Which catback? opinions please
 

I think it is time for a catback upgrade. I am looking for the followings with my completely stock exhaust from header to muffler. I am not changing anything else other than catback.
- not loud, no drone, but a mature growl even with JRSC
- I know it won't add any power, but let's say least restrictive, no performance loss
- lighter than stock, the lighter the better
- doesn't look like a ricer, attract much attention, looks stock

My research over so many months led me to the following options
- TRD catback
- Perrin 2.5 resonated
- HKS Hi-Power Spec L (Carbon tip)

Among all these, my favorite is HKS (light, high flow, mature sound) but my only concern is its kind of ricer look. I read in the forums that Perrin is not light, and a little restrictive. I am thinking that it might be a performance loss with my JRSC increased exhaust pressure. TRD catback is expensive, loudest of all, but looks stock. I am not sure how TRD will be affecting performance with JRSC.

Any feedback on the followings:
- Is HKS looking too much of a ricer?
- Will Perrin be a performance handicap because of my increased exhaust pressure?
- How TRD will sound with JRSC? Will it be performance loss as well?
- Any other suggestions?

What about the Perrin 3in resonated? Since you are concerned about the 2.5 being restrictive.



Other exhaust that comes to mind is the CSG spec touring catback.
https://www.counterspacegarage.com/c...tition-exhaust

I've been looking for pretty much the same qualities as you. Catback isn't going to add too much power with a supercharger, turbos benefit more from less restriction so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Personally I'd go with HKS from that list. It honestly doesn't look too ricey, especially if the rest of the car isn't. The HKS was number one on my list for awhile but I decided I didn't like the look of it. It also doesn't have a muffler so it's a lot more important to add a diffuser.

Right now I feel set on going for the Corsa catback as I love the sound, even though it's about the same as stock weight. I decided the compromise on looks and sound wasn't worth the weight savings of the HKS as I'm not planning on turning my car into a full race car. I don't know if that's something you're willing to compromise on, though.

Nameless axleback.

CSG Touring Exhaust its 2.75" piping. That would work well with your application since you're supercharged.

If the HKS looks too rice to you, you should consider the non carbon tip version - to me it looks less ricer.

If anything I believe the Perrin will have the best flow out of all the exhausts listed. TRD and HKS both have 60mm piping (2.25"), while the Perrin has 2.5".

I've had the HKS in carbon fiber tip, they do make a non-CF tip too. My only issue with HKS was it sounded a bit hollow at times, where only WOT or stepping on the gas makes noise. Definitely no drone.

TRD. Has minimal drone, does have a natural deep growl to it, but is mature sounding.

Perrin. No experience with it

I have stock exhaust with TRD catback with JRSC. I love the sound and look. Sounds just a touch louder and deeper tone than stock, but doesn't sound like a hipster douchnozzle fart can. the neighbors won't kill you when you start it at 5am. If 5 hp makes or breaks it for you, go with the bigger pipes.

I will check the sound of Corsa and Nameless. But I'm not sure if I want an axleback since I would prefer getting a stainless and lighter midpipe in the process. Cords and CSG are not particularly light


HKS has two separate mufflers for each side together with two resonators (one is helmholtz) and the lightest at the same time. The titanium-tip version is louder and even lighter since mufflers are smaller and helmholtz resonator is missing. I will give the ti-tip another look.

I have the Corsa and while at first it's just a banshee wail past 3K rpm, as time goes by (had mine for over a year now), the sound gets a lot more scruffy and growly. I like it, but to be honest I miss that scream. Hopefully it comes back after a tune or something.

Thanks! This is good to know. I'm not after 5hp extra but I don't want to increase back pressure either. I also like TRD looks.

The smaller tubing of the TRD is off set by the higher flow muffler so you end up about the same as a larger tube diameter but a lower flow muffler. You will have no back pressure issues with a SC.
Ho's car with the TRD exhaust and the JRSC doesn't sound any louder than mine with the TRD. It still holds that nice deep tone even at higher RPMs.

Good! TRD starts to look better now that my noise and flow concerns are eliminated. Thanks!

If you ever change the header to a catless one get the Q300. It’s quiet at idle but plenty loud when on it. Others would be louder with a header. If never changing the header than go listen on YouTube or locals near you and pick the one you like.

There were some quality/reliability issues I have seen in this forum about Q300 and I have eliminated that option. After some consideration of ACE header, I have also decided to stay with the stock header.

I have a Borla (TOURING) axleback. The sound is really nice and I've had a lot of compliments.


If I was to do a catback, I'd go Perrin I think.

I have the Perrin 2.5" resonated. It doesn't really drone and it sounds deep and has a slight rumble to it. It sounds "mature" in my opinion. If you're concerned about flow they do have 3" version.

CSG MXP. It’s one of 2 exhausts that pass at Laguna Seca catless and boosted.

Id be shocked if the TRD was loudest out of those 3?!
HKS also do an axleback in the Legamax range that may suit better.
You’re really just looking for sound and the look of the tips. The full catback won’t make anymore power over the axleback.

