Wagovan Exhaust Options - Thoughts?

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
10/19/2018 at 10:52 • Filed to: None

So the Civic needs a new exhaust. The downpipe is rusty, the mid-pipe is only half there, and the muffler is in a different state, presumably. Basically the whole thing terminates right after the cat, and the stuff before the cat looks bad too.

My first thought, as always, is OEM. The muffler and midpipe are only about $120 each and available on Amazon (ships in 1-3 months, which is fine.) However the down pipe is an additional $180, making the total bill around $500, give or take. Also the stock muffler hanger is completely NLA, so I’d have to magic something into life for that. While I was at it, I could spend another $100 for a new, non-EGR header. So for between $500 and $600, self fit, I get a new stem-to-stern exhaust.

Sort of balking at the cost of that, my 2nd thought is aftermarket land. Looks like headers+downpipes are not particularly expensive, but I’m having an exceptionally difficult time finding any that are listed as working for an 86. Apparently the 3rd gen Civic is much unloved. If I could spend equivalent money to get a superior product, that seems like a no-brainer to me.

Third option would be go to a good exhaust shop and say “make it so” and then they would do so. The downside is that’d probably be expensive to do everything. The alternative to that would be to just have them replace what is missing, which I could probably do for under $200? Ooooooor order the muffler, keep the rest, and tell them to connect the two? That is where things get muddy.

What does Oppo think?

Bonus doggos for your time.

DISCUSSION (19)

benjrblant > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/19/2018 at 10:57

Straight-pipe it vertically through the hood.

MarquetteLa > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/19/2018 at 11:01

Just in case you haven’t come across it, this is a great resource: https://www.civicwagon.com/

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > MarquetteLa
10/19/2018 at 11:04

I skimmed through, but it has a whiff of a dead forum. Lots of incomplete and very old threads. But I’ll give it another look, thanks!

MarquetteLa > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/19/2018 at 11:07

If you have Facebook, their CivicWagon.com Facebook page is pretty active.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > MarquetteLa
10/19/2018 at 11:13

Oh perfect! Thanks! I joined the “ Civic Wagon World” facebook but it is more of a marketplace than a owner’s group, it seems like.

vicali > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/19/2018 at 11:14

I usually go the make it so route, I’ve always been happy and usually find it cheaper than finding either NOS or race spec for a wagon like that.

Sovande > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/19/2018 at 11:14

I wouldn’t spend money on a non-egr header. I wouldn’t do way with the EGR at all, it has zero impact on performance and simply helps the engine run cleaner.

I would get an aftermarket exhaust from Walker or similar. I have done exactly one Honda exhaust and it was Walker parts and it was a breeze.

someassemblyrequired > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/19/2018 at 11:15

Hey I just did a quick search on RockAuto, they seem to have a lot of exhaust parts for the 1.5 (I guess due to CRX commonality). Prices were pretty cheap.

Tareim - V8 powered > benjrblant
10/19/2018 at 11:18

came here to say this

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > someassemblyrequired
10/19/2018 at 11:30

What did you search under? When I look at 1.5L 1986 Civic they have some, but a lot of it looks universal fit. They do have the wagovan manifold, which is awesome.

benjrblant > Tareim - V8 powered
10/19/2018 at 11:38

It must be that you’re a sensible person. And clearly, the only sensible thing to do when your OEM exhaust is NLA... is to straight-pipe it vertically through the hood. Like any other sensible person would do.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Sovande
10/19/2018 at 11:38

Funny I was just looking at the Walker site when I read your comment! They seem good, but their online search doesn’t include the wagon as an available body style, only the hatchback, which is different. Also can’t seem to find a support number/ email. :-/

dogisbadob > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/19/2018 at 11:41

A muffler shop (that’s NOT Midas or Meineke) should be able to fab an exhaust for you at a fair price. If you’re lucky, they can make you a 304 exhaust that will never rust again

Sovande > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/19/2018 at 11:48

I Googled 1987 Civic Wagon and it came back with items. Is that the wrong year?

someassemblyrequired > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/19/2018 at 12:00

Just ‘86 Civic, 1.5L. They had the intermediate pipe, but yeah it might be all universal fit. They did have a bunch of hangers too, but those might be specific to the wagon. I’m wondering if someone could just bend you a custom pipe from the manifold , as you don’t really need a cat anymore, just a muffler .

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Sovande
10/19/2018 at 12:09

Mine is an 86, but 87 would be the same. Hmmm I’m seeing the same stuff. The actual factory muffler and mid pipe for the 4D/Wagon are rather complicated.

Kinja'd!!!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > someassemblyrequired
10/19/2018 at 12:19

Yeah... that is sort of where I’m leaning too. Might see if I can get a factory muffler and then have the exhaust shop make up the rest. But yeah, the Coup, hatch, and wagon all had different exhaust, apparently.

Kinja'd!!!

someassemblyrequired > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
10/19/2018 at 12:37

While I’d grab the header, I wouldn’t even worry about a factory muffler unless you can find one cheap. It’s a fun car, something that’s inexpensive and won’t get you pulled over by the cops is what you need. Originality ain’t gonna happen for a mid-80s Wagovan. What’s important is getting it on the road where it can make kids say, “Hey look at that weird car! ”

Tareim - V8 powered > benjrblant
10/19/2018 at 13:22

it’s the most efficient option at that point, doing anything else is just wrong