On February 16th, 2019, Evasive Motorsports posted a picture on their Instagram of the Tomei Type R exhaust for the FK8 platform. The caption read, “coming soon”. At that time, I didn’t know if I was ever going to get a Civic Type R, or that it wouldn’t be for another three years until I actually purchased a Civic Type R, but I knew then, I NEEDED that exhaust!
I wanted this exhaust so badly… I had even thought about purchasing it in 2019 and just storing it until the day came where I owned a Civic Type R. I was afraid that by the time (if ever) I got a Civic Type R, Tomei might have discontinued it. I knew right away that most people wouldn’t be interested in a 3inch straight pipe exhaust for their Type R. And I figured that the other two styles that Tomei makes, The Type D, and Type S would be the more popular ones that most people opted for because these had mufflers.
In 2021, when I was beginning to get serious about buying a Civic Type R and started compiling a list of parts that I wanted to buy when I bought the car. The Tomei Type R was the first part on my list. Unfortunately, after reading many, many hours’ worth of Civic Type R information on the internet. It became very clear that adding exhaust to your Type R, isn’t going to yield much power if any, unless it is tuned. After finding this out, the Tomei Type R exhaust took a back seat, and at that point I then started rewriting my parts list to focus more on cooling modifications.
It was May 2021 when I picked up this thoroughbred race car that you see below. Armed with the information I had read all over the internet, I began to purchase the “essentials”.
Swift springs, RV6 rear sway bar, Cusco braces, Koyo radiator, Acuity hoses, 18×9.5 Regamasters, Brake pads, Brake fluid, SS brake lines, Spoon sports clutch line, Acuity shifter cable bushings, and a First Molding hood.
I was never too concerned with the cars power because quite honestly, it has more than enough power from factory to lay down some good lap times. Plus, I really wanted to Sub2 at Buttonwillow with stock power. I felt this would be a celebrated accomplishment and something that would allow me to add a feather to my cap, so to speak. Unfortunately, nowadays no one really cares how you get a Sub2. They are just concerned that you can go Sub2. I feel like now, I could do a 1:59.9xx in a Porsche 992 GT3 and would get just as much respect as someone who has done it in an Acura Integra with a B series. If you don’t understand the differences there, then you are the problem.
Finally, in March 2022 I was able to accomplish my goal of going Sub2 with stock power, stock exhaust, and stock airbox. If you’re interested in that journey, click the link below.
After accomplishing my Sub2 goal I was finally able to justify buying an exhaust. No, I never pre bought the Tomei type R, but fortunately for me, Import image racing had it in stock and it was shipped to my door days after ordering.
Enough meandering, let’s get into the reason you came here. The install of the Tomei Exhaust.
Starting off you can see what the car looks like with the stock exhaust.
I never had any complaints about the looks of the stock three tips, but I also wasn’t in love with them. I felt like Honda did a good job making them look decent. However, they could have probably done a little more to accentuate the aggressive styling of the car.
I don’t stage the shots with Rigby, I promise. He just walks in the garage and sits in the sun.
Below is what you get in the Tomei box.
Here is what it looks like all unwrapped. I love the pie cuts! It’s also worth mentioning that there is a substantial amount of weight savings to be had with this exhaust. OEM weighs 39lbs. and the Tomei Type R weigh in at 15lbs. sheading 24 lbs. might not sound like a lot but considering that I have also lost 25 lbs. in the last few months. That’s a combined weight savings of nearly 50 lbs. And remember, EVERY OUNCE COUNTS! Especially in this fat pig of a car.
It is somewhat unfortunate that the exhaust has that “bottleneck” where it bolts to the factory front pipe. Trust me, I went back and forth a million times in my head about this. But since the factory exhaust is capable of up to 400hp I doubt the “bottleneck” will have much effect on exhaust flow. I am also not trying to make my car faster; I’m just looking for some sound so I can hear it when on track and add some style. With my helmet on when on track I sometimes hit rev limiter because I simply can’t hear the engine.
Honestly though, I just wanted this exhaust because it looks so damn sexy. Also, ever since I have owned a car, I have wanted it to be loud. Being able to hear the exhaust note as you accelerate really enhances the experience and dramatically increases the fun of driving the car. There is something about the way it can make you smile as you drive under a freeway overpass or blow of the ear drums of the person next to you who is driving like an asshole. Even if you don’t want to admit it, deep down you know having loud exhaust is awesome.
