Guys, help. Want to buy an exhaust but do not know which to get. I have read all the posts. The biggest thing is what is the difference between cat-back and axle-back and which is easiest to install, want the tanabe any thoughts.

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2001 White Acura Cl TypeS
AEM Cold air intake
Comptech springs and sways
Denso iriduim spark
Koni Yellows

next: res,exhaust

 

I just put the HKS on my car yesterday. Worth every penny. I love them and sound great. I was a bit worried they would be to big. Look fine in person. Only took about 45 mins to put on and was pretty easy.
Your only other option is comptech, ive heard they go on just as easy. I personally think they look too small.

 

It seems as for the two popular choices,

1. HKS Dragers
2. Comptech

You can make these arguments.:

1: HKS Drager
Pro's - These are GREAT looking exhausts and sound great too, not too loud and not too quiet. They are considerably cheaper that the Comptechs and that's always a plus on the pocketbook.
Con's - These just ahng WAY too low. It's understandable as these are Accord V6 exhausts and cause the Accord has such a high rear end, you can afford to have these hang low. I'm gonna eventually take mine to a muffler shop to have them re-weld and raise them.

2: Comptech
Pro's - Unlike the springs, it seems there are different exhausts made for the CL/TL/Accord. I like the way these look as the cans aren't as big and for the fact that they don't hang as low as the HKS'.
Con's - If you're not a big fan of a loud exhaust, I personally think the Comptech's are much louder than the HKS'. Of course this is only personal experience and I have ridden in other member's cars and I think the HKS' are quieter for the driver (The important part). Also, these cost significantly more than the HKS equivalent...

 

What about the Greddy's or the Tanabe. Why doesn't anyone use these.

 

From what I've heard and don't quote me on this, the Greddy's aren't a simple bolt on and require some sort of welding. The Tanabe's I have no idea.....

The basic argument for exhausts on the CL is that they provide little or no performance enhancements as the stock CLS exhausts are already pretty decent. SO given that, the cheaper an exhaust for a new "exhaust note", the better.

 

I just had my Comptech exhaust put on and there is no question that it is awesome!!! Looks sweet and the sound is jsut perfect.

Plus, in terms of performance, I can't show any numbers but when I went from my Comptechs back to my stock pipes for a couple of weeks I swear to you that there was a tangible difference in the way the car performed. Nothing huge, but I really do feel this was the case. I think it was much more noticeable going from the Comptechs back to the stock system--the car just felt a bit more sluggish.

Admittedly, it could be in my head.

But, I would get the Comptechs just for the looks and sound any day of the week!!

 

Agreed... the Comptechs rule. Yes they're more then the HKS', but they're made for the CL-S/TL-S, so they hang just right (like HellaWhat said). As for the sound, I think it's sweet. The sound is objective... some people say it's too loud, others don't. I for one was worried about getting a loud exhaust, but when I installed the Comptech's, I was in my glory. A nice, deep, low rumble.... ahh, it's so sweet. I also am glad I didn't get the HKS' because I think they're too big for our car... again, that's just my opinion. Feel free to check my site (link in sig) for some pics....