I installed a Works axleback muffler on my 2005 Evo VIII. Here's my impression:

1. The muffler is shipped in expanding foam packing. The most expensive type. So the muffler arrive scratch free. Very professional. Helps justify the $349 price.
2. The install is easy. The fit is perfect and utilizes all the factory hangers. The piping is bugger at 76mm than stock, but the flange bolts up fine to the smaller OEM flange. Bolts and gasket are included.
3. Power wise Works claims 12HP. I haven't dyno'ed the car so I don't know. Peak boost is up to 22 (stock is 20 at 3500 rpm) and tapers to 19 psi by redline (stock is rated at 17).
4. The quality of the muffler is 1st rate. All polished stainless. Perfect welds. Beautiful tip. See my pic.
5. Sound is quiet by some people's standards. A little too loud for my tastes but I'm super picky about sound. I performed a sound meter check following California vehicle code procedure since most people quote this standard. Using a radio shack meter held at muffler level 20" away at a 45 degree angle, here are the numbers using "A" weighting per CA vehicle code:

idle=81 dB
3000 rpm=85 dB
5300 rpm=85 dB (the Calif max)

But these numbers are deceptive. "A" weighting doesn't include low tones (the bass). The Works muffler sound is extremely DEEP. In the morning, when the car revs at 1200+ rpm to warm up, you can feel my house vibrating. Here are the numbers using "C" weighting which includes low tone:

idle=104 dB
3000 rpm=105 dB
5300 rpm=92 dB

As you can see, the exhaust rumbles loudly at 3000 rpm which is right where your highway cruising rpm is at (legal speeds). This creates a noticeable amount of interior resonance.

Anyway, hope people find this review helpful.

 

Good write up, my experience has been the same. I have the ABM, but also the resonated IP, hi-flow Cat and the ceramic coated DP. All top quality including the gaskets, bolts and nuts. The good impression starts with unpacking and seeing the care that has been taken to ensure it's not damaged in shipping. Everything just fits perfectly together. I also have the Vishnu Xede. With just this exhaust and the Xede the car dyno-ed 293whp on a Mustang dyno.

 

Why did you install the axleback when you already had a catback?

 

Part 2: I decided on a full catback. The ABM is going up for sale. As soon as I get some sound readings on the Buschur catback, I'll post another review. Subjectively, the Buschur catabck with the Magnaflow muffler as a much smoother sound. Less deep and as a consequence, less interior resonance. If I was to start over, I would have started off with the catback. The factory pipe is only 2.25" O.D. vs. 3" for the Buschur. Better sound, less interior resonance, more power. I can only imagine that the full Works catback (or turboback) as being incredibly loud. Unacceptable to me. But some people like loud...

 

How's the sound?

 

wow, those are some eye-popping numbers with just turbo-back and xede. i have cams, cam gears, test pipe and a custom tune from shiv, along with what you have and came in just under 300 using 92 octane.

 

Definitely louder than stock, that’s for sure. But, compared to others I have heard, about the same. To my untrained ears, it's fine.

 

I have been tuned, too, and it was on 93 octane.