Best Exhaust Company/System

[cj007sd]

Hi everyone. What exhaust company or more specifically what company and system for my 2000 LC would you all recommend. SMOG is not an issue. The companies I have researched to be at the top are:
Flowmaster & Magnaflow & Borla.
But if you guys have a specific exhaust system you would recommend that is my goal. My goal is to know which company has the best reputation and from someone's experience and knowledge what specific System should I purchase to install. I would #1 goal is to make the reliability the same or better! If changing the exhaust would for some reason put the reliability of my LC in question that I will stay stock. But I am interested in increasing horsepower and/or MPG. The sound is not as important to me as it is to others. I have been trail riding and over-landing w/ other Toyotas which have changed their exhaust and they all swear it is a great and recommended change. I just wanted everyone's professional and experienced thoughts. Thank you in advance!
CJ
Semper Fi

 

[DirtDawg]

I cannot speak specifically on what brand, but I will second that exhaust is a great addition. You won't see a terrible increase in mpg, but your cruiser will run so much better. Allowing any engine to breathe more than the stock system is always beneficial. I have yet to put a system on my LX, but plan on installing long tube headers, high flow cats, muffler, and 3" piping. That's what I did on my old 4Runner and it changed the truck completely! I could just tell the engine was happier.

 

[cj007sd]

Thanks DirtDawg. That was my thinking also, that having the engine breath better has to be beneficial. After I added the Snorkel the engine is now savfe from water but it also due to getting the cooler and fresher air makes the engine run much smoother and lesss noise. Everyone is always suprised by how quite the engine is and how quiet it is inside and that is all due to after me having a snorkel installed. Therefore I am hoping that an exhaist system can only help w/ more Horsepower, I don't care if the exhaust makes the LC growl. I near the ocean and I try to overland as close to the ocean as possible so RUST is my #1 problem w/ 171,000 miles.

 

[sailor95]

I have the borla system along with a kn cold air intake and love it

 

[cj007sd]

Sailor95 - if you don't mind me asking how many hours did they charge you to install? The one BORLA system I have seen and others have recommend is about $700 and I was told that install depending on the person/people can be as fast as 45 min or as long as 2hrs. I guess it might depend on the honesty of the mechanic or person installing the exhaust.

 

[spressomon]

Since you (OP) list San Diego as your location...and if you're planning on headers be sure your choice includes the CARB certification. That, despite what Doug Thorley's website states, rules DT out for 100's/2UZ-FE.

 

[cj007sd]

THANNK YOU for the CA SMOG Update. I am finally getting a break from work, therefore moving to Arizona and therefore I am OK w/ SMOG. I will not be in Phoenix or Tucson. I read the DT Headers Forum site here. and that is too expensive for me (labor,etc)
Also the Land Cruiser is perfect for me and Over Landing though out the USA and Mexico. I have added modification to the outside and suspension, shocks and tires to help me w/ my trips. Due to the LC being the most reliable 4x4 I know of, I only want to change things that will not have the possibility of lowering my reliability, since I do not want to break down in the middle of no where. Hope that makes sense. If changing the exhaust in others' experinced opinion can possible lower the reliablity than I will keep it stock, but if it will only help than I am interested in changing my LC for the better.

 

[sean2202]

One item I would look into is how do the aftermarket systems components connect to each other via clamps, welding or like our stock ones. My point being our original system can be taken apart fairly easily if one area needs replacing, couple bolts and gaskets and your done.

 

[abuck99]

Some folks discussing exhaust drone with DT cat back and Borla systems yesterday- check it out if you value a quite ride. I haven't replaced exhaust on the 100 yet, but Ive been studying it, as its not far from requiring overhaul. I've upgraded exhaust systems on several cars & trucks over the years, everyone of them had resonance issues( usually at cruising RPM's). Learned my lesson on exhaust mods, and will stick with something matching stock sound levels. IMO- quiet overrules any minute improvement in performance. Yes I know, " if its too loud, I'm too old...."

 

[dbbowen]

Some folks discussing exhaust drone with DT cat back and Borla systems yesterday- check it out if you value a quite ride. I haven't replaced exhaust on the 100 yet, but Ive been studying it, as its not far from requiring overhaul. I've upgraded exhaust systems on several cars & trucks over the years, everyone of them had resonance issues( usually at cruising RPM's). Learned my lesson on exhaust mods, and will stick with something matching stock sound levels. IMO- quiet overrules any minute improvement in performance. Yes I know, " if its too loud, I'm too old...."

