2URGSE

So I've been thinking about the PPE equal length headers and exhaust, but the dual mode exhaust is pretty pricey.

I'm not really interested in more exhaust noise, I like the stock levels.

Given the stock headers are the biggest bottleneck, I was thinking headers, a quality mid pipe with 2 Gesi cats and leave the rest as it is.

Any input appreciated.

I did go for a ride in an RCF with Borla catback and it was too loud for my taste. I was told the Borla is quieter on the ISF but I'm not convinced I really want that.

ISF4life

iTrader: (30)

power cost money headers give u the most gain

2URGSE

I am fine with those, I just want to know what route I should go after the headers since I don't want added exhaust sound beyond what the factory provides.

ISF4life

iTrader: (30)

with out adding Joez exhaust, then your best bet would be stripping the car to the lightest possible lolz weight to power ratior lolz. But who would want to driving in something like that

2URGSE

Joe Z is loud, I don't want loud.

Next response please.

RRocket

A guy named "caymandive" mounted headers to an otherwise stock exhaust and saw some good gains.

Maybe reach out to him.

ultimase

I'm considering going with headers and then maybe having dual e-cutouts just past the headers maybe pre cat or just after. Flip a switch and you have an open exhaust, with the noise, flip a switch and it's back to stockish.

Jwconeil

Your best bet is headers and stock exhaust, or a custom exhaust with really quiet mufflers. Unfortunately, the major power gains on this car are headers / exhaust. I’d recommend headers and an RR racing tune.

Vervish

iTrader: (4)

My X Force Varex is as quiet as stock when closed. It's also pretty restrictive when closed too. Needs to be in open position to get most performance.

Vervish

iTrader: (4)

Also - I think Sikky build shows about a 40whp increase with headers and stock exhaust..

3nergiz3d

Wasn't the HKS exhaust known to be more quieter than stock?

LexusfanVA

iTrader: (1)

The Borla for the ISF is silent compared to the Borla for the RCF. I ran mine for a year and it was never loud enough for me but did give a nice burble though with minor drone around town. I do believe the Borla cat back is also quieter than the JoeZ. In your position I would do a tune first, then headers if that’s not enough power. (I noticed a bigger difference with the tune than with the catback). At that point it’s probably the most amount of power with the quietest set up. From there you can look at replacing the axle back portion with better mufflers and bigger piping or deleting the secondary cats, all things a catback would accomplish.

i am on stock headers.

2URGSE

I would do a tune on a factory turbo car first, but not on an NA V8 car, that's a waste of money in my opinion. The gains are small compared to the money spent.

I also don't like off the shelf maps, only custom dyno tuning. (all from previous experience)

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

I was in the same position as you, I didn’t want more noise but there was no way around it to fully optimize the opportunities there are for bolt ons.

I started with just the PPE headers and stock exhaust, while the gains were there, the bottle neck is the stock exhaust. I then got a Borla cat-back with Magnaflow cats welded in. Performance is awesome but it’s too loud to me.

Looking back, I should have gotten the PPE dual mode, since I want it quiet 75% of the time I drive. Good luck with your decision!

LexusfanVA

iTrader: (1)

If you want to listen to your opinion, then do so lol, but you asked for ours. Sorry to be rude, but I saw a nicer difference from the $700 tune than the $1200 exhaust. The tune is also self learning according to RR so no matter what mods you add after, it will adjust. As far as I know there’s very limited dyno tuning available that has been proven, so RR is basically the best choice you have.

For what what it’s worth, my catback and tune ISF has ran against 2 Headers/catback/tune ISF several times and I’ve only ever been 1 car behind from 30-100 or so. My lighter wheels could have helped as well. The headers sound glorious but just isn’t worth the $3k cost and emissions failure to me.