I'm "amused"...
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,921
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From: Lisbon
I'm "amused"...
Well, finally got around to installing the amuse full Ti dual exhaust.
To put things in context I had the Mugen exhaust for some 10K miles, before switching. I'm not yet sure which one I'll keep
.
Initial impressions:
The lightness is unbelievable. It's about 10lb, which, for the size of the thing, borders on the incredible (I wonder how long it will last). In comparision, the Mugen, so much lighter than the stock exhaust, is a heavyweight.
Finish is not as sorted out as the Mugen unit. It looks like it was put together in a garage, although I couldn't fault the welds or general alignment.
The tips are 100mm in diameter, I think, burned blue, and too large for my taste. They are not obnoxiously large but I could do with a bit more modesty. They also stick out more than stock or the Mugen, which contributes to the in your face experience.
I used a sound meter, and found out that inside the cabin, the exhaust was 3db louder than stock from idle to 3krpm then tapering down to stock level at 6krpm and then basically the same to the rev limiter. Contrary to most reports, I'm convinced that intake noise muffles everything else from Vtec-on onwards, and my measurements confirmed my convictions.
Subjectively, I may prefer the amuse sound to the Mugen. It's throaty at idle and when stabbing the throttle from idle. A bit more so than the Mugen which was already an improvement over stock. The side tuning pipe can be felt: The drone on light throttle / low rev that you experience with the Mugen is gone. That's the good news. The bad news is that on full throttle from 2 to 4-5krpm it drones loudly, which the Mugen didn't. I think I prefer it this way, as once you get to cruising speed the sound calms down quite significantly.
Performance wise I cannot comment yet. I expect improvements from having shed weight. Amuse claims 8PS, which I suspect is wishfull thinking. I made two before / after pulls on 2nd gear with the AP-22 and assuming they're good I should have results shortly.
I'll also post some pictures soon.
To put things in context I had the Mugen exhaust for some 10K miles, before switching. I'm not yet sure which one I'll keep
.Initial impressions:
The lightness is unbelievable. It's about 10lb, which, for the size of the thing, borders on the incredible (I wonder how long it will last). In comparision, the Mugen, so much lighter than the stock exhaust, is a heavyweight.
Finish is not as sorted out as the Mugen unit. It looks like it was put together in a garage, although I couldn't fault the welds or general alignment.
The tips are 100mm in diameter, I think, burned blue, and too large for my taste. They are not obnoxiously large but I could do with a bit more modesty. They also stick out more than stock or the Mugen, which contributes to the in your face experience.
I used a sound meter, and found out that inside the cabin, the exhaust was 3db louder than stock from idle to 3krpm then tapering down to stock level at 6krpm and then basically the same to the rev limiter. Contrary to most reports, I'm convinced that intake noise muffles everything else from Vtec-on onwards, and my measurements confirmed my convictions.
Subjectively, I may prefer the amuse sound to the Mugen. It's throaty at idle and when stabbing the throttle from idle. A bit more so than the Mugen which was already an improvement over stock. The side tuning pipe can be felt: The drone on light throttle / low rev that you experience with the Mugen is gone. That's the good news. The bad news is that on full throttle from 2 to 4-5krpm it drones loudly, which the Mugen didn't. I think I prefer it this way, as once you get to cruising speed the sound calms down quite significantly.
Performance wise I cannot comment yet. I expect improvements from having shed weight. Amuse claims 8PS, which I suspect is wishfull thinking. I made two before / after pulls on 2nd gear with the AP-22 and assuming they're good I should have results shortly.
I'll also post some pictures soon.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,323
Likes: 28
From: Longmont, CO
Luis, thanks for the report. I currently have the J's Racing single exhaust, and the resonance at 2k and 4k rpms is starting to drive me crazy. Almost enough to consider going back to stock, except that I want to keep my weight savings. So I've been really interested in the dual Amuse specifically because of the side tuning pipe. I'm still concerned by what you say about full throttle in the lower rpm range. More research is needed... (I wonder if the tips were smaller (about 65cm?) would the megaphone-like effect of the droning go away...)
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,562
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From: Honolulu
Hi Luis. I'm sure you're one of the few (if not the only one) who have had both the Mugen and the dual Amuse exhaust. I'm looking forward to the results of your comparo. I've also got a J's single exhaust, and would love to have the look of a dual again, but don't want to add the weight back on. Amuse may be the way to go.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
From: Lisbon
Exhaust sound is very subjective, and with the exception of the stock exhaust (which is a bit of a miracle how it can be this silent and free flowing), all other exhausts are a source of an argument. The best thing is to hear one out for yourself. For me, looks aside the Amuse is sporty but still very civilized.
I've just downloaded the data for the 2nd gear, 15-61mph pulls, and the result were:
Stock: 6.59 seconds in 118 metres.
Amuse: 6.54 seconds in 117 metres.
I only had the time to do one in gear pull per exhaust, so I probably need more data to be conclusive.
I've just downloaded the data for the 2nd gear, 15-61mph pulls, and the result were:
Stock: 6.59 seconds in 118 metres.
Amuse: 6.54 seconds in 117 metres.
I only had the time to do one in gear pull per exhaust, so I probably need more data to be conclusive.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,375
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles (SFV)
Nice report!
I was fortunately enough to hear both Mugen's exhaust and Amuse dual Ti exhaust first hand.
Mugen was from Mingsters and the Amuse dual Ti was from Ben from Bulletproof.
Both are really nice exhausts, but still too loud for my taste.
I was fortunately enough to hear both Mugen's exhaust and Amuse dual Ti exhaust first hand.
Mugen was from Mingsters and the Amuse dual Ti was from Ben from Bulletproof.
Both are really nice exhausts, but still too loud for my taste.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 486
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar
hey, nice to see that another person got that exhaust, anyhow the hp you rated is for the single exhaust, the dual puts out 4hp, and weighs a little more at 15lbs, i have pics and a mpeg here....
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=59498
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=59498
