Can someone enlighten me about exhausts systems?

Alright, so I'm STILL looking to upgrade my truck, and thanks to the forums I've learned that I don't need a CAI and DEFINITELY not a TB. So my next curiosity is... Exhaust systems. I've done a LITTLE research... I understand duals are probably always better, or bigger pipes to let out more exhaust, but on the other hand, smaller pipes force the air out more rapidly... So either one of those loses power at a certain point. So if I wanted an exhaust that boosted throttle response or horsepower, (Maybe even some MPG if I'm lucky) what should I get?

Also... About butterfly valves, those seem useful, but I'm still unclear... so please give me some help... Thanks!

Edit: I'd like not to lose any power ANYWHERE, that makes something labeled "performance" just a bit insulting...

 

Just replaced my Flowmaster muffler with a Gibson cat-back exhaust system. I can definetely tell a difference in performance as I have a little more throttle response with the Gibson.

When I installed my Flowmaster 50 series muffler about 3 years ago I noticed my truck felt a little sluggish than stock and other Tacoma's I had driven. I didn't do anything about it until I finally came across a Gibson exhaust at a good price so I went with it and glad I did. It's a tad bit quieter than the Flowmaster 50 series but I don't mind.

Here's a informative thread about exhausts: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/performance-tuning/153603-exhaust-stats.html

 

Thanks a lot! That thread points me towards DynoMax... Didn't say much about Gibson

 

i would honestly vote that you go with which ever muffler you like the sound the best, the performance gain from a cat back exhaust system will be minimal.

My experience:

went from stock, to a welded in dynomax super turbo. There may have been a slight power increase but to me it wasn't really noticeable. ( i got this muffler for free from a friend who took it off his car )

I now have an aero turbine 2525 run to duals. I am much happier with the sound (it is much louder so if you don't want loud i wouldn't recommend this muffler). I don't think there was a performance gain, but i honestly thing i have gained some mpg's with the switch. On my current tank when the needle reached half a tank i had gone 242 miles and my scan gauge says im averaging 24.4 mpgs (i've had it for months so it should be accurate unless it will need readjusting because of the new exhaust) I'm hoping this tank will be my second time making a 400 mile tank.

 

I'll keep that in mind... Whippersnapper, what do you know about Butterfly Valve exhausts?

I'd LOVE some duals... side exit. How the heck are you getting 24MPG? When my gas needle's at a half tank, I read about 18 or so. And I drive conservatively, but I don't spend any time on the highway.

 

Total cost for me was around 450 to get the muffler and have it installed and the piping bent up


I find it hard to believe that everyone i read about on here gets such bad mpg. I run premium gas (makes about 1.5-2 mpg difference i've tested it a couple times). the worst i have ever seen mpg wise is 17.8 according to the scan gauge, and that was with 87 octane gas and quite a bit of offroading.

The only real thing i did on this tank that was different was i have driven with all the windows open including the rear sliding window for the whole tank so far, but i cant see that making too significant of a difference.

 

But you're spending much more on premium and I dont think its offsetting the cost of the marginal (it at all) increase in mpg. And mpg is also going to vary between parts of the country. Try driving 5 miles in Newark NJ and it'll take you 30 minutes. Drive 5 miles in Montana and it takes you 5 minutes. That is part of the reason for peoples variation in mpg's. Getting off topic here...

Anyway, I know its tempting to upgrade the truck, but dont expect a lot out of exhausts when it comes to hp. I hate to say it, but If you're really looking for power, go FI. Get an exhaust for a change in exhaust note

 

I have read thrads on here about it being cheaper to run premium because of the fuel mileage increase, (although everything i read about on here has conflicting information it seems ). I did however use the xgauge function on the scan gauge to make one that tells me cost per trip. I tested it out on my typical commute to school over the winter and the cost difference averaged being a few cents less for premium ( 25 mile drive ) as long as a kept the truck around 60 mpg on the highway ( i did this with premium and regular) anything over that and it ends up costing more with premium.

Driving as fuel efficient as i can is kind of a hobby to me, so i don't mind driving slow and coasting as much as possible before all stops. If the roads are busy though i'm not going to drive slow and screw up the flow of traffic.

I completely agree FI is the best bang for your buck performance wise. When n/a and exhaust should be picked for sound not performance.

 

Not whippersnapper, but I assume you are talking about an exhaust cut-out, either bolt-off or e-cutout. If you want to test if this is useful, just un-bolt the catback part of your exhaust, wire it out of the way, and go for a drive. See if you like it, if you notice any power gains, or just get unwanted attention from your neighbors and LEOs. Let us know...

A cutout should have the same effect as removing your muffler and piping, assuming that you'd install one somewhere close to where the pipes Y together. Might be useful at the track for a few extra possible hp, but haven't seen any data to support that.

Exhausts are very much like the air intakes, a few hp at the top end, a bunch more noise, and all kinds of purported gains from butt-dynos, and of course "increased throttle response".

 

I do like that system, what is it?

Eh, premiums like what, 10-20 cents cheaper? That's 2-4 bucks a fillup, so I like premium... Anyway, I so intend to get a S/C once I can afford it. And I'm not so much worried about HP gain, I just really can't stand the fact that some exhausts LOSE HP... So I figure if I get some that "improve" HP then the exageration factor will make sure I stay at stock level at least

Yeah, but Flowmasters are the best sound, they say, but they lose HP... So I just want something that will sound good while not losing any HP

You lost me :/ anyway I thought butterfly valves were exhausts that used one pipe at low end speeds and once it gets "full" of pressure it opens the other path so that there's not as much backpressure and it's good at BOTH ends

 

Its a single in single out aero turbine 2525 run to duals by a local muffler shop, they made all the piping.

Id look into the muffler i have then. Go on youtube and search for different sound clips of exhausts for your truck. Make sure use some good headphones to get an idea what it will sound like. Obviously the best way to tell though is by hearing it in person.

 

?? I thought butterfly valves were just a more efficient design of exhaust. Never really heard of any exhausts being ricerish :/

How much did all of that (parts+labor) cost you?

 

I already said in a previous post, but it was around 450 total. I bought the muffler and brought it to a custom exhaust place and they installed it and bent all the piping and installed the tips.

 

Ive had the aero 2525xl installed for about a month now. I think I'm about to put the factory back in. At idle and below 2000 rpm it sounds good. Anything more than that and it starts sounding very ricer to me...

If I take it out, it will be for sale at a discount.


EDIT: Oh, I definitely lost low end torque. I haven't noticed a improvement in mileage either. If anything I feel like I lost some mileage.

 

Whaaaat? Eff... Now I don't even know what kind of exhaust to get. I damn sure don't want to LOSE anything... Ugh, this is difficult.

Btw, can't help but notice your musical preference... A7X all the way

 

I read that before when you posted, gave you a +rep on it actually, it really helped me. So if I wanted a new exhaust for sound, that WOULDN'T hinder ANY part of my performance... What should I do? Or is it even possible?

 

i like the TRD...but thats just me.