Tanabe Medallion Concept G axleback installed on EX Coupe

[stevieray]

After numerous consultations with Father Skittles, I decided to take the plunge and see if the Tanabe Medallion Concept G axleback for the Si would fit on my GG EX Coupe. I further decided that it should require the Si gasket & hanger so all was ordered all on 8/25. Got the Si parts several days ago & UPS was scheduled for a "signature required" delivery today so I stopped by the local UPS terminal on the way to work and picked it up this AM.

I then ran by my tech's shop and in less than 10 minutes, the deed was done. Stock exhaust off and Tanabe on. First impressions:

(1) Love the look. The 3.25" slant tip fits the rear of the Civic nicely and the SUS304 stainless adds a little shine. The canister is not huge, either. If subtle is what you're after, this is the one.

(2) Love the sound. Pretty much like a stock Si which is what I was going for. So far, no drone and a nice, moderately deep rumble at takeoff. Definitely not a fart can or a box of bees. If you're looking for a loud, agressive exhaust, look elsewhere.

(3) Easy install. Two people with a lift can install this in 10 minutes and that's from the time you pull on the lift to the time you lower the car. You do need one person to properly line up the Tanabe while the other person tightens the bolts, however. The Tanabe has a flat flange so you can reuse the bolts & springs from the OEM. I bought an Si hanger and used it but it looks exactly the same as the EX one so that should be considered an option.


Pics to follow tonight after I get home and get out the digital camera...

[FujiBlueSi]

Originally Posted by stevieray

After numerous consultations with Father Skittles, I decided to take the plunge and see if the Tanabe Medallion Concept G axleback for the Si would fit on my GG EX Coupe. I further decided that it should require the Si gasket & hanger so all was ordered all on 8/25. Got the Si parts several days ago & UPS was scheduled for a "signature required" delivery today so I stopped by the local UPS terminal on the way to work and picked it up this AM.

I then ran by my tech's shop and in less than 10 minutes, the deed was done. Stock exhaust off and Tanabe on. First impressions:

(1) Love the look. The 3.25" slant tip fits the rear of the Civic nicely and the SUS304 stainless adds a little shine. The canister is not huge, either. If subtle is what you're after, this is the one.

(2) Love the sound. Pretty much like a stock Si which is what I was going for. So far, no drone and a nice, moderately deep rumble at takeoff. Definitely not a fart can or a box of bees. If you're looking for a loud, agressive exhaust, look elsewhere.

(3) Easy install. Two people with a lift can install this in 10 minutes and that's from the time you pull on the lift to the time you lower the car. You do need one person to properly line up the Tanabe while the other person tightens the bolts, however. The Tanabe has a flat flange so you can reuse the bolts & springs from the OEM. I bought an Si hanger and used it but it looks exactly the same as the EX one so that should be considered an option.


Pics to follow tonight after I get home and get out the digital camera...

A couple of people here have installed stock Si axle backs on their DX/LX/EX coupes and they seemed to fit with little to no problems so it isn't a surprise that the Tanabe works. Nice review though. Looking foward to those pics.

[skittleslegend]

Sweeeeeeeeet Just waiting on my EG exhaust now

[YOGIx213]

Skittles,

What would be the difference in performance between an axle back and the cat-back exhaust? I'm deciding between the Magnaflow cat-back and now this.

Thanks!

[peliROJO]

Yeah, we just need this done with a cat-back. I'm too chicken to be the first.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by FujiBlueSi

A couple of people here have installed stock Si axle backs on their DX/LX/EX coupes and they seemed to fit with little to no problems so it isn't a surprise that the Tanabe works. Nice review though. Looking foward to those pics.

Yeah, knowing that the stock Si exhaust would work is kind of why I went in this direction. I'm just not enthralled with Magnaflow being my only choice for a R18 catback right now. Not that Magnaflow's not decent, I just like the Concept G better. I figure if and when Tanabe comes out with theirs, I can always add the resonator & B-pipe and convert it. If not, oh well...

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by peliROJO

Yeah, we just need this done with a cat-back. I'm too chicken to be the first.

peliROJO, my understanding is that there would have to be some surgery done to get any of the existing Si catbacks to fit. As in adding an extension to the B-pipe. Don't know if any of the hanger brackets would have to move either. That's probably a Skittles question.

[Retread]

So, no real performance advantage ? Just bling ? and another, "look what I have" conversation piece?

[stevieray]

This is what it looks like out of the box:





Installed pics to follow...

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by Retread

So, no real performance advantage ? Just bling ? and another, "look what I have" conversation piece?

Nope. I just like the way it looks & sounds. Wouldn't necessarily call it "bling". Sorry it doesn't meet your approval. :rolleyes:

[Retread]

Originally Posted by stevieray

Nope. I just like the way it looks & sounds. Wouldn't necessarily call it "bling". Sorry it doesn't meet your approval. :rolleyes:

I never said it didn't meet my approval. Just curious why you would spend your money on something that just looks cool. But, you answered my question.

[peliROJO]

Dang, that tip looks huge! Get a picture of it with you sticking your fist in it. I'm serious.

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by peliROJO

Dang, that tip looks huge! Get a picture of it with you sticking your fist in it. I'm serious.

It looks larger than it actually is. It's in proportion to the Civic rear end, though.

[07CivicSi]

keep us updated yo!

[stevieray]

Aight. Here's some installed pics:







Not bad, eh? And no, I can't get my fist in it---

[fa1]

Think the rear lip would still fit?

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by fa1

Think the rear lip would still fit?

HFP? Don't see why not but before ya'll rush out to buy the Concept G for the R18, listen up. After driving this thing for a day, I have discovered that there are some drivability issues. Apparently, with the LX/EX b-pipe being a smaller diameter than the pipe for the Tanabe, air flow into the axleback is being restricted and there is a loss of mid-range torque. The powerband is nowhere as linear as with the stock exhaust. Although I love the look and the sound, I'm not going to sacrifice the drivability. The stock exhaust goes back on first thing in the AM and the Tanabe goes on e-Bay. One thing that I am curious about, though---why haven't people that have swapped a stock Si muffler to a LX/EX experienced this?

So, for right now, us R18 owners are limited in our exhaust options. It appears to be either full custom catback, the Magnaflow or muffler only unless Father Skittles experiment with an EG axleback works.

Such is the life of a guinea pig. Live and learn---

[peliROJO]

Haha, I'll take your word about the fist, stevieray. And thanks for being the testbed of this fitment. I'm assuming from your last post that you dyno'd before and after. I really like the unassuming sound and look of the Tanabe and hope they make the proper pipe for us R18's!

[b20eg6hatch]

Is this and axle back or cat back? Also where did you get it and how much? Thank you

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by b20eg6hatch

Is this and axle back or cat back? Also where did you get it and how much? Thank you

It's an axleback and I got it from Kuruma Motorsports. This one's getting ready to go up on e-Bay for $250. Let me know if you want it as it'll probably work great on an Si, just not with the LX/EX.