X-Force Exhaust - Review
12-28-19, 08:56 PM
#616
I did see that on their site, but I understood it as a straight pipe inside the muffler when opened, and when closed redirected through the muffler.
So does anyone have good exhaust video of the car driving past or launching with closed and opened valves? I’ve seen a lot of cold starts and revs from idle, as well as in car driving videos.
So does anyone have good exhaust video of the car driving past or launching with closed and opened valves? I’ve seen a lot of cold starts and revs from idle, as well as in car driving videos.
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LexusfanVA (12-29-19)
12-29-19, 05:53 AM
#617
I have had Varex since they were first released a few years ago.
I had on and off problems with the muffler flap on one muffler. I thought the issue I was having was being caused by the push button remote. If you hold the button down too long, you can over-crank the flap and it ends up jamming - I never had an issue with the motor itself. To solve this, I purchased the Varex smartbox module and my mufflers would not work correctly at all. It turns out, because I bought the early release version, it was shipped to me with 2 different model mufflers and that is why they never functioned as they should...
I spoke to X-force and they sent me 2 new varex mufflers. Since install of the new mufflers this summer, they have been 100% trouble free. I programmed the smart box to automatically open and close valves based on RPM (so the valves are always moving) and they have been very reliable so far.
I had on and off problems with the muffler flap on one muffler. I thought the issue I was having was being caused by the push button remote. If you hold the button down too long, you can over-crank the flap and it ends up jamming - I never had an issue with the motor itself. To solve this, I purchased the Varex smartbox module and my mufflers would not work correctly at all. It turns out, because I bought the early release version, it was shipped to me with 2 different model mufflers and that is why they never functioned as they should...
I spoke to X-force and they sent me 2 new varex mufflers. Since install of the new mufflers this summer, they have been 100% trouble free. I programmed the smart box to automatically open and close valves based on RPM (so the valves are always moving) and they have been very reliable so far.
Once i got the smart box, the potential to over spin has gone given you just press a button. Ive been hassle free for about 6 months now and my car is a daily. Im either opening/closing the mufflers several times a day (5am early starts, late night starts, wifes in the car etc) and it works great. What i really love with my setup is that i can use it via my Vline so i dont need the phone at all. Whilst driving i can open up the Xforce app and control the sound from the OEM screen.
Havent bothered with geo mode or RPM yet. I basically want mine open all the time but just depends on the time. Pity no time mode lol.
The following 3 users liked this post by ISF5L:
12-29-19, 06:40 PM
#619
12-30-19, 02:51 AM
#621
Driver School Candidate
I installed mine about 2 weeks ago. It has a fairly loud low end deep rumble (77 dB at the highest as recorded on my FFT Wave iPhone app with all windows closed... not sure on accuracy).
I actually love the rumble but I just went to do some shopping with the gf and some other passengers today with about a 15 mile commute and my gf couldn't take it. I had to drive in manually mode and cruise on 6-7th gear the whole way to stay above 2k rpm (rumble happens under load about 1500-2000 rpm).
I asked my little brother who was in the back if he thought it was loud and he said yes but it didn't bother him.
Install was very straight forward, I purchased the bosal gaskets and I was short by 4 nuts and bolts. I used the OEM ones and torqued them all down to 30 ft-lb. O2 sensors were torqued to 32 ft-lb.
The cross bar that hides under the plastic covers DO make contact with the exhaust so I tried to first hammer it down. That sucker is strong!
Well, since we know that metal is more malleable under higher temperature I took a heat gun to it, put both ends on 3 inch blocks and jumped on that bad boy. It created a bend about 2 inches deep which was perfect because it doesn't touch the exhaust at all.
I cut off 2 inches from the tips because initially I cut off 1 inch but the right muffler tip was making contact with the faux tips.
Checked for leaks and tapped everything down to make sure nothing was abnormal.
I absolutely love this exhaust! When you get on the pedal it sounds absolutely amazing.
I actually love the rumble but I just went to do some shopping with the gf and some other passengers today with about a 15 mile commute and my gf couldn't take it. I had to drive in manually mode and cruise on 6-7th gear the whole way to stay above 2k rpm (rumble happens under load about 1500-2000 rpm).
I asked my little brother who was in the back if he thought it was loud and he said yes but it didn't bother him.
Install was very straight forward, I purchased the bosal gaskets and I was short by 4 nuts and bolts. I used the OEM ones and torqued them all down to 30 ft-lb. O2 sensors were torqued to 32 ft-lb.
The cross bar that hides under the plastic covers DO make contact with the exhaust so I tried to first hammer it down. That sucker is strong!
Well, since we know that metal is more malleable under higher temperature I took a heat gun to it, put both ends on 3 inch blocks and jumped on that bad boy. It created a bend about 2 inches deep which was perfect because it doesn't touch the exhaust at all.
I cut off 2 inches from the tips because initially I cut off 1 inch but the right muffler tip was making contact with the faux tips.
Checked for leaks and tapped everything down to make sure nothing was abnormal.
I absolutely love this exhaust! When you get on the pedal it sounds absolutely amazing.
12-30-19, 08:07 AM
#622
Pit Crew
I installed mine about 2 weeks ago. It has a fairly loud low end deep rumble (77 dB at the highest as recorded on my FFT Wave iPhone app with all windows closed... not sure on accuracy).
I actually love the rumble but I just went to do some shopping with the gf and some other passengers today with about a 15 mile commute and my gf couldn't take it. I had to drive in manually mode and cruise on 6-7th gear the whole way to stay above 2k rpm (rumble happens under load about 1500-2000 rpm).
