Couldn't find this in the search area, so sorry if it's already in here somewhere. I was looking to do a full exhaust system but I was wondering why not too many companies are making them for the xB? I know Precision Muffler does them and Borla makes one, but none of the other big companies you hear about (Greddy, Blitz, etc...)make full systems. If someone could shed some light on this for me I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

 

I suspect that the companies have a better margin on the systems they sell vs. a FULL exhaust.

also, please, what exactly do you mean by _full_?

 

I meant a catback system as compared to an axleback. Sorry for not specifying.

 

OH! hmm... I've wondered the same thing...not that much extra piping, but there must be a hidden margin somewhere.

it _may_ be that the axelback is more popular just becasue it's easier to install...I put my axelback up in _no lie_ under 10 min.

 

Its because the gains from a cat versus axle-back are kinda negligable. Kinda.

 

I would go with precision muffler, thats who i plan on going with when im ready. they did some excelent looking and sounding work on proshopxb's exhaust. they offer different type of exhausts. Otherwise you could wait till perrin comes out with theirs or for zpi to get theirs but personally i dont like waiting.

 

Yeah I kinda thought the same thing. I have a local muffler shop here too that has done several nice custom exhausts for me so I'm not sure which route i'm going yet. Thanks for the answers. If anyone has any more technical thoughts on this let me know.

 

The way I see it, there are two reasons for fairly few cat-back systems. First and foremost, the OEM exhaust design. The stock exhaust tubing is welded at the cat, but bolted just before the rear "axle." This makes the axle a much more convenient place for a new system to be attached by the average consumer at home.

The second is the fact that we have 1.5 liter, 100 hp motors. The net gain of the additional power isn't worth the cost of research development and production for most companies. Especially when "thrifty" Scion owner's such as ourselves see the huge price difference between the two types of design.

Relatively speaking, there are significant gains to be found by going cat-back vs. axle-back. The Precision Muffler cat-back made 7 hp compared to most axle backs which probably make 3 hp at best. 4 hp may not be a lot, but in relative terms, it is significant.

 

Thanks for the input on this. I think I will save my pennies and get a nice cat back made or maybe even put a high flow cat on as well. Thanks!

 

truth. "The net gain of the additional power isn't worth the cost"

those 4hp are some spendy 4 horses. still proportionately cheaper than a s/c i spose.

 

Where else you going to get 4 hp on this platform? lol

Seriously. You gain maybe 3 hp with an axle back. Maybe 2-3 hp with an intake. And what another 5-6 hp with a header? Where do you go from there? Horsepower wise there really isn't much else you can do. Add a pulley, an engine damper. These really don't add power, just help you put it to the ground more efficiently. You can throw something like the Cam Con or E-Manage at it, with mixed results. But they'll probably gain you less than the cat-back would. Not to mention their cost.

Without jumping to some sort of power adder or very expensive motor work, you aren't making any more power.

In reality, if you aren't a brand *****, or in desperate need of a mandrel bent stainless exhaust you can have a cat-back built for less than many axle-backs at a local shop.

 

hey Daybird...that borla system is actually an axle back too. It is listed as cat back, but it's just like the others on the market. Bolts up at the factory clamp near the axle.

 

Even the dual pipe set up?

 

I guess I'll probably have one made then. I think my guy uses magnaflow products as well as ractive and a few other aftermarket brands for the mufflers and he madrel bends his piping right there while you watch. Thanks for the comments guys.

 

Your local exhaust guy does mandrel bends? It must be one high end exhaust shop.

Which of these benders does his machine most look like?

 

Stay away form the TRD option. It is only the axle back. I know borla makes the muffler the tip say's TRD and is like 4" I think.There are no gain's, it's quiet which help's I did not want a real loud or ricey exhaust. I think I am going to switch to the greddy or the DC we'll see. I want a little more power.

 

My local exhaust guy has a mandrel bender but its not computerized, its a hole-in-the-wall shop (actually its kinda on the sidewalk too,) but they got one I was watchin the dude make some bends and then go back, he was just wingin it for some dumb@ss in a hummer, not to confident about them after that.

 

I got the TRD for the look and the sound, but 1.5" piping sucks, especially when I plan to open it up, I talked to Gabe about a FULL exhaust (header back (like Billy)) and he said it would run close to $800 shipped. But thats because I am adding headers and some boost so I want air to flow freely.

 

Some input into a cat-back that we have tested on an 06 xB Auto. The car has a cold air intake and header for power mods.

The full cat-back by Magnaflow give you nice midrange gain, but the exhaust began to drone and very loud at about 3000+ rpm at highway speed. You also lose a bit at the low end. The setup needs a bit of back pressure for low end. By temporary switching back to an axle-back, we were able to easily go from 0 to 5000+ rpm. This was not the case with a cat-back.

If you are not going supercharge or turbocharge your xB, the best mods are a quality cold air intake, a header, and axle-back (even keeping the factory axle-back is fine too). Just our input from what we have tested.

Regards,
PTUNING
www.ptuning.com
1-877-788-6464

 

I know the Magnaflow cat bosts a 5 hp gain with a dyno sheet. Not sure how accurate that is as i dont know personally of anyone who has dynoed there car just after installing it. What kind of proof does Precision Muffler have for claiming a 7 hp gain?? That seems like alot to me. I am adding a supercharger so i will be getting one of these two but i am unsure which. If anyone knows any additional info re: the validity to the claims of these 2 let me know, appreciate it.