designed24

Im thinking about adding an exhaust system.. But im not interested in spending $300+ . I read about universal mufflers and the Strup universal caught my attention. Would it be a good idea to get this and have a shop put it on? Also, should i get new pipping with it? Thanks

designed24

anyone?

GloriousMidget

I have one on my xA. There are some pros and cons to it, tho.

Pros: Way cheap compared to axle-backs, I got mine installed for $35, sounds great (smooth, deep, never raspy), includes silencer

Cons: Only room for one exhaust hanger (so its kinda jiggly), requires cutting and weilding, might not be possible to put your stock muffler back on if you didn't like it, a tad bit on the loud side without silencer, silencer is a pain in the gluteus maximus to take out

Here's some pics:

designed24

Thanks for the pics Glorious. btw have you seen any HP gains and/or increase in throttle response?

M-Flo

Hows the quality of Strup exhausts? Similar to offbrand ebay parts (OBX, no name copies, etc) or closer to major brand counterparts?

B2FiNiTY

I really don't recommend it because if you ever wanted to go back to stock, you would have to pay more money to get the stock muffler welded on and it would never look the same again. Just save up and get the bolt on axle back.

designed24

what if they wield it on before the bolts where the axles backs went on?

GloriousMidget

This is my first aftermarket muffler, so I don't have anything to compare it to..sorry I can't help you there


No, I can't tell much difference from everyday driving. You most likely aren't going to tell a difference with just a muffler or axle-back. If you got a full cat-back you might. Performance gains are pretty minimal since the rest of the stock exhuast is so restrictive.

designed24

shouldnt an aftermarket muffler give you the same HP gains as a axleback? like 2-5hp...b/c they replace the same thing.. the muffler??

B2FiNiTY

An aftermarket muffler or axle back will NOT give you anywhere near 5hp. The gains you get from an axle back are not significant enough to be able to measured properly on a dyno. Which means that if anything, 1-2 hp gained from the axle back might be shown on a dyno from variations within runs.

The only way to make the muffler a bolt on part would be to have a muffler shop custom do some piping on your universal muffler and that total cost will only be a bit less than just buying the whole axle back.

designed24

hey glorious.. can you mantain a conversation inside the car or is it very annoying & loud?

designed24

btw I bought this... now im getting too nervious to get it installed!! advice plz.

GloriousMidget

It's not that bad at all. It has a nice low growl but its not annoying. The wind and tire noise seems just as noticable as the exhaust to me anyway. I rarely drive on the freeway so I don't know if it will have a loud drone at high speeds, but just driving around town I'm really happy with it.
When I fist got it installed I thought it was too loud, but after a few days it quieted down quite a bit (I guess there is a break-in period?) Or maybe I just got used to it.
If you do think it is too loud, you can just leave the silencer in. It makes it almost as quiet as stock. I leave mine out and it doesn't bother me. I think the silencer looks goofy, but you could spray-paint it black so it doesn't show up as much (just use high temp. paint).

M-Flo

There's really nothing to get nervous about. Just take it to a reputable muffler shop and have them weld it on for you. Should cost around 30-40 bucks. Once you have it welded on, check the fitment by jiggling the muffler. If it moves easily or touches the body, have them do it again till you're satisfied with the fitment. Good shops can do it in one shot.

Keep the stock muffler. You can always bring it back to the shop again and have them weld it back on.



One question, is the muffler Version 1 or 2? What's the difference?

designed24

Thanks, I appreciate all the posts... really helpful. Ive been looking for local shops in the area fairfield county, CT. but all of them look really dumpy. Would Midas been fine?

designed24

Glorious you think you could provide all of us here with a sound clip, incase other xA are interested?

GloriousMidget

I'm pretty sure that the only difference between V1 and V2 is angle of the pipe. Version 1 hung pretty low and the muffler came out at an angle, while V2 is straight. I'm pretty sure the muffler is the same on both (may be wrong)



Sorry, can't really do a sound clip...don't have the equipment or the brains for it. The sound is pretty similar to the Strup axle-back for the xB

designed24

So would going to a exhaust shop like Midas be okay or should i go to a local shop? any comments?

firesquare

Strup exaust is hands down the best exhaust for this motor

mine pops and gargles inbetween shifts depending on the temperature and weather.

vintage42

Here's a clip from Strup - is this considered quiet or loud?
http://www.strup.us/mov01295.mpg