Man im 25 years old and just bought a 2001 LC. The previous owner removed the resonator, installed a magnaflow muffler and 3 inch pipe. I hate my life right now. In my opinion, the Land Cruiser is a little too refined to have a throaty exhaust. I am working on finding the stock parts to have welded back on. My Cruiser is loud as hell

 

[landylover21]

I've gone through OEM replacement, Borla, and now I'm on the Doug Thorley system.

"Best" is somewhat subjective as people have their own opinions and wants/needs. For quiet, stick with OEM Toyota.

My exhaust lasted 16 years or so and it finally started to get spotty in areas that I had welded. It finally collapsed internally and I dealt with the options of OEM or aftermarket.

The Borla for me was a mixed bag, it was beautifully made and went in no fuss at all, but the drone had an annoying resonance and pervasiveness that didn't make up for the lack of volume in the exhaust note, especially under load (again, this is SUBJECTIVE, other people's opinions may differ). It was louder than OEM inside but outside it didn't have that "heavy" exhaust sound I was looking for. At idle, it was actually pretty quiet for what I was expecting and driving through parking lots was a somewhat quiet ordeal as well.

The DT system I have now is not for the person who wants a quiet ride. It does offer a much deeper exhaust note and a nice burble at idle, and compared to the Borla. The exhaust drone is not much louder, and with tire and wind noise at 70 MPH, it kinda cancels out. I've noticed the engine spools up easier (not that it matters in a vehicle like this) and seems to breath better. But for any real performance upgrade you might as well do full a exhaust and intake upgrade... Something on these trucks won't really give you any reasonable gain IMO.

For me, in-cabin noise isn't really a concern as I am in the process of doing my sound system upgrades and I'm dynamatting everything.

All in all, it really depends on what you're looking for, everything else is just opinion.

 

[cj007sd]

Thank you so very much for yorur guy's help! It has made a big diference it what I want to do now ir in the future.
CJ Semepr Fi

 

[Skidaho]

Borla cat back and K&N cold air intake on my '99. Installed over 10 years ago.
Both easy to install with no real hassle.
Not loud at idle
No drone noise.
No real significant change in MPG (but if your wife won't let you get it unless it helps the fuel economy then I get about 10+ mpg better with the system).
Plus they came with 1,000,000 mile warranties... so I figure I don't need to replace them for awhile.

 

[NWForester]

For the sake of addressing the (subjective) drone of non-OEM exhausts...

There is a beast known as a Helmholtz resonator that can quiet a drone coming from an aftermarket exhaust. If after installing an aftermarket exhaust system you find a drone, find a good exhaust shop that will correctly identify the offending frequency and install the appropriate J pipe.

I installed headers, dual 2-1/2" pipes and high flow convertors to a single 3" muffler. There was an annoying 1900ish RPM drone that the Helmholtz resonator helped tame. It's not eliminated the drone altogether (though it's reduced enough that I am not inclined to tweak the resonator anymore) but has brought it to a (subjective) acceptable level.

YMMV

 

[kz195688]

I installed a Borla catback about two weeks ago. It is a little louder (subjective) than my after market muffler and toyota resonator that I removed but not (subjective) unreasonable. My significant other rode with me on the freeway at 70 mph and did not notice any appreciable noise difference. I like the way it sounds. I installed it myself and used a cutoff wheel to remove all the bolts and nuts. I had previously ordered two exhaust gaskets from rock auto and used these to install the system. It took me about 20-30 minutes to remove the old system and 45 to 60 minutes to install the new system. I had to bend the resonator rear bracket upwards (which pushed the chrome tip down when installed) to allow the resonator chrome tip to not vibrate against the class 3 tow hitch. Borla makes a great, albeit spendy, catback system.

 

[DirtDawg]

Ok I just want to reiterate that a cat back system will not do much. The most restriction is at the stock headers and stock clogged cats. If you really don't mind dropping a little coin, have a custom exhaust shop build you a system that is preferable to your sound level while still allowing a lot more flow. If you have the money you can even get a stainless system (just make sure they use a high grade stainless). But IMO, cat back systems are a waste of money (for me) because all they do is provide sound. A custom system will bring your engine ALIVE.

 

[cj007sd]

Thanks again guys for the expert advcie!!

 

[brandon12777]

I'm interested in the best exhaust for clearance. I drag the muffler and tail pipe on rocks all the time.

 

[92LXAZ]

Not necessarily a "system" but I have an 18" Magnaflow muffler with resonator removed and love the sound. Obviously not a performance mod but definitely made our LX not sound like...well...an LX. I may check into high flow cats as well.

 

[DirtDawg]

High flow cats are a big upgrade, but the real game changer is headers.