This is an aged topic, but let me be just a tad more specific. I am looking for an exhaust, definitely lighter than stock, that causes the least amount of drone in the car, doesn't actually lose power (hopefully none on the market do this), and aren't terribly loud.

From what I have heard (not in person unfortunately), one of the exhausts that seem to fit this requirement is the Mines exhaust. Any other suggestions? I know the Mines is pricey, but seems worth it.

well if you are just doing a cat back, no mid pipes and down pipes, you should be fine with any muffler. I have a HKS legamax on that is a little lighter than stock but not a lot lighter. Almost all aftermarket exhausts are going to be lighter than stock but it is by how much that matters. Like the Mines one would be a lot lighter as it is titanium. So Amuse and all of them are light. But from the variation of exhausts that i have heard, Mine's is definitely the softest. then hks, amuse, fujitsubo come up next. then the 5zigen, hks kansai, sunline racing one get louder. but with just muffler, they all aren't terribly loud. hope this helps!

What is your budget? There are many choices. You can pay more but you might not get more except for brand name.

Willing to change both midpipe and cat back exhaust? Or only cat back?

Make them both titanium and take your pick for the most weight savings.

Willall Titanium midpipe- very light about 6 lbs $990
CBRD Y pipe - about 17 lbs, more aggressive sound $895
HKS resonated midpipe about 19 lbs less aggressive but louder than stock $750
Harman Motive midpipe About 16 lbs moderately aggressive $699

Willall full titanium cat back exhaust saves 40 lbs $3120
GReddy full titanium cat back exhaust saves 16+ lbs $ 3609 has twin mufflers
Titek Ti full cat back exhaust total weight 19 lbs $3399

Stainless steel Cat back system- possible the sound will be a little more mellow than full titanium- check sound clips
Borla full exhaust including X pipe that replaces midpipe- unique design with resonators in midpipe section $3499
Medallion Touring cat back exhaust twin mufflers $1980
Stillen cat back exhaust no mufflers 27% less than stock exhaust, $2470 matched with Stillen midpipe with double resonator $760

To save money you can always just change the midpipe to Stainless steel or titanium and keep the stock cat back exhaust. Add Cobb AccessPort and do a custom tune for more power. The exhaust note will be louder but not too bad for droning in daily driving.

are you going for purely sound or for perfomance or for both..
that questoin has to be answered in order to make the final decision. and also.. what is your "budget"

a exhaust system that is lighter than stock, not too loud, very little if any drone, isnt any louder than stock, but different note is the HKS legamax exhaust, pm me for a way to get a great price on one of those.
but have you ever considered the idea of being able to adjust the exhaust??
AAM has a variable exhaust system that allows you to change the note of the exhaust with the touch of a button.
it is also lighter than stock, and increases the power as much as any catback, you can pm me on that for more details aswell

if price is of no concern, get the Akrapovic. 10k is all you need. I also think the AMS has a great 90mm exhaust for 2200. If you are considering a variable exhaust, AAM is definitely a great value at 4k, almost half the price of other variable exhausts. I have this exhaust and I love it.

If you're interested in the Mines, Amuse is equal in quality and performance. It's also cheaper and in stock. (We have both A tail and B tail in stock; these are different variations of tip burns)

R1 Titanium Extra STTI Exhaust, Quad Tip

-Mike Bratcher

Wow, sorry I missed these good replies. I appreciate them.

Regarding budget, I wouldn't want to go any higher than the Mines. I considered the Amuse, but it seems those tips aren't the most flattering on the car (just personal opinion). I wouldn't say I am going for performance since I am sure the gains from an exhaust would likely be somewhat negligible. I think the two main criteria I am looking for are looks (very subjective) and sound. The issue with having a badass sounding exhaust is the good possibility of heavy drone in the cabin. When I first heard the sound of the Meisterschaft Exhaust, I was in love but among other things, I heard the drone was pretty bad.

I need to hear the AAM in person. is that one Ti as well? If it weren't snowing this weekend, I'd go up there myself! I will check out some clips of the HKS legamax exhaust as well.

Thanks for the input so far! Hope I'm not being difficult with this process.

PS I am also looking for quality welds!!

are you looking for blue burnt tips? or silver tips?
the aam is not titanium, but doesnt way much, less than stock, and quality is incredible
aswell the hks legamax is a great product
but theres something about that variable system thats quite cool
it'll be hard for you to get to hear that variable exhaust without it being matched with aam midpipe and/or downpipes

if you have "mines" budget, go with the hks superior spec r + Hks legamax resonated mid pipe

I am seriously considering buying this exhaust. I love the idea of being able to adjust the sound. How much lighter is it compared to the factory set up? More importantly, do you know off hand if there is any drone?

Thanks

The exhaust is a full 3.5" system and has 0 drone, whether open fully or closed fully.
not quite sure exact weight of the thing, but assure less than stock, and quite a good power increase
the beauty of this system is that it isnt open or closed only, there is levels of "openess" 7 or 9 levels in total i believe.
chillboy (harrison) should be able to chime in on his experiences with it.
i will be adding it in the summer

Thanks for the info.

I got the Mines exhaust and it is a great quality exhaust. It is however very quiet. It actually feels even more quiet than stock. I felt it so quiet that i felt i had to add a midpipe to get the sound i wanted. I went for the HKS resonated one and now i feel i have it the way i like. Nice sound and minimal drone.
I dynoed the car with oem and Mines exhaust and with the Mines it went from 410 whp to 420whp so it adds about 10 whp.

Here is a video of a dynorun with the Mines that i did at R2B2 motors in Atlanta on the way from Kansas to Florida to Norway. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ttibdgPedI

Another one from speedforsale just after they had installed my exhaust. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geM0_s9Dpto&feature=fvsr

Thanks for those clips of the Mines. I think I might be really sold on that exhaust then. I will still look into the others mentioned so that I am not giving them a fair shake. Thanks everyone!

AMS! Handsdown!...... PERFECT OEM FIT..... AMAZING sound! and different options for your specific needs.

You want less drone but dont want to sacrafice power.... then I would stick with one of the best companies in the business.


Not to mention their quality control is just unmatched IMO

side note -- what's the best way to capture clips for people?

i'd love to post mine so folks have a reference point for my mix...

ideas appreciated!

-=- mf

^ If you have a digital camera that can record video, that would probably be the easiest. Just take a clip and upload it to Youtube.

-Colin

John, Spring's around the corner...pulled the trigger yet, Chief?!?!?!?