I have come across a few ideas and setups for different exhaust systems and muffler replacement options for the LS430 but not as many as I would like. Have always reference ClubLexus when looking up any info I may need on our cars and I have finally created a profile to contribute any experiences that may help others.

I have holes coming out of the top of my stock mufflers so the time has come for a replacement option. I am considering Magnaflow and Borla, haven't found any specific models, but I am leaning towards the Borla since they seem to have some kind of resonating RND tech on them. I am open to opinions from anyone who has replaced their stock mufflers using either brand or any other brand for that matter. Sound clips and/or videos would be awesome to see.

This is what I am planning on doing. I will be removing the third cat in order to convert the system to a true dual exhaust, keeping the stock resonators and then installing the updated mufflers. The muffler shop I went to for a quote has told me they are able to sell Magnaflow replicas that are equivalent to Magnaflow due to Magnaflow's patent expiring. I have heard some videos of the Borla's and I think the sound is a little nicer but the videos I have found include resonator deletes, which I won't be doing since I want no droning and I'd like to keep the car modest.

I won't be making any changes until after the new year (2026). I am open to any advice from similar setups or feedback from users using magnaflow, borla or any other brand. I'll keep you all posted with any video or sound clips of the changes I do.

 

My sister and I both did straight pipe setups on our LS430’s. Mine has a 2.25 inch X-pipe with 5 inch tips and hers is a 2.5 inch X-pipe. Both are on the loud side, with my sister’s LS430 being annoyingly loud.

You can’t go wrong with Magnaflow or Borla. I’ve never had them on my LS but I’ve had both on my SC300. The Magnaflow had a deep rumble that sounded great and the current Borla setup is extremely quiet despite my SC having 3 inch piping. Both should sound great on the LS and there are many different mufflers from both companies. There was one Magnaflow that the SC400 guys ran back in the day that sounded great.

Flowmaster is a great option for the LS as well. I think the Outlaw series sounds great. Amazon sells some of these mufflers or you can order them from other online shops like Summit Racing. I’ll see if I can get some links to a few videos once I get my laptop charged up.

 

Honestly, run your pipes like you mentioned and I’d like to see the results because I’ve always wanted to run the split to keep a full dual system. If you are keeping the resonators(I affectionately refer to as pontoons) then simply run pipes to the back with your chosen tips. No mufflers. An X or H section seems fitting to make it full dual. I gutted ALL my cats and cut off the mufflers and piping back to the curve. I still have to add back some pipes and tips; which is a must by the way due to the fumes and more sound inside the cabin. I like a pretty mellow sound with zero raspiness but still straight thru if possible. I like the Borla brand best for the sound I like but as I stated before, you will come out on top without mufflers and just pipes to the back, then tips. If cost is a concern at all then enjoy the $200-250 savings. Hopefully I can get you a couple sound clips. Cold starts are an aggressive growl but it mellows way out when it gets warm.

 

My experience with true duals is on old American V8s but the principal is the same. True duals make the exhaust sound a lot more choppy which is cool on a muscle car but not on an LS in my opinion, you do what suits you. I did what Ails said. Kept everything stock but deleted the mufflers, just straight piped to the tips. The resonators keep out the higher tinny sounds and leaves a nice low rumble, much quieter than I had thought with no mufflers and cheaper than aftermarket mufflers. Anyway, just my .02.

 

My 2007 is a true dual and the kicker is it's 6 cyl lol

X pipe and H pipe. It has a separate manifold each being 3 cyl, feeding each side

Just how it was done back then. Today it's done with software

Before my time but I was told there was often a H pipe on V8's. My wife's V8 is completely fake with 2 resonators each with dual rectangular tips. The fake culture is interesting.