Stock Axleback

[Cheap Guy]

Ok, I’ve listened to a bunch of clips but I still can’t get a good impression of the stock axleback versus aftermarket. Is it really that big of a difference between stick and the Borla S-Ttpe and/or the difference really worth the price? I’m not looking for a performance boost - it’s for sound only.

[Avenging Orange]

Sound is always relevant to the individual . It will change as other components are changed.
That's why us old farts recommend starting up front....i.e., headers. Everything after that will change sound minimally. Still don't understand why so many want to replace a prefectly good 2.5" exhaust with another 2.5" exhaust.
Good luck.

[Reichler]

Sound is always relevant to the individual . It will change as other components are changed.
That's why us old farts recommend starting up front....i.e., headers. Everything after that will change sound minimally.

You start with headers as you get a performance bump, plus it will change the tone of a stock system sometimes to an individuals preference. Your last sentence is completely wrong though. You can go from mild to wild sounding depending on what sort of catback configuration you go with.

Still don't understand why so many want to replace a prefectly good 2.5" exhaust with another 2.5" exhaust.

Because they don’t like the sound.

[lemontwist]

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

Sound is always relevant to the individual . It will change as other components are changed.
That's why us old farts recommend starting up front....i.e., headers. Everything after that will change sound minimally. Still don't understand why so many want to replace a prefectly good 2.5" exhaust with another 2.5" exhaust.
Good luck.

the easy answer is it's the easiest thing to change and wayyy cheaper than long tubes.

[Alex15]

I had the stock axle back for a week or so after buying my ss before replacing it with the borla s-type. That was four years ago so forgive me if my recollection is a bit foggy. As I remember I thought the stock system was pretty quiet. The s-type was advertised to me as still fairly mild under normal driving conditions, and a decent bit louder and more aggressive under open throttle, with an overall deeper pitch perhaps than the most aggressive borla option. I think this was a fairly accurate representation of what it sounded like. I was quite happy with the sound at full throttle, though maybe at idle it was just ok. Also there was a considerable in cabin drone even in normal driving conditions, which honestly was a bit annoying. Overall I think I was happy with it, but it certainly wasn't the best I had heard by a good bit.

I have since added an ARH long tube and x pipe system back to the existing borla axle-back. It is not as deep a sound, louder at cold start up, and considerably louder and more aggressive wide open. Although I did like the deep sound, I am overall much happier with the sound now. Also, could just be my ears playing tricks on me, but it seems the in cabin drone at low engine speed is reduced, which is a nice bonus I wasn't expecting.

[lemontwist]

i have a magnaflow cat back msrp is like 1500ish i paid 450 slightly used off a wrecked car.it's a little better than stock i would not be happy with it if i paid retail. that being said i am happy with it.the advantage is claimed better scavenging,deeper tone sounds good under load at WOT. the stock system i removed was actually quite nice a axle back would have been just fine.

[SSkat]

Another vote here with starting with longtubes and going from there. I know you said you dont care for performance but i feel anything with the stock manifolds is tame.

[Avenging Orange]

[Cheap Guy]

Well, lesson learned. All those clips posted are kind of worthless because they don’t give you an idea of what the exhaust sounds like inside the car where you’ll obviously be spending most of your time. What sounds good revving it up in your driveway is a lot different than experiencing drone on a long trip. I’ll start over again because I still want a nicer sounding exhaust than stock but I’ll hopefully get some actual in person opinions or even get to hear an exhaust while the car is actually moving before spending money again.

[Bo White]

When buying a catback your mainly buying sound unless you have a build healthy enough for a 3" exhaust. Stock catback fits the bill on most builds unless you don't like the sound. It's already there so no cost involved to try it.

[Cheap Guy]

Originally Posted by Bo White

When buying a catback your mainly buying sound unless you have a build healthy enough for a 3" exhaust. Stock catback fits the bill on most builds unless you don't like the sound. It's already there so no cost involved to try it.

That’s what I’ve heard over the years. That’s why I wonder why many folks go with a catback when a axleback will do just as well and is usually cheaper and easier to install. Like you said, I was going for sound plus the suitcase stock mufflers are just ugly to me.

[Bo White]

Paint em black

[Avenging Orange]

Originally Posted by Bo White

Paint em black

Ha! That's what I did years ago.

[1JEWLDSSRS]

Well my first mod back in 2011 was doing an axle back because I couldn't afford headers and a tune, plus still had the warranty. After listening to too many videos I decided to go with the Pypes Performance axle back and bot was that a drastic change from stock sound, still had the stock mani's and big resonator, but the sound was nice, then I did an x-pipe and it got louder! When I finally got the LT's installed my tuner thought from the sound that I had a Corsa exhaust on there !! lol..Just the Pypes axle back.

https://pypesexhaust.com/i-13475216-...omb-sgf53.html