Best cost option for new cat-back exhaust system?

[Ed_C]

Keep the Magnaflow muffler, find a local shop that'll replace the piping in aluminized (at least) or stainless (best choice).

My exhaust system from both cats to the muffler are Walker OEM replacements, installed them early 2015 and so far so good. I kept the OEM tailpipe because it was still in excellent condition; everything else was replaced because I had converter related malfunction codes (even after changing the sensors) and the OEM muffler split apart. Sounds like stock, no drone.

 

[T4R2014]

Was it just a muffler you scabed into the exhaust, or was it the aluminized complete muffler flange to flange? My setup is alumized. Both sections.

Your problem reminded me of the Walker mufflers for my Saturn. Never lasted longer than 3 years. Even their supposed stainless units.

This is the entire exhaust lying in floor this May after I pulled the engine from the 96 this spring to put it in the 97. I ran the engine 20min every 1-2weeks while it sat waiting for a vehicle to put the engine in.

I just junked a Napa cat-back like yours. The muffler casing was split. Those crush bends aren't pretty either. I need to ask my mechanic where he got it, but he put in a stainless steel system with mandrel bends. It's super quiet. Time will tell how long it lasts. Made in China but everything made in USA I've installed on a 4Runner was just as shitty anyway.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

I just junked a Napa cat-back like yours. The muffler casing was split. Those crush bends aren't pretty either. I need to ask my mechanic where he got it, but he put in a stainless steel system with mandrel bends. It's super quiet. Time will tell how long it lasts. Made in China but everything made in USA I've installed on a 4Runner was just as shitty anyway.

Figure out who made yours. Eventually I'll be replacing mine. Napa makes a 409 stainless for muffler section for 240 in my area. Considering I bought this in May of 2013 it isn't going to turn to rust crunchies by spring.


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[T4R2014]

Figure out who made yours.

Lol, it's probably in some metal recycling slum in India by now.

Moral of the story, OEM lasts the longest. And I still find the crush bends of the Napa exhaust cheap and nasty.

 

[19963.4lsr5]

Lol, it's probably in some metal recycling slum in India by now.



Moral of the story, OEM lasts the longest. And I still find the crush bends of the Napa exhaust cheap and nasty.

I thought that in my teens and 20's. Don't care at 50. Never noticed the performance gain between same size pipe that was mandrel or kink tube bent. It does look cleaner though.......


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[T4R2014]

I thought that in my teens and 20's. Don't care at 50. Never noticed the performance gain between same size pipe that was mandrel or kink tube bent. It does look cleaner though.......

It feels no different. I'm just picky over little details.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Is there a cat-back system that will increase MPG and HP?

The TRD one does, but it's very, very minimal. A deckplate mod will do more for $10, so don't go chasing ponies in the exhaust on these.

For reference, I'm building a 300+ HP motor and have no plans to change the exhaust beyond the Borla muffler I have in. I cannot change the downpipe (it's smaller than the exhaust) or remove the cat, so there's no point in chasing performance in the exhaust if you cannot change those two bottlenecks further upstream.

For the OP, I've had both a Magnaflow on the 2nd Gen motors and a Borla ProXS on the 3rd Gen. The Magnaflow drones real bad around 2k RPM's. The Borla is quieter but still there, but doesn't drone nearly as bad.

 

[TonyB66]

The TRD one does, but it's very, very minimal. A deckplate mod will do more for $10, so don't go chasing ponies in the exhaust on these.

For reference, I'm building a 300+ HP motor and have no plans to change the exhaust beyond the Borla muffler I have in. I cannot change the downpipe (it's smaller than the exhaust) or remove the cat, so there's no point in chasing performance in the exhaust if you cannot change those two bottlenecks further upstream.

For the OP, I've had both a Magnaflow on the 2nd Gen motors and a Borla ProXS on the 3rd Gen. The Magnaflow drones real bad around 2k RPM's. The Borla is quieter but still there, but doesn't drone nearly as bad.

