Vibrant Performance Catback Exhaust Review

[nyblksi]

Well I got mine 2day and they didn't send the clamp! Dammit

I won't be getting the clamp til tuesday

[carter21]

They said there was a total of seven that didn't get the clamp. I happen to be the first.

[Tom1222]

Is this mysterious clamp only available from Vibrant? Why not contact your local Muffler shop and ask them if they have one?
One Clamp can't cost that much.
And you wouldn't have to wait until Tuesday.

[Tom1222]

What does that V-Clamp look like anyhow? Is it just a wide Band Clamp that holds the two pieces together?

[vibrantdon]

Originally Posted by stevenshizzle

REVIEW [UPDATED 2 MARCH, 9:47AM CST]
Fit and Finish Concerns:
Upon taking delivery of the exhaust, the first thing that I noticed was that the resonator pipe and the cat connector pipe (if that's what it's called) did not have flanges. It was brought to my attention that I was missing a clamp. Although this was indicative of poor quality control on Vibrant's part, their customer service more than makes up for this. I spoke to Darick at Vibrant Performance regarding this problem. The quality of his customer service is the tip of the sword.

The Vibrant Performance Catback Exhaust for the 2006-2007 Honda Civic Si Coupe is supposed to ship with a clamp. Why not have the two pieces welded together or flanged from the factory? If they were welded, they would significantly increase the size of the packaging and reduce customer flexibility. If they were flanged, it would significantly increase the price of the exhuast. Clamping the two pieces together was the best mix of flexibility, packaging, and price. Vibrant Performance is confident that the 5" clamp will be a part of the packaging of all exhausts shipped to vendors from here on out. The two pieces do not slide into eacthother, they are merely clamped. Vibrant performance offered to have this part delivered to me, I told them that I would either be having the two pieces flanged or welded together.

Upon careful consideration, I've decided that I'm going to have the two pieces welded together. I'm confident that I won't be removing this exhaust after I install it. I would prefer welding to a mechanical coupling. If I ever feel that I want to take it off, I'll simply have it cut for a couple of bucks. At 2.5" diameter and 95db, I doubt that I'll have any reason to remove this exhaust.

Vendors and Customers
If your Vibrant Performance exhaust is missing a clamp, or you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Derick at Vibrant Performance directly at (905) 564-2808 ext. 237.

Exhaust will be installed later today. Stay tuned for the style, sound, and performance components of this review...

RECEIVING

INSTALLATION PROCESS
Installation is not yet complete. Because I am not doing the install myself, I may not be able to take pictures and/or video. Stay tuned.

INSTALLED PICTURES AND VIDEOS
Installation is not yet complete. Stay tuned.

Hello Everyone,

We would like to take this opportunity to apologize for confusion we have caused and provide some details to clear up any misinformation regarding our new Si exhaust system.

Firstly, our Civic Si exhaust system (Part #1626) is a 3 piece “bolt on” system. This kit includes:

- a 2 piece intermediate pipe that is joined together with a T304 stainless steel exhaust clamp.
- a rear muffler section that connects to the intermediate pipe.
- Installation Hardware (2 gaskets, 6 nuts/bolts)

http://vibrantperformance.com/catalo...1030_1050_1102

Originally, it was our intention to supply the intermediate pipe as 1 long piece. However, our production department made a decision to split up the mid pipe into two pieces prior to manufacturing the first batch of these exhaust systems. We chose to split the mid pipe up and connect them with a clamp for both cost and packaging reasons. This change has no impact on ease of installation, product quality, horsepower gains or sound quality.

Unfortunately, our maketing department issued press releases with images of this exhaust system being a 2 piece system. This was an error. Our production team did not mention this important change to our marketing department and that's why incorrect images of this exhaust system got released to our dealers and posted on the internet (including on our own website).

