What are some of the considerations that you have when looking to purchase an axleback?

I know of course, price, fit, quality, and workmanship (welds and hanger placement).

And of course the way it sounds. We all know that an axleback will prolly only gain a few horses, so is that a consideration also?

But what about different muffler styles and options?

Just wondering.

Any feedback will be helpful.

 

For me, it's sound... I like quiet, and/or an available silencer.

I could use a few ponies, but not at the expense of my eardrums.

I would love to get a TRD if the price wasn't so jacked up!

I think a setup that's about the same look/sound as the TRD,
but at a better price, I'd do it.

-THE DON

 

For fit, finish, and sound I don't think the Borla can be beat.



As far as noise, pretty much anything louder than stock will make more noise in the care and Borla is no exception. At speed it's barely noticeable except around 55. I have found that if you take everything out of the back and put some sound dampening on the floor pan the noise level drops a LOT.

 

^^

That looks like a really big exhaust tip! I bet it borla used a smaller diameter tip it might reduce the sound as well. That tip is too big for my taste.

-THE DON

 

It's not that bad. It fits the cutout nicely. It looks much better than the stock tip and the huge oil can openings I've seen on other exhausts.

 

I have an xA and plan to buy the Tanabe exhaust.

Things I look for in order of importance:

1. Clean, non intruding sound. Not too deep that it causes vibrations in the cabin, and not too raspy like those universal cans you see on Civics and Tegs. Just the right amount of ear candy when driving agressively.

2. Design. I don't like fireball style mufflers. Because of that, almost half of exhaust systems for our cars are off the list. I want a JDM style canister w/ rolled edges.

3. Performance. Kinda goes with design. Simple, lightwieght, and reliable. Those are a must for me.

4. Name. With a name comes a reputation and only a few manufacturers have a name that comes with a good reputation.

 

If I was going to change I would want something easier on the ears for both front and rear passengers at 3K RPM's. Commute traffic sucks and usually I get stuck in that range. Still needs to have a overall deep tone. CA DB legal.

Different tip choices would be a plus.

 

You can actually reduce the sound from an aftermarket muffler by putting a little bit of sound dampening on the floor pan under the rear compartments. I put one 6" wide strip along the back edge (I ran out of dampening material) and it made a huge difference in the noise level from the muffler. I mean HUGE.

 

I don't care what set up whether it is an axle back or cat back as long as it gives power especially in the low-end (< 4000 rpm) while remaining quiet. My options are:
Tanabe, Power enterprise super sonic (most expensive) , Dynomax Super Turbo, the Walker Quiet-Flow, or a custom setup.

I'm undecide though. Please help me choose also...

 

...i was leaning towards the TRB for my xB.

anybody have pics of how it looks on their cars...

 

You mean like Dynamat? I might try that.... The spray on dampening might work too... hmmmm....

-THE DON

 

yeah sound dampening is great . the rear of xb's are really tinny and such.

 

Some of the items that I am considering are different mufflers, optional tips if applicable, and a special/much needed part for installation.

I will keep them quiet for some, and will try not to offer the "canister" style mufflers that are the ones that cause the most noise and "rice"/Honda sounding exhaust notes. Unless of course its requested.

More to follow in the next month or so. I'll know more after I go to the Doctor this week.

 

THE DON,
Yep. I actually use a product from Lowe's called peel and seal. It is over in the roofing section. It has the same makeup as most of the popular dampening materials but is cheaper. It comes in rolls 6" X 25'. I've used it in several vehicles and it works. $12.47 a roll.

 

After driving a Camaro SS, and missing all the music the Monsoon system could provide because of the noise, I think I'll leave my stock muffler in place; maybe do some sound deadening around the engine compartment. The xB sound system seems like a cut above to me, and I don't want to miss a note. IMHO

 

Don't worry about the noise WryGrass. These things will never be as loud as your Camaro unless you run straight pipe. These are nothing like your last car. Have fun with it.

 

I am running the Stillen axle back setup. Its stainless, looks good, fits the cutout perfectly and installed in 20 minutes. It was priced pretty inexpensive and sounds great. Great bang for the buck...

 

I just put on my blitz axle back a few days ago. Fit and finish is 100%. The welds are nice(but have seen better), and everything lines up just great. Total install time was around a hour. I didnt it at night with a LED flashlight. On my cold frozen apt complex parking lot. For sound...... its VERY quiet. I mean VERY VERY. Anyways, here is a pic of it

 

Is that a Tamiya Rock Buster in the background?

 

yes... yes it is


its one of around 30 r/c cars and trucks i own