Feedback on dual factory exhaust on the 2.4

[Sky Hi]

I've not yet ordered duals for our Sky. I am torn between the magnaflow quads and the factory redline dual exhaust. My dealer has a 25% Discount sale on accessories and the Red Line factory exhaust is a bargain. It has advantages regarding warranty, factory fit and finish, and no hassles for future state inspections. It is also about $150 less than the best deal on the magnaflow quads. We do not want a loud system while cruising at low RPM's and are quite happy with the stock sound level. The CAI makes enough noise during hard acceleration. Some of you on the Forum have upgraded the standard Sky with the factory dual exhaust, and I would like your feedback. Does the sound change with duals? I suspect it sounds different than the redline with the same exhaust because it is a larger displacement engine and it is not breathing through a turbocharger. Do you think you gained any HP?

I must confess, I like the looks of the Magnaflow quad pipes better. But I am concerned that the annoyance of a loud exhaust while cruising would more than offset the looks. Besides, I'll bet magnaflow quad tips could be added later if I really wanted to, similar to those used by MarlboroMike's magnaflow muffler set up.

Comments and feedback???

[Antonio]

Originally Posted by Sky Hi

I've not yet ordered duals for our Sky. I am torn between the magnaflow quads and the factory redline dual exhaust. My dealer has a 25% Discount sale on accessories and the Red Line factory exhaust is a bargain. It has advantages regarding warranty, factory fit and finish, and no hassles for future state inspections. It is also about $150 less than the best deal on the magnaflow quads. We do not want a loud system while cruising at low RPM's and are quite happy with the stock sound level. The CAI makes enough noise during hard acceleration. Some of you on the Forum have upgraded the standard Sky with the factory dual exhaust, and I would like your feedback. Does the sound change with duals? I suspect it sounds different than the redline with the same exhaust because it is a larger displacement engine and it is not breathing through a turbocharger. Do you think you gained any HP?

I must confess, I like the looks of the Magnaflow quad pipes better. But I am concerned that the annoyance of a loud exhaust while cruising would more than offset the looks. Besides, I'll bet magnaflow quad tips could be added later if I really wanted to, similar to those used by MarlboroMike's magnaflow muffler set up.

Comments and feedback???

If all you want to change is looks, then I'd say go for Redline stock exhaust. Tips are changeable. The redline exhaust is pretty tame as far as how loud it is. The magnaflows, in your case, would just be more than you need or want.

[Sky Hi]

Today the roads were dry and mostly clean of sand and salt. The temp was 16F, but I pulled the Sky out of the garage and drove to the local dealership. It felt good to be behind the wheel again. I really wanted to listen to the sound level of the stock exhaust again before ordering duals. It confirmed that I am happy with the stock sound level for the way we drive the car. You can hear the engine at any RPM, but it is not excessive. When revved up it sounds good. Cruising at 2000 RPM in high gear I don't want it any louder.

I can appreciate the sound of the aftermarket exhausts, they sound great...
My TR6 has a Monza system with quad outlets, and it is great fun to Hot Rod around in. However, for cruising longer distances, it grows tiresome.

It's great that we now have some choices, and we can decide on what best suites our tastes and driving styles.

Also noticed today that the Red Line Dual muffler is larger than the standard 2.4 single. The larger volume should be less restrictive and add a little HP.

I'm ordering the factory duals.

[gwader]

I love the look of the stock duals. It was the missing link for me and I am very happy to have made the switch. The sound is a bit deeper, but not loud.

Greg

[ILVMYGT]

Anyone have the part numbers for the factory Redline exhaust?

[Bruce]

You should also check out installing the performance throttle body (PTB) as well. I found the tone from the CAI really smoothed out once I put in the PTB. I also installed the RL exhaust on my base Sky. The combination is really nice

[07BLUESTONE]

Originally Posted by ILVMYGT

Anyone have the part numbers for the factory Redline exhaust?

These #'s are from gwader

exhaust (part # 10390126) if you order this make sure they ship it with the standard 5 day shipping NOT FED-EX.
valance (part#15858805)

[gwader]

Thanks 07BLUESTONE

greg

[norm]

Is There Anybody That Would A Used Red Line Exhaust For Sale. Please Contack Me.

[marlboromike]

Your R/L exhaust will not give u a greater growl than your standard exhaust system....the 2.5 inch magnaflow is similar in sound with the quad tips...the 3 inch magnaflow system gives the same sound as my camero/firebird magnaflow muffler w/quads....Remember, u added a CAI, and that will probably change the sound along the way with any system

Whichever system u choose, dual exhausts, appearance wise, looks richer.

[snaponbob]

Originally Posted by Sky Hi

I've not yet ordered duals for our Sky. I am torn between the magnaflow quads and the factory redline dual exhaust. My dealer has a 25% Discount sale on accessories and the Red Line factory exhaust is a bargain. It has advantages regarding warranty, factory fit and finish, and no hassles for future state inspections. It is also about $150 less than the best deal on the magnaflow quads. We do not want a loud system while cruising at low RPM's and are quite happy with the stock sound level. The CAI makes enough noise during hard acceleration. Some of you on the Forum have upgraded the standard Sky with the factory dual exhaust, and I would like your feedback. Does the sound change with duals? I suspect it sounds different than the redline with the same exhaust because it is a larger displacement engine and it is not breathing through a turbocharger. Do you think you gained any HP?

