Hey Everyone,

Lately I've wanted to get a little deeper tone, a little more of a rumble if you will, out of my Tacoma. After much deliberation and hours of scouring forums, I decided to go with the Magnaflow muffler. For the sake of discussion I drive a 2009 Tacoma Access Cab TRD Sport 4x4 4.0L V6.

Once I found a good muffler shop who also had the muffler in stock, I opted to go for it. I asked for an 18" Magnaflow, however the 'expert' was insistent I try the 14". WOWzers that thing was loud! It took me about 30 minutes to lose my mind and return to the muffler shop. Now, he has replaced the muffler with an 18" Magnaflow. I hate to say it, but this still too loud for me. Again, I just wanted a little more rumble to my Tacoma, I'm not looking to wake up the neighborhood.

I hate to have to go back to the OEM muffler because it is not the tone I'm looking for. I've scoured the forums, but most people seem to want an increase in sound, I seem to be one of the few who actually want to tone it down. Here are some of the questions I'd really appreciate some feedback on.

1) Does the muffler take time to break in? Does the sound change after putting some mileage on it? Some people in forums claim in does, is this a matter of the person getting used to the noise, or does it legitimately tone down a bit?

2) I'm considering the 22" Magnaflow. What sort of difference will I experience with the bigger muffler? The 'expert' claims it will be quieter than my OEM. I seriously doubt that from the comments I've read on the forums.

Any feedback whatsoever would be greatly appreciated, even if it is not regarding the above questions. Thanks in advance!

 

1) It does take time to break in. but usually the break in period makes it louder.

2) As i was reading your post I was going to mention the 22" and 24" Magnaflow muffler. this muffler is technically speaking a factory OEM replacement muffler ( since your stock is the same size ) but it will not give the same tone as your stock muffler... it'll have a quiet rumble that you probably will only be able to hear outside the truck...

my opinion? I dont think you're gonna get much better than the 18." I cant imagine it being loud. I will post a video of my truck to show how loud mine is. I have a 14" Borla turbo style muffler ( which is a straight through built muffler ) and even that is pretty selective. It's only loud when I WOT. and I can keep it pretty quiet when casually driving. my only complaint about it is that when im crusing on the freeway ( 65 mph at 3k rpms ) I cant hear anyone in the back seat. 3k is the beginning of my power band, therefore its roaring down the road.

Let me know if you have any questions. I've spent a lot of money on my truck's exhaust to get it perfect.

Also, heres the spec on my exhaust ( Doug thorley headers, 2.25 piping, straight pipe ( no cat ) borla turbo style muffler with a 3" tip. ) I have the 3vz.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR9nV7ZpPkM

 

Also, I'm assuming this is what your truck sounds like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tye4pCr6e1c

 

Thanks, man. Your input has been very valuable. I'm REALLY starting to lean towards the 22", although I have to admit the 18" is growing on me. My main concern is cops, the truck gets loud when I punch it! Do you have any experience with the 22"? How much noise reduction should I expect?

Thanks again.

 

BTW, Mak, your truck sounds SICK.

 

man if this is what your truck sounds like, i dont know how you could not enjoy listening to that!

 

I have no experience personally with the 22" magnaflow, but when I got my stock muffler chopped off, they had a 22" magnaflow in shop. I sat it down next to mine ( didnt have a camera phone with me at the time ) and it was the same exact muffler pretty much. just the 22" had a bit more of a straight through design, and the stock didn't. Cops wont care about a simple cat back... I'm sure from the video i had you watch, that my truck can be heard for a 1/4 mile easily and I've never been pulled over ( and im in california with no catalytic converter )

 

hah thanks.

 

It sounds awesome at idle, but when I get into the 2-3k RPM range, it seems to get exponentially louder! If I drive fuel efficient, I am absolutely in love with the sound, but honestly it's so loud when I punch it, that I hesitate to push it.

That's a good point. The 18" is starting to grow on me. I think I'll give it another few days to decide. Again, your feedback has been invaluable. Thank you.

 

no problem

 

So you liking it?

 

I will chime in here. My truck when still 3.0 with 2 1/4 pipe and magnaflow cat and 18" muffler it was nice and mellow. When I swapped the 3.4 in the exhaust was loud and gets annoying here and there. I am now considering the 24" to mellow out the noise level. Also at high rpms the exhaust gets raspy.

 

toms?? damn you autocorrect!!!!

 

ya got me..