This exhaust (like most JDM brands) was designed to fit a factory front pipe. It must be 2.25 inches where it bolts to the front pipe because the diameter of the front pipe is 2.25 inches. If the Tomei (or any other brand) didn’t “bottleneck” and were three inch all the way, there wouldn’t be a way to bolt it to the factory front pipe. Therefore, most exhaust companies that sell a true 3-inch exhaust, must manufacture a 3-inch front pipe to go along with it.
I started off as I always do, by jacking up the car and placing it on 4 jack stands. Get it as high as possible, you’re going to need some room to roll around under there.
One last look at the OEM tips.
Before even starting this job, do yourself a favor and purchase this tool. It makes such light work of removing those pesky rubber exhaust hangers. I seriously couldn’t believe how easy it made remove them. I’m definitely glad I have this in my tool arsenal now.
Below is what the OEM exhaust looks like on the car. Yes, it is one solid piece from where it bolts to the front pipe, to the muffler.
I did have help remove the exhaust. I wanted to ensure I didn’t bend/dent/scratch any of the exhaust tips. Remember, the OEM exhaust is nearly 40 lbs.
I didn’t do a step-by-step detailed install write up because this is a self-explanatory install. I started by loosely bolting the front most part of the exhaust to the OEM front pipe. Then installed the two center sections and lastly the tapered tip. Make sure to keep all fittings, and hardware loose to ensure you get the tip perfectly centered in the bumper and there is not any sort of rubbing under the car anywhere. You should have no concern though; the exhaust is extremely easy to line up and there in ample room under the car for it all.
Below is what it looks like loosely installed. Make sure you have all rubber exhaust hangers installed and they all have equal amounts of metal exhaust hanger going through them. This will help ensure everything lines up perfectly.
This exhaust has springs that hold each section together and band clamps. You can install all the springs and leave the clamps lose. This way you can twist and shimmy sections to get everything lined up straight. PRO TIP! Use rubber hose to put on the springs to ensure there is no rattling.
Below you can see how I have the spring over the clamp. Make sure yours is this way too.
Once the exhaust is lined up and centered to your liking. Tighten all hardware and clamps, then make sure you thoroughly clean the exhaust completely to ensure you don’t “bake” any fingerprints into it when it gets hot. I use WD40, as recommended by Akropovic for my Ti motorcycle exhaust. You can also use brake cleaner, or denatured alcohol. But because this exhaust is Ti, I chose to use WD40 because I wasn’t sure if brake cleaner or denatured alcohol would damage the Ti.
Wipe WD40 everywhere on the exhaust. I bet you touched a lot more places than you think you did.
IM SO EXCITED!
In conclusion, this exhaust is loud. Like really, really loud. If you are one of those people who ask questions about drone, cabin noise, or are concerned with upsetting your neighbors. This exhaust is NOT for you. Honestly, when I first started the car after installing it, I was a bit disappointed in how loud it really is. Let me say it again… IT’S LOUD! However, you can still hear the radio in the car, and still carry on a conversation with your passenger. You just have to speak a little louder than you normally would. Not yelling, but simply just talking a little louder.
Does it improve performance? Who knows…? I’m not sure if it’s placebo or it really does get to redline quicker. All I know… IT SOUNDS SO SICK when you are getting on it. Like I mentioned earlier, at the moment I can’t be bothered with increasing power. The car is awesome from factory, and quite honestly, I don’t know how you guys with big power numbers even get traction. With cold RS4’s, I get no traction sometimes all the way through 3rd (depending on surface material)
Because like most of us, I too like going fast and feeling the thrill of acceleration and I will get bored with stock power. Eventually yes, I will get a tune, but that’s at least a year or two down the road. If I wanted a fast drag race car, I wouldn’t have gotten this car.
As always thank you for taking the time to read my blog and I hope you enjoyed the content. Hopefully you were also on the fence about getting the Tomei Type R and now you are going to get it. It truly is an awesome exhaust. Please, if you have any questions, concerns, hate, positive feedback, or just simply want to tell me how much you love the blog. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me: Email, Billy@Functiontheory.com, Instagram @Functiontheory, or simply comment below and I will get back to you.