Exhausted

[Jarf]

I have had 2 T4's spanning a total of 14 years and fast approaching 300,000km.
In that time I have gone through more than my share of exhaust systems.
The first replacement was a standard jobber "high end" system that came in about 6 pieces. I think it last about 2 years.
I found Bosal shortly after and have used them for many years. The last for Bosal was 2003 on the current beast.
This last system has lasted fairly well, 5 years and 50K but the fit was poor, I had to cable tie the donuts just so they wouldn't fall off.
I wasn't happy about the pipes being seam split and the muffler showing cracks, while it wasn't yet horrible, it was only weeks away.

In a moment of weakness, I ordered the OEM bits, fr and rear pipe and all gaskets and donuts.

I had always considered the bosal stuff to be decent but lying on the floor beside the factory system, there is no comparison.
Pipes are larger diameter, muffler is at least 40% bigger and the bends are cleaner. ( wish I had taken a pic)
Then of course there is the matter of all those cool heat-shields that are bolted on with little 6mm bolts.

So it fell into place, easier than I remember it going in the past, all the hangers lined up perfectly and no cable ties required.
No leaks on start up, all the flanges are almost 2x the thickness of the A/M systems, and it all seemed like things were just going too smoothly.

So 5000km have transpired and I am still trying to get used to it.

First off it reduced the bump and rattle quotient by a solid 50%.
But there is a whole host of new sounds, almost manly sounds, that I have not heard from any of my turtles.
Growls and grumbles and burbles of all sorts.
It is still catching me off guard occasionally.
Too cool.

The more things in life that I buy, the more I am convinced, that price should actually be one of the last criteria for evaluation.

[Petros]

If you actually go through the exhaust systems so much, it seems it would be less costly to pay a good exhaust shop to build you an all stainless system. It cost more than mild steel, but it should last much longer.

[ARCHINSTL]

But there is a whole host of new sounds, almost manly sounds,

I really had to smile - I was looking past the monitor at Goldie in the street and really had to smile.
Good letter, too.
Thanks for the grin.
Tom M.

[buffalomesa]

One good thing about buying a genuine Toyota exhaust (at least in the US) is the lifetime warranty.

[takza]

Or there is this $140 system...going for 5 yrs so far...second cherry bomb muffler.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=177

[ARCHINSTL]

Jarf -
I have to ask - you purchased the whole OE system from a Canadian Toy dealer, right?
What was the cost? I note you did not mention it in your initial post. I did not notice a catalytic converter in that post either.
I still chuckle over the "manly sounds;" kinda like when I step on it and Goldie's Weber snorts.
Tom M.