gsclifton

iTrader: (2)

Ok, here is my story.... long read

~3 weeks ago - Installed Comptech Header
Install went smoothly, but I had a slight vibration (possibly rattle) right at idle. I rechecked and torqued everything but the vibration persisted. The weather turned cold (15-20) for a few days and this made the vibration worse. I did not notice any noise increase from the header.

Weekend
Installed the NAPA exhaust hangers and noticed that right at the resonator, the Comptech exhaust has a long hanger. When the exhaust "moves" under load, I think this hanger would contact part of the car. After installing the new hangers, the vibration diminished, but was not completely gone.

Today
I installed the RTC. First off, the vibration is 100% gone now, so I am not sure what to think about that. Second, I have a raspy exhaust note now. IMO, it borders on obnoxious. My wife commented that it was worse than when I put on the Comptech exhaust. I also have the Comptech Intake, and after the RTC install, you no longer here any induction noise period. It is that loud.

After the car cooled off, I checked my work again, and just do not see how the RTC could be leaking. So I went to a regular automotive shop down from the house, and the tech reluctantly said, "looks like your flex pipe might be leaking, but not sure." In addition he said that the RTC appeared to be sealed very well. IMO, he did not know what was leaking or if there was a leak.

I find it hard to believe the header has a problem. However, reputable sources here say the RTC should not be louder, and other reputable sources say their install did make the noise louder. Since some say it is louder, it makes we wonder if my setup is fine. Hell, I do not know what to think.

I have an appt tomorrow at a tuner shop to take a look at my car to get a definitive answer.

I also want to note that is NOT a negative towards the RTC. I just want to know if my setup/install is working correctly.

Suggestions, heckling, profound statements… anyone

moda_way

Good right up!! I would say try the quiet tips for when it matters. I use them for a while, then take them out for a while. They do make a major difference.

As for your install success, can't wait to hear what the tuner shop guy has to say. Not much to f'up.

gsclifton

iTrader: (2)

Here are some pics:

madmanmax3000

How many people have agreed that it is louder? and how much louder are we talking here?


I actually want a louder exhaust, I would just need to get some quiet tips for when I am taking a long trip. I HATE the drone on the highway

CCColtsicehockey

god i want that cat

gsclifton

iTrader: (2)

Ok, stopped by another local shop and all three techs said NO exhaust leak. They were all impressed with the products (I/H/E/RTC).

I think it is feasible that the noise increases when the RTC is installed in inconjunction with an after market exhaust. Perhaps little to no noise increase is becuase of an OEM exhaust.

Is that reasonable or am I missing something?

Me = Comptech = Louder
Dzuy = Comptech = Louder
Sigmachi96 = OEM = about the same

Tsx536

^^ That's exactly what I'm thinking too. Everyone that I've heard about who have said there was little to noise sound increase all were running with an OEM exhuast.

I got my Random Tech Cat last week and probably won't install it for a little while (This is our development time at work). I'm running with the exact same setup as Sigmachi. Hondata, Comptech Intake, DC headers, and OEM exhuast. I will let you guys know what I think of the noise increase. I'll also be switching to my Injen intake later, so I'll also let you guys know if that effects the noise level.

moda_way

I'll be able to confirm too since I'll have Comptech headers to install with my RT cat and existing Comptech cat back exhaust. I just need to condition myself to freeze my nuts off in order to do this.

rmpage

I had the Comptech header and Fujitsubo catback on with the OE cat for a while, then when I had my Magnaflow cat made, the exhaust became noticeably louder (barely though). The reduced restriction of the aftermarket catback allows you to hear changes that you make upstream a lot better. With the OE catback, not nearly as much.

Did you try holding the RTC up and looking through it? You can see clearly to the other side. Spun body cats are so well-designed that they offer virtually zero resistance to exhaust gases when compared to monolithic 3-way converters like the factory model or the Magnaflow I had. That straight-shot will make a LOT of difference in exhaust volume...toward the great frontier of loudness.

gsclifton

iTrader: (2)

I am sure you will post your results. I am interested in the outcome.

This is exactly what I am thinking right now. I am sure I will adjust to the sound eventually.

Like moda_way suggested earlier, I am going to order some quiet tips.

dzuy

there might be a leak. when i had the a magnaflow cat - my exhuast rattlled. come to find out later that it wasn't installed good and i had an exhuast leak.

after i installed my random tech cat - the exhuast note is def not raspy - it's still clean, and as i have said a million times - my car sounds like a s2000 at full throttle.

good luck.

rmpage

FWIW I still have my Magnaflow bolted on because I've been waiting for Hondata to fix my ECU before strapping the car to a dyno. Hopefully next week I can get that done (need to document the "fixed" reflash, Magnaflow cat and bored TB), then bolt up the RTC and get another pull for another before/after comparison. Maybe I can take videos of each pull or something to compare volumes.

Tsx536

Videos!? That would be awesome

moda_way

That is the f'ing BOMB!!!!

madmanmax3000

Where did you get the reflash from? I want one, but kindle racing isn't selling anymore, so i'm not sure where to order from

rmpage

I was going to be like KINDLE RACING!!! but then saw the rest of your post and went oh damn.

Actually I would start looking here: http://hondata.com/dealers.html

TSX559

All I have is intake. No header or exhaust. I will post if the noise is louder when the nuts and bolts get in. That should be next week.

gsclifton

iTrader: (2)

I took my car into Jotech Motorsports. Kenny Tran has been tuning cars I have owned for over 10 years.

