I have an intake and at full throttle (especially 3K and up) it sounds real nice, and I don't even have an aftermarket exhaust. Actually even with an exhaust, after 3K the intake is the dominant noise a lot of time, I have found exhausts to make the most noticeable difference between idle and 3K when its a deeper rumble

 

you want a loud exhaust? get an apex-i N1. It's not going to sound good though. I'd recommend a magnaflow exhaust if you are wanting one on the louder side of the spectrum that sounds good. IMO, no loud civic exhaust sounds good.

If you want a nice aggressive, medium to loud volume exhaust, get a header, short ram intake, and a magnaflow exhaust. Also, a high flow cat will make it a little louder. Test pipes make it way louder, but they make it sound raspy and horrible, and you are breaking the law by using one on the street.

 

if you've got money, RSR ExMag will be the best sounding exhaust IMO. Apexi WS2 is super good though and cheaper as well, you won't be disappointed, and yeah the loud exhaust will get SUPER annoying after a week for sure.

 

i decided on a skunk2 mega power exhaust so i should like it

 

I have all stock exhaust except for the axle back GReddy SP2... (i didnt get the whole kit due to a idiot on ebay) and i really like it, i have had fart cans on my civ, from 3in outlets to 5.5in outlets and NOTHING sounds as good as the GReddy.... the thing i like about it is that it doesn't drone at highway speeds, its loud when your on it but when you easy on the skinny pedal it is tolerable.

 

i bought myself a holley thundermuff off ebay for 125 shipped to my door which i needed a exhaust bad and i figured i would try it out and its for the ex model.
Accutally i get people saying to me sounds awesome and they say you probably paid liek 300 i said nope you will never guess what i paid. So i would try that its sorda loud but it sounds good and its not high pitched sorda low pitched but hey good luck

 

loud will get old real quick. On a budget? Megan or Magnaflow. Got some dough? RSR ExMag. I know you want it loud now, but you'll want it quiet in a week or so.