aFe Exhaust Review.....

Okay, since there's not too many folks on here with this system I decided to do a quick write-up about it. I've had this kit (aFe Part No.49-46002) for just about a week now, and I am really pleased with it so far. I think it goes perfectly with the Pro-Dry S CAI I just installed about 3 weeks ago.

SPECS
3" Mandrel-Bent 409ss
409ss Turbo style Muffler
Welded Bayonet Hangars (no risk of rusting out)
409ss Band Clamps (high-quality, leak free w/ no tack welds)
Easy Install

INSTALL
It took about 50 minutes to remove the old exhaust and install this one. The hardest/most time-consuming part was getting the old hangars out (lubed 'em well) and "weaseling" that long-ass exhaust out of there (I have a DC/LB).

Installing the aFe exhaust was quick, easy, and straight-forward. It took about 15-20 minutes. I was thoroughly impressed with the welds/beading and overall quality of this system. Like I've said before, aFe really pays attention to detail, and seems to take it one step beyond the competitors.

PERFORMANCE
Dare I even touch on this subject??? There is no way I gained +26HP & 30lbs/ft. torque that they "claim" you will get. I haven't noticed any increase, and haven't noticed a decrease in low-end due to the 3" piping. The only difference I have noticed is I am pushing harder on the skinny pedal because I love the way it sounds!!!

SOUND
Here's some crappy vids I took last night. Taken at night with my digi-cam, so it's not the best sound/video quality, but better than the other aFe exhaust vids I've seen/heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7Rc3-yntec&feature=player_detailpage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8mtDe2imNc&feature=player_detailpage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPY3_O1VzHA&feature=player_detailpage
(yes I know I need gas )

SUMMARY
I am very pleased with my decision. I love the exhaust.
I know there's always gonna be haters out there: "Why 3" pipe?!" "Why Not just weld in a muffler?!" "Fart Can" etc.
My response..."Why the hell do you care what I do to MY truck?"

Here's the spec. sheet from aFe in anyone wants to laugh at their power claims....

http://afepower.com/catalog/49-46002/is.pdf

*UPDATE*
Finally got some sound clips with the Doug Thorley Y-Pipe installed. Horrible video quality and wind noise, but nonetheless, you can tell how it sounds.

Start-up, rev, drive-off (normal skinny pedal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7iIldRfGCs

Drive-Up, Drive-Off (heavy skinny pedal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPxXch1_Kkk

 

Nice write up

 

nice write up. the hp claims are ridiculous.why not send them a note and challenge it. maybe they'll send some juice your way. or,send the system back to them as faulty? i bought the flow master system. it will be louder, maybe some hp increase. i don't care. not racing. i just like DUAL exhaust! that is worth the 477 to me.

 

I have tried 3 times to get the dyno sheets from them, still haven't heard back. Oh well , i still like the exhaust. They did send me a $5 aFe Dealer catalog, and bunch of stickers though. Maybe I have to put the stickers ON my truck to get more HP???

 

Nice write up,

I looking for this after market exhaust right now, but a wonder a thing. 409 Stainless Steel (From what I read on the net) seem to become brown over time.

On all the picture that I see on the net this intake seem to be glossy, like if they had put some kind of clear on it to avoid it. Can you tell me what it look like now especially around the soldering

Pic will be great
Let me know to if you've got bored of the sound or if it still great like it seem to be

Thanks

 

Id like to see how close the exhaust comes to the spare tire........Im having issues with the urd 3"

 

Sorry for the late reply, I forgot about this thread

The exhaust is no longer shiny and new, and it has seen it's fair share of dirt, mud, snow, and rocks. Even though it's 409SS it has browned, and has some rusty "pock marks". Unless you are physically scrubbing your exhaust every time you wash your truck, this is to be expected.

No hitting the spare (which is still my OEM 265/65R17).

 

Thanks man, look like the 75 series may be messin me up.....I don't have the 70 anymore, and im not getting rid of this exhaust yet.

 

Yea, I am getting a full-size 285/70R17 spare next month, and will likely have to get creative with mounting it. I'd like to keep it underneath to save space, but that it not likely. I like the idea of MetalMiller's spare-mount: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/206002-metal-miller-spare-carrier-installed.html

And yes, I had a drop in torque. Not significant, but I do down-shift when going up steep hills if my truck is under load. Plus, I like the way the exhaust sounds @ 2500-3500 rpms, so it's a win/win for me

 

Be careful if u want headers also..... I put on thorley long tube, urd y pip, and urd 3" exhaust and my low end grunt went bye bye.
I hated pulling into traffic.

Ill check metal millers out

 

any updates?

bout ready to have someone chop it

 

Hello Justus,

Finally I choose an 3" exhaust from modified concept on E-Bay, and I had issue to, with the fitting around the spare tire.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/05-08-09-10-...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51addf5663

Personally I get it to my local dealer and ask i'm to custom it.

Everything is alright since then.

 

Hey man, I still haven't gotten the full-sized spare. I will be grabbing next weekend from another member at one our TW meets, but I will be sure to let you know what mounting option I go with.

 

cool, thanks mang!

 

Alright, I finally mounted my 285/70r17 spare. I also trimmed the stock spare braces

It hits the stock exhaust hangars, but that's not a big deal since it doesn't get hot. It barely clears the 3" exhaust, so I will keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't make contact. Otherwise, I will either relocate the spare, or chop the exhaust.


It also hits the driver's side shackle mount, but again that's not a big deal since it doesn't move and I will eventually be doing a shackle-flip.


Here's my biggest concern:


It looks like it might JUST barely clear the pumpkin when the axle is fully stuffed, but I'm not 100% sure until it gets "field-tested".

I will run it like this for a while, and see how it goes. I may end-up building a mount on the bed-rail (like MetalMiller's), or moving the spare on top of my canopy rails. Right now, space it becoming a commodity

 

Finally got some sound clips with the Doug Thorley Y-Pipe installed. Horrible video quality and wind noise, but nonetheless, you can tell how it sounds.

Start-up, rev, drive-off (normal skinny pedal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7iIldRfGCs

Drive-Up, Drive-Off (heavy skinny pedal)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPxXch1_Kkk

 

I'm gonna check this out after work, been looking in to a new set up lately. Good write up. Not that anyone involved in creating this thread is still alive lol

 

...and you're back! Still digging the aFe system? I'm afraid now since you posted the highway torque loss...

 

I still dig it for the most part, the sound is good but I miss the low-end torque. The stainless has some rust, which is pretty much inevitable for any system.

If I were to do it all again, I would just replace the Y-Pipe (for better ground clearance) stick with the stock cat-back and just replace the muffler for a better tone.