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[Victorofhavoc]

Well, Borla exhaust arrived today... The curse of the Integra continues...

I knew I was getting into a slip fit exhaust so I wasn't expecting quality there, but I was disappointed to find the tubing has seams everywhere, globs of rough welding, mountains of shavings inside the piping, and the general exterior is pretty scratched up. Most of this is trivial and meaningless, but the seamed pipe has a likelihood to rust. The most disappointing thing is that the helmholtz resonator has a bunch of metal shavings inside of it and they rattle tremendously any time the exhaust moves at all. I can't imagine that would be silent once on the car.

I sent an email to Borla, so we'll see what they say.

@egxflash did yours come with all the metal shavings and rattling from the muffler section?

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[Victorofhavoc]

 

[egxflash]

Well, Borla exhaust arrived today... The curse of the Integra continues...

I knew I was getting into a slip fit exhaust so I wasn't expecting quality there, but I was disappointed to find the tubing has seams everywhere, globs of rough welding, mountains of shavings inside the piping, and the general exterior is pretty scratched up. Most of this is trivial and meaningless, but the seamed pipe has a likelihood to rust. The most disappointing thing is that the helmholtz resonator has a bunch of metal shavings inside of it and they rattle tremendously any time the exhaust moves at all. I can't imagine that would be silent once on the car.

I sent an email to Borla, so we'll see what they say.

@egxflash did yours come with all the metal shavings and rattling from the muffler section?

Since they used my car to test fit, I left the car with Borla and they installed everything on for me. From what I could see underneath the car, I don't have those issues, but to be fair I didn't see inside the pipes.

No rattling for me either (at least not from the exhaust - interior pieces is a different story). For what it's worth, here's a piece of info I gleaned during this whole exchange: when I asked what I'd be getting - a prototype or the production, he said the prototype but that's probably best for me since they have to get that one perfect for them to base their scans or whatever off of. Now, whether that's true or not, I'm not sure.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Since they used my car to test fit, I left the car with Borla and they installed everything on for me. From what I could see underneath the car, I don't have those issues, but to be fair I didn't see inside the pipes.

No rattling for me either (at least not from the exhaust - interior pieces is a different story). For what it's worth, here's a piece of info I gleaned during this whole exchange: when I asked what I'd be getting - a prototype or the production, he said the prototype but that's probably best for me since they have to get that one perfect for them to base their scans or whatever off of. Now, whether that's true or not, I'm not sure.

Ahh, I gotcha.

Yes they're correct. Once they create the model, each stamp out from the factory after is going to be + or - some range within a spec. For example, my exhaust tips are slightly closer on the left two than the right two. By about 2mm, which almost no one would notice.

I was able to get my smaller shopvac attached to some 3/8" hosing and get the hose into the res. With a lot of shaking and suction I pulled quite a few metal bits out. It's finally not rattling, but there's about 2 or 3 small granules left.

Here's an example of the size of the bits of metal coming off:

 

[egxflash]

Ahh, I gotcha.

Yes they're correct. Once they create the model, each stamp out from the factory after is going to be + or - some range within a spec. For example, my exhaust tips are slightly closer on the left two than the right two. By about 2mm, which almost no one would notice.

I was able to get my smaller shopvac attached to some 3/8" hosing and get the hose into the res. With a lot of shaking and suction I pulled quite a few metal bits out. It's finally not rattling, but there's about 2 or 3 small granules left.

Here's an example of the size of the bits of metal coming off:

I wouldn't be very happy myself if I got what you got tbh. I hope Borla makes it right for you. They're good folks and they're a local company so I'm rooting for them but there's enough competition out there now.

 

[optronix]

Wow, not at all what I would have expected! Borla was my first choice, but as I've said probably far too many times on this board, I went with the new Invidia Q300 pretty much due to price, and at least on the surface there does seem to be a degree of quality that's missing in other systems.

I was considering possibly exploring getting the Borla down the line and trying to sell the Q300 because I still think the Borla sounds the best of all the systems I've listened to in videos, but perhaps not anymore. Still pretty pleased with the Q300.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Borla was willing to send me a new muffler section but they were a couple weeks backed up. They were able to tell me what the inside of the muffler and helmholtz looked like, so that helped me visualize where the metal was.

After a lot more vigorous shaking the metal chunks fell out and now there's no major noises from the helmholtz.

