I'm wanting to do either a 44m or a 50mm with a test pipe and was wondering how loud it is exactly. How does it compare to an aftermarket exhaust?
Its going on an ap2 if that makes any difference

 

There are a lot of youtube videos that illustrate the difference compared to stock, compared to aftermarket, compared to smaller uk bypass pipe size.

But 50mm is gonna be hella loud. Louder than a lot, but probably not all, aftermarket systems.

 

I personally wouldn't go past 40mm.

I have 38mm paired with the berk test pipe..

And here are a couple of it before the test pipe was put on.

 

I did my UK Mod way back when with 2.25" piping and it really wasn't loud at all, even with a TP. Only time I could hear the exhaust was when I was heavy on the throttle. Putting around town, though, it simply sounded like a kind of more 'exotic' version of our car.

I wouldn't worry about how loud it is at all, personally. That said, everyone has different tastes. See if you can find a local owner with the mod installed and take a ride.

 

This mod is more conveniently done with the exhaust off the car and you have to dismount/mount it repeatedly if it's too quiet/loud. Buggers the OEM system too which may be a negative if/when you sell the car. Just about everyone here bought these used I'm guessing so that's probably when, not if.

Internet sound clips are useless. The mic taking the sample clips the noise level and your PC speakers couldn't reproduce it even if it didn't. Only sure thing is to hear the system in person. Inside the car especially.

-- Chuck

 

I'm basically looking for a way to make the stock exhaust as loud as possible without going full straight pipe

 

As loud as possible is undriveable and ilegal everywhere I know. It's known here as the Alfa Hotel exhaust. You'll get noise induced headaches and only the stanced Civic guys will associate with you.

-- Chuck

 

without going straight pipe lol. I'm just wondering how close of a sound can I get to an aftermarket exhaust

 

Aftermarket exhausts have a wide range of sound, from less noticeable than stock to completely obnoxious. You will need to find where you want to be and proceed from there, I personally like a middle ground with some nice sound and louder than stock. Good luck in your search.

 

Try to do it so the exhaust flow doesn't fight itself.

Most muffler shops don't know the direction of the flow so they just make a random bridge that probably hurts performance.