Further confusion was caused by the fact that a few of the initial Civic Si systems that were shipped out did not include the exhaust clamp to connect the intermediate pipe. Again, this was our mistake. Because of this, several customers were confused about installation and went ahead with their own installation solutions (i.e. welding together etc…). We have since rectified the problem and now all Civic Si systems shipping out of our warehouse include the necessary sleeve clamp in every kit.

When you receive your Vibrant Performance Civic Si exhaust system, please check and see if there is a sleeve clamp included in your kit. If any hardware is missing, please contact us immediately and we will have a clamp shipped to you immediately.

Again, we apologize for any issues this may have caused. Feel free to contact us at (905) 564 2808 if you have any other questions or concerns.

Your opinions are important to us; we value them and thank you for your support!

Best regards,
The Vibrant Performance Team

[nyblksi]

Originally Posted by Tom1222

What does that V-Clamp look like anyhow? Is it just a wide Band Clamp that holds the two pieces together?

[Tom1222]

Steve, what's up? Did you get this baby installed or what? We are waiting for pics, videos, soundclips and Vibrant the Motion Picture

Don't let us hanging... Or you might loose the Academy awards.

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by nyblksi

So you better crank that sucker down so that band clamp doesn't slip.
I think I rather weld that piece just to be sure.

[stevenshizzle]

Bump. Review updated. Pictures uploaded. Videos being uploaded as I type. Sorry for the delay, I got caught up in my social life :P

[Tim620X]

2nd vids. not working yet... and we need to hear this thing WOT hitting v-tec! I'm really eager to hear how it sounds... I've heard several clips before but the guy wasn't really hitting it hard, just revving to like 5K and stuff.

[stevenshizzle]

Originally Posted by Tim620X

2nd vids. not working yet... and we need to hear this thing WOT hitting v-tec! I'm really eager to hear how it sounds... I've heard several clips before but the guy wasn't really hitting it hard, just revving to like 5K and stuff.

try 3rd - 4th gear pass

Listen guys. I know they're short videos, and I might not be hitting 118mph in them. I cannot take the risk of being arrested by the police for reckless driving and/or street racing. I get demoted or discharged for stuff like that. I've worked much too hard to loose all of that! I'll try to have a friend take a flyby video when we get the chance

[Team Midnight]

stevenshizzle glad to see your enjoying the exahust as much as I did congrats sounds awsome!

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by stevenshizzle

Bump. Review updated. Pictures uploaded. Videos being uploaded as I type. Sorry for the delay, I got caught up in my social life :P

Don't you know that you can't have a social life until you release
"Vibrant the Motion Picture"

Overall do you like the exhaust and would you buy it again? How much did the muffler shop charge you? Since if I am getting this exhaust I will be getting it welded as well. I don't trust that band clamp.

Thanks again for your review.

[stevenshizzle]

Originally Posted by Tom1222

Overall do you like the exhaust and would you buy it again? How much did the muffler shop charge you? Since if I am getting this exhaust I will be getting it welded as well. I don't trust that band clamp.

Thanks again for your review.

I would buy this exhaust again, and I would pick no other exhaust over this one. Muffler shop charged $75. Go with the weld, I'm sure you won't regret it.

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by stevenshizzle

I would buy this exhaust again, and I would pick no other exhaust over this one. Muffler shop charged $75. Go with the weld, I'm sure you won't regret it.

+1 for Honest opinion and taken the time for great review and pics

[Skin441]

I was wondering if you could give me the length of the piping off of your stock exhaust. From cat flange to axle flange. I have the sedan and from the pictures I have seen the exhasut is almost identical except for the length. I could easily weld a 4 inch or whatever length needed connecting pipe since the Vibrant has a three piece system. Anyways, this information would be great.

[stevenshizzle]

I'm sorry, I let them keep the factory piping, I don't need it anymore :I Not sure about the lengths.

[Tom1222]

Did you keep the stock axle back muffler? You can easily sell it to someone with an EX.

[stevenshizzle]

no

[Skin441]

Thats ok. Can anyone else with the coupe help me out. I just need the length from the cat to axle flange. I cant find it anywhere.