What to do? Looking for your input NE!!

[Phalanx]

Ok, I need some help guys...

Im really, REALLY having trouble deciding what Im gonna do next on my EX.

I need to do something else about my headlights because they are lame... retros are hella expensive, and i dont know much about HIDs (though Mo gave me a good site).

However... I also want to do something with my exhaust. I dont need a whole catback system (but if i have to i will)...

Right now, it goes from the cat to my megan downpipe (not sure on the diameter)... then to the stock midpipe/resonator (smaller diameter)... then to the OEM Si muffler (pretty much same diameter as downpipe).

Now, going big -> small -> big i have to believe may actually be hurting my airflow... thus losing power. I want to remedy this by getting a larger midpipe... BUT... its nearly impossible to find someone willing to sell just the midpipe.

I love the sound i get now, a more deep tone... because im not fond of the 'fart can' muffler sound... but i realize i wont keep the same tone with a thicker midpipe. i also like the stock look of the Si muffler and dont really want to look like i have a coffee can sticking out from under my bumper.

furthermore... from what ive read, it seems that the OEM Si muffler is pretty restrictive... and again... if im going with bigger pipes... that kind of defeats the purpose.

headlights or ehxuast... if exhaust... what to do?

im so lost on what to do!!! help!!!!
___________________________________

if you want to know exactly the sound/look that i do NOT want.... http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...t=MOV00476.flv

[Xtreme Thunder]

I am EXTREMELY picky myself with exhausts, which is probably why I left it alone when I had my EX as I did not what that, raspy, poppy, "fart can" sound. I was always looking for exhausts for it. I listened to many combinations on youtube, although it is hard to tell when not in person. Some just sound like crap within the first 2 seconds of the vid, while some sounded decent, until they let off the gas...popping and raspy...ugh.

SO...I decided to do a PnP HID kit, retros are expensive at the moment for me as well. Chris, speak to a few people in here regarding them, Ricky, Ryan and Ryan, Mo, Paul...etc. I will give mine, and had my reasons to go with them. I wanted a well known company, so I went with McCulloch from HID-SIN I paid $309 shipped, with the upgraded harness, 6000K lights (9006 low beam style). Can you get PnP HIDs cheaper, YES! Shop around do more research. Did I pay for a BRANDED item, most likely 100+ more then I should have, but that was my decision. I can't wait to install them into my FA5. They were awesome in the FG1!!!

Some kits come with an upgraded wire harness that draws power directly from your battery, nice feature to have. Some come with it included, some charge extra for it.

4300K color temp will give you them most light output (lumens = measure of light)...5000K, 6000K, 8000K, 10,000K, 12000K will give you less light output respectively, but display different color....whitish > blusih > purpleish...respectively...

Post the ones you are interested in...

Philips Ballasts must be generation 3 or greater...is what I found in research.

They are no retros, but they do the job better than halogen, and you look cooler...lol

PnP links off the top of my head:

Xenon Depot

HID-SIN

Flashtek

3BSpecialties


I want to thank Ricky, Mo, Ryan, Ryan, and Will for all my help...

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by Xtreme Thunder

I am EXTREMELY picky myself with exhausts, which is probably why I left it alone when I had my EX as I did not what that, raspy, poppy, "fart can" sound. I was always looking for exhausts for it. I listened to many combinations on youtube, although it is hard to tell when not in person. Some just sound like crap within the first 2 seconds of the vid, while some sounded decent, until they let off the gas...popping and raspy...ugh.

SO...I decided to do a PnP HID kit, retros are expensive at the moment for me as well. Chris, speak to a few people in here regarding them, Ricky, Ryan and Ryan, Mo, Paul...etc. I will give mine, and had my reasons to go with them. I wanted a well known company, so I went with McCulloch from HID-SIN I paid $309 shipped, with the upgraded harness, 6000K lights (9006 low beam style). Can you get PnP HIDs cheaper, YES! Shop around do more research. Did I pay for a BRANDED item, most likely 100+ more then I should have, but that was my decision. I can't wait to install them into my FA5. They were awesome in the FG1!!!

Some kits come with an upgraded wire harness that draws power directly from your battery, nice feature to have. Some come with it included, some charge extra for it.

4300K color temp will give you them most light output (lumens = measure of light)...5000K, 6000K, 8000K, 10,000K, 12000K will give you less light output respectively, but display different color....whitish > blusih > purpleish...respectively...

Post the ones you are interested in...

Philips Ballasts must be generation 3 or greater...is what I found in research.

They are no retros, but they do the job better than halogen, and you look cooler...lol

Wow, thanks for the info!

If i do HID i'm gonna go with the pure white 43000k color temp. Mo gave a good site that comes with everything I need.

Yea, im far too picky with exhaust sounds. but I LOVE the way it sounds right now with my Megan DP and Si axleback... if i can confirm that im not LOSING any power, then ill keep it the same. But if i AM losing power... something has got to be done about that.

[Xtreme Thunder]

My original post updated.

[Xtreme Thunder]

Originally Posted by PhalanX

Wow, thanks for the info!

If i do HID i'm gonna go with the pure white 43000k color temp. Mo gave a good site that comes with everything I need.

Yea, im far too picky with exhaust sounds. but I LOVE the way it sounds right now with my Megan DP and Si axleback... if i can confirm that im not LOSING any power, then ill keep it the same. But if i AM losing power... something has got to be done about that.

N/P Chris...

[Phalanx]

Originally Posted by Xtreme Thunder

PnP links off the top of my head:

Xenon Depot

HID-SIN

I forget Mo's site and Ryan's site they had me look at...

I want to thank Ricky, Mo, Ryan, Ryan, and Will for all my help...

http://www.fashtek.com

[Xtreme Thunder]

Originally Posted by PhalanX

http://www.fashtek.com

Added Mo's and Ryan's (ryryninja's) recommendations to the list!