Bummed so far with FL5 aftermarket exhaust sound

22Si

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Remark has unmatched build quality for their exhausts, both the titanium and stainless steel varieties, obviously this is my opinion. I'm also a huge fan of exhausts that have bolt-up flanges rather than the ones that are slip-fit. I will say that I helped a buddy install a Magnaflow exhaust recently, and the tone was deep, and I thought it sounded really good. The Magnaflow exhaust uses v-band flanges which is a step in the right direction over a slip-fit exhaust.

The trouble with most exhaust videos is the microphone that people use to capture the sound. Oftentimes the high pass filter cancels out the deeper tones, so it's difficult to get a good representation of what the exhaust actually sounds like. Next time I'm around my buddy I'll try to record his exhaust with a 32 bit float microphone so that we get ALL of the sound without interference from high pass and low pass filters.
First, thank you for all your videos that you do. You bring up a great point about the mic, the next part is how everyone listen. Many using the crappy phone speaker or cheap headphones.


If a DP is ever in your future. Just do a dp + front pipe and be done with it. I heard a fl5 in person with this set up and it sounded good (for a 4 banger).

Shiiiiit, dp and front pipe is cheaper than a catback tbh. And there are gains up top with a front pipe and catback. For sure. But I bet there’s more gains reducing that back pressure in the dp. I dunno if the turbo will accidentally spool a little too quick and set off a cel but that doesn’t seem like the case. Worse case U can just tune for it? Tho I don’t think this is gonna be a thing. Folks here never complained about it being a thing.
This! One of the biggest considerations with an aftermarket exhauat. Will you change your downpipe? As that will considerably change your exhaust sound.

I also always think about how it is cheaper and beneficial to go with a downpipe and tune vs an exhaust. Im just leery of voiding my warranty this early on.

HKS has another exhaust in the works.

I saw this video back when it was released. This one instance wouldn't immediately dissaude me if I were interested in this exhaust. More data points need to be gathered before summarily dismissing it from my consideration set.

I would ask people who have the exhaust about these items raised in the video. I often find certain "issues" are raised and they are in fact, non-issues. I would also inquire directly with SEEKER as they may have a perspective that could put you at ease. The low(er) hanging midpipe could be operator error. Same for the exhaust valve. Also, with the exhaust valve, even if it is a little noisy, you likely wouldn't hear it in the cabin when driving the car. One could also view it as a quirk or feature, similar to the wastegate rattle. Too much to unpack here before moving on IMHO. There are over 40 exhaust systems available for the FL5 and this one is in my top 5.

So i listened multiple times and cannot tell what the sound is from. Also it is heavily modified I think.
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beaterfl5

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yea its challenging, you may want to consider downpipe frontpipe and unplugging exhaust valve fuse and see how you like that.

outside of that the only two exhaust systems in my opinion that come anywhere close to what you are describing are the Borla Atak and HKS legamax/hipower
I’d lump remark in there as well. I have the dual tip stainless steel and it’s pretty throaty
 

MC BumSlap

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I've heard the Apex'i N1 in person and it sounded pretty good. I didn't ask if the owner changed the frontpipe or downpipe though. It's high on my list.

However...I think the resonator delete seems the way to go as well as the frontpipe change with the valve open.

As for making 4-cylinders sound good with an exhaust...opinions vary. Yes, of course they will never sound as awesome as a V8 or V12.

I had a 2000 Civic Si with AEM CAI, DC Sports 4-2-1 header and GReddy EVO exhaust and it sounded deep and fantastic. I had a lot of complements when I had the car. Should have never sold it.
 

MooMoo

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its not so much the 4cyl but turbo 4cyl, there are a good amount of 4cyls that sound good. This is not just a problem with 4cyls, bmw inline 6s with the twin turbos sound just meh too.

It is what it is though. I still rather have an exhaust than nothing at all, that said I don't want too much drone or too loud. I think someone described the fl5 aftermarket exhausts perfectly, they don't really refine the sound they just make shit louder. So its a fine line btw a little louder without sound like total crap. This is why removing resonators on these cars is so successful.

I personally have the Milltek, I like it, its a bit too loud and I should probably put the resonator in vs running it in the straight pip config. I will say that with the valve closed it sounds good enough to me, valve open its very roudy but nice to be able to press a button and choose what I want to do/can quite it down on certain tracks that have a sound limit.

Id love to listen to the akrapovich exhaust and see their take on this platform.


The VIR track day crowd that is meeting up in May got something planned, since we will have a bunch of type Rs together and I would wager that at least 50% of them will have an exhaust, we wiill get some exhaust sounds all recorded with the same high quality mic so at least people can have an idea of what different exhausts sound like.

So far that I know exhausts that will be there, remark ti, spoon, milltek, magnaflow, tomei.
 


apl360

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its not so much the 4cyl but turbo 4cyl, there are a good amount of 4cyls that sound good. This is not just a problem with 4cyls, bmw inline 6s with the twin turbos sound just meh too.

It is what it is though. I still rather have an exhaust than nothing at all, that said I don't want too much drone or too loud. I think someone described the fl5 aftermarket exhausts perfectly, they don't really refine the sound they just make shit louder. So its a fine line btw a little louder without sound like total crap. This is why removing resonators on these cars is so successful.

I personally have the Milltek, I like it, its a bit too loud and I should probably put the resonator in vs running it in the straight pip config. I will say that with the valve closed it sounds good enough to me, valve open its very roudy but nice to be able to press a button and choose what I want to do/can quite it down on certain tracks that have a sound limit.

Id love to listen to the akrapovich exhaust and see their take on this platform.


The VIR track day crowd that is meeting up in May got something planned, since we will have a bunch of type Rs together and I would wager that at least 50% of them will have an exhaust, we wiill get some exhaust sounds all recorded with the same high quality mic so at least people can have an idea of what different exhausts sound like.

So far that I know exhausts that will be there, remark ti, spoon, milltek, magnaflow, tomei.
Dang that’s a solid idea. Looking fwd to the video
 

Evox787

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I will go with Hybrid Racing or Tanabe (Revel USA) like the sound and will not deal with the JDM hassle! 😂
 

dkhm3

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Took me four tries to find the right one, tried the remark triple tip Q spec, Remark dual tip, hybrid racing and the hks legamax.

Super happy with it, deep tone and no drone.
I’m considering both of remarks you mentioned- dual and triple q. What were your thoughts on them? Is the triple Q too soft ? Thx.
 


pandonsf

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I’m considering both of remarks you mentioned- dual and triple q. What were your thoughts on them? Is the triple Q too soft ? Thx.
the Q spec, had quite a bit of drone, the remark dual sounds good and not as much drone, but i didn't like the tips as much and wanted a bit deeper tone. the HKS Legamax has been perfect for me.
 
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TypeRbuilder

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I'll do that...for now...but will be MAKING MY OWN! :) I actually am working on a titanium front pipe now.....
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