MBRP Armor Plus Exhaust question

I'm looking for opinions on the MBRP Armor Plus Exhaust cat back dual exhaust system. Thanks in advance.

 

No opinion, sorry… have dirty deeds 10” system.

 

I second Dirty Deeds

 

If your interest in the exhaust is for tone, sound clips of the exhaust are on YT. Keep in mind the audio gets compressed for video.

If your interest is for performance, it's a true dual with no crossover which is reported to impact low end torque. The mufflers are chambered with baffles which aren't the most free flowing muffler design.

 

What is the downside for that?

For the price, and I know some will say you get what you pay for, but this system is almost $1,000 less than some of the high-end systems. It seems that the biggest difference is between the T409 and T304 SS. I'm okay with the T409 steel knowing that it will show rust. That might not be nice if you spend a lot of time looking at the underside of your truck, but my concern is more with performance. Durability seems just as good and the same as the T304 except for the rust, and it has a lifetime warranty. So, for other than aesthetics, saving $1,000 doesn't seem like a bad move.

 

What is the downside?The stock exhaust is a baffled design as well so likely little to no performance gain if that is what you are after.

I see you are more concerned about the aesthetics and price. In that case, only you can determine what is "best fit" for you.

 

I'm not more concerned about aesthethics as per my comment, my main concern is performance.

 

If you aren't completely sold on the dual exhaust, you can get really good sound by going with the Dirty Deeds cat back. Lifetime warranty, including sound warranty. If you want it louder, he'll fix that. You want it quieter, he'll fix that, too.

I've driven both stock, a TRD dual, and DD 12", 16", and 20", and even the quietest 20" still have a great sound and had no drone or helicoptering that the TRD system had.

Just watch for a sale and you'll probably be pretty happy with the product. His are also completely flow-thru designed.


Edit: If true performance is what you are looking for and sound isn't a concern, you can also look at the SPD system. There's a dedicated thread for that system, and people are often going with the downpipe options, too.

 

If that MBRP system has your interest, as well as that price point I would check out the Alpine dual exhaust. It’s on eBay, or on their website. It’s basically a marine grade stainless TRD dual clone. It’s a touch louder than the TRD. I have it, it’s pretty nice. With stock cats the volume would be perfect for most. I have midpipes that made it quite a bit louder so I actually toned mine down by installing extra 8” resonators in the tailpipes.

 

How much performance are they claiming on the site? Hint: none.

It is pretty clear. I wouldn't expect any performance gains from a product that makes no claims about performance gains. They didn't even attempt to make a fake dyno graph.

 

At the least, show a fake Dyno graph.

 

When I say performance, I'm asking about quality, not hp gain. It's understood what the general gains are going from a back pressure to no back pressure. My concerns are a no or minimal drone with nice tone and a quality system that will perform for as long as I own my truck. I probably should have been clearer on that. Also, I tow, so side exit is inportant.

 

If you search the interwebz you'll find many folks complain about drone with MBRP systems.

 

Sound can be very subjective. With tone and drone in mind I would consider a Dirty Deeds exhaust even though I don't own one.

Why? Keith is willing to work with his customers to dial in the proper muffler length and he sells a helmoltz resonator to further attenuate cabin drone.

Sure it is probably more coin for the full kit but you have a better chance to get the sound you want.

 

Pics of the Alpine. It’s legit really nice.

 

What is the drone like?

 

I have had systems that to me had a true “drone”. The Carven catback or another system I had with a dual in/out flowmaster 40 series come to mind. They produced a resonance that makes you want to pull your hair out around 1600-1800RPM. This has in cab sound that by definition I suppose may be considered drone to some, but it doesn’t have that same effect on my ears. So by my measure of drone, it doesn’t drone. Ask someone else and they may say it drones to them.

 

The Carven catback does't have drone to you?

 

He’s saying the alpine system doesn’t drone.

 

The alpine doesn’t drone. The carven catback is the worst drone I’ve ever experienced.

 

I called them 4 times in two days, texted them, and emailed them and got NO response. Either they had the worst customer service or they are no longer in business.

 

May I suggest that you don't modify anything before the muffler / cats. Unless you do various other modifications to the computer and engine components, you are messing with a very finely tuned exhaust system made to fit the OEM components.

 

Don’t know what to tell ya Rod. I don’t work for them, I just like their exhaust. I spoke directly to the owner on Facebook messenger multiple times. Maybe try messaging through their eBay store, or buy something else.

 

Thank you for the suggestion on FB. I messaged him and finially got to talk with Henry form Alpine, he explained and apoligized for what happened and I got all my questions answered. I will be going with their exhaust. Looks like a happy ending!

 

Nice, Henry was good to deal with in my experience. Hopefully you like the exhaust. One tip I would give you is to keep the tailpipe sections from rotating you have to tighten the snot out of the supplied accuseal clamps. I used a Milwaukee 1/2” impact. Hand torquing with a wrench did not get them tight enough to prevent the male end of the pipes from rotating in the female cups.

 

Thanks for your help. When I get it installed, I'll post my thoughts.

 

I just got back from the shop that installed my new Alpine Automotive Performance Dual Cat-Back exhaust, and I am very pleased with it. A friend of mine has a 2016 TRD Off Road with the TRD exhaust and said it sounds just like their exhaust. This exhaust does look very similar to the TRD exhaust but at almost half the price. Great price, great sound, and no drone; the no-drone was my biggest want. Even the guys in the shop were impressed when the first started my truck after the install. Thanks again to Henry at Alpine Automotive Performance.

 

I Agree!

 

Glad you’re liking the first impressions. It’s a beautiful system IMO.