I am looking for recommendations for an exhaust system setup that:

1. is Legal
2. provides a less restrictive path for increased power output
3. has a sporty-throaty sound / feel when booted without the continuous 'drone' when cruising
4. has No big POD thing hanging under the bumper.. (I'm 42.. not 22! LOL)
5. preferably has twin system

This is so I know what I want and not get rolled over by some salesman at an exhaust place..

Don't really know of any exhaust shops that have "salesmen", just exhaust fitters who know what they are doing, and should be able to put a system together for you based on what you have described above.

If you just swap the rear muffler for a straight through design you'll get a gain with no drone and a nice note when you boot it. The rest of the piping isn't that restrictive. There's plenty of room for another muffler on the left but it will make it a lot quieter.

If you just swap the rear muffler for a straight through design you'll get a gain with no drone and a nice note when you boot it. The rest of the piping isn't that restrictive. There's plenty of room for another muffler on the left but it will make it a lot quieter.


:stoopid:
the stock exhaust is already 2.25", so no need to change unless you wanna turbo or go crazy in the future, i have a straight-thru redback muffler either side of the rear bumper, with twin pipes on each, and there is no drone at all. as long as you dont get a cannon you'll be fine.

A VRX exhaust would fit all your requirements except the twin look.

if you want power and good noise

extractors ....high flow cat.....2.5'' piping hot dog in the middle....with a high flow straight through muffler in the rear.


extractors give more power
high flow cat less restrictive
2.5'' piping lets it breath
hot dog takes the drone noise out
high flow straight through muff in the rear gives out a nice noise when punched

A VRX exhaust would fit all your requirements except the twin look.

The only difference between the VRX and a standard exhaust is the rear muffler.
The Lukey LR2779 is the equivalent, and I had one installed on my TJ wagon a couple of months ago.
It's not too noisy, doesn't drone, and sounds better than the factory muffler, and I'd certainly recommend it.
The cost was $180 for the muffler and installation.

Cheers,
Martin.

I've been very impressed with the Magnaflow twin outlet mufffler. Virtually no drone, and a very deep roar when accelerating.

Not sure how you go with the rear bumper shape on a TW though.

haha. I have a Cannon on my 2003 AWD and it drones...awsome note to it tho!!! I'm not sure of a setup that totally eliminates droning (apart from stock) but nothing will to the extent of a cannon.

Another big thumbs up for the Magnaflow, you really do get what you pay for. Although make sure you have a nice big resonator if you wanto keep it quiet.

If your car is stock or near-stock, most of the gain in both noise and performance will come from a quality straight-through rear muffler. So start with that, and then decide on your next move, if any. Make sure the muffler inlet is 2.5", some come smaller.

You may find you need to add a larger resonator/centre muffler if its too loud for your liking, and you can upsize to 2.5" piping while you're at it if you want.

Btw new mufflers tend to be quite droney/loud at first, but settle over a few hundred kms. So don't be alarmed if your system is too loud/droney at first, it will quieten down considerably, in my experience.

Extractors also make it sound better, although if you have a quiet system, you may not notice any/much difference.

As for performance increase from 2.5" piping..well I'm getting that along with a 3" metal-cat done this coming wednesday, in preparation for cams and the associated bits. I'll let you know my findings with the 2.5" piping and high-flow cat :)

As for performance increase from 2.5" piping..well I'm getting that along with a 3" metal-cat done this coming wednesday, in preparation for cams and the associated bits. I'll let you know my findings with the 2.5" piping and high-flow cat :)

You'll be happy with that, remember mandral bends.

I have an Xforce PT01 muffler, if you keep the stock piping and put that muffler on the end you'll have very little if not any drone. The only thing is there a twin up tip muffler 2.5" per tip, you'll have to cut the bar like I've done to my VRX