[DIY]: How to Replace your Exhaust with a Type-S Exhaust (any ANY exhaust)

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Jul 29, 2024 | 12:08 PM
  #1  
Was finally able to find a Type-S exhaust in Charleston SC. Picked it up, brought it home in my TLX and installed it. Honestly, it's NOT a difficult job and only requires 3 bolts to take off and 6 rubber exhaust hangars to drop the exhaust. I did it alone, but having 2 people under there will make things go easier.

Difficulty Rating: 2 out of 5 (5 requires Acura to perform the work)

Time Required:
  • 2 hours (depending on your aptitude). I could do it in 1/2 the time now, after going through this once.
Tools Needed:
  • Car lift OR a floor jack with 4 jack stands to raise the entire car off the ground.
  • 1, 14mm socket
  • 1 LARGE screw driver (12" to 15") or a crow-bar of similar size.
  • Lubricant (e.g. silicone spray)
  • PB Blaster (or equivalent)
  • Anti-seize gel.
Steps:
  1. Lift or JACK up the car so that all 4 tires are up in the air - be safe, ensure the car is solid while lifted
  2. Crawl underneath and spray the 3 bolts holding the exhaust system to allow the oil to penetrate (see picture #1).
  3. Crawl towards the rear of the car and take off the first 2 sets of exhaust hanger bushings. Spray with lubricant to make it easier to take off. NOTE the orientation of the bushings as noted in picture #2. The ARROW should point in to the car, not out to the car for each
  4. Next unhook the exhaust hangers at the rear of the car. Spray with lubricant to make it easier to take off.
  5. At this point, the only thing holding the exhaust are the 3 bolts and the middle exhaust hangers.
  6. Loosen and take off the 3 bolts
  7. Place something under each of the rear mufflers so that they are held up by this box/board/bucket
  8. Remove the last 2 exhaust hangers. Be careful on the last one b/c the exhaust could drop.
  9. Slide the exhaust rear-ward off the 3 bolts and it should be free
  10. Clean each of the exhaust hangers and then spray silicone lubricant in EACH of the holes to make it go on even easier.
  11. Install is just working back from step # 9 to step #1
Notes:
  • REMEMBER THE ORIENTATION of each of the hangers as you pull them off.
  • Clean and lubricate each of the holes for each of the hangers. I plugged each hole with my finger and filled it with silicone lubricant.
  • The entire exhaust weighs TBD pounds. (I need to weigh it one of these days and put this data point here).







Reply 3
Jul 29, 2024 | 03:32 PM
  #2  
So.... does the active exhaust flaps work for you... or?
Reply 0
Jul 29, 2024 | 03:58 PM
  #3  
Well, it does 'work' but they are hard-wired OPEN

My eventual plan is to buy 2 actuators (Kuster product, rebranded as Honda) and wire a switch into the dashboard so I can manually open/close them at will. I'm not in a hurry to do that, but hope one day I can pull this off.
Reply 1
Jul 29, 2024 | 04:42 PM
  #4  
Is there a notable different exhaust tone or is this mostly cosmetic?

Great job on the DIY!!
Reply 0
Jul 29, 2024 | 07:31 PM
  #5  
There definitely is a sound difference, but not loud by any stretch. From the exhaust port, there is a bass sound that wasn't there before. In the cabin, there is NO drone, but you hear the bass on upshifts and while coming to a stop. It's a pleasant sound and you can finally hear the exhaust. At full stock, I never heard any exhaust. Now its slightly audible. However, this is with the exhaust port OPEN. I haven't tried it with the port closed b/c I don't want to take the wires off to close it.

I didn't buy it for the sound changes, I bought it for the cosmetic upgrade. It's an incredible upgrade from that standpoint.
Reply 2
Aug 1, 2024 | 10:53 AM
  #6  
Funny, I prefer the regular oval exhaust tips over the S round ones. I think it blends in better, but I like a subtle look. I also prefer the 'classier' stock wheels to the 'racier' Y spokes. Different strokes.

Really, I'm posting to say I'm surprised the S isn't a true dual exhaust. I guess my brain never processed that it can't be with a single turbo vs the twin turbos of competing models.
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2024 | 05:51 PM
  #7  
Twin turbos have nothing to do with it being a dual exhaust.

It's all about how the exhaust manifolds meet the exhaust pipes.
Reply 0
Aug 1, 2024 | 07:58 PM
  #8  
Quote: Twin turbos have nothing to do with it being a dual exhaust.
Twin turbos don't but a single sure does. Unless you'd like to tell me how a single turbo mates to a dual exhaust, which is typically one header/pipe per cylinder bank. This isn't a dual, it's a Y pipe for dual outlets.
Reply 0
Aug 2, 2024 | 08:08 AM
  #9  
Quote: Twin turbos don't but a single sure does. Unless you'd like to tell me how a single turbo mates to a dual exhaust, which is typically one header/pipe per cylinder bank. This isn't a dual, it's a Y pipe for dual outlets.
Well from an aesthetics point of view it makes the Type-S look very cool and mean in the rear! love my quad tipped dual exhaust.
Reply 1
Sep 22, 2024 | 11:47 PM
  #10  
Do you have any sound clips? I’m about to do this swap as well. Just want to make sure it’s not excessively loud.
Reply 0
Sep 23, 2024 | 08:21 AM
  #11  
Quote: Twin turbos don't but a single sure does. Unless you'd like to tell me how a single turbo mates to a dual exhaust, which is typically one header/pipe per cylinder bank. This isn't a dual, it's a Y pipe for dual outlets.