They did confirm the welds were consistent with their manufacturing process and they stand by the function more than the appearance.

It's not quite the product I'd expect for the price, but as far as sound goes I don't see any other companies doing sound tuning to this degree. I'm excited to hear it once it actually goes on!

I went ahead and painted the muffler section with header paint because I want it to blend more. Primer, black, and satin clear coat.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Well, it's installed. I'm a borla believer now. The pitch is slightly higher with the helmholtz, and in comfort it's louder but a bit more pitchy (good thing). Not so much louder that it's obnoxious but loud enough to hear it cruising along now. Sport and sport + it's a lot louder. The bangs are more noticeable, but I feel in sport it's more than good enough for the street now. It doesn't sound sanitized anymore, which is fantastic!

 

[egxflash]

Well, it's installed. I'm a borla believer now. The pitch is slightly higher with the helmholtz, and in comfort it's louder but a bit more pitchy (good thing). Not so much louder that it's obnoxious but loud enough to hear it cruising along now. Sport and sport + it's a lot louder. The bangs are more noticeable, but I feel in sport it's more than good enough for the street now. It doesn't sound sanitized anymore, which is fantastic!

Comfort is pretty damn comfortable isn't it? I think it's between stock comfort and stock sport with it being closer to comfort.

I definitely agree with you on sport mode being good for everyday cruising. On the stock exhaust I was on sport+ 100% of the time but it pops and bangs a TON on sport+ now.

Curious - what'd you think about the two smaller tips on the side? A lot of people on here were super against it at first (and I wasn't crazy about it either) but I've grown to like it.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Comfort is pretty damn comfortable isn't it? I think it's between stock comfort and stock sport with it being closer to comfort.

I definitely agree with you on sport mode being good for everyday cruising. On the stock exhaust I was on sport+ 100% of the time but it pops and bangs a TON on sport+ now.

Curious - what'd you think about the two smaller tips on the side? A lot of people on here were super against it at first (and I wasn't crazy about it either) but I've grown to like it.

I'm still working my way into the break in, so I think comfort is closer to where sport was before, but I do think it will warm up a bit and soften as it gets miles and probably move more towards comfort.

I actually like comfort a lot now! For zipping through busy traffic it's the perfect volume.

When no one was around the other night during a takeout run, I had a blast in sport+. I don't think that would fly in traffic without scaring or angering people ?.

You know, I didn't like the tip design in photos but it's grown on me in person. I don't even notice they're different sizes and the rolled edge helps minimize their size a bit. I still wish they had a resonated option with a sharp angle edge, but that's always solvable with an Ali express order.

The only downside so far is that you just can't fly under the radar. Even in comfort, every pony car or import with an aftermarket exhaust wants to Rev at me, lol. Lots of attention, especially in a red car.

 

[Victorofhavoc]

Wow, it's been a hot minute since I updated this thread!

Let's see, what has changed... The car has seen a small number of track sessions now (over 50 or so), enough to identify oiling and front camber are definite concerns on a stickier tire! Oil pressure routinely drops as low as 13-17psi. -2.2 camber is not enough for a tire pushing over 1.2G.

I added a wunderladen oil pan and ball joints recently. Fresh oil and all fluids as well. Just need to get the car back from the shop. They had some issues on a dyno because it kept tripping abs and going into limp mode, but I'm hoping we'll sort that out today or tomorrow!

The car made 320 whp or so on a dynojet during the first run before limp mode, though! That's really solid. On a mustang dyno (which I notice Honda people tend to use more), that's about 355whp or so. The 320 means for my TT classing I can still push another 35-40whp or so to aim for an average 345whp via the 4 highest peaks across a 250rpm split. I'll be greatly outclassed by most other drivers because of the lower power range, but hopefully skill closes some of the gap . It's definitely NOT going to be a nationally competitive car... Not without front end aero.

Also, new rubba!

 

[Victorofhavoc]

On another fun note, late last year I stepped up from instructor to official and became the DE2 group leader. I'm now responsible for 12 to 20 students per weekend, educating in a classroom, ensuring they're ready to move up to 3, and grading their tests and such.

It's a fun role! I enjoy seeing people make progress and the discourse when they come off track is always fun, especially with a wide variety of cars and drivers.

If anyone here ever comes out to a NASA MidAmerica event, feel free to reach out! Especially if it's your first time, I'm happy to help get you going

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