Nameless Axelback 4" vs 5" mufflers. Does anyone have a good comparison?
 

I've searched high and low on this site, youtube, and elsewhere and I just can't seem to find a good comparison between the two. I'm looking for a comparison between the two muffler options with the rest of the exhaust bone stock.

I have no way to actually hear these in person so I'm going in to buying these completely blind.

I want to have some nice noise without being too loud/illegal. At the moment I'm leaning towards the 5" option but I don't want to spend the $600 to get it and then go, "well fuck, this is too quiet".

I feel the 5" would be safe incase I get other exhaust work done at some point. The 4" may be too loud if I decide to add on more pieces at a later date. Also, I'm afraid the 4" may be too "ricer" or "hey look how obnoxious my loud exhaust is" for me. I'm looking for loud but classy if that makes any sense.

So, again, does anyone have any direct comparison videos or personal experiences? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If you are going full exhaust with headers go 5". I was in your same boat back in February and I'm glad I went with the offset. I now have a 3" exhaust and its loud. Only do the 4" if you plan on keeping the stock header and front pipe. Go 5" for everything else.

The 5" axleback is noticeable by itself even. Its got a great deep tone and sounds wonderful.

Here is my full Nameless exhaust from stock header, downpipe, midpipe, to 5" axleback.

[ame="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XrxfZmRVILY"]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XrxfZmRVILY[/ame]

A youtube clip of both side by side would be nice. I've heard the 5" in person, just wonder how much louder the 4" is too.

4" muffler-non-off set

clip1 recorded by iphone 4 from 3'~ away
00:00-1:00 cold start from 1:00 idle and some rev
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKXFHe6_2SM"]Scion frs nameless 3" axleback non offset - YouTube[/ame]

clip2 recorded by iphone 4 put on the rear bumper
cold start and idle at 0:43
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoGEm0lqaig"]Scion frs namless 3" axleback non offset clip 2 - YouTube[/ame]

If you ask me how loud this setup and my answer is yes, it's loud but is it too loud? No.

I always shift under 3k rpm because I don't want to make some unwanted attention, but from 3k rpm, love the sound!!!

IMO, if you will add OP,DP, header later, you should go with either 5" muffler and offset (I think 5" muffler only come with offset option). But if you don't care about it, then just go with 4" non-offset just likes me. I'm thinking about ordering 3" OP,DP combo from nameless too and wait for their header.

Does anyone else have any experience in this area. I'm still not really sure which route I want to go. I hate having to drop $600 sight-unseen.

You won't be sorry with either Nameless system. I spent $600 for the 5" axleback in 3" form to start with, and then I spent the other $1000 for the 3" downpipe/overpipe and midpipe. The quality is unmatched and the welds are perfect.

@Evil Jesus
Just received my 4'' mufflers today, also got a straight pipe all the way from the overpipe.

It should be loud, if you want to hear it maybe we could meet up once its installed… Should be done tonight/tomrorow

I appreciate the offer. I'll shoot you a PM if I end up heading down that way.

I think your setup will be a bit too loud for my personal application. I love hearing that sound on other people's cars but I just don't need the attention from the 5-0. :evil:

I currently have Motiv catless front pipe and Nameless 4".
it's not super loud but it's little loud. i used to run all catless from header to back when i had RSX-S back in time and it was louder than my current BRZ set up.
everyone thinks differently on loudness.

welcome to see my set up in person if you want to.

I installed mine, its a bit loud but it does sound great, I may end up selling my over/downpipe from Nameless and order one with a resonator though, I think straight all from the overpipe may have too much drone.

if you get catless header, there will be none just loud.

I'm thinking of doing headers, just want to be able to drive without waking the neighbors, that's my main concern.

That's my concern with this whole thing. Loud enough to sound sexy but not so loud where I draw unwanted attention.

When I added headers to my exhaust, it went from loud to extreme. A big resonator like Perrin has in their system is pretty much a must for anyone who doesn't want a system that attracts attention or angers neighbors. I would also think the header plays a part in this too in the one that is used. Most of them are all thinner walled so the volume will increase indefinitely.

Yeah, as it got colder I felt like an absolute asshat starting my car in the morning with my nameless headerback (5in, offset, 2.5in pipe) and uel headers. It was so loud. With the perrin setup it's much better, sounds more like my sti with a mild exhaust. My car feels much faster now Im not so self conscious about my car being so loud.

The nameless 5in offset setup was perfect before the header. Don't bother with the 4in setup unless you want it LOUD.

Yeah 2.5" pipe 5" muffler system here, it is plenty loud I would not want louder.

I had RevWorks UEL Header with stock catback before my Nameless 5" arrived and when I installed the Nameless + UEL it was a super loud combo, attracted everyone's attention, LEO and come-race-me-bros...

I ended up selling the UEL header and keeping the Nameless 5", sounds perfect as is, just miss the torque dip flattening of the UEL.

Prepare for loudness and kittens running.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrR42x_MVIs"]JDL UEL catless header + Nameless Full 3" Headerback Exhaust - YouTube[/ame]

jesus that is intense.. I have the 5" mufflers w/ OP/Catback and resonator. I would love to hear this build with headers. I hope to purchase a header in the near future but need to do my research first. Wouldn't want it to be to loud as its my DD

Sounds about what I'm looking for. Attention without attention. 2.5" w/5" is what I'm leaning towards.