I asked my little brother who was in the back if he thought it was loud and he said yes but it didn't bother him.
Install was very straight forward, I purchased the bosal gaskets and I was short by 4 nuts and bolts. I used the OEM ones and torqued them all down to 30 ft-lb. O2 sensors were torqued to 32 ft-lb.
The cross bar that hides under the plastic covers DO make contact with the exhaust so I tried to first hammer it down. That sucker is strong!
Well, since we know that metal is more malleable under higher temperature I took a heat gun to it, put both ends on 3 inch blocks and jumped on that bad boy. It created a bend about 2 inches deep which was perfect because it doesn't touch the exhaust at all.
I cut off 2 inches from the tips because initially I cut off 1 inch but the right muffler tip was making contact with the faux tips.
Checked for leaks and tapped everything down to make sure nothing was abnormal.
I absolutely love this exhaust! When you get on the pedal it sounds absolutely amazing.
I actually love the rumble but I just went to do some shopping with the gf and some other passengers today with about a 15 mile commute and my gf couldn't take it. I had to drive in manually mode and cruise on 6-7th gear the whole way to stay above 2k rpm (rumble happens under load about 1500-2000 rpm).
I asked my little brother who was in the back if he thought it was loud and he said yes but it didn't bother him.
Install was very straight forward, I purchased the bosal gaskets and I was short by 4 nuts and bolts. I used the OEM ones and torqued them all down to 30 ft-lb. O2 sensors were torqued to 32 ft-lb.
The cross bar that hides under the plastic covers DO make contact with the exhaust so I tried to first hammer it down. That sucker is strong!
Well, since we know that metal is more malleable under higher temperature I took a heat gun to it, put both ends on 3 inch blocks and jumped on that bad boy. It created a bend about 2 inches deep which was perfect because it doesn't touch the exhaust at all.
I cut off 2 inches from the tips because initially I cut off 1 inch but the right muffler tip was making contact with the faux tips.
Checked for leaks and tapped everything down to make sure nothing was abnormal.
I absolutely love this exhaust! When you get on the pedal it sounds absolutely amazing.
Did a shop install or did you install it at home? Do you recommend purchasing O2 sensors or any extra bolts before taking it to my exhaust shop. I'm going to be buying mine early next year.
12-30-19, 08:15 AM
#623
It has a fairly loud low end deep rumble (77 dB at the highest as recorded on my FFT Wave iPhone app with all windows closed... not sure on accuracy).
I actually love the rumble but I just went to do some shopping with the gf and some other passengers today with about a 15 mile commute and my gf couldn't take it. I had to drive in manually mode and cruise on 6-7th gear the whole way to stay above 2k rpm (rumble happens under load about 1500-2000 rpm).
I asked my little brother who was in the back if he thought it was loud and he said yes but it didn't bother him.
.
I actually love the rumble but I just went to do some shopping with the gf and some other passengers today with about a 15 mile commute and my gf couldn't take it. I had to drive in manually mode and cruise on 6-7th gear the whole way to stay above 2k rpm (rumble happens under load about 1500-2000 rpm).
I asked my little brother who was in the back if he thought it was loud and he said yes but it didn't bother him.
.
12-30-19, 11:02 AM
#624
Driver School Candidate
Also, I referenced this free online repair manual mainly just to see the layout and get the torque specs for the flange bolts+nuts and the O2 sensors.
https://workshop-manuals.com/lexus/i...nts/page_2601/
My shipment came short of 4 bolts+nuts like I mentioned, but the OEM ones were still in good condition so I used them.
Last thing I bought was the O2 sensor removal tool.
I bought a whole kit just in case my dad wants to work on any of our other cars.
That deep ruble or drone(kind of like sitting in a tuba or a subwoofer is exactly what I'd like to avoid. It was mild with my Borla, not bad with Borla with mufflers off, but with added headers both with and without mufflers it is deafening. Anything more than a 15 minute drive requires being in 6-7th to be out of the 1700-2200 range. Do you have headers?
The rubble doesn't bother me much, I hear this also with the stock exhaust although much much quieter. But it only happens under load so in a way it forces me to have a lighter foot.
I could see it bothering some though and my girlfriend said it was giving her a headache so I had to keep it under control with manual mode.
But to answer your question, I don't have headers and although I'd like to upgrade to them, it's just not practical for me because I pretty often have passengers and I plan to keep my car for many years to come.
The following users liked this post:
LexusfanVA (12-30-19)
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Vervish (12-30-19)
12-30-19, 12:28 PM
#626
Let us know your thoughts and how the install goes!
12-30-19, 06:52 PM
#628
off the outlet tip to clear the ISF bumper mounted exhaust tips. They are pricey at $315 per muffler at Summit Racing, its best to buy the Varex kit to start since its only
$270 more vs the non-Varex kit, $1079 vs $809.
Here is a link to the muffler:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/x...-250/overview/
01-03-20, 06:49 AM
#629
01-04-20, 07:28 AM
#630
That deep ruble or drone(kind of like sitting in a tuba or a subwoofer is exactly what I'd like to avoid. It was mild with my Borla, not bad with Borla with mufflers off, but with added headers both with and without mufflers it is deafening. Anything more than a 15 minute drive requires being in 6-7th to be out of the 1700-2200 range. Do you have headers?
Obviously cold starts are loud as hell but just cruising the car is quite pleasant. Sure wakes up when you mash them throttle, but personally would have liked a way to bypass the muffler at WOT.