What would be a good aftermarket cat back system to install? How am I going to know what it will sound like? Let me know how you like yours.................

Ed in Oregon

 

I'm still trying to figure this out myself as well as the terminology... I thought that a cat back system replaced the catalytic converter with "something", but I visited one Scion dealer last night that called what I thought was an axle back (the TRD accessory muffler) as a "Cat-Back" system.

Anyway... I've now heard three exhaust systems in person and one on the internet... last night I heard the stock xB exhaust, the DC sports exhaust on the RS 2.0 and the TRD axle back with an AEM CAI. I'm not sure what effect the CAI has on exhaust tone... I've heard the Precision Muffler Magnaflo axle back system for Automatic xBs on www.precisionmuffler.com in the Scion Central section.

Of the live systems I heard, I liked the TRD the best...it sounded deep and authoritative without a lot of rasp (I believe this is referred to as rice) and it's not too loud...Louder than stock but not like you need a new muffler loud. The Precision Muffler Magnaflo sounds good too...I'm concerned that it sounds like you need a new muffler...but that's hard to judge from a recording on the internet though my tiny computer speakers.

I'm hopefully going to a gathering of xBs tomorrow...I'm counting on these folks for some new mufflers to hear.

Good luck in your search!!!!

 

A cat-back doesnt replace the cat, it goes from the rear of the cat to the back of the car basically. xAs and xBs have a one piece downpipe/cat/midpipe, so a catback is impossible without cutting stuff. Thus only Magnaflow makes a real cat-back (xB only) the rest of the exhaust systems you see are in fact rear sections or axle backs is what they are more commonly called.

As far as the best, your not going to be making any real power gains through any route, so just listen to them and see which one you like best. Im turning an extra factory rear section I bought into a cheap-o exhaust system, Ill have to hear what it sounds like. For $100 total, I can deal with it.

 

Mine is a Flowmaster Hushpower II custom fit job. Here's what the tip looks like:



Sound is similar to the TRD exhaust and it might add a couple of horsepower, but nothing you'll really notice unless you drive a stock one right afterward.

This is Ciscob's custom exhaust:



It's got a slightly higher note to it, but it's no fart can.

If you want something unique, just visit with the guys at your local muffler shop. They'll be capable of doing pretty much anything you want for a price (both of ours were quite inexpensive in fact).

-Alex

 

I've got the MagnaFlow Cat-Back System.....I like it!
It sounds deeper than what the Sound Clip on MagnaFlow's website sounds like. It fit's perfect.....The only thing is you have to Cut your stock pipe off.....It's not a Direct Bolt On.

I bought mine from www.Mazda6Stuff.com for $389 shipped....They have Scion Parts not just Mazda.....Great Customer Service & Fast Delivery!

Also, from what I hear Strup is good...........

 

Go custom, have a good exhaust shop hook up 2 inch or maybe 2.25 custom cat-back with your choice of muffler. I run 2.25 with DC sports headers and I love the sound. It is definitely noticeable without being obnoxious. Just my opinon though.

 

i have the strup axle back and love it...look for lip from partshippers.com he'll help out if your interested...best price best customer service..ill post a pic if interested?

 

ditto! Sounds and looks great!

 

the danger knows..

 

Thanks for all your input. Will have to continue my research. I know of an excellent shop that does custom work. Did the duals on my 496, magnaflows. I know I won't get the same rumble, but that's not what I'm looking for. Something more throatly then the TRD's

Thanks

Ed in Oregon

 

what system has the worst droning sound when driving?

how much did your custom jobs cost?

sen-

 

I really wish you could hear the axle back in person. The auto axle back alone is a nice deep tone that really fits the scion and the tip fills in the cutout nicly too. :D

 

^^^ He is correct. And no freeway droning.

 

id run a search on the subject. you might even get a sound file. i have a Blitz Nur Spec can and its an axle back i picked it up from a site sponsor that isnt on here any more. check the sponsored sales. it has an angles tip like HKS style and a nice tone, not drowney 2 highway speeds

 

Thank you scionic man, we actually had research o which exhaust worked best for sound quality on the auto and the manual. :D We also tested them with headers/intake as well.

 

If one doesn't want to spend alot of money, one could always get one of the following Magnaflow mufflers: #14832, #14814, or #14829, and then have the muffler shop bend a small section of 2.25 inch piping to connect it all. Those Magnaflow mufflers are part of the SS Street series and only vary in tip design. That's what I used on my version of the "Squirrel Express" catback. Only two bones installed tax included. Most muffler shops should be able to come close to that.

 

GO WITH STRUP!!!!! Great product from lip, also if you act fast i know he has a $30 mail in rebate going on right now


Sounds absolutely GREAT!! Just installed it yesterday actually, took about a half hour to get the stock system out, and about 10 minutes to get this new axelback on, I believe that i am the 5th person on this thread to reccomend strup.

Axelbackk is going to be the easiest system to install, just go to the tech section and look under dc sports exhaust install, all the axelbacks install the same way

GO WITH STRUP!!!!!

 

If it wasn't for the center exit exhaust, yes, I would have gone w/ STRUP now also.

 

The Strup appears to hang rather low, at least on David's Box. I'd be afraid of scraping it. It did sound nice tho.

 

I saw that too, I installed david's strup here at the Scion Central. Nice sound though.