Uninstalling Stock CBE...

[AutoXRacer]

OK, so I installed my CS CBE yesterday... OMG, what a nightmare!!!!!!

Just cut the damn thing!!!!

I followed the service manual instructions to the tee... Once I lowered the rear subframe (really easy), I tried to pull the exhaust out... There was still not enough clearance... Maybe if you have a lift, but on jack-stands even set at the highest level with wood blocks, it still wasn't going to happen. After two hours of wasted time, my GF drove me to Lowe's were I purchased a reciprocating saw!!!! It only took 50 seconds to saw it in half and pull it out!!!!!

I''ll post up pictures in a few...

I'm currently having clearance issues... I think one of the hangers are tapping on the rear subframe (easy fix, just need to reposition the hangar in the rubber mount) and at one of the bends on the forward half is coming in contact with the heat shield (this one has no solution).

When I cranked over the engine last night to check for leaks and issues, it didn't rattle...this morning after I got into work, I noticed the rattling sound coming from the rear. I need to go home and reposition the hanger...hopefully thats it.

When I cranked...actually my GF did...the engine over, the sound the exhaust makes it intoxicating!!! Oh man does it sounds sweeeeeet!!!! (2thumbs) Plus the finish of the pipes is just gorgeous... I wanted to just hang them on my wall and admire them as wall art. (lol2)
Definitely finishes off the car right!!!

 

[AutoXRacer]

Surprisingly, the new exhaust is not that much louder than stock...well, maybe during WOT and with the windows down. (lol2)
But overall, I love it!!! Only if I can resolve my minor issues...
It now definitely sounds like a cross between a Subbie and SRT-4 Neon...though it doesn't pop enough for my taste...maybe it will get better with time... Definitely worth every penny!!!!
It's was cool this morning cause I was cruising at 2K RPM then I floor it and the exhaust tone instantly goes from cruising to all out 5K RPM... I was used to cars having to climb through the RPM range and you can hear it through the exhaust, but this car goes from cruising to redline instantly; like a motorcycle...and no I was not experiencing wheel spin.

I was going to do a write up on how to remove the stock CBE following the service manual instructions, but since I was unsuccessful and ended up cutting it, there goes that idea. I should have just followed yall's and Cork Sport's instructions; CUT THE DAMN THING!!!

So here are some pictures:

FINALLY!!!!! I have a matching interface. I used to have the stock sub-2.4" pipe all anemic and rusty looking...this is sweet!!!!!

 

[knowledge007]

We all told you to cut that s***...lmao Hope you fix those minor issues. I personally would not have gone away from CP-E. I just bought the whole set up and have never looked back.

None the less, congradulations.

 

[AutoXRacer]

I should have just taken the plunge when I bought the CP-E DP and just ordered the whole TBE...would have been cheaper...or at least not that much more... Its just that the CP-E CBE was too expenisve on its own...

 

[PLM_Man]

Damn! Sorry to hear about the pain in the rear CBE install. Looks like I'm dropping the idea of taking the stocker out in one peice. I got a reciprocating saw from my parents for xmas which will see some more use now. Oh well.....

Good Luck with the rattles. A hanger from my Apexi exhaust on my old RSX-S use to clank around hard right turns. I ended up putting a rubber nipple over the metal hanger where is rattled against the underside of the car. Jack up the rear and wiggle the exhaust from the tip and see if/what hanger it is.

 

[aaronc7]

AutoX: Yep I know exactly what you're talking about regarding the tapping of the subframe. I spent over an hour wrestling with it...if it's positioned right it wont hit it or anything. Only downfall then is the tip won't be perfectly centered. It's not bad though I'm just probably really picky. Glad to hear you like the exhaust..i love mine! Havn't had any issues with banging up against the car or anything .

 

[AutoXRacer]

aaronc7, so if I reposition the hangers in the rubber mounts it should hold...? Whats weird is that nothing rattled last night during my final inspection...drive to work and theres rattle...

I'm pretty sure its this one:

 

[knowledge007]

I should have just taken the plunge when I bought the CP-E DP and just ordered the whole TBE...would have been cheaper...or at least not that much more... Its just that the CP-E CBE was too expenisve on its own...

Another thing about the full TBE, it fits and centers like a glove. No rattles or nothing. I'm not trying say "i told you so", just hate the fact that you couldn't afford the rest of the setup. I understand, it is alittle pricey, but I ended up taking the bullet.

 

[aaronc7]

yeah mine doesn't hit. move the rubber more towards the "end" of the hangar...if it's already there then........do the same with the last hangar by the exit. make sure the connection to the of the two CBE pipes is centered and sitting right.

 

[AutoXRacer]

yeah mine doesn't hit. move the rubber more towards the "end" of the hangar...if it's already there then........do the same with the last hangar by the exit. make sure the connection to the of the two CBE pipes is centered and sitting right.

Yeah, I moved mine towards the opposite end of the hanger...in hopes of making more room at a bend where its coming in contact with the heat shield... I will shift the rubber back to the edge of the hanger...that should work...though the exhaust won't be centered anymore though...

