After doing some perusing it seems most prefer the Milltek or Akrapovic exhausts (or JCW stock, but that's stock so out for comparison ).

What would those with them say the main differences are? Pluses/minuses for one over the other?

On the Akrapovic side when putting on the DP (with Delete R) is the noise increase drastic or just noticeable? I don't want to be giving others headaches while driving around town being one of 'those' modders. I've seen a couple of other DPs but that one strikes me as more engineered from appearances.

I believe I've seen rumors of someone (maybe NM?) doing something like a 200-cell performance DP that still has a cat. Anything definite behind that if available? Google came up with zilch.

Thanks!

 

I talked to NM about 2 weeks ago. They are still working on it. No ETA.

 

I know this isn't one of the options, but I absolutely love my NM exhaust. With my catless DP it has a wonderful tone, very deep. It doesn't get too loud unless you go 75% throttle (or so) and let it rev above ~4k. So in town, its respectfully quiet for neighborhoods while still having a low grumble. It has a little drone above 70MPH but nothing that the average tuner couldn't handle. I'm sure the Akra DP with a cat would keep the drone at bay.

Just a heads up, the Delete-R isn't a perfect solution for a CEL. I would save the money spend on the Delete-R and put it toward a proper Tune, where they can keep the o2 fault code at bay and not worry about it.

I did consider the Miltek and Akra exhausts when shopping around last year. The thin I didn't care for on the Miltek was it had an extra connection point at the muffler. All the others this connection point is welded.

With the Akra, the cost was too high. I couldn't justify spending another $700 for no gain over the NM I purchased. Plus for the tone I was looking for the Akra would not be able to deliver with its larger resonator (than the NM exhaust). Although I will say the Akra with its carbon tips is the best looking exhaust and it carries quite a bit of street cred.

If you plan on doing any ECU tuning, a larger exhaust than even the fJCW is recommended. However if not, there have been a few members that perform a resonator delete and have liked the sound results thereafter.

Again, no first hand experience on my personal car. Just what I've picked up over the forum and talking to members with the exhausts in question.

 

Copy, thanks! Keep us posted.

 

I think I remember reading that on one or two. I do plan to do tune, possibly the BattleTune or RennTech's since the AccessPort is discontinued. Valid point, thanks.

The extra connection point could be a negative. I agree on the Alta carbon tips as well, but likewise when I really get to the point I'm ready to purchase price will likely play a keen role.

Thanks for the tips!

 

The Akrapovic is fairly quiet even with no cats at all. I have a catless DP and the Akrapovic is perfect. You can still hear it, but it's not loud enough to make a cop turn his head. The Akrapovic DP still has a small cat I believe, so it would even be a tiny bit quieter too. I can't comment on the Milltek, but I can say my Akrapvoic was money well spent.

 

After 140k miles i still love my milltek! it rumbles, no drone, sings in tunnels and i get nothing but compliments.. build quality is great as well.

 

2013 roadster S with Akrapovic exhaust and down pipe. It's a great system that is just right on noise level. While it sounds great, cops don't seem to even notice it. I love it so much, that I plan on moving it to my next mini.

 

Thanks. Seems the Milltek is liked but the Akra folks like theirs a bit more enough to be more vocal. Or the others are just busy.

I have to check the systems again myself, I remember one I was looking at had a Magnaflow muffler. I don't think it was one of these. If I went that route I know a pretty good custom shop in town that would probably do a good job cheaper. If I pay the extra I'd like the whole thing to be designed together. It might be a senseless quibble but so be it. lol

 

I too am interested to hear here... Currently totally stock incl. DP. I want to upgrade to a catless DP and a "quality" exhaust that looks the business. Is the Milltek catless DP "ok" for what it is? It's the least expensive catless DP I've seen. Any other suggestions?

Tip style and sound are very important. The Garbino is BY FAR my favourite so far, but no North American vendors seem to be able to offer it readily (although I haven't asked). I'll spend the money, but there is a point at which the cost will outweigh the uniqueness for me.

 

There's one company in LA (I think it is) that imports them, someone mentioned it to me but I'm spacing them at the moment. If I find it I'll post it. They also do the iPE imports if memory serves so I'll be looking them up again in a couple of months myself. I did send one message to them but still haven't heard anything back so I think when the time comes I'll call instead.

Garbino, iPE, and a German one (Cargraphics) are the options for valvetronic it seems. For 'normal' systems there's a fair list and a few DP options.

Edit:

From the Garbino thread I started a bit ago:

Thread's here: Garbino Exhaust

 

I have akrapovic, swapped for my jcw exhaust, it's a little deeper, not much, but to be honest, if I did it again, I'd keep the jcw

 

Slightly off topic, but I have an 08 S with the exhaust for the JCW Tuning Kit. I am looking to optimize what I have if possible. I know the Tune Kit provides the muffler section and tips (woo!) but it has a different part number from JCW and S according to Realoem. I've tuned now with Manic and I'm contemplating a catless DP, but I'm a little confused about what might be a deliberate course of action for the rest of the system. It's all 2.5, correct? I know there are 3" systems out there, but I'm reading overkill. I don't want a droner either, so I wonder if it might be prudent to cut out the middle cat and resonator, add the DP and be done. I love the looks of the Akropovic carbon tips but I don't think they are worth the cost of admission. Milltek looks like a real good option, but with the choices out there, for the cost compared to what I have, I'm not real sure I'd gain that much. I appreciate the advice!

 

I have the Akra with a catless down pipe and I find it too quiet. Not much louder than stock. I wish I went a different route. The build quality is great and it looks real good but for the money I don't find it worth it.

 

Most aftermarket seem to be 2.5" with some 3" options. I want to say stock is 2.25", if memory serves? I think all the DPs except one or two are at least 2.5" as well.

It might be pimping the link a bit *sorry* but since it's got a fair listing check out the Excel file I'm working on at the link below. It's not all-encompassing but does have a fair number of options I could find with pipe size and other info as I was able to find it. Good for a quick skim if looking for a place to start. The only catch might be that some parts on it are S or JCW specific since mine's a JCW but overall I think most work on anything but a Justa (and maybe some of those).

Excel File 5th post down

 

Does anybody here run the QuickSilver exhaust? It sounds fantastic from clips online.

 

Akrapovic DP with JCW exhaust minus resonator. Great sound when you get on it and still civilized enough when tooling around

 

Another options that sounds great - but can be a pain to buy
and $$$

 

Just for the record - I have the Akra cat DP with stock JCW exhaust. Bit of a rough note at 2800 under hard acceleration - but with the recirc valve (forge motor sports) it pops and crackles just nicely.

 

Wow, for a daily driver, really?

 

hey, it has silent mode
I would actually love to find someone in AU that has this - i'd travel to see what its like in a real world scenario. The drone could be obnoxious

 

It is what I thought. At close to 2K it is very expensive and not worth the investment.

 

wow. all this input is great. I was looking into the Akra catless DP... but when you do that you have to get the additional Delete-R hookup which is another couple hundred... unless for some reason you dont need to pass emissions. I prefer function over fashion, so if that catless DP will be me that dreamy tone and better turbo efficiency, im all for it.

PS. is there a cheaper catless DP on the market that will do the same?

 

I sell a ported 2300F Ceramic Coated 304 16G Stainless Steel, DP that hasn't triggered a CEL. Email me at MarioPalza@gmail.com for more info.

mQubed Motorsport, Manic Tuning Dealer

 

Just sent you an email. Interested in hearing more about it. A cat less DP that doesn't trigger a CEL.