I need a current recommendation on a 3in exhaust that can support medium power, HTA71, but is also relatively quiet. I was thinking to purchase the STM stainless steel. My current setup is a hodge podge of things I don't even know what they are. it sounds great, but its pretty decently loud at least under load. To avoid attention I though I would purchase a new catback setup. Any suggestions on what is currently a good street/power/track compromise?

here is the back story......

I recently was stopped....again in SoCal. I am profiled like not other. I have over 12 stops with no citations in the last couple of years, but this time it was a motorcycle that completed an audio test by asking me to rev my motor to 3k RPM and hold it there. I did that, and then he asked me to do that to 5k RPM. All of it was ridiculous, but there was nothing I could do. He cited me for VC 27150a which is about improper maintenance of exhaust. He told me someone drilled holes into my exhaust and removed the 'sleeve'. It was all nonsense and BS. Someone handing out infractions about cars without any knowledge of cars, but I can say or do nothing because they are in a position of power. Also, my 9 year old daughter was in the car.

I am growing weary of getting pulled over for no real reason except that its an Evo, or looks like one, or has a big wing or something like that. But at the same time I don't mind getting an exhaust that isn't quite as loud. I am older now, and have had the Evo for 12 years, so its OK. I love it, but it doesn't have to be such an overt thing for me. quieter is fine. I am considering taking the wing off too.

I also received a 55 in a 40, which was the speed of everyone else. and a no plate in the front (which is my own damn fault, but still annoying)

M

 

Oh great more CHP shenanigans.... The Cali struggle never ends.

I don't have one myself, but I hear the RRE stealth exhaust is the way to go to make power and stay under the radar. If they still make it...?

 

I had the RRE for a while. It is quiet and looks stealthy. It actually made more power then the Tomei exhaust my car came with. Now I am on the HKS carbon exhaust and I would call it borderline for CA. Its decently quiet when cruising at a constant speed but its pretty loud getting up to speed. WOT is very loud and raspy but sounds great.

 

I have heard this in person and it is not too loud, just deep rumble (Like RRE Stealth but less deep bass sound). Would you still get pulled over, I'm not sure but it is not flashy or loud.

https://www.maperformance.com/collec...-9-31013-bm001

This exhaust is the most recommended to be quiet and still make powder.

https://www.maperformance.com/collec...-tanabe-t70072

 

You need an RRE stealth, or a Tanabe Medallion touring.

 

I run the Tanabe Medallion touring, its pretty great if you're looking for quiet and solid quality. I hunted around for the quietest 3" I could find and everyone pointed to this being the way to go with its giant oval muffler. Would certainly recommend.

 

OK, it seems like the consensus here is that the Tanabe is the one to get to not choke off any exhaust flow, but quiet down the setup. Its double the price of the seemingly bargain HKS sport. Thanks for the comments and quick tips. I couldn't find the RRE on their website (which is still stuck in 1997).

Just curious, but one of the comments the officer made was that it was illegal to replace any part of the exhaust, which doesn't at all sound correct. Again, I didn't argue, but it sounded like nonsense. I can understand the cats and so on, but the mufflers have an entire industry behind them for replacement parts, even for your lowliest Camry.

M

 

You might have to give RRE a call and see if they are still offering it, I don't recall if the stealth was ever on their website.

Yah the sad thing is that the police aren't required to know the law....
You did the right thing though, no point in arguing with them. He was wrong, everything after the cat is fair game without an EO.

 

Hi Michael, its amazing how aggressive CA police are about modified cars. Cops in Portland never give my Evo a first or second look, and its certainly not quiet, although it does have a very deep exhaust note. Anyhow, my friend (uvambo) has the Tanabe Medallion, and I have the RRE Stealth in stainless steel (their standard is non-stainless exhaust tubing). The Tanabe is impressively quite for a simple setup, and it has no neck-down so it will make as good of power as anything. The RRE Stealth is not a pretty as the Tanabe, but its even more quiet when its new. Its almost stock quiet, and it has a deep, pleasing exhaust note. Not at all ricer. (Tanabe is similar.) If you haven't seen a Stealth, it has two silencers and a muffler. Mine has become fairly loud over the years, but I think that's to be expected for exhaust systems that utilize fiber packing for noise reduction. RRE will ship the exhaust to you if you want, at least that's what they did back in 2007 when I bought mine. Another option might be to see if they can make a custom version for you that utilizes a larger primary muffler. RRE uses a Magnaflow muffler for their primary muffler, and there is room (barely) for a larger size if a side entry-center exit muffler is used. I've contemplated doing it for my Evo, but haven't gone ahead with it yet.

 

I'm in So Cal and been daily driving my VIII with HKS Sport exhaust, test pipe, down pipe for around 10 years and, luckily, didn't get any hassle yet. The HKS exhaust is fairly quiet but sound good when wot, no neck down, fairly affordable (I think I got it for less than $500 new), and look completely stock (meant no shining, no humongous tail pipe...). It's also working well with my HKS GT (forgot the actual model, it has been a long time) turbo which is similar to your 71 (small, fast spool..). Hope that'll help.

 

I should note that I don't drive much, and certainly not the type that speeds around. I know everyone will probably say that, but I do all my fast driving on track, and nothing else remotely compares, especially not on the street in traffic, with kids in the car, and all that. But I will just get picked, as if I was in a bright red open piped funny car. But in SoCal somehow where I am at my Evo sticks out. There just aren't many left or around here. I must be enough in the burbs where its all M3s or camrys.

I am leaning to the Medallion, as its hard to get through to RRE, and its always been that way. MOstly I want it quiet without impacting power for my relatively mild power setup, and I want a stockish looking tip. If I could find a JDM bumper I would adjust the purchase to fit for that, so I havne't pulled the trigger. Finding the right bumper is tricky though. They are all crazy expensive not painted, or too cheap on ebay.

 

RRE will weld on a stock tip. Did that with mine. But if you can't reach them, then doesn't matter.