AxleBack vs. CatBack Exhaust

[obet_07304]

Can somebody pls. tell me the difference between the two. I know Stillen offers Axleback set & Tanabe I think the catback if i'm not mistaken. Just wondering w/c one is better. Thanks.

[motoguy128]

The axleback will be like a "slip-on" on a motorcycle. It really only replaces the muffler iteself. It will affect the sound mostly and have only minimal effect on actual performance... although just sounding louder does make a car feel faster. You should still meet emissions requirements with this system.

A cat-back system replaces the exhaust all the way from the from the second catalytic converter. So it's a few feet longer. It might make the tone a little deeper since the diameter of hte pipe will be larger longer. It will have slightly more reduction in backpressure. If you reduce this too much, you might find flat spots in the power at low RPM's and may not pass emmissions.

I persoanlly think for looks and sound, the axlebakc is the best option. From what I understand, you aren't going to get much out of the longer system.

The only way to signifiantly improve performance is to void most of your powertrain warranties and install a chip on aftermarket ECU and full exhaust system including headers.

[Ever Victorious]

Not wholely true. You can actually see significant gains from a catback system, if it is designed correctly and if there are sizeable restrictions in the stock system.

Adding a CAI, headers, and cat-back system is a fairly popular combination that can add a few good ponies to the system. And usually when you do those 3, you also have the ECU re-tuned to take advantage of the parts, which gives you a little more.

It all depends on what your definition of "a lot" of power. 30%? Not even close... you'll need a turbo or supercharger or to do some serious tinkering with engine internals to get that.

10 - 15%? Not out of the realm of possibilities for a combination of bolt-ons (including probably a bigger throttle body) and an ECU tune.

[redtop91]

Axleback runs from the axle back. This means that the exhaust flow is just as restricted and will provide little or no gains. A catback runs from the catalytic converter back. This exhaust is slightly less restrictive but without being coupled with headers / downpipe will also provide minimal gains

[motoguy128]

Any gains in top end will probably be balanced by equal losses in the bottom end since backpressure is reduced. It would also depend on how well the ECU is able to modify the fuel map. It's still going to run very lean for economy and emissions. In motorcycles, even those with a closed loop system with an O2 sensor, there are still flat spots created in the bottom end and midrange.

[remiasz]

I have a question, isnt the tabe an axleback also, b/c thats what it says on the tanabe site but ive seen on other sites it says catback so plz resopond with the answer

[Clipsed]

only exhaust systems out right now for the Versa are all axlebacks, including the tanabe.

[blackversaatl]

DANG! Didn't know this!

Oh well, Axleback it is....makes my selection a whole lot easier....