probably be closer to the end result you are looking for.

some places online say they see 10hp gains, others 4-5... is this all depending on the car and pipe size?

do you know anything about the TSUDO Fireball Cat Back? its about $300.

You won't see 10hp. More like 3-5. 10hp you'd gain on another car, or if yours was already heavily modded.

full cat back i can look at hopefully 5hp... what about hp gains with just a muffler?

0.. you're still restricted by stock piping. If your factory muffler is really restrtictive, maybe 1-2.

well if im looking at getting some more hp... full cat wont hurt then. welding on a muffler just seems like a halfass way at making your car look/sound faster when it does not much at all.

intake... exhaust... what would be the next step for adding some extra horse? headers?

header, you have one header.
new cam, adj cam gear. all depends on your budget. Go to the Gude website, they have a bunch of things. Or as everyone else on the this board says, swap the motor.

Yes! ONE header :)

Anyway, it depends on your future plans with your car. If you just want to spend $1k and be happy, yeah, get a header and call it good.

If not, you need to think about how fast you want your car to be. Very fast, swap or turbo. NA buildups are very costly.

What are your future plans?

My plans consist of getting my car as fast as i can without getting extremely serious and doing things like a swap. Lowering to get a better handle on the road, an intake and and exhaust system for more hp, and anything else one of you may suggest that is not a major crack on the budget. I realize a civic can only go so fast without a new motor or major money mods :yes:

Well, I say your next step is suspension then. Grab a header first if you want, then focus on getting your car to stick to the road.

Yeah get the header so that way you have all parts of hte air system. Next would be a new camshaft for your engine. I wouldnt get gude though to many complaints. Plus their customer service sucks. Ive heard like 3 people say they are good and tons say they suck. I would look into zex, skunk2, crower. Maybe a fuel pressure regulator might do some good.