Exhaust System Roundup

[blue2006]

i've been reading through the site for days now trying to figure out which exhaust system i want to try out on my new '06, the thing is, the info is in so many different posts, once i finish one review and go on to the next, i forget the important points about what i just read...so i was wondering if we could start a new thread and list the good/bad points of each exhaust systme in one place for everyone to use as a purchasing guide...

TRD Dual Cat Back -
The Good:

The Bad:

Sound note:

Gibson:
The Good:

The Bad:

Sound note:

Magnaflow:
The Good:

The Bad:

Sound note:

Borla:
The Good:

The Bad:

Sound note:

 

[OUTRNNR]

Magnaflow

Good - Excellent sound, build quality, fit, ease of installation, improved low end torque and throttle response, best value

Bad - Drone gets annoying, especially early in the morning when I'm tired and I don't have my stereo cranked up yet. Takes a volume level set to about 30 to outpower the drone (1500-2200 rpm)

Sound - Excellent. Besides the drone, which is going to happen with any aftermarket exhaust, it amplifies the right frequencies magnifying that classic V8 burble. Barely noticeable at idle and a beautiful noise above 2500 rpm under hard acceleration. Near redline it sounds downright mean. It does all of this without being intrusively loud either, inside or out.

Hope this helped. There is a sound clip on here somewhere

 

[sharp4runr]

Magnaflow

The Good: $390 shipped from Performancpeddler!!! Cheaper than the Borla/TRD and about the same cost as Gibson. I hadn't heard too much about Gibson when I was looking at exhausts so I went the Magnaflow route. I don't have an annoying drone like Outrnnr, but maybe that is to do with the V8 since I have the V6. Accelerating at low speeds (below 40) you have a deep tone, once you are cruising above 40 though it is a really mellow tone barely noticeable.

The Bad: Nothing so far though for me the install was a pain in the ass. The rear portion of the exhaust was on pretty damn tight and I couldn't get it off with hand tools. Combined with it being around 40* outside, I sucked it up and paid a shop $95 to install it. The shop ended up having to cut off the back section so I didn't feel too badly that I couldn't get it off. No complaints so far...

Sound note: I'll try to get one this weekend at Rausch Creek. They'll be a couple of guys there and one of them is bound to have a video camera...

 

[holzapfel]

YOU'RE MY BOY, BLUE!!! Great Idea for a topic, I've been doing the same as you and when I finish I have about 10 windows open about exhausts! I can't make up my mind either...

 

[blue2006]

keep it comin guys, this could be a good post for all of us that are looking to get the exhaust...

what about the pipe routing, wasn't there some posts about certain sysyems that were routed in a way that made the pipes vulnerable in off road conditions?

And is the magnaflow really a dual exhaust? its a one into two configuration...so is it really dual?

is the TRD the quietist of the bunch

 

[holzapfel]

I'm curious about the fitment as well on 2005's, I believe something changed from the 03/04's but I'm not exactly sure.

I think it had something to do with the spare tire placement. Since I have an 05 I'm very curious, I like the split dual exhaust, but I think they won't fit 05's..

man, I'm lost on this one.

 

[OUTRNNR]

keep it comin guys, this could be a good post for all of us that are looking to get the exhaust...

what about the pipe routing, wasn't there some posts about certain sysyems that were routed in a way that made the pipes vulnerable in off road conditions?

And is the magnaflow really a dual exhaust? its a one into two configuration...so is it really dual?

is the TRD the quietist of the bunch

The Magnaflow is not a true dual, it splits into two about 8 inches before the double tips. The nice thing about the magnaflow is that the muffler is quite a bit smaller than stock, so it tucks up underneath the frame nicely, I don't see how it could be too vulnerable to wheeling.

The routing is the same as stock only it turns out behind the rear wheel. I think this is actually an improvement over stock for wheeling because it increases your departure angle. I've seen alot of posts of people who have bent their stock exhaust because it almost sticks out behind the bumper.

 

[sharp4runr]

Yup, the routing for the magnaflow follows the stock piping exactly except at the end. Instead of going straight back it turns to exit right behind the passenger rear tire.

The routing change you guys are talking about is for the Borla exhaust. For the 2003-2004 Sport Editions, the Borla exhaust would fit fine. For 2005, the mounting for the XREAS shocks were changed causing the spare tire to move a bit. Since the Borla exhaust exits on both sides behind the rear tires, the extra piping has to go around the spare tire. Well you can't fit the spare tire if you mount the 2003-2004 borla exhaust on a 2005. Apparently Borla has a different part number for the 2005 models with XREAS.

I don't like the Borla/TRD exhaust because it uses extra piping to get that "dual exhaust" look. Seems like it is just extra weight to carry around, but to each his own...

