FJ Exhaust Shoot-Out Results!

[BRZX3R]

Wow, great information. I wonder what the db readings would be with those systems and an off-road header.

I am running the SVT cat-back on my ZX3 to keep my header quiet.

Thanks again Ron for doing this shoot-out!

[Blurry]

I've had the Borla 2.5" on my SVT for a year now and have had them on my Bronco and VW...and it's good to see they make a great product...Congrats FS on your exhaust...Too bad it wasn't out earlier...your price may be cheaper than the $489 I spent on my Borla..

[Euro Ford Fan]

The MBRP with a JBA and FC Cat is about 110db it's so loud it hurts your ears!

Good info guys thanks for all the work. I would get the HKS but I don't like the look so FocusSport it is!

[FocusOnChrist]

Hey guys! First I want to say what an excellent job of putting this together! I know yo have made my decision a lot easier. I know now that I will probably be going with either the Borla or FocusSport system. I think the thing that will sway me in the end is the decible ratings of the two. I wanted a quieter system, and FocusSport is delivering! Who knows, I might try and just go all out FocusSport. Again, a great job putting this all together!

[Dannyboy]

Great work you guys. I love the results; everything looks professional and well thoughtout. I have one question though. I figured that the regular Focus Sport Exhaust would be quieter? Focus Sport says that their exhaust is one of the quietest on the market... I will end up getting their exhaust still, but I think the Stealth option will be added. Even though I am keeping stock header and stuff, I want my car to be quiet and unsuspecting; especially once the JRSC is installed.

[NY BLACK ZX3]

I notice the MBRP was done with the 2.25" system and still did within a wisker of the top 2 I'm pretty sure the MBRP, with the 2.5" system would have pulled better hp numbers but would have been even louder
I said it before and I'll say it again, you can't be fast and quiet at the same time.

[InfraEuroSVT]

Cool...this certainly makes choosing an exhaust much easier. Thanks for the concise and informative reviews guys. Now I'll just go back to patiently waiting for the FS exhaust for the SVT and to see how the Apex'i exhaust works out for belacryf Later all.

-- Kevin

[OutaFocus]

First, let me say thanks for this info. I imagine it was a huge undertaking.

It is interesting to see all of the posts lauding one exhaust or another. The praises are usually for the exhaust the poster owns. What i take from this test is that the results from one exhaust to another fall within the margin of error of the dyno. Folks, we're talking tenths of a hp or tq here! I'm confident that if you reran the test you would see different results.

All this test shows me is that if you buy a quality exhaust, no matter the brand, You will have basically equal results. Now to those who are toutng one exhaust over another based on these miniscule differences, I must ask, what if the results were weighted by price? Is exhaust "A" worth nearly double Exhaust "B" for a couple of tenths that may dissapear on the next dyno?

If I were buying an exhaust from this list based on the results posted, I would probably pick the Magnaflow based on it's performance and the fact that it can be bought for under $300.00 shipped and it's right there, in every category, with exhausts costing hundreds more. But, someone else will see these results and reach a totally different conclusion.

Well done Ron!

[hotfocus]

Yep, good ol'pacesetter leading that way. best bang for ya buck if you ask me.got mine for under $200. if i had to get another one i would be the HKS or the Focus Sport. i never had mine touching the chassis

[Qdoba Addict]

We chose the best dyno numbers as the starting point of the Shoot-Out

Were multiple baseline runs done but then only 1 run per each exhaust? Was an ECU reset done before each install and how long was the car driven before being dyno'd with each exhaust in place? I agree with OutaFocus that most of the deltas are probably within the standard error for a dynojet but I can't find any figures on what standard dynojet error is.

[ZilVerBulletZx3]

To bad no sound clips

[FocusSportVP]

...What i take from this test is that the results from one exhaust to another fall within the margin of error of the dyno. Folks, we're talking tenths of a hp or tq here! I'm confident that if you reran the test you would see different results...

No, not really. I asked Ron about this. He said they did around 7 runs for each kit, including stock. They took each kit's BEST run.

Correct me if I'm mistaken, Ron.

And you don't need to reset your ECU for a cat-back exhaust. I hope Ron didn't bother with that, as it would have been a waste of time.

As a participator in this test, I was VERY concerned about consistant test conditions and the methods used, as I'm sure all the manufacturers were. Some may not agree with the way the test was done, but at least it was consistant with every kit, so no one can really complain about the results (not that there was any REAL complaints so far in this thread).

Thanks for all your hard work, Ron!

