Catback exhaust versus muffler replacement

[theocruiser]

I’ve been debating about replacing the exhaust on my 2001 LC. I’d like some more sound and more power if it makes a difference.

I’ve looked up the Doug Thorley system and it seems like a lot of people go with that. I put a magnaflow catback system on my last car and really enjoyed the sound from the V8 of that.

My first thought is to replace the muffler with a magnaflow muffler and call it good. Talk me out of that... worth doing the catback? Do the resonators need to be removed or replaced?

Thanks all...

 

[Spike555]

If you keep the resonator you will get the sound you want without the drone at highway speeds.
If you loose the resonator you'll get the drone but the whole thing will be a little louder.
So you need to decide also on how loud you want and if extra volume is worth the drone at speed.

Personally I'd go cat back.

 

[dace voit]

If you drive any considerable amount on the highway, keep the resonator. The drone will drive you crazy without it.

 

[theocruiser]

Is the catback worth any extra power? I forgot or mention performance in my original post. Anything that may make this big slow boat a little more responsive may be worth it.

 

[pawwright]

If you drive any considerable amount on the highway, keep the resonator. The drone will drive you crazy without it.

I got used to the drone, doesn't bother me 95% of the time, but if you do it and don't like the drone, you can always add a resonator back in....

 

[krice118]

Cat back and headers you'll love it

 

[landylover21]

I got used to the drone, doesn't bother me 95% of the time, but if you do it and don't like the drone, you can always add a resonator back in....

That's what I just did with my Doug Thorley system. After having on for almost two years, I decided toning it down a bit would make daily driving more enjoyable.

Had my local shop weld in a resonator and rear exit tailpipe and yes it is definitely quieter, but still has a nice sound when you open it up. Plus, it doesn't have the annoying drone which I had gotten accustomed to... But drive another Cruiser with a quiet exhaust and you soon realize what you're missing.

 

[ad27326]

On my 98 I went with the Dynomax 17748 Super Turbo muffler and removed the resonator, perfect sound for me. Drone was minimal and the fan was used to eat in a few days!! Plan to do the same with my 04!

 

[dace voit]

I got used to the drone, doesn't bother me 95% of the time, but if you do it and don't like the drone, you can always add a resonator back in....

Fair point. I drive 20 miles a day on the highway so that's where I was coming from.

Although to the point of getting used to the sound, I hardly hear the sound of the hood vent fans running in the kitchen where I work when they're on, but when I turn them off, relief...

 

[landylover21]

Fair point. I drive 20 miles a day on the highway so that's where I was coming from.

Although to the point of getting used to the sound, I hardly hear the sound of the hood vent fans running in the kitchen where I work when they're on, but when I turn them off, relief...

That's how I was as I had the Borla system installed before which has a really annoying drone (annoying in the fact that it sounds like a Dyson vacuum). The Doug Thorley system overall had a better exhaust note IMO, but in-cabin noise was louder, but I figured I liked the outside sound so much I'd deal with it (I think I was trying to convince myself).

When my truck was in the bodyshop getting the rear bumper repaired, my mom let me borrow her LX570 and I realized how much I missed a quiet, civilized cabin, especially in daily-driving/commuting applications! My commute consists of back roads, main roads with plenty of lights, and highway, and overall, I'm so much happier I toned it down just a tad. Plus, in my experience, the DT system has an annoying resonance right around 1,800-2,000 which got old really fast in day-to-day driving applications... I'd find myself driving faster just to get out of that rev range, now it's smooth and relaxed.

Edit: added a link to the comparo video of all three that I just finished for someone else here.

 

[DirtDawg]

I have a magnaflow welded in and have zero drone. Drone isn’t based on whether the resonator is still on, it’s dependent on muffler size and other components of the exhaust system. With my magnaflow (which is a little bigger than I’d like), I don’t get any drone and it’s pretty quiet for an aftermarket muffler.

 

[dace voit]

I found myself lauging at the thought of those throaty v8 sounds coming from a 100. If I didn't know it, I'd be looking around for a Camaro or something.

They all sound good though, for different reasons. So the modified DT is with a resonator?

 

[landylover21]

I found myself lauging at the thought of those throaty v8 sounds coming from a 100. If I didn't know it, I'd be looking around for a Camaro or something.

They all sound good though, for different reasons. So the modified DT is with a resonator?

Yeah, universal bottle resonator, I need to get the part number from my shop.

 

[cruzerDave]

Anyone running a Flowmaster? I loved the sound on my old Ranger, then went with Magnaflow on my FJ62 but felt it was a bit too burbly/boat-like. Here is a flowmaster on a 100 with no resonator, I'm liking it but wondering about drone?


Also like how tight under the body the muffler sits

 

[pawwright]

Yeah, universal bottle resonator, I need to get the part number from my shop.

I'd appreciate it once you get the time, something to think about....

 

[Hokie LX]

I have a magnaflow welded in and have zero drone. Drone isn’t based on whether the resonator is still on, it’s dependent on muffler size and other components of the exhaust system. With my magnaflow (which is a little bigger than I’d like), I don’t get any drone and it’s pretty quiet for an aftermarket muffler.

Which magnaflow muffler do you have?

 

[DirtDawg]

Which magnaflow muffler do you have?

 

[Hokie LX]

@DirtDawg appreciate it. I was under the truck the other day and noticed the bottom of mine is getting soft. Going to be replacing it soon but not sure which direction to go.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I went Walker offset muffler replacement and removed the resonator and picked up slightly more tone and zero drone. Did it all myself and brought the wife out to hear the results and her comment was you did all that for a little more noise Since then we have logged lots of highway miles without any more comments, aka wife approved.

 

[Hokie LX]

I went Walker offset muffler replacement and removed the resonator and picked up slightly more tone and zero drone. Did it all myself and brought the wife out to hear the results and her comment was you did all that for a little more noise Since then we have logged lots of highway miles without any more comments, aka wife approved.

Do you have a link or video to the one you got? That sounds like that I want, a little more tone with no drone. I've got sports cars that are loud, don't need the truck to be lol.