 

[holzapfel]

sharp4runr -

Thanks for the great explanation, I like the split look behind each tire. I will go find he part # for an 05 from borla.

thanks,

 

[toyota03]

sharp4runr -

Thanks for the great explanation, I like the split look behind each tire. I will go find he part # for an 05 from borla.

thanks,

The Borla part# is 140146. Fits 05-06 v8 engines.

 

[jdub24]

Borla Exhaust

The Good - I love the way it looks. I just think it gives trucks/SUVs a "meaner" appearance when they have dual exhaust. I know, I know, it's not a "true" dual, but it's not like it's a sorry product either. Since it's a Borla product, it's backed by a lifetime warranty and it's made out of the best possible products. Plenty of time went into developing this kit also as the install was a snap. Like someone above stated about the stock exhaust, I ended up cutting it off like their shop did. Removing the stock muffler part was the hardest thing about the install.

The Bad - The price.

The Sound - I put it on my V6 4Runner, and it REALLY changed the sound. There is nothing ricey sounding about it at all. Just a nice, low rumble at idle and cruise. Once you get on the gas, it's a different ball game though. It really seems to change then. Still, it's not obnoxious at all. (My last daily driver was an Evo 8 with a straight pipe, no cat, no resonator, just muffler. I know all about obnoxious sounding exhausts.) Again, I feel all trucks/SUVs should look and sound like this from the factory.

 

[truckhigh]

TRD EXHAUST

GOOD

its TRD!!!!!
the dealers can't really say anything and fitment couldn't be better. The sound is deep and not to loud. Its dual exhaust like the way a V8 should be(even if it is a fake dual). the laser etched tips on both sides that no one can get a imatation of.
I have a carb legal TRD certificate i keep in my glove(i live in CALI)

BAD

Price!!!!
It does have a drone from 1500-2250(not to annoying,only up hills). But, I think any exhaust has drone and especially on a V8- auto- 5spd.
keeping the trd exhaust tips nice and shiny!!!!!! haha

I would like to add, that i wouldn't want to add it if I had to get rid of my spare. Unless you have upsized your tires and plan to get another way to keep a spare.

 

[Bluto]

I need a side-exit exhaust like the Magnaflow. The stock exhaust melts stuff on my cargo carrier.

The Gibson is suppose to be a side exit, but I have not see a pic to confirm it. Does anyone with a V8 have a Gibson? Does it have the same drone as the magnaflow?

 

[toyota03]

Just got my Borla exhaust system installed on my 05 v8 4runner. Looks is super, The sound when idle you could barely hear it. When foot on the gas it really sounds mean. It is a V8. I think the sound is going to take a little getting use too. Order the borla exhaust from a Florida dealership (Courtsey Toyota) at wholesale price. Not to bad.

 

[holzapfel]

Do you have a url where you ordered the exhaaust? what was the price?

 

[toyota03]

Do you have a url where you ordered the exhaaust? what was the price?

I got from Courtsey Toyota in Florida for $678 free shipping.I got this info from another member on this forum. I spoke to a nice gentlemen name won, but you can speak to Tad. He should be able to get you the same part for the same price. Just mention this forum.

 

[Koz]

keep it comin guys, this could be a good post for all of us that are looking to get the exhaust...

what about the pipe routing, wasn't there some posts about certain sysyems that were routed in a way that made the pipes vulnerable in off road conditions?

And is the magnaflow really a dual exhaust? its a one into two configuration...so is it really dual?

is the TRD the quietist of the bunch

NONE of the aftermarket cat back systems are true dual exhaust, because they are attached to the single pipe off the cat.

The quietest of all the systems available is the JAOS system; it is also the most expensive.

Koz

 

[4RunnerRon]

holzapfel, I was the member who originally posted about the special pricing for the Borla kit (part 140146 for the V8 sport ed. 4Runner). If you speak to Tad Bowling at Courtesy Toyota in Florida and mention you heard about it from this website, he'll give you the deal. Very good guys to do business with and I'm happy with my kit. It also came with an AFE air filter (same company makes TRD filters), but that's another subject.

 

[blue2006]

is the TRD exhaust available for 2006 V8 Ltd's with XREAS?
i heard the pricing was close to a grand...

 

[toyota03]

holzapfel, I was the member who originally posted about the special pricing for the Borla kit (part 140146 for the V8 sport ed. 4Runner). If you speak to Tad Bowling at Courtesy Toyota in Florida and mention you heard about it from this website, he'll give you the deal. Very good guys to do business with and I'm happy with my kit. It also came with an AFE air filter (same company makes TRD filters), but that's another subject.

Thanks T4Runner I remember

I got my borla from won at Courtsey Toyota, because Tad was on vacation that week. The system gives me a little kick but the drone is still taking a little time to get use to.