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Old 01-25-2004, 10:38 PM   #1
WorldRallyYellow
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Default PRODRIVE Axel-back

Background info: I have experience in fabrication so I usually make my own stuff. I used to have a 3" catback with 1 muffler, a 3" catback with 1 muffler and a resonator, then a catless downpipe added to that, then I went with a stock catback, then to a custom axelback which was damaged recently from rallying, so I got this as I have sold my welder a long time ago.

First Impression: The muffler looks nice, welds are terrible looking, piping is crush bent but not too bad, but it looks solid enough. I'm desperate, and i just got tuned, so i can only run axelbacks.

Fitment:
Just installed it tonight laying in the mud. (its a lil wet and it washed mud off my car) The hangers are a pain to get in, but it means it will not slip off. Fitment was very good! Piping still allowed very good clearance and enough for a skidplate I will be using.

Looks:
The tip is oval and classy looking. Just reaches the end of the bumper cutout.

Sound:
Surprisingly louder than the muffler I had used before since its so much bigger and has a resonated tip, but thats a good thing as its still very quiet.

Performance:
Feels better than before, however, I had been driving around with a bad leak, so I cannot say for sure.

Overall, not a bad product. I would recommend it as fitment is perfect.
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Old 02-02-2004, 01:53 AM   #2
az ej20 fan
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I have a Prodrive as well...if you are thinking about this you will not be disappointed. If you want pics send me a PM (I might try to get a soundbyte as well). Nice deep mellow tone...
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Old 02-13-2004, 03:10 PM   #3
AKMustard
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do you need aftermarket hangers? Or does it come with hangers?
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Old 02-13-2004, 06:37 PM   #4
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it'll work with the factory hangers....
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Old 02-14-2004, 02:09 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally posted by AKMustard
do you need aftermarket hangers? Or does it come with hangers?
Quote:
Originally posted by slvrwgn
it'll work with the factory hangers....
You should be fine with the stock hangers. The aftermarket hangers are the most useful on heavier (ex: 3" stainless steel) exhausts, where the muffler may end up swaying a significant amount. Though they're a good idea to have anyway - Kartboy's are just $28 for the set of four.



-Kym
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Old 02-15-2004, 04:00 PM   #6
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I used stock hangers and it fit just fine. I actually loved the fitment, quite nice.

As for hte piping being crush bent, I did not know that. That kinda brings me down a little since I had no complaints about it. Slightly louder than my 04 sti axle back but nothing too obtrusive. I hate crush bent piping.
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Old 02-15-2004, 07:27 PM   #7
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The prodrive I had did NOT have crush bent tubing. It was VERY well made and fit perfectly.

It was also not nearly loud enough.
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Old 02-17-2004, 02:38 AM   #8
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Yea from the looks of my axle back, it didn't look crush bent at all, but then again, that's only from a glance.
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Old 02-20-2004, 06:43 PM   #9
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I received and installed my Prodrive oval tip axle-back today.

Piping was definitely mandrel, NOT crush bent. Installation was easy except for a little fighting with the hangers -- overall took less than an hour.

Fitment is excellent. I love the look. And the sound is gorgeous and that perfect stealthy balance of just loud enough so you can hear it but not so loud that it'll wake the neighbors or attract unwanted attention. Maybe just a little louder than a factory "sport" exhaust that some manufacturers offer, which is just what I was looking for.

Very pleased.
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Old 02-21-2004, 08:55 AM   #10
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Well said!

