Borla exhaust kits.. good for the money?

giguchan · May 31, 2021

Hey all,
I'm now in the market for a New Muffler system. I've been looking for something that might survive the stupid Acid they put down on the roads here in NY during the winter. I had a TRD which they don't make anymore - so i cant take advantage of the warranty again(the first one rusted which they replaced) I see Borla looks to be a decent alternative. Looking for the same throaty growl that came with the TRD system. I saw Timmy's video on the Borla system- pretty informative. I was wondering if there is anything else that i might consider. I don't want to go down in quality. I think for my 3G we don't have many choices in super high end VS budget systems. I think for the Money the Borla might be the best choice.Thanks.

ads2539 · May 31, 2021

giguchan said:
Hey all,
I'm now in the market for a New Muffler system. I've been looking for something that might survive the stupid Acid they put down on the roads here in NY during the winter. I had a TRD which they don't make anymore - so i cant take advantage of the warranty again(the first one rusted which they replaced) I see Borla looks to be a decent alternative. Looking for the same throaty growl that came with the TRD system. I saw Timmy's video on the Borla system- pretty informative. I was wondering if there is anything else that i might consider. I don't want to go down in quality. I think for my 3G we don't have many choices in super high end VS budget systems. I think for the Money the Borla might be the best choice.Thanks.

Borla exhausts are very high quality, so that’s not an issue. They are louder than oem, but I don’t know how they sound compared to your TRD exhaust. If you’re a lead foot, it will be really loud, but I don’t know anyone who drives a 4Runner like that.

IMHO, you will be happy with the Borla exhaust, especially for the price.

If the exhaust is 304 stainless steel, that’s the higher quality stainless steel, better than 409.

Devbot · May 31, 2021

I don't own one currently but I've yet to hear a single complaint about Borla and it's what I was considering adding in the future.

giguchan · May 31, 2021

Devbot said:
I don't own one currently but I've yet to hear a single complaint about Borla and it's what I was considering adding in the future.

Thanks for the reply.. this is indeed very reassuring.

giguchan · May 31, 2021

ads2539 said:
Borla exhausts are very high quality, so that’s not an issue. They are louder than oem, but I don’t know how they sound compared to your TRD exhaust. If you’re a lead foot, it will be really loud, but I don’t know anyone who drives a 4Runner like that.

IMHO, you will be happy with the Borla exhaust, especially for the price.

If the exhaust is 304 stainless steel, that’s the higher quality stainless steel, better than 409.

Hey
Thanks for the reply. I'm not a lead foot so I'm glad that's not a problem. When I'm in my 3G I like to keep up with traffic but when I'm in another vehicle I tend to drive a little more "spirited". most runner drivers i see are pretty smart with the throttle.

I think that this is what i am after.. I know I'm rusted under there.The TRD is (was) pretty throaty and nice sounding- not annoying but not quiet either.
Thanks I think I'll go with this and make a video to go with it.
1996-2002 Toyota 4Runner Cat-Back Exhaust System Touring Part # 14659

T4topher · May 31, 2021

It was my truck in the video. I’ve heard borla and trd exhausts are pretty darn similar sounding. I had a 2016 Scion tC that I put a trd exhaust on. Also put the same borla muffler on my 97 3rz Tacoma. One of my buddies had a borla cat back system on his 2000 z28 Camaro, that’s what got me hooked on borla lol..

CrudRunner · May 31, 2021

Got a Borla in my '97. Unsure of age/miles of installation as I'm the 7th owner. I really like the sound. Believe it's at least 7 years old, looks great, but that being said I'm in Bay Area Cali, so no routine snow, no salt. But great sound.

giguchan · May 31, 2021

T4topher said:
It was my truck in the video. I’ve heard borla and trd exhausts are pretty darn similar sounding. I had a 2016 Scion tC that I put a trd exhaust on. Also put the same borla muffler on my 97 3rz Tacoma. One of my buddies had a borla cat back system on his 2000 z28 Camaro, that’s what got me hooked on borla lol..

Hey,
I thought so too. That makes the decision a little easier for me. The sound was tolerable and i guess the "drone" is acceptable to me and those around me who have to hear it.
Thanks.

giguchan · May 31, 2021

CrudRunner said:
Got a Borla in my '97. Unsure of age/miles of installation as I'm the 7th owner. I really like the sound. Believe it's at least 7 years old, looks great, but that being said I'm in Bay Area Cali, so no routine snow, no salt. But great sound.