 

[Andrade08]

Oh well....looks like maybe I'll just sell the cat back I have then.
I am not 100% that I will like a "louder" exhaust at all. I drive this car 80+ miles a day Mon-Fri and it HAS to be comfy. I have owned my share of HotRods and I got into this car to get out of HotRods and just have a quick daily driver. Maybe I'll sell the TurboXS for another type of cat back like the Borla maybe? I just HATE the giant bumble bee sound the stock exhaust has. That drone and the hum sound make me cringe. Personal preference though. I know lot's of the people here like that big humming sound.
There are just *ZERO* clips of the turboXS cat back out there with the stock down and mid pipe on. Just one with the mid pipe swapped and stock down pipe that sounds good but.........??
And before I get any of the stock down and mid pipe bashing. The emissions here are CRAZY strict and I will have a VERY hard time getting a sticker even with a 50 state legal catt'd pipe. I have been down this road and battled enough to **NEVER** remove a stock cat again. I'm 32 and not into trying to find a station to inspect my daily driver.

 

[AutoXRacer]

The Cork Sport is not much louder than stock while cruising...you could tell a difference, but its not drastic. WOT with the windows down, yes you can definitely tell its louder...

I don't think you can get away from the hum while cruising...unless you get some type of additional muffler put on. If your RPMs are between 2000 and 2700, it could pass as stock. Though I have to admit, the burbles and pops are awesome!!!!!!

I also drive 70-80 miles a day Mon-Fri and race on the weekends or take day road trips. I don't think this exhaust will drive me too crazy...the sound is really nice...

Let us know what you decide/go with...

 

[aaronc7]

AutoX: yeah mines not right in the middle. I'm fine with it though, I still really like the way it looks.

 

[ericrapp]

Too many words

Yeah, I moved mine towards the opposite end of the hanger...in hopes of making more room at a bend where its coming in contact with the heat shield... I will shift the rubber back to the edge of the hanger...that should work...though the exhaust won't be centered anymore though...

Hey when you get under there take some pictures for all the for the folks that would make a purchasing decision on what should be a pretty easy adjustment. Mine makes noise. during wheelspin under hard acceleration. Motor mount inserts ( REAR ) are on coffee table en route to the car tomorrow. And after using longer bolts as suggested, I over torqued the springs and need to back them off a bit, to allow for the flex that joint is designed for. I didn't realize that they were too tight until and had looked at the Cork instructions. duh. Any of you guys that solve a rattle issue post up with your details of how you made it go away! The full Cork exhaust has really impressed me with it's performance. The flow is greatly increased. For those that care about appearance, finish is excellent. I guess sound is subjective, Sounded like a boxer motor when first started her up. Now it is my favorite at all speeds no drone, and when you wind it up. It is a good and fine thing. Gosh I love this car! I would think all the turbo backs offered really bring alot of life to it.

 

[jodacoto]

how about power gain, can you tell us more, is there a big difference or is it mostly sound ?

 

[Andrade08]

It is mostly a sound and looks cool mod. The stock exhaust sounds good but not good enough at WOT. And the stock tip is tucked waaay too far into the rear bumper making the exhaust gas hit the rear bumper. That over time will cause a black spot.

 

[Andrade08]

The reason I went with the TurboXS is the killer growling sound it has. I have only heard a couple Youtube vids and only one with a mid pipe but stock down pipe. So with me having the stock mid and down pipe I am thinking I will be toned down but I **HOPE** I will still have that growling sound.

 

[ericrapp]

Performance

how about power gain, can you tell us more, is there a big difference or is it mostly sound ?

The full turbo back, MS cai and stuff, after driving around nicely for quite a while to see what bolts I forgot to tighten, I have run It a bit harder. And the torque feels much stronger. The exhaust has done what I hoped . No dyno. Mine is untuned right now so I won't run it hard till I collect some data. But this is step in the right direction. good luck!

 

[AutoXRacer]

Once I got home on Friday, I adjusted the exhaust and eliminated the rattle... The culprit was the rear hanger right over the subframe that was contacting the side of the subframe; the rubber mount was in too far.

I went out to run some errands and while making a u-turn heard another rattle; different one. But this one only happened during start up on first gear. I looked under the car again and found nothing.

I went racing all weekend...man the sound of this exhaust is AWESOME!!!
Its sounds just like a perfectly tuned machine. Between the HKS BPV and the new CBE, I don't know which I like the best. I have not listen to the radio since Friday!!!

Anyway, Saturday afternoon when I got back from the races I got under the car again and found all the culprits!!!

The front hanger on the front pipe contacts the cross brace...those hangers are really thick. And the hanger on the rear section right over the rear subframe was still contacting, but in two different areas. I really need to take pictures. I'll try to post some tomorrow. But the resolution was to make rubber isolators out of thick rubber hose. I wrapped the hangers that were contacting the brace and subframe with trimmed pieces of rubber hose and I capped the end of the rear subframe hanger with another piece of the hose.

I went back racing Sunday and the exhaust was solid!!! Not a rattle or clunk anywhere!!! It's perfect now!!!

The real fix would be to grind away some of the thickness of the hangers to make a larger clearance and shorten one of the hanger overall length.

I'll try to take some pics soon...

 

[AutoXRacer]

Oops, I forgot to comment on power...

This car has too much power...I can no longer feel small changes in horsepower...1st and 2nd gear are a complete waste... 3rd is when the car starts pulling. The car feels faster...though I believe its due to the new exhaust tone making it sound so much meaner!!! Damn thing rivals Corvette modded exhausts... I am now getting attention from Corvette, Mustang, BMW M3, etc...owners. It really sounds amazing.

As far as power, like I said I can't tell...it might have gained something, but I honestly can not tell.