Over the course of the last ten days I've installed the DC Sports Header, Injen CAI and Borla Cat-Back dual exhaust, in that order, one mod at a time. Here's my two cents worth on the whole package.

The header seemed to have no effect, whatsoever - no sound change, no smoother idle, revs or perception of power. I seem to recall a posting by another owner of an automatic-equipped xB (like mine) who said the header gains become noticeable at 4000 rpm. I can never get my xB to rev that high, so I can't vouch for whether the gains are up in that part of the range! Since the header cost around $200, I was really wondering if I was getting my money's worth...

Now the Injen CAI is another story. After installing it, the engine seemed smoother throughout the range, with gains felt, especially in the upper end of the rev range of the automatic trans. Not like double-digit hp gains, just adequate pull and less drama as the trans shifted through the gears.

So with these two parts in, I was really looking forward to my final piece of the air handling system to be put into place. Lacking a lift, I had a local shop install the system. I was especially curious about how it would sound.

Upon starting the Borla-equipped xB, the idle dB seemed unchanged from the stock system. Blipping the throttle causes a noticeable thrum to be heard in the passenger compartment, emanating from the exhaust openings. On the road, the sound evolves from the silence at idle, through unpleasant droning as the engine reaches the high ends of the 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts and settles back down by the time 4th gear is reached.

The drone sounds like my buddy's '91 Corolla - after his muffler fell off. It's not the ricer weedeater sound, but more of a "hole-in-the-muffler-of-a-four-cylinder" moan. I haven't driven it over 50 mph, so I can't report how it sounds on a highway roadtrip. To me, it sounds the very best at idle from OUTSIDE the car!

I am also sensing the loss of the exact set of gains I mentioned that I felt I achieved from the Injen. It feels like the Borla is actually suffocating the engine - something I read might be the case when tacking a dual exhaust onto a four cylinder engine that requires a certain amount of back pressure to run properly.

The Borla looks cool with the dual tips poking out from the valence. But as my rant on another post detailed, Borla customer service sucks. This was affirmed by my installer who dropped their products from his shop based on complaints from his customers; they seem to be coasting on their warranty and rep.

So thumbs up for the Injen CAI (and that's the full CAI, not the short-ram) and thumbs down for the DC Sports header (no perceptible gain) and Borla Dual Catback (too expensive for what it is, suspected performance "loss," droning sound inside cabin.) Maybe it's an entirely different story for a manual-trans xB...

I'm going to try resetting my ECU, installing a ground wire kit, and install some NGK Iridium plugs to try to recalibrate post-mods and smooth out the engine.

I'll update this post as the pieces continue to break in (I've only got 600 miles on the car) and adjust to each other or if the other mods I mentioned have any effects (positive or otherwise.)

Hope this review helps someone to make their decisions on their own mods...

 

I kind of had similar exeriences, although I didn't install headers.

I had the Blitz SUS shortram intake and loved it. Everything felt smoother and stronger on my autoBox. The shifts occurred around 37k and the cabin noise was really cool. Not loud or irritating in any way. It even sounded great when I turned the engine off, the sound coming from under the hood was like a giant beast was letting out a deep breath before resting. So damn cool, I loved it!

For the longest time after that I struggled with the idea of getting an exhaust. I did not want to hear it, literally. I didn't want any noise to tell the world that I was coming or going. From all I had read about auto trannys not sounding all that comfortable with an aftermarket exhaust, I was starting to give up, when Stylis at PrecisionMuffler came out with an exhasut especially for Auto trannys. I wanted this.

It looked great (especially after Gabe changed the tip out for me ) and the performance was impressive. Starting the engine was really nice and I was now getting shifts at 27k when I mashed the pedal, awesome! But, damn if the sound coming throught the Box became nearly brain shaking when acellerating and pushing the rpm's. I would get it to a less noticeable grumble at around 42k and would have to fight to keep it there but, if I had to go fster from there it was unbearable.

I was crushed.

My only alterntive I discovered was putting the stock airbox back on. I was now getting the same performance I had gotten with just the Blitz on but, now a nice growl upon ignition and a mean (yet sexy) purr at idle, with a slowly building rumble upon acceleration, yet nothing that could come close to the super brain mixer sound with both installed. I do miss the engine letting out that huff when I turned her off tho...

The exhaust is great and I truly believe that another intake in combination would give different results. Since the exhaust was visilble (and damn pretty!) I chose to keep it. Maybe someday I will ride on a different intake to (hopefully) get my performance back without the sonic torture...

 

thanks for the review. scionlife loves people like yu who take the time to write a review of the parts yu buy.

just wanted to say thanks and let you kno yer efforts are greatly appreciated.

 

I have to say if you only have 600 miles on the box then you really do not have the full potential yet. I am saying this because prior to me buying my box I rented one to see if I was going to like it. I drive 125 miles a day for work round trip during that drive I have to climb three different grades(Vasco road out of the valley, Sunol grade, and andrade grade) the box I rented seem to have enough power to do these although it required down shifting into third gear to acomplish it. So I bought one. I was very disappointed with my new box it did not have the power of the rented box. I noted the rented box had over 3,500 miles on it. Well now my box has over 5,000 miles on it and it does just fine. So update this information after you have 4,00 miles on it and I think you will have a different story

 

Interesting.

When I installed the PrecisionMuffler Auto Axleback I had around 5000 miles on the Blitz intake and my Box itself had over 8000. I wonder if as with a new stock engine, there should be a break-in period with the new mod and the engine. Kind of like a honeymoon... .

I think I had very acceptable performance and accelleration on my Box when I was all stock and still under 4000 miles.

I drove with the Blitz/PrecisionMuffler combo around San Franciso, to Fremont, Oakland, a round-trip to Milpitas and a one-wayer, and then from S.F. to L.A. on the 101, and then to San Diego all the while hoping that the sound would eventually go away or at least soften... :sad:

Al.Truistic
aB

 

anyone know about the short Ram Injen intake? good ? bad?

 

You guys gotta remember that hotlava1755 likes to speed and catch bugs in teh windshield! So his box has yet to get broken in! :D oh, yeah. thanks for the positive remarks Al.Truistic :o

 

Get the INJEN shorty. No regrets here. It will just make you hungry for more !!!!!! :twisted: and more!!!!!!!!!!

 

what aboiut the dc sports exhaust? i did a search but found no info. i just want to know what the tone is like and if you feel any difference. also what the thoughts were on the product, as i might be getting one in the next few days. thanks, sorry i hijacke your thread. :twisted:

 

well what would u all saw is the best intake Currently for sale?

 

bBted has the DC exhaust set-up on his ride, he actually said that it was veryu loud and he scraps everywhere!

 

thanks for the reply stylis.

 

My vote goes for the K&N or Injen

 

If you want more info on it, PM bBted. He is online most of the time. :D

 

pm sent earlier this afternoon, no response yet but if anyone has any info please feel free to pm me or just post it thanks. thanks again stylis for the response.