On the Borla ProXS, do you have the 2.25" to match the stock plumbing? If so, I imagine you went with this center/center one (40363):

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bor-40363/overview/

I found a few here who have been quite happy with the Borla XR-1 (40941 and 40942). That muffler is for much higher displacment engines though...

 

[gamefreakgc]

On the Borla ProXS, do you have the 2.25" to match the stock plumbing? If so, I imagine you went with this center/center one (40363):

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bor-40363/overview/

I found a few here who have been quite happy with the Borla XR-1 (40941 and 40942). That muffler is for much higher displacment engines though...

Actually, this is the one you want: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bor-40665. Our exhaust piping pas the cat is already larger than the downpipe (Toytoa figured that one out in the 90's) and measures 2.4". The closest size is 2.5", and our mufflers are centered on one side and offset on the other. This muffler lets you cut out the stock one, slip it over the existing pipe and weld it on without shrinking the pipe diameter.

I'm not a fan of the XR-1. All Borla/Magnaflows/etc. with a straight-through exhaust style will increase flow over the baffled stock muffler, so performance wise there's nothing to be gained with our stock engines from one muffler to another. But the trade off is noise. The XR-1 are way too loud for me. Before I put sound deadening, I actually wasn't a fan how noisy the ProXS was, but now that I've added the deadening material I only hear it when stepping on the gas or if the windows are down.

 

[TonyB66]

Actually, this is the one you want: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bor-40665. Our exhaust piping pas the cat is already larger than the downpipe (Toytoa figured that one out in the 90's) and measures 2.4". The closest size is 2.5", and our mufflers are centered on one side and offset on the other. This muffler lets you cut out the stock one, slip it over the existing pipe and weld it on without shrinking the pipe diameter.

I'm not a fan of the XR-1. All Borla/Magnaflows/etc. with a straight-through exhaust style will increase flow over the baffled stock muffler, so performance wise there's nothing to be gained with our stock engines from one muffler to another. But the trade off is noise. The XR-1 are way too loud for me. Before I put sound deadening, I actually wasn't a fan how noisy the ProXS was, but now that I've added the deadening material I only hear it when stepping on the gas or if the windows are down.

Really good info, thank you.

I see that you are in CA, so your Runner likely has two cats also. That offset info is valuable. I believe I was the first, or certainly one of the first to use a Borla Turbo muffler on the MINI Cooper S. Understanding the offset possibilities with a very custom effort was quite important...

2.4 inches though. Interesting. I imagine 2.5" band clamps such as these will do the trick too, at least to get to a muffler shop for a weld job, and to attach hangers...

Nothing like hearing in-person, but here are a couple XR-1s on 3rd gens:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yopSI4OdFiw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K70LiW4iWEk

I agree, most would say too loud...

Also, those are only center/center. So, some funky welding would be necessary, it seems...

Might you have a photo of the Borla installed? I didn't see one in your build thread. Apologies if I missed it...

 

[tvpierce]

I got the Walker QuietFlo Stainless system from Rock Auto:

(Note: only the muffler is stainless, not the entire system.)

http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...7,exhaust+&+emission,exhaust+system+kit,10727

$190
Get a 5% off coupon online, shipping was $20

 

[gamefreakgc]

Really good info, thank you.

I see that you are in CA, so your Runner likely has two cats also. That offset info is valuable. I believe I was the first, or certainly one of the first to use a Borla Turbo muffler on the MINI Cooper S. Understanding the offset possibilities with a very custom effort was quite important...

2.4 inches though. Interesting. I imagine 2.5" band clamps such as these will do the trick too, at least to get to a muffler shop for a weld job, and to attach hangers...

Nothing like hearing in-person, but here are a couple XR-1s on 3rd gens:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yopSI4OdFiw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K70LiW4iWEk

I agree, most would say too loud...

Also, those are only center/center. So, some funky welding would be necessary, it seems...

Might you have a photo of the Borla installed? I didn't see one in your build thread. Apologies if I missed it...

