Well, this was a lot easier than the TRD CAI. I'd say 1.25 hours from start to finish, and thats just fighting the old bolts off and the rubber exhaust hanger.
Very straight forward, and the single (personal preference over the dual) was an easy $250 from Borla. It sounds good, low and rumbly when driving normal, but does not annoy in any way. When you stomp it, it cranks up and you can here it from behind, but my TRD CAI is so damn loud it's hard to tell what's what. I did not do any videos of revving it behind, because the wife is still at work and you can watch those on youtube :)
Whether its Borla, TRD, etc., the axle back is very easy with ramps and the Borla fit is perfect, as expected.
Really liked the mixed hwy/st drive to work this am. When you are moving a good clip, and left off the gas to coast to a red light, it grumbles as the car slows down. Noise at 75 is not bad at all, but you know its back there when the windows are down. Cruising at 45-50 around 2k rpm's, its very quiet.
The Borla papers say this single model is 9db's louder than stock. Dunno about HP, but the car feels peppier and accelerates easier with the CAI and exhaust.
I assume it frees up some flow by removing the tube for a straight pipe from the scuba.
AAG
10-29-2009, 03:38 PM
Nice mods you got going there. I want the borla exhaust as well, but for $250 I'll have a full catback exhaust made at a muffler shop. I'm patiently waiting for the borla exhaust to go on clearance lol.
elwaylite
10-29-2009, 03:40 PM
Thanks.
Yeah, pick a good sounding muffler, and have them replace the scuba tank and just run straight pipe out the back with a tip. Prob cost $100 less(thats why I think the Borla duals and TRD kits are waaaaay too high). I have done that plenty of times, but wanted to try the Borla this time (always wanted a Borla, and I enjoyed doing it myself).
onions
10-29-2009, 09:53 PM
are you shifting with the auto stick?
elwaylite
10-29-2009, 09:54 PM
No.
Only time I use that is when I'm getting ready to pass, and I slap it over into 3 so itll be wound up. All the vids are just reg ol auto.
onions
10-29-2009, 11:28 PM
crazy rpming. my xb is still <500 miles. i'm afraid to push it that hard so soon. my civic on the other hand... :lol:
elwaylite
10-29-2009, 11:30 PM
Hehe. I didnt do crap like that until I got a SEVERAL thousand miles on it. I also do not do it unless I need the power, or am showing off for a video :)
Amsoil 0w-20 in there protecting hehe
I was amazed the first time, when I saw the auto hang in to redline like that. I think the 2.4L is supposed to be one of those bullet proof engines too.
elwaylite
10-31-2009, 08:44 PM
Since it has almost 200 miles on it now, I fired it up today and let it idle for 15 minutes. No water or air leak (as I can tell) at the flange, so I figure its all good.
When installing at the flanges, I tightened each bolt a little so they would pull together equally. All the while making sure the flanged bumped up right.
XD40tC
11-02-2009, 01:23 AM
Holy crap! Borla makes a single tip exhaust now? Never knew that... I may have to get this. Is it same size piping as stock or 2.5? Looks the same diameter.
elwaylite
11-02-2009, 01:26 AM
Yepp!
Diameter is the same, and it sounds pretty darn good. Tip is nice also.
jingjing
11-02-2009, 01:44 AM
wow, $250 for exhaust tubing.
CIONIDE
11-02-2009, 04:25 AM
wow, $250 for exhaust tubing.
Yea, Borla is laughing all the way to the bank with this axle-back.
elwaylite
11-02-2009, 09:48 AM
I've had muffler shops charge between 100 and $125 for the cheap pipe, then $40 for the tip. The Borla is T304 and has the tip, so its not really far off. Plus, it won't rust after a few months.
Other thing is fit and finish. The flange fit perfectly, the tip lines up great with the car. How may dual truck exhausts have you seen where both tips dont match?
RC-PILOT
12-09-2009, 03:22 AM
That sounds good, looks good, easy to install.....Hmmmmm..... HAY SANTA!!!! Get off your fat butt and get me one of these for my B!!!!!! LOL
elwaylite
12-09-2009, 12:21 PM
Im still lovin it. Seems to have gotten louder since the install, but just right for me. I was next to a TC with some sort of fat muffler on the end yesterday, and it sounded like arse.
drewsxb808
12-15-2009, 08:22 PM
i had the borla dual before and i liked it. even though the diameter is the same you can actually feel the difference in air flow. plus the tips look pretty nice. for the person who said "borla makes a single exhaust now" they have always had both dual and single since day 1. I switched to custom and went bigger pipes but no difference in power, just sounds different. nice choice