Best exhaust - lightweight/quiet

[Rob5995]

Hi, All -
Aftermarket exhaust systems have lots of attributes. I am looking for the one that lives at the intersection of lightweight and quietness. Does anyone have any experience with this? SOS has one they like, the Endura Light, it weighs 25.8. I have no ideas what the stock exhaust weighs. Let me know what your experience is, thanks!

 

[Honcho]

Endura Light drones and is fairly loud. Great sound tho.

These are older posts, but you may find them helpful:

https://www.nsxprime.com/threads/fujitsubo-super-ti-exhaust.180865/#post-1778211

https://www.nsxprime.com/threads/so...ed-and-their-experiences.180687/#post-1775080

The only two options that live at that intersection in my opinion are the Super Ti and the RFY GT V4 Titanium (Silent). Unfortunately, on the NSX lightweight usually means loud/drone. The above exhausts are really the only ones that upset that rule.

 

[bogle]

I have an SoS endura lite and it isn’t drone-y IMO. I’m pretty noise sensitive and it’s quiet ish when it’s not under load. I really really like it FWIW. Def not as cool or light as a Ti exhaust, but a solid choice imo

 

[Zoom]

RFY GT exhaust 4.1 silent version. Get the Titanium version (it's full Ti) for extreme light weight. No drone, and it delivers on the silent promise (it's much quieter than my former Toda catback).

 

[Honcho]

I have an SoS endura lite and it isn’t drone-y IMO. I’m pretty noise sensitive and it’s quiet ish when it’s not under load. I really really like it FWIW. Def not as cool or light as a Ti exhaust, but a solid choice imo

It's interesting how different people define "drone" LOL. Exhausts are so tough to describe online that way and I usually recommend people actually listen to one in real life. One man's drone is another's glorious tone!

 

[no_altezzas]

I have an SoS endura lite and it isn’t drone-y IMO. I’m pretty noise sensitive and it’s quiet ish when it’s not under load. I really really like it FWIW. Def not as cool or light as a Ti exhaust, but a solid choice imo

Are you still running stock cats? I’m leaning towards this exhaust but even with the little amount of sound clips on youtube its hard to tell. The SoS description claims they reduced the drone so not sure if they ever revised the original design or its still the same

 

[Honcho]

Are you still running stock cats? I’m leaning towards this exhaust but even with the little amount of sound clips on youtube its hard to tell. The SoS description claims they reduced the drone so not sure if they ever revised the original design or its still the same

The Endura Light definitely is not as bad in the drone department as the Taitec GT-106 upon which it is based. It also has a really nice sound. But, I find it beehive - y and boomy around 2,500 rpm. My 2 cents.

 

[Arkaid]

If you're looking new, then Fuji Super Ti is probably the intersection of light / quiet you want (at the expense of tone).

If you're okay with searching for a used exhaust and flexible / open on budget, ARC Ti. The ARC muffler is huge - still has a nice tone to it but it's definitely pretty quiet.

 

[Rob5995]

@Honcho -
Thank you for the very comprehensive analysis and review of the Fujitsubo Super Ti. Based on all the information you have compiled, I am totally down for getting one. I have put in a bit of time sourcing the part, and it seems like no one has any stock - they seem to be only made to order. Options Auto said they could get one to my door in three months. Sounds great to me - heck, it's winter! Evasive Motorsports said it'll be four months. I am emailing a few other places like Nengun, and couldn't figure out the Japanese website for Hirano Tire.

 

[bogle]

Are you still running stock cats? I’m leaning towards this exhaust but even with the little amount of sound clips on youtube its hard to tell. The SoS description claims they reduced the drone so not sure if they ever revised the original design or its still the same

It has SoS high flow cats and is supercharged. Here are a couple endura lite videos that showcase the sound inside the car under load. It doesn’t show any cruising load sounds, but really, it’s not bad. I can’t ever remember thinking that it was annoying. I bought the exhaust new in 2020. Everyone who rides in the car comments on how good it sounds

Autox with the windows down. Lower pitched whine is the SC, higher pitched whine at the end is the water meth controller:

2nd to 3rd windows up:

 

[Honcho]

@Honcho -
Thank you for the very comprehensive analysis and review of the Fujitsubo Super Ti. Based on all the information you have compiled, I am totally down for getting one. I have put in a bit of time sourcing the part, and it seems like no one has any stock - they seem to be only made to order. Options Auto said they could get one to my door in three months. Sounds great to me - heck, it's winter! Evasive Motorsports said it'll be four months. I am emailing a few other places like Nengun, and couldn't figure out the Japanese website for Hirano Tire.

If you want to order from Hirano Tire, you need to reach out to Yossy at OOParts, Intl. He was my JDM contact for ordering from there, but these days you get just about as good of a deal using Blackhawk Japan.

Here's my Super Ti on my 91:

 

[no_altezzas]

The Endura Light definitely is not as bad in the drone department as the Taitec GT-106 upon which it is based. It also has a really nice sound. But, I find it beehive - y and boomy around 2,500 rpm. My 2 cents.

