What are some of the considerations that you have when looking to purchase an axleback?

I know of course, price, fit, quality, and workmanship (welds and hanger placement).

And of course the way it sounds. We all know that an axleback will prolly only gain a few horses, so is that a consideration also?

But what about different muffler styles and options?

Just wondering. :wink:

Any feedback will be helpful.

For me, it's sound... I like quiet, and/or an available silencer.

I could use a few ponies, but not at the expense of my eardrums.

I would love to get a TRD if the price wasn't so jacked up!

I think a setup that's about the same look/sound as the TRD,
but at a better price, I'd do it.

-THE DON

For fit, finish, and sound I don't think the Borla can be beat.

http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/204/204797/folders/147601/1063544Img0283.jpg
http://216.77.188.54/coDataImages/p/Groups/204/204797/folders/147601/1063503IMG0285.JPG
As far as noise, pretty much anything louder than stock will make more noise in the care and Borla is no exception. At speed it's barely noticeable except around 55. I have found that if you take everything out of the back and put some sound dampening on the floor pan the noise level drops a LOT.

^^

That looks like a really big exhaust tip! I bet it borla used a smaller diameter tip it might reduce the sound as well. That tip is too big for my taste.

-THE DON

It's not that bad. It fits the cutout nicely. It looks much better than the stock tip and the huge oil can openings I've seen on other exhausts.

I have an xA and plan to buy the Tanabe exhaust.

Things I look for in order of importance:

1. Clean, non intruding sound. Not too deep that it causes vibrations in the cabin, and not too raspy like those universal cans you see on Civics and Tegs. Just the right amount of ear candy when driving agressively.

2. Design. I don't like fireball style mufflers. Because of that, almost half of exhaust systems for our cars are off the list. I want a JDM style canister w/ rolled edges.

3. Performance. Kinda goes with design. Simple, lightwieght, and reliable. Those are a must for me.

4. Name. With a name comes a reputation and only a few manufacturers have a name that comes with a good reputation.

If I was going to change I would want something easier on the ears for both front and rear passengers at 3K RPM's. Commute traffic sucks and usually I get stuck in that range. Still needs to have a overall deep tone. CA DB legal.

Different tip choices would be a plus.

You can actually reduce the sound from an aftermarket muffler by putting a little bit of sound dampening on the floor pan under the rear compartments. I put one 6" wide strip along the back edge (I ran out of dampening material) and it made a huge difference in the noise level from the muffler. I mean HUGE.

I don't care what set up whether it is an axle back or cat back as long as it gives power especially in the low-end (< 4000 rpm) while remaining quiet. My options are:
Tanabe, Power enterprise super sonic (most expensive) , Dynomax Super Turbo, the Walker Quiet-Flow, or a custom setup.

I'm undecide though. Please help me choose also...

...i was leaning towards the TRB for my xB.

anybody have pics of how it looks on their cars...

You can actually reduce the sound from an aftermarket muffler by putting a little bit of sound dampening on the floor pan under the rear compartments. I put one 6" wide strip along the back edge (I ran out of dampening material) and it made a huge difference in the noise level from the muffler. I mean HUGE.

You mean like Dynamat? I might try that.... The spray on dampening might work too... hmmmm....

-THE DON

yeah sound dampening is great . the rear of xb's are really tinny and such.

Some of the items that I am considering are different mufflers, optional tips if applicable, and a special/much needed part for installation.

I will keep them quiet for some, and will try not to offer the "canister" style mufflers that are the ones that cause the most noise and "rice"/Honda sounding exhaust notes. Unless of course its requested.

More to follow in the next month or so. I'll know more after I go to the Doctor this week.

THE DON,
Yep. I actually use a product from Lowe's called peel and seal. It is over in the roofing section. It has the same makeup as most of the popular dampening materials but is cheaper. It comes in rolls 6" X 25'. I've used it in several vehicles and it works. $12.47 a roll.

