Vibrant Performance Catback Exhaust Review

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by robinsonda1

I'm in Kaiserslautern about an hour west of Frankfurt. I'm not really worried about the cops here, they don't bother us too much, and yeah taking the Si on the autobahn is really fun. I thought about those other exhausts you mentioned but I like they way the vibrant looks almost stock, I don't want a huge exhaust tip sticking out. I will have to look at them. I f i go with the greddy or apexi and decide to get the vibrant header/cat combo later will it still bolt up?

Sure, the header/cat combo will bolt up to any Cat Back system even stock.
I have the Vibrant Cat Back and like the sound of it. It is actually not all that loud until you get going and once you get on it everyone will know about it It VaROOOMS and Screams when it hits VTEC. Now with a Header that may even get a bit louder yet. Overall the exhaust looks GREAT
and I like the slightly angled doublewalled tip. Not Ricey Looking. Very nice.

I know where Kaiserslautern is. I spend my Vacations in a little village of Einoelen close to Kusel. About a 1/2 train ride from Kaiserslautern.
Very Quiet and scenic area. I like Germany a Lot and go back there every year on business and to see family and friends.

Enjoy your Si and Whichever Exaust you decide on I am sure it will attract attention in the Old Country

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by robinsonda1

I'd love to but it's kind of a long drive.

Awe come on, what's a few thousand miles and a little pond in the middle

[chenslee_cheese]

From my local car forum:

"yes, your si is very loud, lol. I heard you coming towards the highway ramp. I heard it clearly when you punched it from behind me to go around the corvette, from about 6-7 car lengths back and I was doing 75ish. Then as you hauled ass past me and one other car to exit 105. I'm 99.999999% sure that was you anyway, I normally don't like the sound of a 4cyl with that many decimals coming out of its tail pipe, but.... it sounds very formula 1ish. If you could turn the volume down a little but keep the same tone that would be awesome."

Well there you have it, I'm a public nuisance now because of the Vibrant.

I'm considering torching out the straight section just past the header and welding in a traditional glass-pack to help quell the angry bees that are screaming out my tailpipe.

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by chenslee_cheese

From my local car forum:

"yes, your si is very loud, lol. I heard you coming towards the highway ramp. I heard it clearly when you punched it from behind me to go around the corvette, from about 6-7 car lengths back and I was doing 75ish. Then as you hauled ass past me and one other car to exit 105. I'm 99.999999% sure that was you anyway, I normally don't like the sound of a 4cyl with that many decimals coming out of its tail pipe, but.... it sounds very formula 1ish. If you could turn the volume down a little but keep the same tone that would be awesome."

Well there you have it, I'm a public nuisance now because of the Vibrant.

I'm considering torching out the straight section just past the header and welding in a traditional glass-pack to help quell the angry bees that are screaming out my tailpipe.

No angry bees in my tailpipe

What you should do is install a Buddyclub Raceheader. That will really enhance the nice sound already.

[stevenshizzle]

Originally Posted by chenslee_cheese

From my local car forum:

"yes, your si is very loud, lol. I heard you coming towards the highway ramp. I heard it clearly when you punched it from behind me to go around the corvette, from about 6-7 car lengths back and I was doing 75ish. Then as you hauled ass past me and one other car to exit 105. I'm 99.999999% sure that was you anyway, I normally don't like the sound of a 4cyl with that many decimals coming out of its tail pipe, but.... it sounds very formula 1ish. If you could turn the volume down a little but keep the same tone that would be awesome."

Well there you have it, I'm a public nuisance now because of the Vibrant.

I'm considering torching out the straight section just past the header and welding in a traditional glass-pack to help quell the angry bees that are screaming out my tailpipe.

Don't be such a dorkis. There are plenty of videos and sound clips on the internet, including those from my review. If you didn't want the sound of angry bees screaming out of your tailpipe, you shouldn't have gotten it. If not that, then get a vehicle with a larger displacement engine.

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by stevenshizzle

Don't be such a dorkis. There are plenty of videos and sound clips on the internet, including those from my review. If you didn't want the sound of angry bees screaming out of your tailpipe, you shouldn't have gotten it. If not that, then get a vehicle with a larger displacement engine.

Steve has a great review of the Vibrant Exhaust that made me finally get one And I do love the way the exhaust sounds.
No bees coming out of my tailpipe unless it is a 300 pound bumblebee telling everyone to get the hell out of my way

[chenslee_cheese]

I discovered last night that:

A. The tip was sitting too high, off center, and the muffler was rotated slightly.

B. Due to the above, my bumper had melted onto the tip.

I checked all my hangers and the clamp to see if there was some way to adjust the tip height that I had missed, but everything was fixed, so I pulled the muffler section. If you look at the stock muffler hangers, they are centered over the tailpipe. The Vibrant muffler hangers are offset and crooked. They are not parallel with the muffler or even parallel with themselves.