Hmm ok thanks! the beehiveyness if that is even a word is something I would be weary of then since I’m not keen on that tone. Maybe I will just wait until I get to meet up with other owners in person and check out their setups in person

 

[TANTO]

Can't resist any thread on exhaust systems to turn this around for "my" interests he-he. Any experience with Ti systems with no-cats? Absolutely no droning tolerated. After long ago trying several systems, i'm very happy with my Ct headers/very old(possibly burned out) HKS which is quite loud over 6k which i like, but for weight reasons i'm drawn to a lighter Ti system. The HKS exhaust which is said to be an exact OE copy only 1/4" larger (not sure this is true) retains the OE high end whirl that many systems do not retain. Honcho - i realize you likely have likely not tried it, but do you happen to have to have input on your Super Ti sounds sans cats? For folks that may decry we cat-free "rebels", my end goal is to find "very" clean HP. Tia for thoughts.

 

[NSXnZ]

If you want to splurge and have two separate setting, I’d recommend DK titanium valved exhaust. It’s sporty with valves closed similar to my older Super Ti titanium system, and screams like the RFY with valves open. Best of both worlds. One of a kind system for our cars.

 

[Rob5995]

@Honcho -
I have a possibly silly question. Two vendors have said that the Fujitsubo Ti only fits on the 3.0 and isn't called out as a fit on the 3.2 liter engine. I tell them that to get from 3.0 to 3.2 Acura only increased the bore, the block is identical on both, therefore the Fujitsubo Ti will fit both engines. Who's right? I sure hope I am!

 

[Honcho]

@Honcho -
I have a possibly silly question. Two vendors have said that the Fujitsubo Ti only fits on the 3.0 and isn't called out as a fit on the 3.2 liter engine. I tell them that to get from 3.0 to 3.2 Acura only increased the bore, the block is identical on both, therefore the Fujitsubo Ti will fit both engines. Who's right? I sure hope I am!

You are BOTH right! LOL. What they mean is that the standard version Super Ti is designed to fit the 91-94 exhaust system, which technically was only available on the 3.0L. It will work just fine on a 3.2L, but you will need exhaust adapters. Fujitsubo used to make a 97+ fitment friendly version, but it was special order only. I remember because Yossy asked me if I wanted the "3.0" or "3.2" when I ordered it. Remember, these exhausts are made to order, so there aren't any sitting on the shelf! You could ask the vendors if they could specify "3.2L" fitment as a special order, but Fujitsubo might just say "no." It's Japan after all lol.

 

[Blazed.]

@Honcho I think I remember reading you being a fan of the GRF exhausts. How would you compare GRF to Super Ti and RFY as far as tone/sound/weight, etc.? I know they made SS and Ti versions and Ti would obviously be lighter, but wonder the how that affects sound.

 

[Honcho]

@Honcho I think I remember reading you being a fan of the GRF exhausts. How would you compare GRF to Super Ti and RFY as far as tone/sound/weight, etc.? I know they made SS and Ti versions and Ti would obviously be lighter, but wonder the how that affects sound.

My personal opinion only: the GRF EX-001 stainless is the best sounding NSX exhaust I've ever heard. I like it so much that I bought Prospeed's copy, the DSE-001 (black exhaust paint is my addition):



I've never heard the Ti version, but the pitch will definitely go lower because it is the characteristic of the different resonance of the titanium vs steel. The Steel version weighs 20 lbs.

With all that said, it's not a "perfect" NSX exhaust by my standards because it fails one of the categories: it's really loud! Here's that list for reference:

1. Sounds close to the stock exhaust around town (e.g., very quiet)
2. Is louder at high speed
3. Has no drone
4. Weighs at least 25 lbs less than stock
5. Has a great tone (owner's personal preference)
6. Maximizes the benefit of headers.

As cool as the GRF is, it fails #1. It wakes my kids up if I start it early in the morning.

In terms of sound, here is my very subjective opinion of the exhausts you mentioned.

• GRF Steel = Medium pitch, screams in VTEC, loud, orgasmic downshift noises
• RFY GT V4 Ti (silent) = Medium/Low pitch, similar sound to GRF, but quieter overall
• Super Ti = Low pitch, "roars" more than "screams" in VTEC, so smooth, sounds exotic, sophisticated and expensive- like something AMG would charge you $10,000 as an option

As always, I encourage you to listen to these in person if at all possible. What sounds good to me might sound like hot garbage to you! @jazzmann has my old Super Ti and @Midnight_Raven has a GRF (I think he has some track vids you can watch on YT). I think someone in CA ordered a RFY V4- might be worth a forum search for that.

Hope this helps.

 

[TANTO]

A couple of misc exhaust tidbits - i'm showing a 15# decrease from stock to HKS w/no shields not counting cats. Sounds like a lot, but i'm pretty anal with my scale -but obvisouly who cares about the HKS. Whetever your exhaust, if you bang up a tip, strongly consider a MEGS cone type tip. These tips have shown their worth on thousands of street rods. I used the chrome clamp type of my OE -sounded better IMO, then welded the SST version on my used HKS - again sounded better IMO (very diffiult to keep a polished-i gave up). Its a very subtle difference that i can't put into words (a trumpet effect). The visuals on these are BADASS! Fat chance of me getting Fujitsubo to make a set and put them on my likely soon order he-he. Compromises abound.