[Jeffery]

To bad no sound clips

Yeah I would've liked to have heard some of the exhausts. Not many of them put sounds on their website. MBRP has sounds on their website.

[OutaFocus]

He said they did around 7 runs for each kit, including stock. They took each kit's BEST run.

Well, if that is the case, the results have even more validity. I have no complaints at all with how the test was run. My only issue is the potential for "cheerleading" for ones exhaust based on a test where, even based on the "best" dyno runs, is less than 1 hp in most cases. My conclusion is that all of the top names (including FocusSport) performed very well and so closely together that any would be a good choice and the power outputs boasted about by most, if not all, of the manufacturers is less important than other considerations. People should buy based on construction, sound, looks, and price,pick the best value and be confident that their choice will perform much like the others.

Hell, many people can't feel a huge difference when they add pullies, or a chip, do you expect them to "feel" a 1hp advantage on an exhaust?

Again, great job Ron..

(EDIT)

I just read another post with HP & TQ per dollar:

# ATR. $399. $3.42/hp, $3.23/tq
# Bassani. 428.99. $3.72/hp, $3.51/tq
# Borla. 403.99. 3.46/hp, 3.28/tq
# Bosal. 329.95 2.86/hp, 2.68/tq
# FocusSport. 299.95 2.57/hp, 2.43/tq
# HKS. 485.99 4.17/hp, 3.95/tq
# Magnaflow. 329.39 2.83/hp 2.68/tq
# MBRP. 310 2.66/hp, 2.52/tq
# Pacesetter. 195.99 1.71/hp, 1.61/tq
# RM Racing. 455 3.98/hp, 3.75/tq
# Vibrant. 361.07 3.11/hp, 2.93/tq

And it appears my initial accessment of value was wrong. It looks to me like the FS exhaust is a winner based on the amount spent for the power produced. Of course I am not counting the low power producers, only the top performers. I forgot to get the name of the poster, but thanks for the math!

[Greatdork!]

my MBRP didnt do too bad and its official, its the loudest system out there

Its exactly what I'm looking for good price and quality.

What does everyone recomend though 2.5 or 2.25?

Mcnews get ready I'll be placing my order soon.

[ZilVerBulletZx3]

Its exactly what I'm looking for good price and quality.

What does everyone recomend though 2.5 or 2.25?

Mcnews get ready I'll be placing my order soon.

I had one on my sedan its a nice sounding exhaust but it was an automatic so it wasnt really nice to listen to it after a while. It isnt to loud the idle in the morning is pretty much, but now that I have the 5 speed and the borla and pacesetter shorty n FC off road pipe its wayyyyyy louder which I like

But MBRP is very good quality

[FordFocusDanielSan]

i say 2.5in the borla is 2.5, so why not? ive seen a lot of posts say that if you go too big of a pipe diameter with little or no mods that you lose low end power but this tests just proves them wrong

[FocusSportVP]

Keep in mind the test car they used being stock, would be pretty choked up. You're not going to see the real advantages or disadvantages of tubing diameter in this type of test.

[belacyrf]

Ummmm there seems to be alot of speculation of diameter size 2.5 vs 2.25. While I still think 2.5" is to big for an NA 2.0 liter zetec with a restrictive head (non-svt), some seem to state emphatically it's the better size.

I haven't found anywhere that Ron states what diameter exhausts were tested, so we should probably wait to see if he has that info, and if he does and he posts it, then you can start arguing diameter. But for a normal zx3 I just don't see 2.5 being a wise choice.

[Hocky]

amazing baseline numbers for a bone stock focus though, huh?

[Focus_Is_Art]

Good job Ron, rise ur right hand and give urself a pop at the back.

There is a few things I would like to see
1) what's the decibel level on the stock system(Hope I don't miss it somewhere)? That will give a better idea on how loud after mkt are.
2) A better dyno picture.
3) Pick one cat-back(FS, MBRP...anyone), run it with a 2.25" flex pipe(don't have to name who made it if there is any concern) and see if there is ANY gain. That will help alot of people get over the "while ur at it, why not" mentality.

[focaljet-1]

Good point, I didn't include the stock decibel meter readings. I'll append the article, but in the meantime, here they are:

Decibel @ Idle: 61dB
Decibel @ 3K RPMS: 71dB
Decibel @ 4K RPMS: 77dB

[focaljet-1]

I also do want to clarify that each system (including stock) got a minimum of 6 runs and the best output was used.

[Focus_Is_Art]

See what you can do on #3, since I am at that situation.

[focaljet-1]

Several of the systems are still for sale in the Classifieds section. If you see something your interested in email me an offer.