borla cat-back system installed

[Vegas]

So got my Borla system today... It was meant to be bolt on... but like someone else mentioned in another post (((that I cant seem to find anywhere to add to that thread instead of starting a new one))) that getting the two bolts to come lose seem impossible I have all kind of cuts all over my hands trying to get it to unbolt... after 2 hours I gave up and made a run to Lowe's to get a power saw to cut the pipe out... after that quick cut the old system came out in two mins and and the new one went back up in 5 mins... everything matched up perfect... the only issue I had was placement of the clamp, the directions were pretty vague so I put the clamp where I think it would make the best seal... I don't think I have a leak, I think I would be able to hear it.

I am very happy with the system.. I know its all in my head but the truck feels faster from a stop and almost like it wants to spin-out the duratracs (i said almost) even if its not faster I like the little growl it has when accelerating.

Overall I'm happy with this Mod I know I probably could have gotten the same sound out of a magnaflow... or by just changing the muffler out instead of getting the entire system... (which looks identical to the stock diameter piping) I know I could have saved some cash but after talking to a tech at borla on the phone over which muffler to switch out, i was a sucker and went for the full system... you should have heard the guy "but sir I don't understand??? why would you want to just change it to a universal muffler??? we took so much time and research to make an entire system customized to your engine to ensure maximum efficiency and this is how you repay our hard work!?" well he didn't say the 'repay his work" line but he did sound like he was hurt... maybe he owns stock in the company... either way he got me and I am happy with my purchase!

 

[Boaz]

How does it sound? Is it loud in the cab? Any drone sound at all? Lets see some pics of it on the 4 runner!

 

[jam23r1]

we must have a vid asap

 

[Moving Chicane]

......Any drone sound at all? .....

Interested in this myself because others have reported "drone" with some of the other solutions out there on the market.

As far as my ears hear it, the stock system has no drone (at least during the first 3,000 miles of ownership).

To be clear, "drone" to me is that "sub-sonic constant booming" that almost sounds like something is barely rattling without the metallic sound... and usually is in the lower RPM ranges...says 1-3K.

 

[homeyclaus]

Wow, I am just impressed by how clean the underside of your truck is. Things are even shiny. Have you only had it a week?

ETA: I think even the stock exhaust drones a little. But that's maybe because I bent it (see off-road pics and stuff).

 

[Prolex7]

we must have a vid asap

:iagree:

 

[Vegas]

755 miles on it and hasnt seen any dirty yet.... The Borla sounds great! To be honest you really cant tell any difference when you start the car or driving through your neighborhood at 30mph but I can definitely tell a difference from a dead stop with improved acceleration.... and that is when you can hear it... but it is not overpowering, with the windows up and the radio on you cant tell its there… I haven’t heard any drone at all… Ill post some pics when I have some daylight… I think there is already a great sound clip that someone posted on here. I'll try to find it and post a link

 

[ROBSCOOL]

I've had this installed on my 2011 for a few months now and still stand by my purchase! Sounds awesome, especially when paired with a CAI (I have the TRD Model). Drone isn't bad at all and I would do this all over again if I ever had to! Glad to see someone else on the thread is driving around with the Borla Cat-Back and silly Borla Hat they included in the box!

 

[GrantK]

Installed mine this past weekend. Took 30min, no problems getting the old bolts off, although I did bang my knuckles removing one of the hangers. Mounting the Borla was easy and straight forward.

I love the sound, nice and quiet (like stock) until you get on it (with an aFe CAI), then you hear the growl of power which sounds great. I don't hear any droning at all at city or highway speed. I don't have enough miles yet to say if it makes any real difference in power or mpg but seat of the pants tells me there is a slight improvement in power when I punch it.

The cost may not be worth it to some, but I'd do it again in a heart beat. Having it as a pre-fit kit is a big plus, no worries about anything fitting correctly. The only thing I wish the did was make it a side exit.

