First, let me put in a plug for Tracy -- Speedcraft's exhaust guru. His welds on the stainless pipes are better than the machine welds on the Apexi N1s. The entire system is truly a work of art. It's beautifully done.

Second, I'll try to record a clip of the exhaust, but it may be a while before I get around to it. You'll have to pester Todd at Speedcraft to record one if you want something sooner. I can tell you that it's a lovely rumble at lower rpm's and it howls in V-TEC.

That said, I don't find it unbearably loud, but it does cut the incentive to upgrade my stereo.

In the interests of balance, however, I should tell you that I did get a PM from someone on the boards before I had the exhaust done who advised against it, as his was (for him) too loud and he ditched the N1s for something more subdude.

But for me, it's just perfect.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by striklybidnis
[B]Speed-

OneQuick stated ealier that "Putting a 3" on a NA F20C will just lose power. It's overkill."

 

I think OneQuickS2K and Derryck are right when they discuss the merits (or lack thereof) of a huge pipe for a nonaspirated engine. You ought to hear my car at idle, particularly when it's cold. The absence of back pressure's SOOO apparent and while it's a gift once the turbo spools up, I can't imagine that you won't lose big power in mid-range on a nonaspirated car.

 

Here it is in a nutshell.

The turbo (it'sself, not the "turbo kit" as a whole) provides the back pressure required to make torque even out of boost, in an N/A car you don't have that. On a turbo car, any back pressure after the turbo will lose horsepower and increase spool time.

Chris

 

arrrrgghghhg....

ANY backpressure is bad. What you want to optimize is exhaust flow rates, by which you can pick up some power thru scavenging. There's also some tricks to be done w/ exhaust pulse reflection, but the gains are marginal for the cost involved, and it'll only work in a narrow RPM band.

And scavenging rarely is an option on a FI car, as the cams are set for no (or minimal) overlap.

Okay, okay, i know, you can tune it for whatever, but for a street car, FI is going to have less overlap which = less scavenging potential...

 

OK Guys, here is the actual truth about exhaust function and design. Let

 

OK guys, now I don't know what to think.....I thought: less backpressure = smoother flow = better running car. Then I thought: backpressure = pushing off of a wall theory = more power

I'm a scientist, not an engineer...I know if you run an HPLC and/or GC, it is better to have low back pressure, which exhibits better chromatography and lengthens column life as well as the life of your system....but I digress...

I just wanna get an exhaust that's gonna look good, sound awesome, and one that I am not going to have to sell in a year b/c I want to upgrade to a turbo....is that too much to ask?

I thought I was pointed in the right direction, but now I am thoroughly confused. If anyone has dyno numbers on exhaust comparisons between 3" and stock piping on a stock vehicle, please don't be shy.

I must admit, you guys are very knowledgable, much more so than myself (I know thats not saying much ) and I am learning a lot just by listening to ideas being bounced around by everyone. I don't wanna sound like I'm kissing your a$$ or anything, but I do appreciate all the help!!

 

It hardly matters because the Speedcraft exhaust doesn't work with a stock setup anyways, it's designed to connect to their downpipe.

If you're getting a turbo, wait until you get it until you change the exhaust.

Chris