Wow, a little scuffle on ITRCA. Haven't seen much of that at all. :P

Anyhoo, I must disagree with you mr. fred toast.

I interchange my test pipe and cat often, and the change in volume is ... non existent, zero, none, nothing. I do have a fujitsubo rm-01a, which is neither loud nor quiet (just right in my book, mellow yet agressive?). I noticed a) no change in tq/hp on the dyno between the two (only change between runs on same day) and b) no change in volume.

The ONLY difference I have noticed is a slight different sound when VTEC engages. The change in exhaust sound seems to be more pronounced when the test pipe is on, but as soon as I'm past the engagement point, the sounds are almost identical.

Now, I understand that other exhausts may behave differently. My experience is that a test pipe is only good if you run on the track and don't want to put extra strain on your cat. Then again, tuning AND running a cat will help to prolong the life of your cat tremendously.

Anyhooo... exhausts.

I, like dave, would NEVER put an N1 by apex'i on my car, ever. I hate it. It's obnoxious, the kind of obnoxious exhaust that is well suited for a track car. :P I do not like any exhaust that 'buzzes' or is simply loud all the time.

I have driven a mildly built GSR (skunk2 stage 1's), oem jdm 4-1 header, t1r bpipe and spoon N1 axleback, and I will say that I liked the sound alot, much like my fujitsubo from what i could tell. maybe a tad louder. maybe it was the same volume in the cabin because of the rear seats and the sound deadening that my car doesn't have!

Anyhoo... lots of exhausts, they all sound good to someone. It is all subjective.

AND.... sound clips of exhausts all sound the same IMO. Nothing beats hearing it live, in action, and then driving the same car to see how the sound is different when in the car and out of the car.

Anything is better than open header. Even the buddy club spec II and III. :P