Another upgrade I am considering is exhaust. My favorite sounding car is a 5.0 Mustang. I know that a TL-S will never sound that good, but I would like to come as close as possible. I want it to growl, not buzz. Also, I hate oversized pipes. I am in my thirties and don't want my car to look like a ricer.

I would also like it to be throaty at all RPMs, including idle.

The other question I have is about "axle back" versus "cat back". How much of a difference will "cat back" make (if at all)?

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Get the Comptech exhaust if you like the muscle car sound.

 

Personally I liked the sound of the CompTech exhaust the best, although the HKS sounds very similar. The Comptech has a nice throaty sound, and I picked it over the HKS b/c the tips were slightly smaller (I think the HKS are a little too big for a TL). There really isn't any advantage to adding a cat-back b/c our cars already have a very wide open pipe (I think it's 2 1/2"), so the cost would not justify the price. Trust me on the Comptech's though... they growl.... I've seen people on here complain about the sound at "cruising" RPM (2-4k RPM) but to be honest I drive about 70 miles round trip Mon. - Fri. and I have absolutely no complaints. Can you hear it? At times, yes, but it's not annoying at all. Maybe I'm just not as picky as some people... who knows, but I love them!!