Installed: AFE MACH Force-Xp 3" Cat-Back Exhaust System

I installed this system above last week, and since I've seen very little about it around these parts, I figured it appropriate to share some thoughts on the product and open the floor for inquiries.

Installation was very simple. After a quick unbolt of the stock system, all that was required was a quick connect of the three-piece exhaust (not including the tip) and everything that was good to go. AFE designed this as a universal system which means my tube required a 12" cut. This was something I hadn't expected, but probably should have. Regardless, a minor setback. In the end, after about half an hour, the new catback was installed and ready to go.

I'm incredibly pleased both with the sound and the aesthetics of the system. The aesthetic factor is easier to address, so I'll start there. I was careful to remove everything shiny from my build. Until this exhaust, the chrome tip was the only exception, so it's nice to have a nice matte black tip sticking out where the chrome used to be. The AFE power logo, however, is a polished steel riveted directly to the tip. I wish this weren't the case, and I suppose I could ultimately take the time to paint/dip it, but for now I'm okay with providing the free advertising.

The sound of the exhaust is very deep and throaty without that whine you typically hear on a 6 cylinder exhaust (TRD I'm looking at you). I'm a music up, window down kind of driver, and cab drone wasn't an issue for me to begin with. That said, some folks may be displeased with the drone between 3-4k RPMs. It's at it's deepest at this point, which I absolutely love, but if you're one of those people looking to keep it quiet inside the cab, this might not be for you. Since install, I have been complimented multiple times over the past week on the sound. It manages to sound tougher without sounding like it's trying to be a tank, which fits nicely with the driving force behind my entire build.

Finally, there's the topic of performance. I purposely delayed starting this thread because I wanted to try and eliminate the placebo effect. After a week, and comments from a couple of people riding passenger however, I'm finding it difficult to ignore the fact that the truck seems to feel tighter, particularly in the low end. My truck is not regeared, has a 3" lift, and is running 33's. I did notice a slight drop in power after these modifications, but the truck feels like it did when it was stock. I did not have the truck dyno'ed, and I'm aware that there are those that are going to tell me that it's impossible for performance to have improved, but it certainly feels as though it has. In retrospect, I think it would have been worthwhile to dyno the truck before and after, but I was not expecting anything noticeable.

So that's about it. In summary, I love everything about the system, and could not be happier with it. If anyone has any questions or comments, I'm more than happy to address them to the best of my ability. Cheers TW!

 

Nice write up OP.

 

Nice looking exhaust. Just remember with a 3" exhaust you're going to lose some of the low end torque unless you plan to add a TRD supercharger or turbo the motor. Even with a 2.5" pipng which I have I'm losing a little of the low end torque but my plans in the future is for a TRD Supercharger.

 

I know it's counterintuitive, and again, I have no dyno to support the claim, but I could swear that torque has increased. I have to come to terms with the fact that I'll probably never supercharge, but I love the way the truck feels with the 3" pipe.

 

What I meant to say is that you're losing some back pressure thus a loss of low end torque but hey if you like it, then that's all that matters

I see you're at Camp Pen, which unit?

 

I'm out now, but I was 3-1 1st Recon.

 

I was with 2/7 out in 29 stumps. Don't miss that place.

 

29 stumps. Lol

 

Or the stumps which many of us refer to it.

 

What part of the tube did u cut?