I must confess, I like the looks of the Magnaflow quad pipes better. But I am concerned that the annoyance of a loud exhaust while cruising would more than offset the looks. Besides, I'll bet magnaflow quad tips could be added later if I really wanted to, similar to those used by MarlboroMike's magnaflow muffler set up.

Comments and feedback???

As people have noted, the valance is required. You have nothing to worry about with sound levels. The MagnaFlows are not "loud". Mellow is a better word. As far as size is concerned, even Magnaflow states that there is NO benefit to installing the 2.5" on the 2.4 unless you are going to seriously hot rod the engine, which seems like something you will not be doing. Personally, I like the look of the four tips vs. the stock Redline system I took off. And the system weighs less. As far as inspections are concerned, I can't imagine how that will be a problem. Since the MagnaFlow DOES offer horsepower gains over the Redline exhaust system (both the 2.5" and 3" have gains) the MF system will better accent your CAI. Others have shown power, response, and MILEAGE gains with some of the reflashes that are available.

BTW - does your dealership really consider a stock RL exhaust system as an accessory? Or are they offering somebody's dual system instead?

HTH.

[Sky Hi]

I did install the factory dual and yes, the dealer honored their "accessory" 25% discount on the exhaust and the rear valance. It does seem a little louder than the original (top up) at 2000RPM , but not much. I haven't taken it out yet with the top down to really test it. Today will be the day.

I have a CI high flow cat on the way, and expect to install it next week. It will be interesting to see if the sound level changes more. There have been differing opinions about this on the Forum, I'll let you know how it works for me.

I believe an ECM tune is the next step.

My wife keeps asking "why don't you just leave it alone". What's the fun in that?!

[RickyD]

I have the R/L dual but have not installed it yet. I already have the CAI and am getting a retuned ECM in a week or so. I will let you guys know the difference adding the exhaust then also after the ECM.

[Sky Hi]

Today I had a good chance to drive with the factory dual exhaust installed, top down. It is definitely a little louder than the stock single exhaust. It is louder under load at all RPM's, but not excessive. While cruising at low load conditions, it seems the same sound level as the single. Under hard acceleration with the original single exhaust, I heard the CAI noise louder than the exhaust. Now the dual exhaust is as loud as the CAI intake. It is a deeper and throatier sound.
The CI hi flow cat install will be later this week.

[snaponbob]

The high flow cat certainly will increase the power, but it will also void your 8/80 emissions warranty, and maybe your 5/100 engine warranty. DO YOU WANT TO DO THAT FOR A FEW HORSEPOWER???

[YellowSky]

the only thing a hi flow will void is if thats the cause of the problem

[Sky Hi]

If the Hi Flo CAT causes a problem, the stock cat will bolt back on in 30 minutes! CI claims it will pass any emission sniffer test.
I can't see a less restrictive exhaust system causing any other component problems, on a closed loop EFI engine. If it did, there would be a lot of problems out there!
We'll see.

[RickyD]

Well I finally got my exhaust installed. Even though a lot of people have said that you wouldn't notice much difference from the single outlet. with the CAI it really came to life. You cant hardly hear the intake and the exhaust is uch louder now. i dont think I would want the Magnaflow or the Borla because I would know they would be too loud. Take a listen.
http://video.tinypic.com/player.php?v=2wq7fva

[Sky Hi]

Ricky D - I agree there is a difference with the factory dual. I suspect the 2.4 is a little louder with this exhaust than the Redline because it doesn't have a turbo to muffle the sound. Glad you like it!

Snap On Bob - I think you meant to say there is no reason to put a 3" system on a 2.4 base Sky, the 2.5" is adequate in street form.

I have not heard a Magnaflow on a Sky, other than sound clips. I like the looks of the quad outlets. I also like the factory dual tips. It is interesting that some forum members have stated that the magnaflow is "brutally loud" with the top up, while others have stated it is not loud at all. I must say this doubt played into my decision to go with the Redline factory dual.

I added the CI hi flow CAT and it increased the sound level significantly under hard acceleration. It is still quiet while cruising. No issues. Now I don't hear the CAI at all over the exhaust. It's fun and a combination that works for us.

It's good that we have choices and can choose systems to match our personal tastes!

[kphelgerson]

Sky Hi--counting all the upgrades you have made, could you come up with what you have put into your base Sky total and whether it would have been cheaper to go with an RL from the start...I understand that this may not have been an option when you got yours.
Any other opinions from others? I don't mean to hi jack this thread or whatever you call it, but it seems related to me. I imagine there is a higher cost forever (at least here in Michigan, where they tie your insurance and your registration fee to the original cost of your car) to getting the RL. So would you do it your way over again? There are plenty of forum members who have dual RL exhausts to sell it seems, and from what I've seen you can even cut a valance to look like the two-hole RL type without buying the RL version, but this ECM retune, hi flow CAT and so on: what does all this sum up to for you (or others) so far? This will maybe help others like me decide, also. Thanks.

[Sky Hi]

Originally Posted by kphelgerson

Sky Hi--counting all the upgrades you have made, could you come up with what you have put into your base Sky total and whether it would have been cheaper to go with an RL fro