Got some spare cash for an exhaust sound upgrade. I know there has been a lot of threads about this but I just want to clarify a few things..

I've got a stock TW Vr-x manual and just want a bit more noise but not too loud so I can still do interstate driving.

Went to the exhaust shop today and was given 4 options:

1. Chop the middle muffler out $80 (straight pipe from cat till rear muffler)
2. Replace middle muffler with hotdog $120 (the shop claim it won't make much difference)
3. New rear muffler $200
4. Full 2.5inch cat back $440

I like the stock exhaust note just want it a bit louder..which one should I choose? Keep that in mind i don't want to spend too much $$ either for just exhaust note

1). Definite NO!! You will wind up with a raspy fart can exhaust note that barks like a loud dog when giving it the gas. Gawd awful IMO.
2). Absolute waste of time & money. Not even sure why the exhaust shop is even offering this as an alternative.
3). Depends what type of muffler it is. If its a Lukey LR2779 then forget it, pretty much what a VRX muffler is anyway. If it is something like a slightly smaller oval magnaflow straight though muffler then yes, that would be a good sonic upgrade. But at $200 I highly doubt they are quoting you on a magnaflow so I'm dubious as to if you are getting anything of even equal quality.
4). Complete waste of money. You already have a 2.5" mandrel bent cat back system with a sports muffler (From late '02 TJ II VRX magnas and later all had this system)

Hope that helps. ;-)

Got some spare cash for an exhaust sound upgrade.
I've got a stock TW Vr-x manual and just want a bit more noise but not too loud so I can still do interstate driving.


Why replace something that isn't broke?
Wait until the system falls apart. Then get a prefabricated system from Lukey, Walker, Redback and DIY the bolt on job.

Mitsu engineers spent a lot of time, experimentation and money getting the exhaust system right, ie minimal back pressure without annoying sound peaks.
Your muffler bloke cannot compete, you will end up with a farty/raspy car that will annoy you and people will comment on "Gee, is that a Commodore? Sounds just like one!"

Want more noise, get a CAI system and enjoy that vacuum cleaner intake sound!

Thanks for the advices..

Just wondering...What about a high flow cat?

Thanks for the advices..

Just wondering...What about a high flow cat?

No idea. Like everything else on my Magnas, I wait for things to wear out before replacing them. (Tyres for the TL front are next on my list. lol)
Someone else will need to discuss the pros and cons of different catalytic converters.

They are not cheap though . . .

Exhausts just don't seem to rust out like they used to. Could be in for a long wait.

Exhausts just don't seem to rust out like they used to. Could be in for a long wait.

Second gen ones seem to last forever.

I've replaced cat back systems on a 2001 TJ and 2004 TL though, due to rust damage. Pipes, rather than the boxes.
About $350 per car, easy DIY job.
Just walked into the shop and asked for standard bits.
My TJ now has a lovely growl on acceleration, just love that sound!
TL is still dead quiet, as it was before.

1). Definite NO!! You will wind up with a raspy fart can exhaust note that barks like a loud dog when giving it the gas. Gawd awful IMO.
2). Absolute waste of time & money. Not even sure why the exhaust shop is even offering this as an alternative.

Actually, the hotdog will reduce the raspy fart noise, while still being louder than with the middle muffler, so it is a valid option.

I've got a stock TW Vr-x manual and just want a bit more noise but not too loud so I can still do interstate driving.... I like the stock exhaust note just want it a bit louder..which one should I choose? Keep that in mind i don't want to spend too much $$ either for just exhaust note

I replaced my old TJ VR-X's exhaust with an aftermarket catback with a Magnaflow rear muffler (which was a similar-ish size to the OEM VR-X muffler, if I recall correctly). The end product was a little louder than standard but sounded orgasmic. Unfortunately, it droned fairly noticeably at highway speed, especially compared to factory.


Just wondering...What about a high flow cat?
There's some argument that a replacement cat isn't a bad thing, since they tend to deteriorate over time.

There's some argument that a replacement cat isn't a bad thing, since they tend to deteriorate over time.

How long should a cat last usually?

Actually.. I am inclining more towards putting on a decent muffler on.. and then sell the VRX factory one (I might keep the tip :P). That way I can get a new soundtrack and won't break the bank!

Anyone after a factory VRX bolt on muffler? :)

For the money you would get for it secondhand I would just keep it as a spare if you don't like your aftermarket muffler.

How long should a cat last? I don't know when the 'optimal' time would be for them to be replaced. I just remember when Steve Knight tunes were the in thing he was suggesting that anyone getting his tune have a high-flow cat installed.

If it counts for anything I never bothered with one.

If you want to fit a high flow catalytic converter, then last I knew the 100 CPSI (cells per square inch) ones are still technically illegal, but 200 CPSI is OK.
Best decent quality value for money 200 CPSI in the right size I could find from a quick search on Fleabay is this one:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/High-Flow-Catalytic-Converter-Stainless-Steel-2-5-200-cell-NEW-11-x-4-/260968945361?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3cc2f616d1
Still not super cheap at $129, but at least it's free postage.

Actually, the hotdog will reduce the raspy fart noise, while still being louder than with the middle muffler, so it is a valid option.

Just curious.. Have people done that with the VRX factory exhaust? and does it make any difference? I've talked to a few exhaust shop yesterday and most of them say it won't be any louder.

