The offset muffler pipe of the 96-98 civic EX

[chimchim]

I'm thinking about just getting an ES Tuning universal muffler (black) for the very stockish look. But these are center pipe straight through, and the stock rear bumper cover assumes an offset exit pipe. That means a indent on the bumper that's offset from the center of the two hangers.

With the exception of those of you who have N1 or fireball style bazooka looking mufflers that hang from below the axel (that's just not the look I want), how did you guys with aftermarket exhausts get it to line up?

Or am I gonna have to go for some straight through that's offset? Are there any?

 

[chimchim]

Oh... and if you know any muffler shops in the San Jose, CA area that are reasonable price, do good work, and will do the custom piping to the universal muffler, let me know.

 

[lj17]

i know your not interested in it, but i have the apexi n1 and the pipe goes over the axle. i didn't know if you were confused on that or not, but the piping goes up and over the axle. it also bolted right up and fits in the indent perfectly- just like stock. i have the catback and the hangers were already on though...
but for you problem, i would think you could get it to line up. since you say it is a universal muffler, i assume it has no hangers. even if it is straight through, you might be able to run it towards the indent and fabricate the hangers to fit like the stock ones (offset them so therefor they would line up with the indent). if you have to "bend" the muffler over quite a bit though, that might affect your exhaust flow quite a bit too but then again, if you do that, your exhaust will project at an angle and you probably don't want that if you are going for the stock look. sorry if i didn't really answer your question. i thought i understood the jist of you question, but maybe i didn't. maybe post some pics of the muffler you want? so we can see exactly what you mean?

 

[all go no show]

Ok, i can offer you a pretty good answer... i know what your saying i think.. the pipe exit on the stock muffler is offset meaning your after market muffler just wont line up righ with said hangers. That is understanable being as those hangers are designed specifically for that muffler. ANyway, when i got my first muffler (an alfa otto racing piece) It was at just a regular mechanic that my dad has a long-time business relationship with. This place only knows stock parts. Basically they welded it up to the stock hangers.. (since it was a regular round muffler is lined up fine) But these guys dont have experience with aftermarket tuning. It is important to keep in mind the fact that the stock hangers are placed with the weight of the stock muffler in mind.. which is DRASTICALLY different in size and weight distribution from an after market one. Long story short, bad weight placement caused my precious catback to crack due to road vibration. I then took it to a tuner shop who said if they had done it, they would have fabricated new hangers properly placed for that muffler. Sure, it woulda been more expensive, but it never would have broken and in the long run, i payed a hell of alot more. Keep that in mind~

 

[redsidriver2]

id also like to know of good shops in san jose area.i got a similar problem.. come on nor cal peeps