After driving a Camaro SS, and missing all the music the Monsoon system could provide because of the noise, I think I'll leave my stock muffler in place; maybe do some sound deadening around the engine compartment. The xB sound system seems like a cut above to me, and I don't want to miss a note. IMHO

Don't worry about the noise WryGrass. These things will never be as loud as your Camaro unless you run straight pipe. These are nothing like your last car. Have fun with it.

I am running the Stillen axle back setup. Its stainless, looks good, fits the cutout perfectly and installed in 20 minutes. It was priced pretty inexpensive and sounds great. Great bang for the buck...

I just put on my blitz axle back a few days ago. Fit and finish is 100%. The welds are nice(but have seen better), and everything lines up just great. Total install time was around a hour. I didnt it at night with a LED flashlight. On my cold frozen apt complex parking lot. For sound...... its VERY quiet. I mean VERY VERY. Anyways, here is a pic of it

http://rs-scooby.com/albums/album37/blitz_006_resize.jpg
http://rs-scooby.com/albums/album37/blitz_002_resize.jpg

Is that a Tamiya Rock Buster in the background?

yes... yes it is :)
http://rs-scooby.com/albums/R-C/buster_031.jpg

its one of around 30 r/c cars and trucks i own

wut about the magnaflow axle?

Has anyone try wrapping the exhaust pipe with the exhaust wrap? I've heard that it gives you more flow and quiet it down. The exhaust may sound deeper also... just my 0.02

For sound...... its VERY quiet. I mean VERY VERY.

I just want it to fill the hole in the back. If I get any power out of it, that would be a plus, but I'd prefer not to have the "rice" buzz on the highway. If the Blitz is quiet enough to sound almost stock, then that would be the one I want.

If I had a custom exhaust done, I'd want no more than a 2.25" pipe straight through from the cat to the tip. A lot of the aftermarket options have a 2.25" pipe and then widen to a 4" tip -- I like power, but not enough to attract attention on the street.

If I had a custom exhaust done, I'd want no more than a 2.25" pipe straight through from the cat to the tip. A lot of the aftermarket options have a 2.25" pipe and then widen to a 4" tip -- I like power, but not enough to attract attention on the street.


is the magnaflow what you looking for? not to sure on it..but it sound nice from sound clips..

Hey Brad, I would prefer a stainless steel setup and a few extra ponies would'nt hurt. My main issue would be the stainless steel,everything must be stainless. And not to loud.

ill make a sound clip of the blitz either today or tommarow

THE DON,
Yep. I actually use a product from Lowe's called peel and seal. It is over in the roofing section. It has the same makeup as most of the popular dampening materials but is cheaper. It comes in rolls 6" X 25'. I've used it in several vehicles and it works. $12.47 a roll.

What I found was called Quik-Fix Roof and Gutter Repair tape by Protecto Wrap...Couldn't find any Peel and Seal. *shrug*

Hey Brad, I would prefer a stainless steel setup and a few extra ponies would'nt hurt. My main issue would be the stainless steel,everything must be stainless. And not to loud.

But of course, I will only use stainless steel mufflers.

I'm not into loud or "rice" sounding exhausts. Jusyt nice, low, and throaty. That's why I do not recommend removing the resonator under the center of the xB. It will be 2.25 inch also.

I'll have to show you my set-up sometime at one of the Team NVS meets.

Hey Brad, I would prefer a stainless steel setup and a few extra ponies would'nt hurt. My main issue would be the stainless steel,everything must be stainless. And not to loud.

But of course, I will only use stainless steel mufflers.


I mean everything stainless, pipe and muffler. Everything axle back all stainless not the cheap aluminum pipe. When I dish out good money for an exhaust I want it to last.

Hey Brad, I would prefer a stainless steel setup and a few extra ponies would'nt hurt. My main issue would be the stainless steel,everything must be stainless. And not to loud.

But of course, I will only use stainless steel mufflers.


I mean everything stainless, pipe and muffler. Everything axle back all stainless not the cheap aluminum pipe. When I dish out good money for an exhaust I want it to last.

I'll look into it, but it will be higher than what I originally wanted to offer.

As soon as I have the info on my surgery, I'll get to work finalizing the dtails.