Anyone try a Unique Exhaust on a LX470?

[Zakowsky]

…or have any better suggestions for aftermarket mufflers with the two pipes to the cats included? Mine has started rattling inside at idle pretty bad, and OEM here in Canada is almost $900. There were two brands that people were talking about a few years ago, but they seem to be not made or not available any more. I could only find Unique Exhaust and BRExhaust units, the latter being almost as much as OEM. Unique Exhausts has some bad reviews online but at $178 rather than $900 it’s tempting. Thanks.

 

[2001LC]

Any muffler shop, can weld up, whatever muffler you like. They cut after the bolt on point to CATs. So CATs can still be unbolted if need be. But they will weld tailpipe, so no longer un-bolts.

There are also a few bolt on that are cheap. Some like them, because of thinner profile, for better rock cleanace. But often the cheapos, don't last, nor have correct fittings on back side.

Personally I like OEM best!
I've found another looks really as good. It has heavy gauge 409 Stainless Steel, the correct Y pipe and correct tail pipe fitting. It also has the bracket for dampener. Comes with 2 front gaskets and 1 rear clamp. You'll need the Y pipe nuts and bolts. Also cage and dampener nuts and bolts. You may also need the rear gaskets, since picture doesn't show it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M8Z97DK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Look here with your VIN# for parts involved. www.partsouq.com

R&R mufflers is a messy job. Often requires a cut wheel (angle grinder), for the front bolts. The trick to remove the rear tail pipe. Is turning muffler ~5 degrees. IIRC, CCW, looking at new muffler will clue you. It has indentation for a bump out nipple in tail pipe.

 

[SteveH]

I am running this one (link below). Yes, I had to buy an adapter for the tailpipe end ($5 and a hacksaw and a clamp), but the muffler is OEM-quiet and has given me no issues. Supposedly stainless steel.

The fit of the front pipes was correct/accurate and I used new fasteners with anti-seize on them to attach. OEM would have been nice, but not at the staggering price.

More Information for WALKER 55329

 

[Zakowsky]

Thanks guys; the Northwestern ones looked good but I couldn’t find anywhere that ships to Canada. I hate doing exhausts but wind up doing them myself anyway! But I didn’t think to check RockAuto for the Walker – they will ship to Canada for a reasonable amount ($60). Totals about the same as the Unique Exhaust and a better rep. Thanks, and I will post re the final install.

 

[ed94r]

Buy a few stainless J / U bends from summit, some stainless pipe and the stainless muffler in the configuration and size of your choosing from the same, and have a skilled person cut/weld you a mandrel bent sectional exhaust from the cat back. Problem will be finding a person to do that skillfully while still keeping all the hangers in the stock locations and tuck it all up tight without it rubbing/touching anything in its range of motion. I did not do this on my LX, but my E30 is the above all the way after the headers, and it's been on there for years and years. Oh: if you pick aluminized pipe/muffler rather than stainless, it will be about half the material price.

 

[77pantera]

The Rock Auto Walker stuff is all garbage. Yes, the mufflers are "Stainless", but that's literally just the body of the muffler. Everything attached to it is just aluminized steel. At best, it lasts two/three winters in the salt belt. Case in point, my women's old Edge which I put a full RA walker cat back system on. Yes the mufflers where "Stainless", but nothing else was. I had to weld and sleeve the mufflers back on after just two winters. Absolute garbage.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M8Z97DK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

I think I'm gonna roll the dice on this. My LX470 has an awful garbage crinkle bend special aluminized steel cat back on it. Even though it's rust free at some point someone swapped this garbage on.

 

[RapidRob]

I've used the Northeastern one that 2001LC referenced and am very pleased with it. Absolutely no hassles mounting it up,
It looks close to the quality of OE and is silent.

 

[Zakowsky]

I searched again and I really can't get a Northeastern one in Canada. So it is Walker, Unique Exhaust, OEM or handmade. I don't know any trustworthy shops here, and so not sure which way to go. This Unique outfit is a smaller Australian company, maybe I will be the guinea pig for this. While I had the truck dried off and jacked up in the garage I figured out the squeak I was starting to get in the front end is a lower ball joint starting to go, so it looks like the LX will be up on jack stands for a while anyways.

 

[2001LC]

Many choices if just having muffler shop weld up. But I would not let them cut off the CAT flange, like seen in picture above in post #6.