 

[TANTO]

Must have messed up on my HKS weight (argh). FWIW Evasive Motorsports lists the OE at 43.04 which melds with my memory of 44 lb. They also list the Super Ti at 23.48 although from our list reporters say just under 20 lbs, so say 23 lbs savings. Nengun asks $3518 before shipping, Evasive wants 5K! Don't see how one can deal with Hirano Tire Japan (?)

 

[TANTO]

Starting to feel bad Honcho - do we ever give you any sleep time? buut just a couple of follow ups please: While checking your Blackhawk reference(thank you) i see Toda's perhaps makes a Ti product - i assume it's not close to meeting your excellent 1-6 breakdown which i totally agree on. Do you happen to know a source for the RFY and GRF? Did Pro-Speed change to Top-Speed? Thanks so much for whittling this down to the no-drone finalists for different tastes - Sup Ti/RFY/GRF. Starting to get cold here in Ohio - my NSX has nightmares about galvanic corrosion when the "salt trucks" mobilize.

 

[Zoom]

I have high flow cats (SARD) with the RFY GT4.1 so I cannot comment on cat-less configuration. I have the headers too, they do contribute to noise volume and quality. With the Toda exhaust I did have a lot of drone around 2.5k rpm. It's totally gone with the RFY. Low end is stock-like then around 4K becomes very high pitched, then VTEC zone is properly furious.
(edit) the Toda has a crossover and configuration like the one posted by Honcho. Only the tips are Ti. It sounds stock-like in pitch through the whole rpm range, but it's a lot louder. RFY has two setups for the GT 4.1: one "normal" (=loud) one "silent" (=a lot quieter, still louder than stock). The sound of the RFY in VTEC range is one of these screamers like the GRF EX 001: https://www.nsxprime.com/threads/grf-ex-001-exhaust-rare.218524/ it's incredible in tunnels

 

[gleibig]

I should have bought a few exhausts while they were readily available. I'd appreciate if anyone could point me to a Taitec GTLW for sale. I always wanted to try that one.

 

[Honcho]

I should have bought a few exhausts while they were readily available. I'd appreciate if anyone could point me to a Taitec GTLW for sale. I always wanted to try that one.

You can still buy one brand new from Japan. MITA or Blackhawk can probably help you here. If Yossy is still in business at OOparts, he can order one from Hirano Tire, which will be the cheapest way.

https://shop.taita.co.jp/items/63116941

Starting to feel bad Honcho - do we ever give you any sleep time? buut just a couple of follow ups please: While checking your Blackhawk reference(thank you) i see Toda's perhaps makes a Ti product - i assume it's not close to meeting your excellent 1-6 breakdown which i totally agree on. Do you happen to know a source for the RFY and GRF? Did Pro-Speed change to Top-Speed? Thanks so much for whittling this down to the no-drone finalists for different tastes - Sup Ti/RFY/GRF. Starting to get cold here in Ohio - my NSX has nightmares about galvanic corrosion when the "salt trucks" mobilize.

Sadly, GRF went out of business over 10 years ago, which is why I bought the Prospeed version. I have since replaced both mufflers with new ones from Totalflow. Similarly, Prospeed has been out of the NSX game for a long time. Rumor was a few years ago that Brian would still make you an exhaust if you contacted him on IG, but I think at this point (2024) your only option is the used market if you want a GRF style exhaust. What makes it drone-free vs other crossover designs is the pipe length. GRF tuned it specifically and Prospeed copied it exactly. I chatted with Pride during NSXPO about sending them my exhaust to template on their jig so we can have a new version. TBD on that.

I've never heard the Toda in person, so can't opine but it seems @Zoom had one before his RFY and it drones. As for sources, Yossy at OOParts is probably your cheapest option for the Super Ti because he can order from Hirano Tire, which has deep discounts on Fujitsubo products. Blackhawk can also do it, but you're going to pay more of a markup. I believe you can get the RFY from MITA, and I would encourage you to support our vendors if you want to go that route. The choice is really between what tone you prefer. The Super Ti is a low, bassy tone and the RFY is more of a medium pitch "screamer" like the GRF.

Also, I found @Midnight_Raven's track video. He has a GRF EX-003 Titanium, so you can get a sense of the sound. It's just amazing and weighs like 12 lbs.

Edit: Looks like Yossy is still in business! Hirano Tire has the Super Ti for Y419,200, or about $2,700 currently:

https://www.hirano-tire.co.jp/fujitsubo/paji1010.html

 

[Chris_Lum]

Here's my previous RFY 4.1 ti on stock cats w/DC headers 3.0L. I sold it because it was too quiet for me. The butt dyno also felt a loss in power with it as compared to the Taitec and Advance exhausts i had before and after it. My assumption was that part of the quietness was due to smaller piping (and thus the resulting butt dyno), but i never measured the piping diameter on any of my exhausts for comparison so I couldn't be sure.