So After weeks of Searching I've decided not to go with a high quality exhaust as the cost will be insane with the shipping costs, so there were three options which all cost almost the same ( M2 performance , OBX , Top Speed Pro-1 ) . to me I've never heard of any of them before , so did some googling and decided to get the Top Speed Pro-1 Axle-back based on other cars reviews , got it on eBay (330 $ + 310$ shipping ).

so I got the exhaust , very well packaged , and went to install it yesterday.

installation .. I was expecting alot of problems on installation as Ive read somewhere before. The pipes aligned together perfectly with the oem mid-pipe and with each other (left and right) , but there was actually one problem which is the tips weren't sitting even , the left tip was lower , we tried adjusting the hangars and it helped a bit but still the difference is noticeable , I should try harder whenever I get free time , but if anyone has any tips on how to adjust it it would be appreciated, I'm no expert but I think stainless steel shouldn't be heated.
installation took around 45 minutes.

the sound .. I was expecting a noisy loud tone from a cheap exhuast, but honestly after starting the car for the first time I was reaaally impressed , the sound was just like how I wanted it to be , very deep tone , at idle no one will notice it , but while accelerating esp between rpm 2-3 that deep tone just sounds great, I've read and saw many tanabe reviews & vids and I think it's almost the same sound , going to work now is really a joy now to me .. (temporarily I think) , cruising the highway with that sound feels just great, I will post a pics & video as soon as I get the chance

just one thing I would like to ask , after installing I started the car , lifted it up and start inspecting leakage by hovering hand over the places where pipes are joined , and I felt nothing , is this the correct way to do it , and could there be a leakage that only appears with higher rpm ?


just wanted to share this with anyone planning on a cheaper exhaust , to me to pay around 1800$ on an exhaust (with shipping) was not convincing to me , and I'm really happy with that decision.

 

More pics pls... Who did u buy it from??

 

odd, so this exhaust is only 2 pieces? If im not mistaken, it looks like the y-pipe is directly connected to one of the mufflers and the other is connected to the other end of the y-pipe.

 

Nothing odd about it... same thing as the tanabe that it seems to be a knock-off of... (and other axle-backs too I imagine)

 

actually the f-sport is 3 pieces. Two canisters and a Y-pipe. I only notice all this because ive actually been searching for a f-sport replica and havent found one yet.

 

so you spent $640 for your possible knock-off axle back?

 

^^^ yeah pretty much. It's more of a tanabe replica then a f-sport one by the design of the y-pipe

 

well to answer your question on trying to adjust the hangers: try using zip ties to hold the hangers up higher. I used two zip ties per can and now my exhaust sits pretty much perfect. and checking for leaks: I hear that spraying soap water on the joints will help you see leaks as large bubbles are formed if there is a leak. and make sure you do this when the exhaust is COLD! but I just listened for leaks after installing mine, as I did not know about the soap water test.

 

Top Speed AKA Jen Che Lin makes alot of products thats all all great he supplies mne with alot of parts I used for my engines swap and I've never had a problem with any of them. His exhaust systems are probably better known among the MR-S comminuty. As for adjusting just stick a crowbar in the exhaust and pull the tip will move

 

a seller named a2rinc , I hope I'm not violating any rules here.
and I will add pics & vid , just didn't get much free time lately

~1800$ > 640$ ...

Thanks allot man , great idea , will definitely try it out.

btw the exhaust is starting to sound a bit louder , I guess this is how exhausts tend to break-in?

 

I'm guessing the OPs problem is he lives in Saudi...

In the US $640 is about what a real Tanabe would've cost new... (or $400-ish used which for an axle-back is the same thing unless the dude went off-roading over boulders or something)

 

Thanks for the write up Milan. I've wondered about these cheaper exhausts, your install really helps. Keep us posted I look forward to hearing the long term verdict.

 

Wait..Are you serious? Stick a crow bar in the exhaust? You mean bend up the tip with that crowbar to make his tips look even and end up having a mangled looking tip? NO thanks, i would never do that. And i hope you dont work in some autoshop.

 

Come on man.. if you never worked in the auto industry its a common practice. Thats how many exhaust are taken off. Of course put a rag in between when doing it to a nice exhaust.

 

Yes, its just metal and your bending it, thats same way they MAKE YOUR CAR. Bending metal!!! My Lexus F sport exhaust didn't even line up correctly til I used my BFC on it. Yes I do work for a shop, we happen to work on ferrari's, lambo's and other exotic cars. Bending the exhaust tips with a crow bar isn't going to hurt it man. How else do you straight it out without cutting the tip off and rewelding it? Just put a shop rage around the bar and youll be fine.