After removing the blackened bumper from the tip using a blowtorch, a fork, and some steel wool, I attempted to adjust the Vibrant hangers with a cheater pipe. Of course, this just dented the muffler where the hangers were welded. I haven't re-installed because I still need to dremmel off the scorched portion of my bumper, but I doubt that it will be centered when I do.

I understand that this exhaust was designed to be used with an Si that still has it's catalytic converter, and that is where my volume problems are coming from, but crooked, off-center, bumper melting tips are ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

[Anubis]

Originally Posted by chenslee_cheese

I discovered last night that:

A. The tip was sitting too high, off center, and the muffler was rotated slightly.

B. Due to the above, my bumper had melted onto the tip.

I checked all my hangers and the clamp to see if there was some way to adjust the tip height that I had missed, but everything was fixed, so I pulled the muffler section. If you look at the stock muffler hangers, they are centered over the tailpipe. The Vibrant muffler hangers are offset and crooked. They are not parallel with the muffler or even parallel with themselves.

After removing the blackened bumper from the tip using a blowtorch, a fork, and some steel wool, I attempted to adjust the Vibrant hangers with a cheater pipe. Of course, this just dented the muffler where the hangers were welded. I haven't re-installed because I still need to dremmel off the scorched portion of my bumper, but I doubt that it will be centered when I do.

I understand that this exhaust was designed to be used with an Si that still has it's catalytic converter, and that is where my volume problems are coming from, but crooked, off-center, bumper melting tips are ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.

I soft of had the same problem, but was able to fix mine before it became an issue. I would maybe try a different hanger by the muffler, one that would allow the tip to sit slightly lower. I think any autoparts store sells them IIRC.

[JRM_FG2]

i just got my vibrant exhaust but havent installed it. now im worried about it melting my bumper, has this happened to anyone esle?

[stevenshizzle]

not to me. nothing but complete satisfaction on my end. it seems some people have problems such as incorrectly installed hangers and dents. For me and for a good number of others though, just satisfaction.

you could always by dc sports

[JRM_FG2]

ok cool, hope mine has no probs. o and im not buying a DC im not crazy.

[Tom1222]

Originally Posted by JRM_FG2

i just got my vibrant exhaust but havent installed it. now im worried about it melting my bumper, has this happened to anyone esle?

No problem with my System either. Maybe the Metal hangers slightly bent during shipping. You can always take the Muffler off and bent the hangers up a bit. I think there is one guy that had the same problem and that fixed his issue. Meassure the distance from the tip to the bumper. it should be at least 3/4 of an inch to an inch clearance. If not you need to bend those hangers. I don't think it matters if you have a cat or not. The tip should not sit that close that it can melt bumpers.

Also the muffler does sit a bit in an angle. That is perfectly normal.
The tip however should be straight.

[JRM_FG2]

Originally Posted by Tom1222

No problem with my System either. Maybe the Metal hangers slightly bent during shipping. You can always take the Muffler off and bent the hangers up a bit. I think there is one guy that had the same problem and that fixed his issue. Meassure the distance from the tip to the bumper. it should be at least 3/4 of an inch to an inch clearance. If not you need to bend those hangers. I don't think it matters if you have a cat or not. The tip should not sit that close that it can melt bumpers.

Also the muffler does sit a bit in an angle. That is perfectly normal.
The tip however should be straight.

thanks ill definately keep that in mind when i get it installed.

[Tom1222]

Install it yourself. It's about an hour job if you take your time and it is very very easy. That way you can be sure it is done right and make sure the tip wont touch your bumper which it shouldn't.

[stevenshizzle]

Tip: Using a butter found in the kitchen will help you slide the hangers in. Also helps as a quick shine on those track days.

[robinsonda1]

Just ordered mine, lets see how it goes.

[inyong1988]

Originally Posted by robinsonda1

Just ordered mine, lets see how it goes.

are you located in Germany?

[robinsonda1]

Yeah, for the next 9 months anyway.

[inyong1988]

Just buy it. yall will love it.

[robinsonda1]

Originally Posted by inyong1988

Just buy it. yall will love it.

I was going back and forth between the Vibrant and the Tanabe for a while and finaly decided on the Vibrant because it was cheaper and cheaper to ship. I am sure I will be pleased.