Hey, I'm looking at upgrading the intake/header/exhaust in my box. I already bought a dc sports header, and heavily leaning toward the injen sri, but I have no clue about the exhaust.

My main question with the exhaust is, will I notice a difference between a simple axle-back exhaust (pretty much all that's offered for the xb) and something more complete (I was thinking full header-back with high-flow cat). Basically I'm just trying to figure out whether the cost/effort of piecing together a full header-back exhaust is really worth it. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Get a strup exaust it is the best in my opinion, and charlie is a wonderful guy!!

www.strup.us

 

I was asking more for which type (axle, cat, or header-back) exhaust is better...I assume since you are recommending strup that you like the axle-back.

The reason I'm asking is because I guess I don't understand how an axle-back exhaust will actually help performance at all since it's still bottlenecked through the rest of the exhaust...I don't claim to be an expert though so basically what I'm wondering is whether the performance difference is that much greater between axle-back and a full exhaust.

 

Axlebacks will probably give you 1-2hp increase. Slightly more with other bolt-ons like a header and intake. A catback might net you more power, but likely at the cost of low end torque. I really doubt that we can extract anything over 10hp by improving airflow, the car is just so well engineered it's just horrible =p

HP aside, I'm pretty sure the main appeal of an aftermarket exhaust is the sound, plain and simple~

 

Your decision should come down to what you want to do with your car. Do you want to just stay N/A or possibly go F/I? I had the DC Sports axle back exhaust , it freed up some hp and gave a great sound(and i loved it). I then decided i was going to go F/I and wanted to start building the engine components up to help with more hp and to get ready for either a SC or a TC. So i got rid of the axle back and went full header back exhaust. Which meant i went from the stock 1.5" exhaust diameter to 2.25" and used a high flow cat. Talk about allowing some air to flow, this thing sure does, no worries about bottle necking with mine. I would say if you dont want to spend the money on a header back exhaust atlest go with the catback one, even thou you could proably get the header back exhaust for not to much over what the catback cost. Just my two cents...

 

Thanks!...that's the kind of info I'm looking for.

 

Yes I do like the strup axle back as well have both!! They are very good products!! Mr. Charlie Wenstrup stands behind his workmanship!!

 

WOW, nice looking products, but a little expensive compared to others. I'd say, I'd go w/ Strup, if I had the little extra money.

Viki

 

Checkout the Precision Muffler axleback setup while you are at it Gabe has a nice looking setup that gives a nice deep sound, sure he could make a catback if thats what you need price is decent as well.

 

had my precision muffler installed today (ya 10 min job but i was to lazy to jack up the car) and it is AWSOME great low sound and its made for an auto so no drone at highway speeds. heck you cant even tell its there cruisin at 65 mph but if you get on the gas or during take off its sweet. price is about the same as every other one and it looks great.

 

Glad you like it, mine always gets compliments great setup! Post a picture!

 

I don't know but the RSR exmag gt2 axel back exahuast it the way to go if its your way to go axel back. Sounds B-E-A-utiful

 

why dont you just go to a muffler shop and have them bend you a cat back set up or a header back setup. I got a cat back 2.25" mandrel bent with a magnaflow muffler for $300. and it took them 45mins to do. thats a deal if you ask me. instead of paying $300 or so for an axel back and still have to pay for install or install it yourself.

 

I went with an HKS. I love the look and sound. I got 2.25" piping from the cat back. I also removed the resonator for a DEEP tone (sets off car alarms). I'm happy with it. Got a real mean bark for such a little bite.