Resonator vs muffler delete - Advise needed

[JavierHG]

Hi

I am planning to install an axle back exhaust at some point next year but i was considering to do either a resonator or muffler delete and i'd like to see if anyone has done it and can share their thoughts.

Which one do you recommend, resonator or muffler delete?

What is more or less a reasonable price to do this in London?

Can the tips be attached to the new pipe or new one are needed?

I believe it's not illegal in the UK, am i wrong?

Thanks

[dephrank]

I'd leave the resonator as I think its function is to reduce drone. Muffler delete sounds more like it but not sure what the impact is on an IS250 i.e. low or high end power loss, Check engine light, Oxygen sensor malfunction etc.

I do my exhaust mods with a specialist somewhere in East London. Price can range from £80 to £250 depending on nature of the mod.

My Lexus is still new to me so take my opinion with a handful of salt. If I recall correctly, it's been discussed before. Some members have modified their exhausts and names such Nvidia, HKS come to mind - these appear to be full exhaust systems with a different note from OEM which, is worth considering as they do sound nice.

 

[JavierHG]

Right, i am planning to get the HKS axle back exhaust at some point next year but just wanted to increase the noise a bit until i do it.

I am in South East London, would you recommend your mechanic?

[dephrank]

Wouldn’t call him a mechanic. More like an exhaust specialist. His IG account is darius_art_performance_exhaust

He's in Dagenham and yes I’d recommend him. He knows his stuff and had been at it for several years. 

[JavierHG]

2 hours ago, dephrank said:

Wouldn’t call him a mechanic. More like an exhaust specialist. His IG account is darius_art_performance_exhaust

He's in Dagenham and yes I’d recommend him. He knows his stuff and had been at it for several years. 

Thanks mate, i've dropped him a message.

[H3XME]

On 11/10/2021 at 5:20 PM, JavierHG said:

Hi

I am planning to install an axle back exhaust at some point next year but i was considering to do either a resonator or muffler delete and i'd like to see if anyone has done it and can share their thoughts.

Which one do you recommend, resonator or muffler delete?

What is more or less a reasonable price to do this in London?

Can the tips be attached to the new pipe or new one are needed?

I believe it's not illegal in the UK, am i wrong?

Thanks

Right, so I've got the HKS axle-back, I'm confident in saying I was the first one in the UK to run this system. 

Everyone compliments on how good it sounds and that it's not obnoxious. It's got an amazing deep tone that comes to life under load at 2500rpm and no drone on the motorway. 

That being said.. Sometimes I do wish it was a little bit louder, BUT 1) it will drone on the motorway 2) resonator delete would make it raspy and horrible - you'll lose the deep tone of it that makes it so special compared to other systems 3) the only way to do this would be secondary catalytic converters delete (this is probably the best option and I am still considering doing it but when i do, there is no going back..)

Resonator delete - horrible raspy sound that will turn your V6 more so into a bad I6

Muffler delete - good tone, but VERY loud - on the plus side.. it's reversible. Take your mufflers off on your drive and check out the sound. Cost effective decision maker. 

Fitting takes about 30minutes once the car is in the air. Easy DIY, only a few bolts and exhaust hangers. 

My friend is looking into getting a new exhaust for his IS250 as well.. He's from Leicester and exhaust shops quoted over £500 for backbox delete on this car. It's an insane amount of money for a couple of straight pipes. I can imagine London prices will be even steeper. It's best to just buy the HKS system in my opinion. At least you know what you're getting and the quality of it is amazing too. 

 

 

[JavierHG]

 

3 hours ago, H3XME said:

Right, so I've got the HKS axle-back, I'm confident in saying I was the first one in the UK to run this system. 

Everyone compliments on how good it sounds and that it's not obnoxious. It's got an amazing deep tone that comes to life under load at 2500rpm and no drone on the motorway. 

That being said.. Sometimes I do wish it was a little bit louder, BUT 1) it will drone on the motorway 2) resonator delete would make it raspy and horrible - you'll lose the deep tone of it that makes it so special compared to other systems 3) the only way to do this would be secondary catalytic converters delete (this is probably the best option and I am still considering doing it but when i do, there is no going back..)

Resonator delete - horrible raspy sound that will turn your V6 more so into a bad I6

Muffler delete - good tone, but VERY loud - on the plus side.. it's reversible. Take your mufflers off on your drive and check out the sound. Cost effective decision maker. 

Fitting takes about 30minutes once the car is in the air. Easy DIY, only a few bolts and exhaust hangers. 

My friend is looking into getting a new exhaust for his IS250 as well.. He's from Leicester and exhaust shops quoted over £500 for backbox delete on this car. It's an insane amount of money for a couple of straight pipes. I can imagine London prices will be even steeper. It's best to just buy the HKS system in my opinion. At least you know what you're getting and the quality of it is amazing too. 

 

 

Thanks for the detailed response.

I think I will then save for the HKS.

The catalytic converter cannot be welded back?

I don't think I'll be able to replace it myself as I don't have anything to put the car in the air, would you be able to help me? Happy to agree on a price and go to your area.

[H3XME]

3 minutes ago, JavierHG said:

 

Thanks for the detailed response.

I think I will then save for the HKS.

The catalytic converter cannot be welded back?

I don't think I'll be able to replace it myself as I don't have anything to put the car in the air, would you be able to help me? Happy to agree on a price and go to your area.

Axle stands will do as the exhaust ends by your rear wheels. You don't have to go too far under the car. It can, but it's expensive really.. not worth doing it.

Honestly, driving to Birmingham from London and pay me would cost you more than having someone local do this for you. Like I said, a shop shouldn't charge more than 1h of labour which is less than £100 dude 🙂 But I don't mind helping anyway.. up to you. I just think it'd be more hassle for you to come up here.

[JavierHG]

1 hour ago, H3XME said:

Axle stands will do as the exhaust ends by your rear wheels. You don't have to go too far under the car. It can, but it's expensive really.. not worth doing it.

Honestly, driving to Birmingham from London and pay me would cost you more than having someone local do this for you. Like I said, a shop shouldn't charge more than 1h of labour which is less than £100 dude 🙂 But I don't mind helping anyway.. up to you. I just think it'd be more hassle for you to come up here.

That is true, still one day i might pop in to visit the city and see how it sounds :)

[H3XME]

4 minutes ago, JavierHG said:

That is true, still one day i might pop in to visit the city and see how it sounds 🙂

You're more than welcome to!