I have the Perrin 2.5 Resonated and I love it. About to pair it with JDL UEL Catted and JDL Catted and Resonated Front/OP Combo. I could be wrong, but I wouldn’t be TOO considered about flow of the Perrin 2.5, particularly since the rest of your exhaust is stock and 2.25in. If you are super concerned about flow, your best bet would be headers and the ACE350 at that. Going 3.0 is pretty much just going to make it louder and likely be too much flow. The CSG MXP is definitely a nice mid point for the JSRC while keeping it to a mature sound.

Fuck the amateurs, especially TRD which means nothing these days.

Hold out for when Gazoo Racing eventually gets in on the game (unfortunately that will probably for the next gen).or go HKS.

I recommend the Nameless Axelback. With stock headers its loud enough that you know its not stock but not so much that a cop will pull you over. Zero drone. They also have a ton of configurations which allow you to choose between deifferent volume levels. I highly recommend the 3" with 5" mufflers as it gives the deepest tone while still having no drone and zero rasp.

Is the OP running at Laguna seca?

Thanks again to everybody. I just ordered HKS Hi-Power Spec-L with Ti tips (32016-BT001). I was thinking that the Helmholtz resonator was not included with the Ti version compared to Carbon-Fiber. But checking the HKS website showed that it was there. So I am not much worried about drone anymore. Ti version is lighter (just 23 lbs) but a bit louder than Carbon-fiber version since the mufflers are smaller although it still complies with the street sound limits in Japan. I wish there was a version without Ti tips but I a little ricer look is not too bad in exchange of weight savings of ~20 lbs compared to stock.

I like the sound, it is pretty quiet without WOT.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdVCUKEqFLw[/ame]

I will post when I receive and install it. Cheers!

Did you ever weight this exhaust. Im having a hard time believing the list weight of 22lbs

Never had the chance to weight the exhaust. It is definitely light compared to the OEM exhaust, which felt like a tank.

Very interested how this works out for you.


With these cars its hard to get lightweight + sounds good. I have the HKS Legamax Premium which sounds,fits,looks great. But it only 2lbs lighter than stock.


I wish someone could get a real weight of the Carbon Fiber tip version which should be a good compromise sound wise between the Legamax and the louder Spec-L that you got.


Damn I just want that weight reduction!

I meant it as a show of how quiet it is, even when at the extreme of catless and boost.

I have a Perrin 2.5 and I was looking for the same quality is mentioned. From my research I don't believe the Perrin 2.5 is any less restrictive than stock, in fact if I recall correctly they state it has less restriction than stock.

Weight difference is minor.

I'm not as familiar with the HKS but I love the Perrin it looks totally stock, the whole catback feels very high quality with no drone and the perfect sound, at least for me.

Check the following video at 1:15. They weigh the carbon-tip version which is a bit heavier than Ti-tip. They show 22 lbs. I will definitely post my experience
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1HT-IcSDXA[/ame]

Then why not use Laguna seca's db limit as a measurement and say it's quieter than XX db, even catless and boosted?:iono:

I was 3/4 of the way through a 12 hour night shift and not thinking totally straight lol

This
No muffler or res version.
https://shop.namelessperformance.com...haust-brz-frs/

Damn that is fking awesome thanks so much. I'm not sure why more people don't have that exhaust. I still like my Legamax you can hear the deep sound in the video but I may get the Carbon version and sell which ever one I don't like.

I think when I made my descision last year I wanted the exhaust stock style to fill in the area behind the bumper so I didn't have parachute effect. But the exhaust shield is light only 1lb and easy to make into a cover plate for that area.

I'd recommend the HKS Legamax Sport, but it is roughly the same weight as stock. It does sounds great, with a nice burble, and flows well too. HKS describes it as quiet yet high flow. Though I do like the sound of the Spec-L too.

Thanks! I think Hi-Power Spec-L looks a little too different than stock. That was (and still is) my concern too. I wish there was a plain tip version (not blue or carbon). But it has good flow, good sound, light weight, and hopefully good quality. So, I will give those blue tips a chance. If that annoys too much, I will paint with a heat-resistant spray dark grey color. I will think about a rear diffuser under panel later.

I was referring to something on this post here which just lowers the stock heat shield to block the air from getting up behind the rear bumper. I think anyone going to a cannon style exhaust should be doing this at least. Some of the pics don't work but you should get the idea

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73852

I love my Ace Laguna 90. Maybe even a little quieter than stock but that noise reduction comes not from brute force damping, but rather the higher frequencies are canceled through clever design. It breaths beautifully.

Thanks again! I was thinking about that empty space and this is definitely cheaper than the diffuser solution. That diffuser is $500 :confused0068:

That is a very interesting one for sure. It is not light at 33 lbs ((8.7+2.2+4)/0.454) but sounds very good. I am confused about the flow part of design though. With that much complicated piping, inlets, outlets, and joints, the flow seems to be rather restricted to me.

Actually the opposite, and is what I meant by brute force damping. Instead of shoving the 'signal' through a bunch of screens to create turbulence, it cleverly splits it evenly in sync. Then one side hits the magic can slightly later than the other to focus on canceling the higher frequencies.

Even standing far behind it one can feel more woof than hear bark.