catback / axleback

[ACE-tC]

ok guys obviously everyone has there own opimnion but i want facts whats better a cat back or axle back and why. the 4-2-1- headers keep saying in the description to add an axle back but i was told cat backs are better

[CadenceScion]

IMO, I feel its more of a personal preference. Me personally I like the look and sound of a CAT-Back Exhaust. I am sure there might be some sound differences between the two. It is also going to depend on the exhaust size diameter you using, resonator size, and the flow/smoothness of the exhaust piping.

[navylife59]

Not too sure why they would recommend it that way unless because the aftermarket headers replace one of the 2 catalytic converters on the OEM exhaust. If one were to suggest a cat-back, the owner might just go cat delete. That person get's busted and it's lights out for a CARB compliance application. I might just be stretching this one a bit too far to explain. I should just fess up that I really don't know why.

[ACE-tC]

ok cause im going to get that 4-2-1- header next month for my bday i gaurentee that and i want to get a new exhaust systemim looking at magna flow seeing how from what ive heard on other cars sounds great and i wont have to worry about getting pulled over cause of sound. hwat do you think or is there another system i should be looking at? i know the tC was an axle back but then i upgraded to cat because i was told cat's are better performance wise. and also having at least 1 cat is better than none lol so yea let em know

[CadenceScion]

My personal opinion is Magnaflow or Borla, but your going to pay more for Borla. I am also confused about wanting to upgrade my OEM CAT to a high-flow one. I got told on another site that our OEM CATs are already highflow, so no noticeable gains will be noticed unless we're F/I. I also want to keep and maintain proper backpressure which is needed. I feel more R&D needs to go into this subject, or unless its a bunch of hooplah. NAVY- We need your expert advise/opinions on this matter!!!

[navylife59]

We do have fairly efficient TWC. Problem is, we have two and ceramic cores tend to be more restrictive than a metallic core. My suggestion would be to run one quality metallic cat in your custom exhaust. It has a tendency to eliminate the propensity for rasp.

[Mengsta]

I don't understand why the person told you it was better to get an axleback over cat-back with your header as well.

Cat-backs for Tc's are more like S-pipe-backs.. The full cat back systems for TCs from most manufactures are just axleback systems that include midpipes. Aftermarket midpipes will delete your cat anyway. So to answer your question as well, yes a cat-back may give you more power since it will give you a new midpipe which deletes your catalytic converter. Systems such as Maganflow,Skunk2, and Megan will include midpipes. ARK designs true cat-back system that gives you a midpipe, but retains your OEM cat for Smog legality.

[Flint Mica tC]

Sounds more confusing than I originally thought. I only got a Borla axle back and was maybe wanting to upgrade my headers and or Cat but didn't know which to do first. Now not sure if I should do either at all.

[navylife59]

Exhaust by numbers. What could go wrong?

Intakes can be designed fairly easy with some scientific calculations but exhaust design is part art, science, and part magic.