Catbacks for the 3rd gen tacoma

So I'm at the point were I've been driving myself nuts searching for the perfect catback for the tacoma and I think I've narrowed it down to 2: the Borla S-type w/ black tip, or the Flowmaster FX series (single side exit). So my situation is that I don't want anything obnoxious, but I do want a noticeable difference in sound. I'm not extremely worried about drone since I'm barely ever on the highway. I'm just looking to improve the stock sound and get an extra little dopamine release when I really step on the pedal.

So where im hesitating is I have the crew cab with the 6ft bed (so the boomers dont make fun of me). From what I've heard about the Borla volumewise it's damn near stock if not quieter and I'd need to buy the extension pipe which is ~$80. My guess is that the extra foot and change of pipe will probably overall bring the volume down a bit more so I don't wanna spend $1000 on a system that I'll hardly notice. On the other hand alot of reviews I've seen say the Flowmaster is a bit too loud, but again that extra length of pipe (which is included on this one) may bring that sound level where I want it, and again I don't do a ton of highway driving so I dont mind a tiny bit of drone. Pairing that with the fact that it's half the price it's really got me questioning the borla kit.

Taco brethren I need guidance

I'll throw the mugshot in if that helps, it's soon to be paired with a diamondback HD cover which should be here in 2 or 3 weeks, Pedal Comander, and the K&N FIPK kit (had to get the carb certified one but I'm gonna get the Blackhawk as soon as I escape NJ, wish me luck)

 

TRD Pro exhaust is supposed to be the sweet spot.

 

Have you looked at URD?

https://urdusa.com/urd-cat-back-tacoma-2016-v6/

 

I have the flowmaster and it is definitely louder than stock. It has some drone on the highway but it ain’t terrible. I have a manual trans so it is a bit fun to wind it out a bit every now and then. It’s a 6 cylinder so it sounds like a 6 cylinder no matter what you do. I didn’t want the high pitch exhaust sounds you hear on small imports and it does not have that. Hope that helps some.

 

You think the extra pipe would make any difference in lowering the volume in and/or outside the cab? Also I meant to ask if you noticed any leaks with the FX system.

 

I’ve always been a fan of and installed several Flowmaster kits- but was on the fence between that and the AWE true dual kit after an OTT tune and CAI were installed.

Went with the AWE true dual, sans tips (over the axle dump) and couldn’t be happier. It’s bolt on and comprised of several sections (10 clamps) make sure you really crank down on each clamp, and tack weld each piece.

I modified the H pipe just slightly (not in a way that affects tone or flow) , and played with the angle of the resonators for maximum clearance, then spent the first week hating the AWE kit and regretting my choice- I felt it was too loud and I was drawing unwanted attention.

But now that it’s broken in and the CPU has relearned, it’s toned down a bit and actually keeps some of my lead-foot driving in check.

No droning, in fact at cruising speed/throttle it’s almost virtually like stock, but when you press the go lever it will roar up. Navigating the trails with windows down is not unpleasant in any way.

Went from 15.8mpg to 18.1mpg

 

The factory TRD system is the only one I find bearable. V6 engines don't sound great and the Tacoma's isn't an exception.

 

TRD catback or Borla S type are the best/most tolerable imo. I've got the TRD. All the others drone/rasp.

edit: The factory paper filter and intake pair just fine with the TRD catback too. I've tried a K&N drop in filter and switched back to the factory paper filters for simplicity and better filtering.

 

Maybe! But not because of your exhaust mod.

 

Personally I’d go OEM trd exhaust. I found mine for $300 used.

 

If I were you, what I’d do is get the flow fx and see how you like it. The flow fx doesn’t sound terrible rasp wise from videos I’ve seen, it actually has a nice smooth note, but with some noticeable volume. The raspiest options are mbrp and carven id avoid those. And here’s why i say go with the flow fx: if you drive around with it for a bit and feel it’s too loud, add a $100 vibrant resonator before the muffler. That’s what I did with my black widow venom 250, I felt it was a tad too obnoxious then I had a muffler shop weld in the resonator for 60 bucks and wow it toned it down and cleaned up the note, pretty much perfect now.

from what you said you wanted a “noticeable change in volume” i feel you’d be underwhelmed with the borla and definitely underwhelmed with the trd. Both borla and trd have nice smooth deep notes, borla is slightly louder, but still pretty mellow I think. IMO try the flow fx and see how you like it then add a resonator if need be

 

No one wants to hear a loud v6

 

I have the TRD exhaust on my long bed it sounds great and I think the extra length helps ot to have a deeper tone.

 

I think that's gonna be the plan to start with the Flowmaster, worst case scenario I can either return it, resonate it, or box it back up and list it online and then go to the borla. For those of you that own either the FlowFx or the S-type do y'all have any specifics on their return policies? That might determine which one I try first. Will be looking into the trd one more though

 

I really doubt the extra pipe would change anything. As far as leaks I have had my system for a few years and at every oil change I look the underside of the truck over and have never seen any signs of exhaust leaks but like someone said earlier I’m sure I cranked the clamps down pretty tight. I have a tendency to be heavy handed on clamps and definitely don’t want exhaust fumes coming into the cab. I have thought about adding a resonator but I talk myself out of it and think why spend the money.

 

While on the topic of mpgs, anyone with the Borla or Flowmaster notice better mileage?

 

I never gained or lost anything. I use the fuelly app and have years of fuel data and haven’t seen any change in mileage when I added the flowmaster system.

 

In regards to the AWE true dual kit- it comes with the long bed extension and yes, the kit the that include

I’d like to elaborate on this because I did a ton of research before choosing AWE. I think it’s all about your driving style, your preference of noise level, and what you want to do with your truck.

I’ve built/building mine to kick ass around the city but not draw too much attention. And also handle the 60” trails available to me in Michigan Huron National Forest. I’ll never climb rocks or enter deep mud.

I should have noted that I started running 89 octane when I installed the true duals.

October 2023: Started a long mpg average, all hard driving in inner city Detroit and suburbs, with an occasional 200 mile highway trip. Hauling furniture to a second home. Almost always running at 85mph.

February: OTT tune makes it a beastly sleeper. I’m in love. It suites my driving style perfectly. ECT PWR = Spicy mode

March: S&B Cold Air installed and it would roar under the hood when you press the go lever. I guess it takes some time for it to learn a new fuel air ratio? I’m no engineer or mechanic. I’m a driver. Eventually it doesn’t roar up so much. Still a sleeper beast.

-average mpg 15.8

May 14th: AWE true duals professionally installed by a highly experienced custom exhaust builder. I got to help with a custom job on a 2021 BMW m50i, then he charged me just $150 to install my AWE.

5’ bed. No tips installed, just the ‘bash guards’ that come with the kit. Serious REGERTS at first. But then the truck learns? Either I’ve learned to like it and/or the truck has learned and/or the muffler and baffles have been “broken in”.

-Running 89 octane
-Reset mpg average
-Ran around the city for 10 days
-200 mile haul up north w/ full gear
-100 miles of trails
-200 miles of back roads
-18.1 mpg and holding

I’ll make the 200 mile trek another 4 times in the next 7 days. We shall see where the mpg average lands after all that.

 

For those who have them is there any noticeable difference in power or sound between the single or dual exit FlowFX? Been watching more videos and it seems like the dual exits got rid of the bit of blattyness but I don't want a cut in low-end power.