Unfortunately I don't have a photo. It's literally welded in the same spot as the old muffler. The Borlas are reversable, I think the guy put it on "backwards" to match the piping. I don't have a CA emissions 4Runner though, mine is a Federal with one cat thankfully! That first cat is unnecessary really. Passes smog just fine with only one.

There's a guy in my neighborhood that has a Borla XR-1 on his, and it's stupid loud. As in driving down the street at 25 MPH and it's annoying sort of loud. I'm just not into that sort of thing.

 

[TonyB66]

Unfortunately I don't have a photo. It's literally welded in the same spot as the old muffler. The Borlas are reversable, I think the guy put it on "backwards" to match the piping. I don't have a CA emissions 4Runner though, mine is a Federal with one cat thankfully! That first cat is unnecessary really. Passes smog just fine with only one.

There's a guy in my neighborhood that has a Borla XR-1 on his, and it's stupid loud. As in driving down the street at 25 MPH and it's annoying sort of loud. I'm just not into that sort of thing.

As you might haven noticed in another thread, I ordered the Borla 40665.

Indeed they are reversible. Golf ball in, golf ball out, either side....

Maybe the 2nd cat might help a bit prevent droning.

Thanks much!

 

[amalik]

Just an update, a local shop next to my house was able to heat the tailpipe with a commercial torch (where it was hitting the frame and making loud vibrations) and then bend it slightly away to resolve the issue.

$50 fix VS getting a whole new cat-back system for now.

Original issue? Shitty Muffler (Magnaflow) install by a local 4x4 shop that isn't around anymore.

Thanks 3rd gen family for all the input, it will help in case I ever upgrade from the Magnaflow.

 

[nvestor88]

How's the noise level of walker quietflow, compared to oem?

 

[Jason B]

There's also the Gibson, with a ss option now for about $450.

Burtman Industries[6143]=9762675748&opt[2483]=

I believe this deal ends soon, possibly after the New Year. [MENTION=9]Jason B[/MENTION] can probably clarify...

It maintains the factory side exit, which I prefer too.

Correct. Last day to get this sale price!!! Clcik above. And up to $50 rebate if you do stainless!

 

[sugjavier]

Correct. Last day to get this sale price!!! Clcik above. And up to $50 rebate if you do stainless!

$484 is still a great price!

Question though guys, is this one better than the Borla?

My mechanic said I need the muffler + pipes/tailpipe completely replaced. I'm pretty sure my 4Runner has 2 cats and my mechanic said they're both fine.
I'm just wondering if he needs to trim the pipe and if that'll affect any special coating or something?

Basically I'm picking between this Borla from AutoAnything ($540)

OR

the Gibson Exhaust from Burtman Industries ($485)

or the same Gibson exhaust but with the Matt Black Ceramic coated SS tip ($535 total) --does that just look cooler and still SS?

I'm done with Walker or any cheap pipes/muffler...I like something that would last more than 2-3 years because this is the 2nd time this happened and I only got 1-2 years on the cheap aftermarket ones that cost $200-300.
I'm planning on keeping the car anyways and Michigan has that crazy snow

 

[Bodhi327]

Borla

I just put the Borla cat back on, found one on here used, was an easy install once I got past the rusty oem parts(had a shop grind the rusted bolts off). No drone, perfect fit, made well. Could not be happier. Its not really loud at all, better than stock but not a ricer or kid sound.

 

[I_bRAD]

I just put the Borla cat back on, found one on here used, was an easy install once I got past the rusty oem parts(had a shop grind the rusted bolts off). No drone, perfect fit, made well. Could not be happier. Its not really loud at all, better than stock but not a ricer or kid sound.

Agreed. Super satisfied with mine and I was under there a couple weeks ago still looks brand new (been on there for several years now) Easily the best aftermarket exhaust I've ever purchased for any car.

And even though I've got the fancy stereo, sometimes I just turn it off and roll the rear window down and listen to the exhaust.

 

[TonyB66]

Looks like it was in another thread, but I really like the Borla muffler swap.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/250288-borla-xr1-vs-borla-pro-xs.html#post2899969