The techs put the car on a lift and identified a slight exhaust leak at the back of the RTC.

I have the Comptech Exhaust. The fitment from the exhaust to the RTC uses a donut ring seal. I DID NOT replace this when I installed the RTC. This is the original seal from when the Comptech Exhaust was installed about 2 years ago.

Picture of your standard "donut" ring seal:


What they ended up doing was using (2) standard exhaust gaskets back to back.

This completely cured the raspy exhaust note. Now, the exhaust is slightly louder than before the RTC install. I am happy now.

Tsx536

Glad to hear that you got it fixed! I bet it sounds much better now.

moda_way

Got a part number or anything you can share just in case?

gsclifton

iTrader: (2)

Unfortunately ... no, they just had all kinds of various ones (shapes/sizes) in the shop. They even had them for the front of the RTC, but mine was not leaking. I do not think they were OEM parts though.

Sorry, I know that is not much help. I would think most exhaust places would perhaps have them stocked or a tuner shop that knows Honda/Acura.

marketman

I definitely noticed an increase in exhaust noise with the RT Cat - I have Comptech header, exhaust, and Injen intake - Under normal driving conditions it is not that noticeable but under acceleration it is a different story. I have no exhaust leaks at the cat- I bought new before and after cat gaskets prior to install but due to the roll over on the pipe at flanges they didn't even make a difference. The flip side is that the car is much stronger with the RT cat.

CCColtsicehockey

This is what I used. I managed to find it on the site JTso referenced on another thread. It is a Hi-Temp Silicone RTV.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/LOC-37467.html

moda_way

Interesting. I'm going to try to see if I can get one of the seals gsclifton got. I'm probably going to have to call around the local muffler shops and ultimately bring the cat in to find one that works. From what I recall, the OEM cat had the recess for the seal when it joins to the post-cat exhaust system.

I a little hesitant to use the loctite stuff because although it can resistent temps at 625F, it does say intermittent and doesn't look like it really is meant for exhausts per se. Doesn't mean it wouldn't work, but I'd like something that gives that sort of assurance.

Thanks for the linke. That Tool Warehouse place has TONS of great stuff.

CCColtsicehockey

yeah i already got a shopping cart up to 80 of tools to get.

tools + lenses and accessoriers for digital SLR = less funds for jdm parts NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

gsclifton

iTrader: (2)

I called Jotech today and Kenny said they were made by Turbonetics. I briefly looked at their web site but did not see the specific gasket application. Perhaps everything they produce is not on the online site.

I will try and see if I can get a specific Turbonetics part number this weekend.

EDIT
Well I called Turbonetics and they said they make NO 3 bolt gaskets. The tech said you should be able to get them OEM from Honda/Acura. Shit, I will go back up to Jotech and find out a part number.

gsclifton

iTrader: (2)

Missed the time limit.

EDIT
You might just call up Jotech and see if they will ship you some. Tell them the Gaskets they used on "Greg's Blue TSX".

But, check with Honda first to save the hassle.

Jotech Motorsports
2518 W. Kingsley Road #102
Garland TX 75041
Tel 972-278-9744

JTso

iTrader: (2)

Those Hi-Temp silicone sealant is not meant for exhaust systems... I would use a gasket instead for reliability.

moda_way

Thanks for the info. I'm going to call up to my local muffler shops and see if they sell something like this. I'm not positive I'll find anything, so atleast I'll know I have a definite source. Since I'm on vacation now, I'm going to need some projects to keep me busy.

NJTSXMan

Hopefully by this weekend.. i'll have my comptech header and random tech cat installed. I have the oem exhaust though.. Do you think I would definitely need those gaskets to get a good seal? Thanks.

moda_way

I think we posted in a thread, but yes. Just a question of where. I'm going to a muffler shop this weekend.

TSX559

Cool. Let me no where you got the gasket and how many and price. I still havent install mine yet. I dont have any time. But when I have time, I dont have the gaskets. So I really need to get some gaskets so I can install it when I have time. Its just using precious garage space. And the only place that I think the best spot for it is to put it on. Thanks in advance.

moda_way

Definitely. I have the same issue. Most of my spare time is spent running after my son, oh, and the occassional key mode somebody needs me to do.

TSX559

LOL. Same here. But I just close the garage door and let him run around in there and play with his own cars while I try to mod my car. He is only 16 months.

moda_way

Mine is a little more than 18 mths and all he wants to do is tear stuff apart... now if I can just teach him how to put it back together!!!!

TSX559

Yeah. That will be nice. You can have an assistant to help you with your work. He can probably take over the family business. Theres a lot of TSX's out there that might want a mod key fob.

peter_bigblock

Mine is four and he's getting into being in the garage with dad, ferrying wrenches and other stuff back and forth. Although every so often, when I'm under the car at some critical modding point, the garage gets very quiet. This is usually bad.

TSX559

OH yeah. Usually its something sneaky. Better watch out for the wrenches. Make sure he doesnt swing it around and hit the other baby in there. Might get an ugly dent or switch on her.

jonnerd154

Any of you guys throw codes yet? I've thrown it 3 times in the past two weeks.

It threw 2 days ago, I reset it last night. 30 miles later (I went out again after resetting it) I threw it again. I'm in the bay area and it's kinda cold and moist - that might be why, but I'd by curious to see who else is throwing codes.

NJTSXMan

I've had my cat on for almost two months I believe.. I haven't had a CEL yet. I have the comptech header and stock exhaust.