Hey all, I posted about a week or 2 ago about the cheap eBay intake and I ordered the k&n version of it and so far it is amazing, and now that I love the new sound of my TL, I'm looking for another upgrade. What I'm looking for is a custom exhaust job, but not looking for a complete setup. I've been doing tons of research and so far all I've found is that our pipes are 2.25 inches.

So I went to the Magnaflow website and I will definitely be searching around for the best price, but what I'm confused about is the length. Does it matter what length I get? If the length doesn't matter, then what length would be best to keep a deep growl to the way my car sounds now? If you guys have any other suggestions please feel free to chime in and post links.

I'm also not sure about this, but I believe that the mufflers are considered "center/offset" correct? if so which would be better?
14362
14325
14355

Does it really make a difference whether or not the muffler is polished or stainless?

And I'm sorry for so many questions in one post, but does upgrading to these mufflers add performance? And am I going to need a new resonator? If so could you link to which one I would need?

Thanks,
Chris

 

http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/sh...e=&orig=842442
http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/sh...le=&orig=42441
I also just did some more research into flowmaster and WOW do they sound nice. I got inspired after looking at a few exhaust clips on youtube.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnsOv6uW27k

I pretty much heard this exhaust system and fell in love with the exhaust note and I'm hoping that my intake compliments this nicely.

So from what I've read, I need 2 of one of the exhausts that I listed before and the 1 Dynomax resonator and a straight pipe to replace my mid-muffler correct? I'm really hoping its the second link because it's cheaper lol

 

anybody?

 

Ok I'll try to lend a hand. Some might disaggree with me but I've pretty much seen it all.

personally I think the link sounds like crap. Don't think that by doing years of research you'll somehow re-invent the wheel for custom TL exhausts. Every possible combination of mufflers/resonators/cats/piping has been tried before and the results are "usually" all pretty similar. Flowmasters are notorious for droning worse than just about any other muffler so if I were you I'd look at Magnaflow's instead.

The quick tips I would have for you from my custom exhaust days

- The stage mods are a waste of time/money for most people so by just going custom you'll save yourself a lot in the end.
- Try to keep the rear mufflers smaller to make sure they fit back there
- resonators can pretty much be as long as possibe (so to speak of course)
- An offest/offset muffler would make installation easier with less tight bends.
- don't be afraid to just throw the stock pipe out and have a shop bend you up new pipe so everything fits correctly.
- Not one ounce of difference between polished and stainless mufflers, just the look.

I'm sure you've searched but I'll suggest doing some more and don't believe everything you see/hear on youtube.


That help?

 

Just get XLR8/Comptech/ATLP and at least tou how it will sound. Going custom you dont know that. Going custome will be probably more expensive unless you can weld it your self or have a buddy to so it.

 

Going custom is ALWAYS cheaper. And yes you know how it will sound with a V6-- you just don't know how loud.

 

As long as you do it your self. He can alwayd buy used exhaust and save up a litle

 

This has been discussed at great lengths which is probably why you aren't getting any responses. vil0169 makes a lot of good points. I'm not sure about the offset/offset being easier but shorter is definitely easier. I've used 11's with no problem and now going to attempt putting 14's in because that's the shortest Magnaflow's come in 3". All are 4x9 oval offset/center.

My original setup with 11" 4x9 Magnaflow's droned like crazy with a 12" dynaflow resonator. I replaced it with a long 6" round 24" (I think) and it got rid of 99% of it. Only slight drone in the 2.5K rpm range.

The rest of my experience is with a turbo in the system so I can't be of any help beyond that.

I used plain steel for my first 2 tries painting it with engine paint.

This time I am using SS with non-polished mufflers. Can't see paying so much for full polished when you see so little of it except on your back or on a lift.

What I did is invest 600.00 in a reconditioned mig welder (220v) and have built each catback for under 400 each. True I paid more than I would with a factory made one but what fun is that . If you are looking for a quick fix, go with one of the ootb units.

 

thanks all for the suggestions, i will continue my search and i'm sorry but i will be back with more questions lol thanks again though!

 

This is my set up, yours would be quiter since mine is catless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MTbN...e_gdata_player

 

Sorry about the poor quality, it's a iPhone lol

 

callahan, what set up are you running? any drone?

 

I agree with this guy completely....

I dont think you did enough research but read the above post, it will sum up everything....

Stage exhaust dont do squat....its like all fart and no poop....
Changing just your mufflers wont do anything either....

the place you will make some power/sound is the piping....see ur future plans with the car and then either go custom or go with one of the exhaust that are readily available....

Upgrade the 2.25" to 2.5" piping and then add a set of mufflers and a resonator...you will see some power and a sound....you can tweak the sound by just getting the resonator replaced, etc....

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-performance-parts-modifications-112/custom-magnaflow-exhaust-718259/

I saw this guys exhaust set up and i like the way it sounds, if i end up replacing the entire piping to 2.5 inches, how much does that cost? and does it significantly change the sound?

also does a longer resonator make more or less noise? sorry i'm so uneducated about exhausts.

 

Well sound is subjective

To replace the piping from the 3rd cat: $~350 for piping + labor
Adding 2 mufflers and tips: ~$200-250

I would say you will spend ~$600 and then if you want the sound to be less then add a resonator ~$100

Resonator removes resonating frequencies....adding a resonator will make the exhaust quieter....

 

Agree with vill0169! Check out the Magnaflows 14815 (dual 3"tips) or the 14816 (dual 3.5 tips), the 14816 would have to work with a TL-S rear bumper.

 

I don't know why so many people knock the stage exhaust options. For some people like me that will never take the car to the dragstrip, it's not worth spending hundreds of dollars just to get that little extra HP.

I have had a cat-back exhaust before on my old car and I basically got tired of the loud cabin noise driving around town.

For less than $100 I think stage 1 or 2 setup is a great idea because we all know that Acura underdid our exhaust system.

 

I started in on my exhaust again. Being the 3rd one, I've accumulated the following that makes things so much easier:

1. Welder (small but 220v) I have a mig but would love to try tig. Using 304SS with trimix gas this time. Welds look so nice.
2. Pipe Expander (not the cheap ones, tried that and they are crap).
3. torch (using Mapp Gas) to bend hangers. An oxy/acetylene torch would be better
4. Angle grinder (actually had for a different project), wishing I had a band saw.
5. A good 1/2 air impact for the expander and to get things like jpipe nuts/bolts off.
6. 3" plumbers pipe cutter
6. Last but not least, a lift. I have a MaxJax that has made this job REALLY fun. I liked it before except when hot weld splatter would land on me since I was on my back. Sitting on a short stool is SO nice.

Of these, the welder was used for other fab on the turbo piping.
Lift has been used for countless things on both my TL and DD (Honda Pilot)
Torch used for household plumbing
Angle grinder used for things in the house and on the car.
Impact wrench is a good all around tool

Things not used much but glad I got:

pipe expander
3" pipe cutter.

 

^^^ dude....you do your own welds ? awesome....saves a ton of $$$

 

For anyone interested, here are Magnaflow 11229's (3" in/out center/offset) 4"X9"X14" fit in the tails of our rides. I am trying to point out how close it is to the sway bar in these pictures.

 

damn son....the 3" looks wide a fawk.....

the JnR is pumping a ton outta those 3"

 

Sexy rubber.

 

compared to stock it's massive.

Was hoping to finish this weekend, got all the cuts cleaned up, mocked up and tacked the split to the two mufflers and 3/4 into welding the Y, I ran out of shielding gas.

I guess I'll move to the clutch since I have to wait until Monday to my bottle filled.