Jesus **** fuck that is loud! Hahahaha

My system has two resonators in it too, and the downpipe is catted. 2.5" might be much quieter.

Good thread!

I'm trying to decide between 4" or 5" Nameless axleback. I'm not going to upgrade any of the other pipes. Any advice? Thanks!

Oh, my old ears like my nameless axle back with the 2.5" piping and 5" mufflers.

I wouldn't want it any louder.

humfrz

Do you have any videos of your setup?

Just a short one at a cold start up. Which is about as loud as it gets, unless it's at WOT.

[ame]http://youtu.be/KJUxBJMlkQk[/ame]



You can hear it somewhat within the cabin when the car is under acceleration, but it mellows out a speed.

I like to describe the exhaust note as saying "I'm here" .... but it doesn't shout "LOOK AT ME!"

humfrz

Sounds very nice. Do you feel that it was a good investment at $600? Does it sound nice/different/loud enough to warrant the price?

I hear the build quality is worth the price alone.

Well, in a nut shell .... yes.

I really didn't like to replace a perfectly good muffler, but it was "too good".

On my last car (Miata) I only had to pay $350 for a quality, after market muffler.

Yes, I will say that it was $600 well spent. It makes me feel younger, when I hear it.......and at my age, that is priceless .... ;)

humfrz

Glad it makes you feel good! :thumbsup:

Another question: Have you noticed any aerodynamic issues after removing the stock muffler? I had heard that the shape of the muffler was part of the design of the underbody aero. Does it feel like you're dragging a big parachute behind you now or that there is any more lift in the rear end at speed?

Well, I haven't noticed any difference. However, maybe the small HP increase (if that's even real), overcomes any underbody drag.

As far as "lift", I wouldn't notice. You see, I got this rear tail thing/spoiler, that the salesman told me would keep the rear end planted up to 195 MPH .... :D

Maybe aero drag/tail lifting may come into play at speeds over 130 mph .... :eyebulge:

Oh, just "do it", Evil Jesus, life is too short to drive a sports car that doesn't sound like a sports car.... :)

humfrz

:thumbsup:


Maybe if I tell them that humfrz sent me they'll give me a nice big discount? :bow: :thumbup:

If I was going to JUST go axlebacks and not upgrade headers or go FI or anything, I'd probably go muffler delete or 4" just to save $$. But since I plan to FI, that means larger diameter exhaust parts and a header, which means a muffler delete or 4" muffler would be way too loud. Therefore 5" it is.

Not sure if you've read through the main Nameless axle-back thread, but there was discussions about change in mufflers, but its so big, it takes time to absorb and find what you need.
I got the "quietest", big 5" mufflers, offset, 2.5". Never heard other Nameless stuff. When I first put it on and started the car in the garage, I almost shit my pants, sort of shocking at how loud it was for a muffler (I never had aftermarket mufflers on cars). I knew it resonates much more in the garage, so I pulled it out in the street, hopped out to get something from the garage and I hear its damn loud from 20 ft (cold start). Even when it warmed up, after a drive, it was loud when I just bounced it to 3k in the parking lot.
First week, I thought I'm going to take it off, it was louder than I wanted it to. Luckily my co-worker who has a BRZ and expeirence with aftermaket parts, told me to give it a week. It got quieter, about 50% quieter it seems. Its not just me getting used to it, I listened outside when new and now, it definitely goes down in loudness in a week or so.
Now it sounds wonderful in my opinion. Not overly loud, but very meaty. I was in for an oil change and the tech guy at the dealership was excited and smiled, even snapped a pic with his buddy and commented how he liked the growly sound it gives, said he's used to loud exhausts, but this sounds unusual.
If you are looking to just add a muffler for more fun noise, I think this is it. A lot of people report that it gets louder the more pipes you add, so I would consider the factor of future upgrades. Seems as if you get the header down the road, you need "quieter" muffler, unless you're into a lot of noise.

Wife observation: she says the mufflers look like balls hanging, barely noticeable underneath the bumper when you drive behind it. Made me LOL when she said it, but it sort of looks like you got "balls" in there haha.

Well, you could give the old "humfrz" discount a try .... that along with Gray Thursday, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, AARP, military, AAA, or senior discount .... just may get you some off .....:w00t:

humfrz

Muffler delete will definitely be too loud for me. I think the 2.5"/5" combo will be the way to go for my needs.



All good insight here. Even though it got quieter after a week does it still shout when you go WOT?

Also, balls. :lol:

Yea, quieter, meaning quieter than annoying. First week, on the highway it would resonate inside the cabin, sort of annoying when holding throttle at constant load (3-4k rpms). Now its "smoother", not sure how to describe it otherwise. It does get interesting when you give it gas, so no worries there. Just like others mention, once you step on it, you know its there, cruising is mellow.

No videos of the catted 2.5" diameter 4" mufflers with catted+resonated OP/DP? That's the set-up I bought but the month-long wait is killing me :(

I guess you already got it and installed it on your car!
How is it? Did you make a video and posted somewhere?
Looking forward hearing your set-up!

Yeah I got it installed a few weeks ago. I'm working on uploading the video which I will do soon enough and post here. It sounds amazing.