CAI was mentioned > Just be aware that your car already has a proper factory CAI that flows more than well enough.
Mitsubishi spent a considerable amount of time and money in development getting the intake system working well.
Modifying it for more noise can be at the risk of losing power. For example, I have the more powerful tuned 3.8 litre motor in my magna with full exhaust & custom 98 RON ECU flash. I tried various intake configurations and eventually got the 3.8 intake plenum cut & shut to accept the stock factory CAI that was originaly fitted (and surprise surprise, it gave me the best results).
Unless you are going forced induction or a seriously worked N/A engine, I wouldn't touch the factory CAI save for routinely replacing the air filter with a good ryco paper unit.


Just curious.. Have people done that with the VRX factory exhaust? and does it make any difference? I've talked to a few exhaust shop yesterday and most of them say it won't be any louder.

Even the exhaust shop aknowledged this would make minimal if any difference. For $120 fitted probably only gets you those lossy glass fibre packed hotdogs that don't last. I've been down that road myself - waste of money IMO.

Given that you want a louder note that still sounds good, the best way to acheive this is to go a quality smaller sized oval straight through muffler. Magnaflow straight throughs have a reputation for flowing well & sounding great.

Magnaflow part 12226: 5" X 8" oval @ 14" long body, 2.5" in/out & centre/offset configuration.
http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/shopexd.asp?zone=main&id=11092
I'm assuming that these dimensions make it physically smaller than your VRX rear muffler. If not, Magnaflow also do a 4" X 9" oval muffler with an 11" long body, 2.5" in/out centre/offset configuration that would be louder again:

http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/shopexd.asp?zone=main&id=11074

Both are satin finish Stainless steel & you would have to get the exhaust shop to fit a tip on it.
You can buy from any online seller or fleabay. (You will probably find it's cheaper buying it out of the States just make sure the USPS freight charge is reasonable).
I have a magnaflow on my AWD magna but it's a big full size type which is larger than your VRX muffler as I didn't want to go overboard with noise. It's the best sounding upgrade I did to my car. Beefy, deep & wails very nicely when I step on the gas!!

As for Cat converters, the factory unit flows very well so unless your cat is stuffed (cat converters usually are good for 150,000 kms), you won't pick up any real HP. But most users report that switching over to a high flow 200CPI metal cat does change the exhaust note & puts out a bit more noise, so maybe that's another option.

Now I'm inclining more towards the Lukey AL4-5597 muffler as I've heard it gives a slightly louder grawl in comparison to the stock vrx muffler and it is bolt on (so its a diy project!) $220 quoted from supercheap. That's probably what I'm after...just a little bit louder and deeper than stock, nothing over the top.

Then maybe a high flow cat somewhere down the track as I'm planning to keep the car for a while..

Now I'm inclining more towards the Lukey AL4-5597 muffler...

Never mind. They don't make the lukey al4-5597 anymore..

If you want to fit a high flow catalytic converter, then last I knew the 100 CPSI (cells per square inch) ones are still technically illegal, but 200 CPSI is OK.
Best decent quality value for money 200 CPSI in the right size I could find from a quick search on Fleabay is this one:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/High-Flow-Catalytic-Converter-Stainless-Steel-2-5-200-cell-NEW-11-x-4-/260968945361?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3cc2f616d1
Still not super cheap at $129, but at least it's free postage.

What about these:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HIGH-FLOW-METAL-RACE-CAT-CATALYTIC-CONVERTER-FOR-EXHAUST-2-5-200-CELL-/171037045299?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item27d29a3233
or
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-5-200-CPSI-cpi-Magnaflow-High-Flow-Cat-Catalytic-Converter-Magna-flow-/121458765379?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c4781ae43

How much should I be looking at to get them welded on? (I'm still keeping my options open)

Yep, that first one should be OK (from Scott's Rods).
I bought one that looks very much the same from Scott's Rods for my 380 about six years ago, it was a Zetti and it was good quality.
The ad doesn't say what brand this one is, it may or may not be a Zetti.
I would have linked to the same ad but I searched under Zetti and forgot the name Scott's Rods!
With the cutting and welding, my guess is $80 max by itself and no more than $50 extra if it's done as part of a bigger job.

CAI was mentioned > Just be aware that your car already has a proper factory CAI that flows more than well enough.
Mitsubishi spent a considerable amount of time and money in development getting the intake system working well.
Modifying it for more noise can be at the risk of losing power. For example, I have the more powerful tuned 3.8 litre motor in my magna with full exhaust & custom 98 RON ECU flash. I tried various intake configurations and eventually got the 3.8 intake plenum cut & shut to accept the stock factory CAI that was originaly fitted (and surprise surprise, it gave me the best results).
Unless you are going forced induction or a seriously worked N/A engine, I wouldn't touch the factory CAI save for routinely replacing the air filter with a good ryco paper unit.

Agree. I highly doubt there is anything to gain from the factory intake. It looks super efficient unlike my previous car (mazda 323) where the intake pipe before the air box is placed inside a resonator box which only has an inlet around the size my mouth..what a joke. I don't even bother with the K&N panel filter..its just easier to replace the paper filter in 30sec.

In saying that I do love the intake sound tho!


Yep, that first one should be OK (from Scott's Rods).
I bought one that looks very much the same from Scott's Rods for my 380 about six years ago, it was a Zetti and it was good quality.
The ad doesn't say what brand this one is, it may or may not be a Zetti.
I would have linked to the same ad but I searched under Zetti and forgot the name Scott's Rods!
With the cutting and welding, my guess is $80 max by itself and no more than $50 extra if it's done as part of a bigger job.

What about the Magnaflow one? Seems to be a bit shorter. Worth the extra $40?

So I got quoted $220 for a redback muffler cut n weld 14inch length in body. Or should I go even shorter 11inch?

The bigger and longer the muffler the less chance of drone.