Reply 0
Sep 23, 2024 | 09:19 PM
  #12  
Quote: Do you have any sound clips? I’m about to do this swap as well. Just want to make sure it’s not excessively loud.
@chaospy no sounds clips. I’d describe it as such:
  • Overall sound develops a more bass tone
  • No drone, just a deeper sound with the secondary valve opened
  • With valve closed, it’s just a notch quieter
  • I noticed some additional cabin noise due to the lack of resonators on the Type S setup. My 30 yr old co-worker loved it. I wanted stock sound so I put the stock resonated pipes back on with the Type S exhaust tips. My perfect setup for a 61 yr old

Some said it sounds great, but I swear you lose a little low-end torque if you have the valve opened.

Good thing is, it’s tunable.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2024 | 12:03 AM
  #13  
Quote: @chaospy no sounds clips. I’d describe it as such:
  • Overall sound develops a more bass tone
  • No drone, just a deeper sound with the secondary valve opened
  • With valve closed, it’s just a notch quieter
  • I noticed some additional cabin noise due to the lack of resonators on the Type S setup. My 30 yr old co-worker loved it. I wanted stock sound so I put the stock resonated pipes back on with the Type S exhaust tips. My perfect setup for a 61 yr old

Some said it sounds great, but I swear you lose a little low-end torque if you have the valve opened.

Good thing is, it’s tunable.
Thanks, that’s hopeful to hear. I like it quiet but want it sound a bit more when pushing 4k+ rpm. Going to swap it onto my A-Spec this weekend. Will get sound clips.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2024 | 07:32 AM
  #14  
@chaospy in my younger years (I'm 61 now), I would have kept the Type-S exhaust system on with the valve opened. But the good thing is, you have options. Are you doing it yourself? Honestly it's not bad to do if you have access to a lift, or ramps with a floor jack. Fun project. Let us know when its complete.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2024 | 12:21 PM
  #15  
Quote: @chaospy in my younger years (I'm 61 now), I would have kept the Type-S exhaust system on with the valve opened. But the good thing is, you have options. Are you doing it yourself? Honestly it's not bad to do if you have access to a lift, or ramps with a floor jack. Fun project. Let us know when its complete.
The famous @acura_mechanic is going to install it for me. I bought it off him.
Reply 0
Sep 26, 2024 | 09:51 AM
  #16  
Quote: random old acura picture
Since you quoted me, what am I supposed to be looking at? Presumably an older Type S with the same single turbo and dual outlet setup?

This is a dual exhaust on the Q50. It has a crossover but illustrates the idea. There are true duals for the Q50 and the Z series.






Reply 0
Oct 5, 2024 | 05:42 PM
  #17  
I have completed the swap.

Here is the before and after.

Reply 1
Oct 7, 2024 | 08:13 AM
  #18  
Sounds good, but likes amazing. Well done and thx for posting this video. More of a bass-heavy sound coming from the exhaust. Just wished you could hear it more from the cabin.
Reply 0
Oct 14, 2024 | 07:27 AM
  #19  
Quote: I have completed the swap.

Here is the before and after.

https://youtube.com/shorts/fNSv00QrU..._abxbMBVvFbQdv

Sounds much better than I'd anticipated. After I do the Brembo Type S swap, I plan on swapping in the Type S exhaust as well. Pretty much as far as I'll go with the TLX in terms of performance mods.
Reply 0
Dec 12, 2024 | 10:05 PM
  #20  
If anyone is looking for Type S mufflers, I’m selling mine and located in the Bay Area, CA and they will be available after next Friday. Have less than 2,000 miles on them. Asking for $400.
Reply 0
Dec 13, 2024 | 08:50 PM
  #21  
Quote: If anyone is looking for Type S mufflers, I’m selling mine and located in the Bay Area, CA and they will be available after next Friday. Have less than 2,000 miles on them. Asking for $400.
This us a great deal and the look will transform your car. Highly recommend the type S exhaust on a non Type-S

Easy to install too. Only need: a set of ramps, 14mm socket wrench, long screwdriver for leverage and lube spray.
Reply 0
Jul 13, 2025 | 07:09 PM
  #22  
Quote: If anyone is looking for Type S mufflers, I’m selling mine and located in the Bay Area, CA and they will be available after next Friday. Have less than 2,000 miles on them. Asking for $400.

Old but have you sold it?
Reply 0
Jul 14, 2025 | 01:49 AM
  #23  
Quote: Old but have you sold it?
I still have it and it’s sitting in my garage.

Reply 0
Jul 14, 2025 | 01:51 AM
  #24  
I’m located in Raleigh NC and now asking only $75. My wife wants it gone - lol
Reply 0
Jul 14, 2025 | 09:48 AM
  #25  
Darn, thought you’re in the Bay Area, that’s where I am.
Reply 0
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