For those of you that have upgraded your exhausts..

[steelcity]

Was there a significant difference when you guys installed your cat backs? Whether it was Megan, Stillen or custom, did you really get a good kick from it? I don't see anyone doing any straight back exhausts. Is that for back pressure purposes? What's the best way to go about the exhaust? Catback and y-pipe only?

[Larz]

Exhausts are a personal preference based on what you want to change about your factory set up. You are right in that the main differences are sound and / or reduction of back pressure. When I did my set-up, it was based on two criteria: sound and appearance. I wanted to avoid loud volume that would invade the cabin at motorway speeds and I wanted to go to a single pipe on each side. For me, the Tanabe turned out to be the best. I got 'axle-back' Tanabe Medalions. They have a mild, very low-pitch note at idle. When driving, there is no loud noise in the cabin and are no louder than OEM even at higher speeds. However, when I give it the beans, they growl loudly and throaty. The sound is closer to a Bentley then a Mustang and that was what I was looking for. As for extra kick, HP, etc ... probably not much change at all since they are axle-backs and I did not change the pressures, just the sound and the appearance. They are highly polished and look great under the car. From the rear, they have a wider opening.

Here is the official exhaust thread form the FAQ section. it is 7 pages long and has some great opinions, pics, and good info in it:
m35-m45-exhaust-discussion-thread-t510149.html

[steelcity]

Thanks Larz. Ill check it out. I am looking for looks and performance.

[Larz]

If you are looking for performance, axle-backs will not get you there. You should probably consider a full exhaust change out or a partial change out with an uprev tune. Many in here have done that and perhaps they will eventually post here. Best of luck to you.

[steelcity]

Right. Axle back is for look and sound. I'm thinking the Stillen cat-back, but I still have lots of homework to do.

[GQM45s]

i like my megans, stock look and i got a mi pipe as well, gives it a good growl

[Ilya]

I had a one off exhaust from MXP that I don't think was ever produced again...some lucky SOB got it at the auction lol. I loved that exhaust. It was perfect. Quiet when cruising but opened right up when on the gas.

I do feel like it helped the car a little...but then again I had the intake spacers, UpRev tune, etc.

Here's two videos of my exhaust:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ92Yhd433Q[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS9cZ97mHv4[/youtube]

[steelcity]

Nice video @Ilyakol

[vasekvi]

I had a custom catback exhaust fabbed up today with an X pipe, no resonators using MagnaFlow 14816 mufflers. I'm pleased with the sound and I wanted it louder hence no resonators. Clips are best heard with headphones or decent speakers with bass.

M45 MagnaFlow 14816 custom cat back no resonators: https://youtu.be/SHNRmym_kLs

M45 MagnaFlow 14816 No Resonator Dashcam Clip: https://youtu.be/8WS3E2Y8S14

[Waders]

Sounds amazing!

[steelcity]

Sounds very nice.