Any recomendations on a good exhaust system? I'm new to this game and just don't want to get ripped off. I just realized when I ordered the TRD muffler from the factory, it wasn't a whole system.

Go custom it will be alot cheaper, plus most systems on the market today are axleback systems and not cat back. I have a custom axle back that i payed 140 for if that helps put it into a price category

If you want the upper section you might want to go to Speedlab or somthing and have them bend you some pipes. Weld it to the back of the cat converter.

Thanks. Can I just go into any muffler shop and tell them what I need?

yea pretty much, just let them know the diameter of the piping, length of your resonator...and which muffler you want.

I'd hang onto the TRD Muffler though. Just have them bend pipes for the piece between the muffler and the cat, or up to the header. This would be a good time to get a header too lol.

go for the true magnaflow cat-back. that is the best exhaust out there

The axle back section seems to be the only part that ISN'T mandrel bent from the factory. :ponder:
So...
I'm thinking about just replacing the axle back section with something (undecided as of now, but leaning towards Borla), replacing the resonator, and leaving the stock piping as-is. I think 2" piping suits a 1.5L just fine if you're staying natrually aspirated.

The axle back section seems to be the only part that ISN'T mandrel bent from the factory. :ponder:
So...
I'm thinking about just replacing the axle back section with something (undecided as of now, but leaning towards Borla), replacing the resonator, and leaving the stock piping as-is. I think 2" piping suits a 1.5L just fine if you're staying natrually aspirated.

Agree with the 2'' pipe. It depends on what you're looking for though. No one talks about Jic's on the exhaust forums...

i have a greddy exhaust that was awsome but i had to take it off because of my tank for my airride to fit. if interested call 251-391-0347. $170.00

The axle back section seems to be the only part that ISN'T mandrel bent from the factory. :ponder:
So...
I'm thinking about just replacing the axle back section with something (undecided as of now, but leaning towards Borla), replacing the resonator, and leaving the stock piping as-is. I think 2" piping suits a 1.5L just fine if you're staying natrually aspirated.
Actually stock piping is 1.75 inch not 2.0 I upgraded to a 2.0 inch cat back with a glasspack as my resonator and a canister type muffler with a removable silencer. I couldn't be much happier.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will keep you all posted on the progress. Also, am I going to hurt my motor driving it as is?

ive got a JIC magic bullet stainless axle back.. took about 15mins to put it on.. love it w/the silencer in for daily driving, and silencer out; though it's loud, for some shown'go'n

~hitesh

EDIT: pics of it are on my WWW

Actually stock piping is 1.75 inch not 2.0

Dang...1.75" ??? So, I'd wanna go 2" then. :eyebrow:

That's what I've gone , most peopole on here think 2.0 to 2.25 all depending , for a 1.5 without fi I say 2.0 , I dunno for my 1.8 bimmer i went from 2.0 to 2.25 , for my supra i went from 2.25to 2.5 , so in my mind with just bolt ons I go with .25 larger.

Any recomendations on a good exhaust system? I'm new to this game and just don't want to get ripped off. I just realized when I ordered the TRD muffler from the factory, it wasn't a whole system.

Are you looking for a complete replacement or just a catback?

That's what I've gone , most peopole on here think 2.0 to 2.25 all depending , for a 1.5 without fi I say 2.0 , I dunno for my 1.8 bimmer i went from 2.0 to 2.25 , for my supra i went from 2.25to 2.5 , so in my mind with just bolt ons I go with .25 larger.

I think2" is totally reasonable and not overkill. The last thing I'd want to do is have piping that's too big that SLOWS DOWN the flow of exhaust. :doh: I personally think 2.25" on the xB is too big unless you're going FI or NOS.

I'm kinda bummed about the 1.75" though. I might just have to measure that and see it with my own 2 eyes. Not that I don't believe you, just that I can't believe car companies still use piping less that 2" :nope:

Stylis' exhaust is the $hit. That is the one I should have bought. I've been sayin it for a year lol. Seriously though, the sound clip you had on here a while ago, made me wet my pants.

Stylis' exhaust is the $hit. That is the one I should have bought. I've been sayin it for a year lol. Seriously though, the sound clip you had on here a while ago, made me wet my pants.

Dam man, thanks for the props! :D

The axle back section seems to be the only part that ISN'T mandrel bent from the factory. :ponder:
So...
I'm thinking about just replacing the axle back section with something (undecided as of now, but leaning towards Borla), replacing the resonator, and leaving the stock piping as-is. I think 2" piping suits a 1.5L just fine if you're staying natrually aspirated.

The downpipe to the cat is 2 inch, and from the resonator back its 1.75 inch. I have now replaced everything from the resonator, to include the resonator, w/ Magnaflow components and 2.25 inch piping. Flows good, sounds nice, tucks up nice, and have noticed no adverse changes. Oh, I mainly drive on the freeway.

Most likely a complete replacement, but I don't know the pluses and minuses of both systems.

Most likely a complete replacement, but I don't know the pluses and minuses of both systems.

just go with a cat back ssytem and you won't have to worry about smog or performance differences. And that way you know that you have something better than an axle back. :D