 

[Prolex7]

755 miles on it and hasnt seen any dirty yet.... The Borla sounds great! To be honest you really cant tell any difference when you start the car or driving through your neighborhood at 30mph but I can definitely tell a difference from a dead stop with improved acceleration.... and that is when you can hear it... but it is not overpowering, with the windows up and the radio on you cant tell its there… I haven’t heard any drone at all… Ill post some pics when I have some daylight… I think there is already a great sound clip that someone posted on here. I'll try to find it and post a link

There is a real nice video clip of a Magnaflow cat back. Youtube I found a sucky user vid of the Borla. Some guy put the camera right under the exhaust tip 0_o

If you make one I am sure many of us will appreciate it!

 

[flying fuzz]

Any idea which muffler this kit uses? Borla.com doesn't list and I was just going to buy the muffler and do a different exit, like behind the RH rear tire.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[GrantK]

Any idea which muffler this kit uses? Borla.com doesn't list and I was just going to buy the muffler and do a different exit, like behind the RH rear tire.

Thanks,

Tom

Probably because they don't sell it as muffler and pipes. The muffler has the several feet long exhaust pipe that goes to the flange at the CAT welded to it along with all the hangers. Just like the stock one.

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

Question. Are the pipes same diameter or larger than stock.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Any idea which muffler this kit uses? Borla.com doesn't list and I was just going to buy the muffler and do a different exit, like behind the RH rear tire.

Thanks,

Tom

it looks like a Borla ProXS

 

[Hardrunner]

then you hear the growl of power which sounds great.

.

Really?

 

[Vegas]

I spoke to a borla tech and he said they don't sell just the muffler to replace the stock one... Which is what I wanted to do to save some $$$ and cause the stock pipe seems real close if not the same diameter as the borla... Even though it was more expensive then just buying a universal muffler It helped justify the price because it was bolt on and matched the stock hangers so I didn't have to pay a shop to put it in and weld on custom hangers etc....

I'll work on a video on my next day off... (iPhone video sorry)Ill try to do one at start up and another when I hit the gas. Unless one of the other guys on here gets to it first.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Borla tech told you that because he wanted to sell you the cat back system. i have yet to see the internal view of the muffler than comes with the cat back kit, but i have seen/heard Borla cat back kits on Chevrolet trucks and Audi cars. They all have mufflers that look just like yours, that also resemble the Pro XS in look and sound. I mean if it is anything like the Pro XS then thats not a bad thing, since it is pretty much the quietest high flowing muffler on the market.

I love Borla exhaust, my 4Runner is the first vehicle i have not installed Borla products on.

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

AfterMarket exhaust

Seems like all the aftermarket catbacks use 2.5 inch pipes. Isn't that the same as stock? So what's the point with upgrading? Am I missing something? Why not just change the muffler? I guarantee you that mandrel bent BS makes very little difference if any. 1engineer,what's your take?

 

[Mick1]

I just changed the muffler and tip on mine. Look at my sig link for pics.

I had found a very good price on the whole borla system, but it was still a bit less expensive to do the muffler / tip and go to a local shop and pay labor.

In hindsight overall I kinda wish I had done the whole system. The stock tubing is great material, bends, and heat shields so there is no weakness in structure or performance there. However, I do "wonder" if the tailored muffler would have had a bit different sound at various RPMs. It is a bit larger than the universal muffler I put on so probably quieter.

Really the overall reason for dissatisfaction is because I was not happy with the work the local muffler shop did. I had to go back and get it re-welded to fix a leak. Basically they did a bad job, and I would have been happier to have done it myself with the full borla system. However, every thing is fine now.

 

[Boaz]

Apples to Oranges, but I dynoed my 2011 Tundra before and after exhaust install (corsa cat back 3.5 inch) and i got a 3 hp gain. The sound was sooooooo sexy and the tips really set the truck apart bit at the end of the day spending $1200 for 3 hp sucked. I think the toyota OeM exhausts are pretty efficient and built to last. So unless you want the sound, I say stick to stock.