Top Speed Auto Pro-1 Axle-Back Exhaust Review
 

After reading about all the reviews from other members about Top Speed’s other exhaust systems, I figured I’d give it a shot with their axle-back. I wasn’t looking for something loud as I needed a change coming from the Berk track pipe, then the Works Axle-Back Resonated exhaust; these two exhausts were too loud for daily driving, probably my old age too. See below for reference:


http://www.ft86club.com/forums/attac...1&d=1395289954


Design:

This exhaust looks just exactly like the Greddy SP Elite: similar muffler, piping, design, I’d say this WAS the Greddy minus the engraving. I’m sure the material isn’t the same, as I couldn’t justify paying $600 just for an axle-back. The exhaust tips are just perfect, I measure using the size of my fist – if the tips are bigger than my fist, then they’re too big, unless of course if I’m running boost. Has four hangers, but comes with some crappy locking washers, nuts, and bolts. There’s no doubt Top Speed could have provided better hardware. Weight didn’t feel much lighter than stock, the shipping box said 29lbs total, assuming this included all the cardboard stuffing and bubble wrap.


Installation:
4 hanger arms, lines right up to the factory hangers. Installation wasn’t so bad, I managed to install this myself using my jack to hold it up while I pushed in the hanger arms to the hangers. Came with a gasket to replace your OEM gasket.


Sound:
I’m so pleased with the tone of this exhaust, absolutely perfect for daily driving. I haven’t heard a Greddy SP Elite in person, though they sound similar on Youtube.

Here is my clip:

[ame]http://youtu.be/0xiWqeCkI4U[/ame]


I unfortunately don’t have the factory FP and MP on, currently running a Works mid-pipe with an Invidia cat-less resonated front pipe. I don’t know how much those two contribute to the sound, but it sounds deeper than what’s in that Youtube clip. Now, if the TRD exhaust had a little brother, this would be it. Has a deep, low tone that’s hardly noticeable from the cabin. I actually think the intake sound on hard acceleration is louder than this exhaust. I’d like to say this is the gentleman of axle-backs.


Overall Impression:
Damn good purchase. It was just about $360 shipped from Texas, can’t beat that price for a great exhaust.

Follow this URL if you want more details from the listing: http://www.ebay.com/itm/390766129372...S:3160&vxp=mtr

I’ll try to get an audio clip up sometime this week.


.ck

I was looking at this axelback too! thank you for the review and video but unlike you i'm running the stock op/fp so hopefully it'll be quieter. i do like the 4.5 inch tips though...does everything align perfectly? also, do you still have the reviews from other members? I want to do more research before biting but so cheap ahhh

I love my TP axle-back, sounds good and great price. Can't wait to add headers, should sound sweet:party0030:

It probably would align perfect if I had the stock FP and MP, just slightly off, but that can be adjusted by playing around with the rubber hangers. I can push it out to the right a bit, I've found it difficult to find an exhaust that aligns evenly.

Just do it.

.ck

Mine is actually slightly off as well (stock FP & MP). I need to play around with it more but it's not that bad.

how's the sound? does it drone or pop? ahhhhh i feel like the price is too good to be true haha

Right!? I was shocked at the price and how well it's turned out to be, I'm so worried about eBay stuff. No drone, no pop. :thumbup:

Again, the only things that worried me were the nuts, bolts, and locking washers -- all of which can easily be replaced.

I'll try to grab a sound clip sometime this week.

.ck

I like the look of it a lot. Great option for people who want to keep the rest of the exhaust system stock and only switch out the stock muffler.

I've been looking at this exhaust for awhile now. Just haven't heard anyone with it.

Are you able to post some pictures with the sound clip as well? That would be much appreciated!!!

Thanks

How was installation? I'm a noob when it comes to this stuff and debating if I should attempt this on my own...

Glad you like it. I was close to buying this, but on the group buy facebook page there were alot of horror stories about fitment.

Looks good though!

Attachment 71287

Fits okay for mine, required pulling it a bit at the connection point to the MP. See below to see where it's off a little, just need to play with the rubber hangers a bit.


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I've been wanting to buy this for a couple months. Just haven't had an extra 375 sitting around. I know it's cheap, but in the middle of a home project right now!!!

Glad to hear you like it. I can't wait to order mine.

Link?

I have the same exhaust and mine also sits a bit to the left on the right tip. Also for anyone wondering I have it paired with the OFH and it sounds perfect. No drone and a nice deep rumble.

It was on facebook a while back - too much work to find the link lol

Oh my audio or video clip please!! I'm looking at the same setup.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3S...it?usp=sharing

Hot start, a few revs, hit soft limiter, then playing with popcorn tune. Couldn't move it back any further for fear of people in my complex running my phone over.

Perfect, i love it! :party0030:

Damn!



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Nice! It seems like a lot of people are having fitment issues with the right tip...my OCD is going to get out of control =(

did you change anything else like put headers or anything? if not im sold

Sorry that video was the response for a sound clip of the tsp1 paired with an open flash header, so yes it is with catless headers.

Oh, gotcha. It sounded too raspy and poppy to just be the axle back. I was nearly sold until I heard that clip. Sounds mean but a bit too much pop for my liking... Now I'm rethinking it. I wish somebody had a clip with otherwise stock car and just this ab.

He added the pops and farts on purpose. I didn't hear any rasp. And before he induced the pops at the end it sounded quite nice to me.

can you make a sound clip for this exhaust?

The pop is directly related to something I am doing in the tune (there is a thread in the tuning section about it). In normal conditions it does not ever pop.

Yes! I recorded off of a cold start yesterday. Need to get it posted later today

.ck

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I got video coming soon of my set-up. JDL EL Header, DC sports Catless front pipe, TS Pro-1 resonated cat-back

Great! looking forward to it

Took a while, but here is the video as promised.


[ame]http://youtu.be/0xiWqeCkI4U[/ame]


I'll work on getting a drive-off video this week.


.ck

nice, any drone?

Sounds fantastic. I'm sold.

So silent that there is no drone. Again, I can hardly hear it from in-cabin, friends say they can hear me when they're behind me though.



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Looks and sounds great. I'm tied between this, Greddy SP and the Nameless 2.5 inch by 5 inch. For under $400 shipped, the Top Speed seems like one hell of a deal. How are the welds/craftsmanship? Also, the tips seem larger than most exhausts available for our cars and they are awfully close to the rear section. Any melting from the proximity of the tips?

The tips passed my fist-measuring test (the tips on any exhaust are too big if I can fit my fist in them), sure enough, the Top Speed are just a bit smaller than my fist.

Welds and craftsmanship seem just fine, I couldnt tell the difference really between this and the Greddy SP Elite beyond the "Greddy" etching.

As for location, I check everyday on the tip clearance. Hasn't melted or affected the rear section & diffuser. could use some realignment, I'll tackle it this weekend.

.ck

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thanks for posting. May have to end up going this route.

Any word on the driveway video? Dying to hear it!

I just got a new dash cam, so I'll try to get a clip up, coming soon.

.ck

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Thanks for the review, I ordered one last night. $380 shipped