Hello guys I want to put a new exhaust system on my 2003 TL-S. (I know another exhaust system thread, just please bear with me). I don't currently have the money to get a full cat-back exhaust so I was looking into just doing an axle-back. I know that there are no real performance gains to doing it this way, I'm purely just after the looks and sound. After doing some research on here and on the all-mighty Google, I have narrowed down two options as to what to do; should I do what was suggested in the other thread posted on here to just go with straight pipes and leave the mid-muffler and resonator on? Or should I do a mid-muffler and resonator delete and put on a new pair of back mufflers? I've seen the videos of the straight pipes and to be honest they weren't really loud enough for my personal taste. I don't want anything obnoxiously loud, but still something I can hear while driving, while not sounding too "ricey". I'm going to a custom shop to get the work done because I really don't want to have to wait for the mufflers to ship (yes, I know I'm impatient). I'm getting conflicting messages about which one I should go with and wanted to see if your guys' input could help sway me one way or the other.

I'm posting this at 2:45am California time, so I will check back later in the afternoon to see what you guys say. Thanks in advance.

 

lol at thinking straight pipes wont be loud and obnoxious.

modding is an experiment.
if you have funds; you can experiment to your hearts content.

if you dont have funds; I would go the cheapest available option to you.
then, if you dont like it....keep modding till you do like it. which goes back to option 1. hope you have deep pockets.

 

call excelerate or mrheeltoe and ask for their professional advice, based on installing every type part they sell~

straight pipes lose back pressure which the engine needs
Different rear mufflers will amplify and change the sound
ck youtube for muffler sound clips of the TL

 

Straight pipes go for it! They aren't very loud for DD (they will be louder than stock tough) if you keep your mid muffler you will keep cops happy but loud enough when you go VTAK kick in yo! Check my thread about straight pipes, I have a video and there is another video of other TL-S driving by too.

About back pressure, all cat-backs and axle backs will promote lower back pressures but that doesn't keep the good old J to produce more ponies.. IMO the exhaust system is already inadequate for the J, it needs to breath better.

 

Problem is with you wanting more noise but not obnoxious is the TL really doesnt get obnoxious sounding, even with no mid mufflers, mufflers etc it really doesnt get that terribly loud. The problem is is the Drone. It can get bad. There is a very fine line of making more sound and making more sound and drone. Im catless, a straight thru 1 into 2 muffler (used only for a Y pipe, soon to be removed for true dual with X pipe) and 2 comptech mufflers. When i put in the straight pipe inserts to make it basically straight pipe from the motor back. Even with that setup at WOT i can barely hear the exhaust over the CAI noise.

 

The drone can get really bad without mufflers. I would personally go with a production system that's designed to be louder but at least has a muffler. I would go with the Apexi Worldsport, although if you are on a budget there may be other options best suited to you. Check out our website for some options and pricing:
APEXi Exhaust - WorldSport 2 - Excelerate Performance - Japanese and European Performance Specialists!!

 

I STRONGLY suggest these and here is all the info you need on them! I love mine and am so glad I spent the money on them

https://acurazine.com/forums/photogr...-backs-925810/

https://acurazine.com/forums/second-...d-clip-926067/

 

I know you said you do not want to wait but you have to with these because they are custom made for our cars and only come from authorized dealers which was well worth it. Once I got them I had them put on within the following days and had my mid muffler deleted and they sound great and are loud and aggressive but not insanely overwhelming or too loud like some cat backs I've seen and been around.
Nice not rice (-:

 

I have the Tsudo Axle-Back Exhaust on my TL type s and love them! They're not raspy or loud and pretty deep sounding. They sound really good hitting vtec. Just bought some headers and going to install them soon and should be louder. Keeping the cat but might get a high flow cat on, not sure. Then piping 2.5 in all the way back. Ebay has the Tsudos really cheap. The exhaust tips are perfect size and match up with the rear lip great.

 

I love my tsudo axleback + mid muffler removed with straight pipe. IMO easiest and cheapest setup. nice rumble, however a little drone @ highway speeds.