Quote:
Fitment is excellent. I love the look. And the sound is gorgeous and that perfect stealthy balance of just loud enough so you can hear it but not so loud that it'll wake the neighbors or attract unwanted attention. Maybe just a little louder than a factory "sport" exhaust that some manufacturers offer, which is just what I was looking for
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Old 02-21-2004, 06:23 PM   #11
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This is now my third axle back, so far I've had the Blitz nur spec (with the silencer) and the Turbo XS v1 rear section. I have a catless set up (via turboxs turbo back) and I found the Blitz to be entirely too loud, even with the silencer. I couldn't stand the look of the turboxs v1. Now I'm the owner of a prodrive...I personally like the overall design of this exhaust, but I can say the prodrive appears to be built the most poorly out of the group. The welds are definitely not up to par with the either the blitz or the turboxs but I'm uncertain if the look of these welds will have any bearing on the longevity of the exhaust.
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Old 02-21-2004, 08:13 PM   #12
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I've only heard good things about Prodrive. Now hearing testimonials that claim they are built poorly is very disconcerting cause I was planning on going with their PPP Stage 3 kit
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Old 02-21-2004, 10:05 PM   #13
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Perhaps I'm too critical, or perhaps I am just used to the Japanese ( I know the turboxs one is built in Aus) manufactured exhausts. I recall the Apexi units I had from my honda days were very well built and the blitz one was flawless. I just thought the welding on the Prodrive were really lousy. If you look at the portions to where it connects on the exhaust hangers,....well it leaves much to be desired. Then when you look at the can itself, there are jagged edges everywhere.
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Old 02-22-2004, 08:00 PM   #14
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Have you ever seen the scoobysport?
Ugly but the sounds coming from it are so beautiful.
Purpose built...........much like the prodrive.
The thing is hanging underneath the car.....doesn't have to be beautiful. The quality of the prodrive products can't be questioned.
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Old 02-23-2004, 04:34 AM   #15
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I thought the Prodrive that I had was well made...not perfect, but better than many others I've seen.
I'd rather have a handmade than a machine made anyway...I don't care if it's a bit rough as long as it sounds good and holds up well.
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Old 02-23-2004, 12:05 PM   #16
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I've had my round tip ala PPP muffler for about 15k miles.
No problems at all.
I like it.
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Old 02-26-2004, 01:43 AM   #17
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Speaking from experience, the Prodrive muffler is durable and sounds great - on the quiet side, but nice sounding regardless.

We're an authorized Prodrive dealer and haven't had any complaints that were left un-taken care of by Prodrive.

The old oval tips are discontinued and the new round tip is in. Prodrive has also recently made their mid-pipes available (previously only available through purchase of the PPP 2 and 3). We've got the mufflers in stock and will have the mid-pipes shortly. We also carry the Power Pack: ECU's, if received by noon, will be reflashed and shipped out the same day.

Please feel free to give me a call or shoot me an e-mail if you have any questions.

Kym
714.545.5679 tel./fax
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Old 04-01-2004, 10:50 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally posted by Aerosim Research Ltd
Prodrive has also recently made their mid-pipes available (previously only available through purchase of the PPP 2 and 3).
How bout the downpipes. Hint Hint.


I just put the prodrive exhaust on the other day. Fits great w/stock hangers. Great sound that is not rfl at all.
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Old 04-01-2004, 11:50 PM   #19
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I have the PPP 2 and it i sweet. Haven't had any problems with any of the components, and the best part is that it doesn't throw any "warning lights"! The sound was really loud the first day and has since quited a bit. It's definatley not the loudest out there, but is perfect for street and when you punch the gas it comes to life. I noticed that i can barely here it in the car if the radio is on at a low level. But roll those windows down and you can hear it rumble.
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Old 04-01-2004, 11:51 PM   #20
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I too would love to buy the uppipe and downpipe from prodrive before I have to shell out another $1.5k for the PPP3 upgrade.
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Old 04-10-2004, 09:07 PM   #21
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I have one too. Its been through 2 NE winters, and it still hasnt rust a bit. I would say that its a bit louder than what it used to be when I first installed it, but then agian, I have installed the up and down pipes after installing the axle back. Sound is still very sweet, especially when downshifting to 3 at 50 while revmatching The price, well, not the cheapest, but worth it IMO.
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Old 04-21-2004, 11:00 AM   #22
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If you apply some general purpose grease on the hangers it's much easier to slip the exhaust into place without any drama.

I'm perfectly happy with the Prodrive but I'll say that the welds aren't perfect. That aside it's a great axleback and well worth the money.
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Old 05-02-2004, 01:57 AM   #23
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I have one and like it a lot.

It's not that the welds look of poor quality, it's that they haven't been cosmetically designed. You can't see any of the welds when it's on your car so it shouldn't be an issue for people concerned with an esthetically pleasing muffler.
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Old 09-03-2004, 12:49 AM   #24
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Cause there is never too many picture of the oval tip!
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Old 09-03-2004, 12:51 AM   #25
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