Someone just tell me which cat-back to get

[thebear21]

well now i just feel like a jack ass, haha.
im coming from an 06 wrx with a greddy Ti-c (which i LOVED) but not a big fan of the exhausts they have for the frs/BRZ at the moment. i think im going with the Q300. and ill keep the AP just for shits when i turbo it. i just cant deal with the drone anymore

[Doc]

I completely get where the OP is coming from. There are so many exhaust options and it can be difficult to make a decision and filter out personal bias reviews. After all, most everyone favors their own - human nature. Video clips are great and helpful, but nothing is like seeing and hearing an exhaust in person. Let's face it, money doesn't grow and trees and we want to get this right the first time.

Many factors to consider: quality, fitment, price, sound, drone vs no-drone, cat back, mid-pipe, appearance, gains vs loss (yes, you CAN loose performance with an "upgrade"), availablity, resonator vs no-resonator, etc. Then once settled on a given brand, the shopping around for a reasonable price comes into play.

So what is one to do?? There is no short answer, but based on my experience, just research, make a best guess decision, then take a chance and go for it.

I'd stick with name brands that have a reliable track record and pay attention to the type of modded cars that have the given exhaust brand installed. Greedy, Invidia for instance seem to be often installed on the more youthful or heavily modded cars.

IMHO: Tanabe (Medallion Touring). I have one on the IS F (top quality from Japan, no drone, mature deep rumble). However, Tanabe comes at a price just above $1k.

Based on the reviews and careful consideration, I'd have to say that Borla is probably the one of the best options and less pricey, thus at the top of my list. If money is no object, then I would certainly consider: Tanabe, Perrin, and / or TRD.

Good luck!! :happy0180:

[Grateful Dave]

Originally Posted by Foobar

I too have the AFE/GReddy intake along with my Evo 3. I have an ECUTek tune tweaked for my car, so I don't think I'm seeing the leaning that you're seeing without the silencers. That all being said, I'm going to swap it out with a Perrin, as I got a good deal on one with the Black Friday sale. Love the sound of the Evo 3, love the performance, but the drone is something that I'm sensitive to and it makes me nauseous (I also get carsick / motionsick real easily, so maybe that's related).

I can't tolerate the Evo3 without the silencers, generally too loud and the 3000rpm to 4000rpm drone that is way too loud, hurts my ears and head. But when they are installed I really like Evo3. When the silencers are installed there is a little drone at @2500 rpm then again at @4500 rpm but between 2500rpm to 4500rpm which is your cruising rpms' no major drone and it has been silenced so it is not as noticeable. It's a Subaru Boxer motor there is going to be some drone when using a high flow exhaust. When I accelerate through the gears and rpms' with the silencers installed, the Evo3 sounds like music to my ears. If I had the ECUTEk tune, it would be probably be better. I need to look into one.
Good luck with the Perrin.