How do you guys feel about ebay parts?

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AmuseR1
I drive an Acura Integra LS, and im planning on selling it in about a year for a GSR so i can build my dream car, but right now, Im unhappy with the way it sounds. I can't stand the sound of a stock car, espically an Integra. So Im going to give it some exhaust sound, while not spending 600 on a full system. So Im looking REALLY cheap! Maybe 50-100$ on ebay exhaust (not full, not catback, just exhaust) and i have my intake picked out, which i hear is quite loud. But what do you guys think, will a ebay muff give me any sound difference? The one I looked at even had a adjustable silencer, which im sure i can almost adjust all the way out so its abit louder yah?

Thanks guys, and Im on a super tight budget, and not making much cash, so waiting and getting something nice really isnt much of an option, I have horrible budget ways...
 
$50-$100 on an exhaust? I think there's a difference between wanting to save cash & wanting to buy cheap parts.
Chances are it may not even properly fit from my friend's experience.

Pass on it, and go the used route for more well-known exhaust makers.
 
Sounds like what you're looking for is an axel back or just a muffler. To buy off ebay would be alright, but make sure to read the feedback and look for examples of what you want to buy and for your type of car. You'll probably run into fitment issues and possibly quality issues, but thats to be expected at that price.

I say save up for a decent brand name or look for something used on a forum. Either way, good luck. 👍
 
Start off with a good intake, CAI or SRI whatever suits your taste, and see how you like the sound from that. That'll be about $90-$160+.

It honestly makes a huge difference. But i hate exhaust systems, personally. Especially on four-cylinders like yours and mine.
 
If you want a cheap exhaust system just buy a muffler and have an exhaust shop fab you up an exhaust with the proper diameter pipes. Should be relatively cheap. Several people I know have gone that route and as long as the exhaust shop is a good one your system should be fine.

I also see no reason why you should be afraid of getting something off eBay, if the seller's feedback rating is good then go for it. When I had the Blazer the only thing I did not get off of eBay was the lowering kit, everything else was eBay'ed. Also look out for the shipping costs, something might only be $50 but it very well could have a $200 shipping cost. Just a heads up.
 
Take a risk an put a motorcycle end can on!! I am sure the bore is not to different so a little conversion ring will join them. Bike race cans can be had for very cheap. ;-)
 
If you're willing to spend $100 on a used muffler, just go for a new one. I recently had Checker order me a Magnaflow for my '92 Accord (2" in/out to fit stock piping; cost about $100 after tax, ~$15 cheaper than listed on MF's website), and it sounds excellent. Smooth and deep. A lot better than all the ricer cans out there, imo. But to have Meineke weld it on, as well as replace a couple feet of rotted piping, cost about $85.

As far as short ram intakes go, all you really need is a filter. I don't see the brand of filter making much of a difference at all (they all do the same thing, except there's that one popular brand that uses an oil in the filter, which can't be good for your sensors), so I opted for a $20 cone at AutoZone for now. Getting the $100 intakes seems like a waste of money (especially if you're planning on selling the car anyway). The real difference is between CAI and SRI. More power with CAI, but then there's the risk of getting water in there from puddles and rain. I'm probably just going to route some tubing up to my SRI. I'll wait until I swap for an H22 to spend the big bucks.
 
I'll pass PAPPACLART ;)

and Man theres comments coming from everywhere on the ebay to non ebay scale. Ive been told to have a shop fabricate me an axel back so I have zero fitment issues and to free up some power, but Not sure. Maybe Like said, I'll buy intake first, then find a used exhaust.
 
Most fart-can muffler give you a horrible droning, monotone sound that doesn't really change throughout the rev range. On my Civic I simply have all the stock piping in place, but I took off the axle-back muffler at the rear and bolted up a straight pipe in its place. The result is a relatively loud, glorious, flavorful sound that sounds pretty racey in my opinion, changing tones and vibrations even between just a couple hundred rpm. Pretty fantastic.

I can't say yours will do exactly the same, because you engine lacks the big VTEC cam lobes, and might have a different resonator than mine. The resonators Honda put on their VTEC engines create some mighty good sounds in my opinion.

I suggest having a muffler shop fab you up a bolt-on straight axle-back. They might even be able to flare and polish the tip for you to give it a Spec 2 kind of look...

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Yup, just adding a nice muffler to your stock exhaust system will yield a couple of horspower while keeping the cost down.
You'll also have a better sound and like Keef mentioned, will be able to enjoy the sweet resonances of the stock system while keeping within the emissions laws in your area.

On an intake, they're all pretty much the same with a tube and filter on the end. If you're wanting to keep it cheap, just get a short warm air intake where the filter is placed in the engine bay or spend a bit more for the cool air intake placing the filter in the fendewell.
Oh and filters are not the same and you pay for what you get. I've proved this at the track using the 'cheap' auto zone filter in comparison to a K&N filter and there was a tenth of a second difference in my times.
That would equate to about a 10hp difference between the cheap and more expensive filter which to me can also mean better gas mileage too.
So consider a good filter an investment in the car and not just something to put on the end of an intake tube.

Ebay is quite good to purchase from but be an informed buyer with research and careful planning on what you want.
Good luck with your buying. :)
 
I'd suggest going with a Vibrant Streetpower muffler/axleback and taking it to a muffler shop to either get it fitted or a get all new piping put on to match it.
 

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