Hi all,

I'm new here (duh). I just acquired my '08 GTS M/T (I'm in Cali so it's a PZEV engine) this past Thursday night. So far, it's been fun to drive. I've taken it up into Angeles Crest this past weekend and had tons of fun driving the twisties. Although, I have to admit that coming from driving a classic sports car (1976 MGB ... totaled in an accident last month ) the transition from rear drive to front drive is going to take some getting use to in terms of taking advantage of the handling in turns.

Anyways, on to the question/point of my starting this thread. I'm looking at the RRM and the Works axle back exhausts as possible upgrades for my GTS, because I like the sound of them (in the videos I've seen). However, I haven't seen anything with regards to how ~loud~ they are. I've already done ~loud~ (my MGB would set off car alarms ), and I'm tired of being the obnoxious guy on the block.

What I'd like is a nice mellow tone that doesn't turn into a kazoo when I "get on it". In essence, I guess I'm looking for a nice sounding exhaust that doesn't cause every kid in a Civic to rev me at a light...

I suppose, if I had a base db reading of the stock exhaust taken at 1 meter, and a db reading for the Works and the RRM exhuasts taken at 1 meter as well, it would greatly help me determine if one of those are the way I want to go, or if I'm better off going to my favorite custom exhaust shop and having them fabricate something for me.

Does anyone have these figures (db figures) or know where to find them or even have personal experience to be able to tell me about the loud factor?

Thanks for any information you guys can share...

 

I don't know of anyone that's done a db reading, unfortunately.

RRM should be quieter than the Works, since RRM's uses a muffler. People who own the Works have been mixed. Some have called it too loud, some have liked it. Seems to be a personal preference thing.

Custom will always be the cheapest method. And if there's a certain type of muffler you prefer, might be the best way. But in the end, it's going to be up to you.

 

too true too true... then again, I'm one of those dorks that likes to know as much as possible before I commit to something...

 

knowledge is power! lol

 

Axel Back???? AHHAHAAHAHAH

I got a paypal account if you feel like wasting money.

 

But do you have a brain so you stop giving people dumbass advice?

"Axle" is spelled A-X-L-E, by the way.

 

erm... thanks... I was just about to reply with something regarding smog restrictions... but you're reply will suffice... for now

 

bhahahahaha ROFL PWNED!!!!!!

 

muffler has nothing do do with smog. Its all in the cats, O2 sensors, egr vavle, ect.

I am also stuck on what to get for a muffler I am trying to find local tuning shop to give me some ideas. But like you, I don't want something loud, just to relieve a bit of back pressure and some weight off the car.

I have the RRM intake and love the sound of that. And I don't know if its all sound but it feels a tad bit faster, not much but a little.

 

This is exactly why I'm considering an axle back and not a full exhaust system, at the moment. I don't want to go through the hassle of changing my entire exhaust system when I have to start smog testing, and an axle back is the best and least expensive option to give the car a bit more character than what we get from Mitsu.

I suppose I could have a local muffler shop build me a custom exhaust from the manifold back and still maintain smog-ability, but then Mitsu won't warranty the smog parts in the exhaust anymore.

I know a custom single cat system that does not require sensors will set me back 6 to 7 bills. I would imagine a CA PZEV exhaust with high flow versions of all the cats and what ever would end up costing a quite bit more.

Power cost money. Something I'm a little short on at the moment. I may reconsider a full exhaust at some point down the road... but for right now, I'd just like for the exhaust to sound better without being obnoxious.

 

Got the works axle back installed last wednesday and I must say its pretty damn loud(NON-PZEV car). The video doesnt do it justice. Sounds best at idle when revved(very deep) and after 3k RPMS. But when driving it at your typical 2-3k rpm range its almost too loud for my taste, so I might be taking it off. Anyone want it? lol

 

What are you talking about mitsu wont warranty emissions with a muffler? It has nothing to do with emissions! Thats total BS on your dealer if they told you that!

 

I was talking about replacement of the stock cats with after market high flow cats. If I put high-flow cats on, Mitsu won't cover them... Catalytic Converters = emissions components...

If i go axle back, then 80% of the exhaust is still using stock components and therefore should not be a problem with warranty work.

It's when you start by-passing, replacing, or omitting stock emissions components that the warranty work starts getting sticky... warranties cover the parts that came with the car, not the parts you replaced ...

 

Hell, when you start by-passing, replacing or omitting stock emissions components, the legality of your actions starts getting sticky. Legally-speaking, it's only acceptable to replace a catalytic converter if it fails. Otherwise, it's technically a "no touch allowed" kind of thing...

 

im getting a borla axel back done tomorrow morning