Congratulations!
You win the award for having the runner with the most owners! Just means that a lot of people have good taste in Automobiles. Thanks for the reply.. this just made my decision a lot easier. I was looking for similar sound.

giguchan · May 31, 2021

T4topher said:
It was my truck in the video. I’ve heard borla and trd exhausts are pretty darn similar sounding. I had a 2016 Scion tC that I put a trd exhaust on. Also put the same borla muffler on my 97 3rz Tacoma. One of my buddies had a borla cat back system on his 2000 z28 Camaro, that’s what got me hooked on borla lol..

BTW you have the headers too right? or was that another Timmy video. Because they might bein the works also... but I'm not 100% sure yet.

T4topher · May 31, 2021

giguchan said:
BTW you have the headers too right? or was that another Timmy video. Because they might bein the works also... but I'm not 100% sure yet.

No I don’t have headers only the muffler, might be another video. Wouldn’t mind headers someday though lol.

giguchan · May 31, 2021

What are the purpose of headers? i mean are they supposed to do anything special?
They don't mess with emissions do they? here's the link i was talking about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqNLNZctR1w

Devbot · May 31, 2021

giguchan said:
What are the purpose of headers? i mean are they supposed to do anything special?
They don't mess with emissions do they? here's the link i was talking about.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqNLNZctR1w

Headers allow for completely unrestricted exhaust flow. On a stock, n/a, low HP motor they really don't mean much and will only free up a few HP typically; those with tunes and forced induction see much more benefit from them. Some like to make points about backpressure, but long story short it's a very large myth/misconception these days and has not been relevant for decades.
Assuming you still ran them with your cats and O2 sensors, emissions shouldn't change - however some states might fail your inspection for tampering with exhaust which is seen as an emissions component.
They sound phenomenal but I heard from some user here that fitting them on a 5VZ requires HEAVY relocation of just about everything in the engine bay that isn't on a pulley, which is why I'd assume you don't see many talk about them. Food for thought.

giguchan · May 31, 2021

Thanks for the reply.
They sound like something that i might be interested in after i get some
more the more important stuff out of the way. I'm already going out of turn
getting my Muffler system before doing my Belt/water pump. I have already have the belt done it's going to be time again soon. My Exhaust is totally gone so i have to get it done. otherwise it WONT pass inspection next year(o2 Sensors and all that)
Then the rear Diff is rusted also. Thanks for the information

Fun times..

gamefreakgc · Jun 1, 2021

If you want to save some money, you can have an exhaust shop fabricate a cat back exhaust and add in a 2.5" center to offset Borla muffler. Would cost around $400 vs the new $600 price tag for the Borla exhaust. Could use that $200 for something else.

I have a custom exhaust with a Borla muffler and it's great. 3" piping is way too big and loud for most though.

giguchan · Jun 1, 2021

3"? Yeah man that sounds kinda big for a squeaky lil 4 Runner. I thought of asking local shops if they would do something like this.. Some shops plain out said "No.. we don't do that sort of work" and other shops were more expensive.. Not to mention they don't use the same kind of pipe that Borla does.. 400? or something? whatever that means.

I'd love to hear what a 3" looks and sounds like. While the whole thing is apart i thought it might be a good idea to replace the header also. Any experience with this?
Thanks for the suggestions!..

Devbot · Jun 1, 2021

Would also like to hear a sound difference between 2.5 and 3 if anybody has it. 3in definitely seems too big for our motors - maybe less so if one was running a blower and some extra boost... Or, you know, 2 more cylinders :boink:

giguchan · Jun 1, 2021

Agreed.
I think the 2.5 will see me through. Imagine a blower! that would be waay cool.

giguchan · Jun 20, 2021

giguchan said:
Hey,
I thought so too. That makes the decision a little easier for me. The sound was tolerable and i guess the "drone" is acceptable to me and those around me who have to hear it.
Thanks.

I went with the Magnaflow.. in fact it arrived yesterday to be installed later on this week.

Ripper238 · Jun 20, 2021

Borla exhausts are very high quality. I had one for my old Expedition and it sounded great 3" and lasted forever with all the snow and salt in my area (NY/CT).

I would highly reamend them over most others.

Borla exhaust kits.. good for the money?

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