Ok, here is my dillemma...

I'm a 43 year old (kid) with a wife and two young children. I just had the AEM cold air intake installed by the dealer (for free-since they scratched my car installing the alarm and felt bad) on my ThunderCloud Mettalic '05 xB. Now, I want to do an axel back exhaust install myself. I's this something I can do in my driveway? It' looks real simple to do and I'm pretty handy with tools.
Which axle back is not too loud. I'm not a kid but want a few more ponies out of my ride!

For the record, I'm looking for a simple install with a deep (yet not too loud) sound.

 

You should try the search I think there is a post with pictures showing the replacement of the axle back exhaust. I have seen them done here in the shop. It looks fairly easy.

 

Very easy install. One bolt and a couple of rubber hangers you have to pry off. Wd40 and a screw driver work great for that.

And if you want a nice low note, I have to suggest Strup. At normal cruising speeds it's not too loud and it sounds incredible. Also, they have excellent build quality.

 

Doogie61 im 18 yearsold and have very basic basic car skills, i was able to do it in about 15 minutes, the hardest part is getting the stock muffler off the rubber hangers, make sure you lube them up well with wd40, theres only 1 bolt to torque off by the right rear passanger door and 2 hangers and youre set, good luck!

 

I like the Magnaflow mufflers myself. Precisionmuffler makes a bolt on axle back that sounds pretty good. The threads I have read have been positive:
LINK HERE
They have a sound clip I think you'll like. The strup wasn't my cup of tea, I'm not big on round mufflers anymore and the only clip I heard I didn't like. Many people here have positives to say about it as well.
Here is a link to a thread I posted about my custom axle back, but I had a shop do it. There is also a sound clip near the bottom. The tone has actually gotten a tad better:
LINK HERE

 

Thank you eggie for the plug, you're an ace in my book. Like eggie said, the axle back is an easy install that you can do in your driveway. Doogie61 you should have no problems at all install one of our wonderful auto axle backs. Nice deep tone and the extra pep you have been looking for. :D

 

don't use WD40 on your hangers, it eats through them over time you need a lube that is safe for use on rubber

 

Use armor all...works better than WD-40 and is alot more safe on rubber, and if your lookin for some HP spend the extra 200 bucks and get a magnaflow or strup catback...its just as easy as doin the axel back IMO

 

The install is so easy but if you are looking to add some more "ponies" you would probably be better going with a catback instead of the axleback.

 

Strup without question. Also there is a 30dollar rebate on them here....

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...252&highlight=

regarding the sound clip. I did that clip on my vehicle using a 5meg digital Sony camera. I did a little clip using a camera not a camcorder so the sound quality isn't what it should be. Any owner of a Strup will tell you its nice and deep and disapates at highway speeds. So its not at all annoying to the family. I too have a 5 year old child and droaning the interior on long trips isn't what i wanted to do.

jeff

 

Thanks everyone. I love the way the PrecisionMuffler looks (mine car is a 5 speed,BTW).

The dealer wants $90 to install the TRD which I can get for $270 (shipping included), so if I can install this myself, I'll save some bucks right there!

Let me think aboout it tonight!

Doug

 

Axlebacks are easy to install in the driveway. I've installed a few. Just need some soapy water to slide the hangers off of the rubber.

If you get the TRD muffler, get the OEM exhaust gasket also.

I include those when I sell axlebacks so my customers don't have to run to the dealer for them.

 

Oh yeah, GO STRUP!

 

The Strup seems to hang kinda low. I'd scrape the hell out of it on my driveway. They look well made tho.

I like the look and the sound of the MagnaFlow ovals, like the Precisionmuffler.com Auto axleback. Installation was a snap, well for me anyways. hehehe, Thanks Gabe...

 

again...it doesn't scrape. i have yet to scrape mine. I guess if i took a driveway at 10mph i would. but my driveway is steep. I backup and back out of my driveway with no issues daily. the lowest part of the canister is at the back of the rear wheels. After that its angled up. the others look nice as well. i can only vouch for Strups quality, performance and customer service

 

Mine was with my digital camera as well. Maybe if someone at Strup gets a chance they should change the clip to something that best displays the sound quality everyone raves about?

 

Just so peeps know.

Magnaflow makes two styles of mufflers, the street series and race series. The race series seems to draw the most attention warranting fix-it tickets.

Just speaking from experience.

 

That wierd, from my experience I have yet to be pulled over and I have a race series. I drive around Milpitas,CA where the PD is very strict on racers and loud exhaust systems. I have already gotton the thumbs up from them on the PrecisionMuffler.com Axle backs. :D

 

Fuuny how every time I post something about MY experiences, someone else has to chime in to contradict what I have done or not done, and shadow every single one of my posts no matter what forum/site I'm on.

Am I leading a double life that I have no recollection of?

I thought there was an agreement to leave my posts alone if I didn't mention a specific person, business, or product. I guess that rule must only apply me?

 

I was just posting up my experience with the magnaflow mufflers. Nothing else.