I am looking to upgrade my exhaust on my 92 Civic DX, and I have a few questions if anyone could answer them for me. I want to get the Apexi N1 Muffler, but not sure if I need their entire exhaust system. I was thinking of just getting the muffler, and then taking the car to an exhaust shop and get them to put in bigger pipes. I think this will be a little cheaper then just buying the entire Apexi N1 system. Let me know what you guys think. Also, big should I get the pipes if I do take it to a shop for a custom system? And what is the going rate if anyone knows? Thanks.

 

i have the full N-1 system and it is great...

 

If all you want from your muffler is a different sound and a fashion accessory, then you don't need the pipes. Stay 2" or less if you want custom pipes made for a SOHC.

But if you actually want performance out of your SOHC civic from the exhaust upgrade, buy the real Apex'i exhaust with as much Apex'i piping as you can get. It will fit right, be mandrel-bent, be resistant to corrosion, sounds better, and will out flow anything anyone will make for you. Sure it costs more, but you get what you pay for when it comes to an exhaust.

 

If I were to get the entire exhaust system, would there be a big difference in sound compared to just adding the muffler to the stock pipes? Also, if I were to order the APEXi system, would it be all bolt-on, and could I do it myself, knowing virtually nothing regarding the mechanics of a car?

 

IMHO one way is the RIGHT way to do it.. and the other is the gangster crappy way to do it... cutting corners is ok in SOME situations.. but as stated i have a real apex N-1 and have had for years.. it has never rusted, come apart, or ANYTHING negative.. it has been extremely reliable and has EVEN held up to the occasional driveway scrape.. i guess what im saying is there is not much to differentiate you from any lame ass ricer out there.. one thing that COULD do that is quality.. an approach of actualy adding quality parts to your ride.. that HAVE strong R&D, quality materials, and EXCELLENT manufacturing behind them, OR you can be ANY ricer on ANY street in america, with your aerospeed muffler.. you could always do what they do and call gheto rigged exhaust work "custom" but i personaly would not want to be part of that group... nor do i think you do.. so just suck it up.. buy the whole (real) thing.. it will last for years..

 

Ok, I think I am going to buy the entire system. Would I be able to put that on myself, with no access to a lift? Does it just bolt-on, or is there welding involved?

 

yeah man its pretty easy... just need a couple jack stands and a jack.. theres not too much you will need a lift for..

just be careful removing the old bolts... they can be decently rusted..

edit.. all bolt on

edit 2 ... it will bolt on as long as it is offered for your car.. i am not looking right this second... but if its offered it will bolt right up

 

http://www.apexi-usa.com/exhausts_n1_applications.asp

it does appear to be offered

 

Ok sounds good. Thanks a lot for the information. I am curious, is there a DIY written for an exhaust install on a 5th gen Civic? I can't find anything through the search.

 

since your car is a 92 , id say you check the bolts on the cat converter and see if they are rotted to the point where you'll need to drill them out, trust me, you dont want to drill out the bolts from the cat(i say this because i have a 94 with less than 80k and i had to drill the damn things out of the cat because i broke the bolt heads). if the bolts are rotted like that then it would be smart to take your car to a shop and have them put the exhaust system on.