Cat-Back Exhaust questions and experience

Just wondering if anyone has installed or heard cat-back exhaust on the 3rd gens and what they like and don’t like. Just wanting some feedback before I buy one. I’m looking for a moderate sound and doesn’t have too much drone. I’ve been looking on YouTube of videos of magnaflow, carven, flowmaster, and MBRP.

Looking for people’s in-person experience on what they liked and why, or just some advice.

Seems like people complain about the exhaust just not sounding good enough, but I’ve never heard one in person so I have no idea. The FlowmasterFX seems to sound good based on YouTube videos.

 

Same here looking for more information on some of these aftermarket exhausts. Seen couple of YouTube videos - only real conclusion i have drawn is the carven is louder than most people like and drones in the cab...

 

Based on all the available options, I went with the Flowmaster FloFX cat-back. Seemed like of all the YouTube videos, it had the best sound. I’m going to make an assumption that the V6 just doesn’t make good sound, but I could be wrong. We’ll see. I’ll let you know how it sounds once its all installed.

https://www.holley.com/products/exhaust/exhaust_systems/flowmaster/flowfx/parts/718142

 

I am waiting on someone to do the magnaflow 12579 muffler only and see how it sounds. It's a huge split flow muffler and often regarded as the quietest aftermarket one available. I have heard it on other trucks and it's great, but never a V6 in person. I want super quiet, except at WOT it can make some sound. I want to drop the sewing machine noises and I think it might pick up a little fuel economy too. I am worried with a hybrid shutting on and off all the time that a louder muffler will be annoying anyway.

 

I believe the problem with V6 exhaust stems from the engine not being inherently balanced, like a v8 or a straight 6. Your exhaust strokes on a v8 or straight 6 will come 2 cylinders at a time, giving you a deeper and better sound. On a v6, they will be alternating single cylinder exhaust strokes, creating a higher pitched sound that most find unpleasant. I'm sure there are more reasons, like stroke length and bore size differences. It just isn't easy to make a v6 sound right, in my opinion. Probably why Toyota put a v8 sound over the speakers in the truck.
Or I could be making all that up.

 

So what is up with the engine sound through the speakers. I watched a video about it and checked out that carista website but didn’t fully understand it. Is it in all Toyotas? Is it in my 23 SR5? I need an “explain it to me like I’m 5” explanation LOL

 

I believe it only comes with the JBL speaker systems. Your dealer can disable it if you have that system and don’t want it. As explained after market devices can also turn it off.

 

My Opinion:
I've had several different Cat-Backs on 4Runners or Tundra's. First-it's a V6 and its physically impossible for a deep V8 Sound. That said, my first choice is a Dirty Deeds system (one currently on order for this Tundra) and second choice is a Borla System. I had a Dirty Deeds system on my 22 Tundra. Excellent quality, easy install and very good sound without droning. Keith at Dirty Deeds is extremely knowledgeable and they provide customization with the systems they build.

 

Got Carven's cut & clamp version installed for my Limited HV. I like the sound especially when under load (in gear). For me, it's not too loud maybe bc of the hybrid. I can easily get around 18.5mpg around the city without feathering the gas pedal.

I usually drive around at 1600rpm or less. If you want to cruise at 75+mph, bring your speed up to at least 80mph and hold it for ~2 seconds for the computer to shift into 10th gear. If your speed drops below 75mph, it will downshift to 9th gear.