2008 Lexus IS250 RWD
I have bought a Megan racing axle-back exhaust a couple of months ago, and I do love how it sounds from the outside, but it gets a little too loud and drones from the inside when I'm cruising down the freeway. I still have the stock mid-pipe/resonator and I was wondering if I change to a Megan mid-pipe will it reduce cabin noise. If that doesn't work then is there any aftermarket exhaust that makes good noise from the outside and little noise from the inside? If there is no solution to this then I'll swap in my stock exhaust if it gets on my nerves.
I do live in California and I am aware of most of the exhaust laws, but more advice is more than welcome.

 

Tanabe (or now Revel) would offer the least offensive choice. I have the Tsudo and I love it. Ive had it on for about 4-5 years now and I love it. I think adding the midpipe may make it worse. Do you have the HKS style Megan or the RS?

 

I have the HKS style Megan axle back. It gives it a nice tone and roar from the outside but vibrates the cabin hahaha. Will definitely look into the Revel and Tsudo exhausts!

 

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So let's see. You don't want the cabin noise because it's irritating while driving mile after mile. However, you want people along the way, standing on sidewalks to look at your car as it goes past and will say to their friend standing alongside them what a nice sounding muffler is on that car that just passed. Right?

Got to keep those sidewalk people happy!

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I could not have cared less about the people on the sidewalk or anyone for that matter, this is rather about personal joy. I love how the car sounds, but the cabin noise gets a little too out of hand at highway cruising speeds, hence why I am inquiring about other exhaust systems or any other solutions to this problem.

 

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But how does one enjoy the sound of the exhaust outside the car when driving? I just don't understand. Now, I have several motorcycles and I can hear the exhaust when I'm riding and I have the mufflers on that sound good to me. I don't care what they sound like to others. I have tuned way down my first exhaust on one bike as it was too much of a drone on long rides.

My Lexus I prize its quietness--but then that's just for me. Some folks, like maybe you, like a little hum in the exhaust but not totally quiet. That's okay too. I won't tell you how much money I've put into vehicles looking for perfection.

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I'll throw vote in for the F-Sport exhaust. Humble at low RPM's and sings well when opened up. While going up hills it can hit a tone that induces drone but the window is very narrow and always short lived. I hardly notice it.

In addition, it picks up a few extra ponies. Damn thing had me missing my shift points and bouncing off the limiter until I adapted to the change as it rev's up quicker. The F-Sport removed a serious restriction present on the OEM system.

 

Is the F-Sport one actually made for by Tanabe. I have seen some say it was.

 

HKS makes the F sport exhaust for 2IS, don't know if they are still made by HKS on the 3rd gen IS... another option is Greddy they are quiet aswell

 

newbie question...gasket size for Tanaberevel medallion touring exhaust? Thinking of buying this.

 

I think it should come with the gasket. I believe I reused my OEM gasket for my setup but I can’t remember now. My memory is very poor.

 

Personally I'd go with Greddy Supreme SP Axle-Back or Invidia Q300 Cat-Back but you can hear samples of all the aftermarket exhaust tones on this video here when you click "Get Link": https://shrinke.me/IS350-Exhaust_Sounds

 

another option would be ARK DT-S they are more expensive due to it is a complete cat-back system, they have 4 drone canister, 2 on the mid-pipe 2 on the axel back muffler with a resonator in between the mid-pipe and the axel back... I had that system before it's not bad.... the video I made awhile ago...

 

I've heard good results with Magnaflow, but $1200.00 for an axle-back is kinda stiff.

 

funny, I just purchased one for $1125 plus tax and just got around to installing it. In my honest opinion (I’m not some paid schemer I’m just a regular guy), the Magnaflow Street stainless steel muffler/exhaust system sounds exactly like what he is seeking for. Sometimes I felt it is almost too quiet but I am guessing after a tank or two of gas it will “break in.” I only got to drive it once for about 20-30 minutes so far. The exhaust fit and finish / workmanship is id say a solid B+. Comparatively, I bought a walker muffler exhaust system for $500 after tax and the fit and finish was so juvenile and lame it made me instantly return it because if that’s half the price almost of the Magnaflow I was guessing it would be a lot better in terms of the build quality and sure enough I was right. Literally the walker exhaust says it is aluminumized stainless steel, whatever that means but when I got it and it was a brand new unit, it had major discoloration/rust across a large portion of it.

the Magnaflow was legit. It was actually smooth to the touch, even on the piping unlike the walker. I bet walker exhaust stuff would be a solid choice for the midpipe / cat replacement area but for the muffler part where you get to actually see the product i feel it was just really subpar. Felt like a $250-300 exhaust if that were to ever exist (yes $250-300 in this godforsaken “transitory” USD inflation environment).


now what I have a hard time believing is, Magnaflow also sells the midpipe with high flow cats, even a California compliant specific model, for like $1800-2300? Seems a bit excessively priced. I’ve always known or heard of Magnaflow but I never knew they were that high up on the scoreboard in terms of prestige and quality and engineering superiority to be able to demand prices like that and be successful at convincing people to fork over the cash. Anyways this is my anecdotal 2 cents of a ramble. Cheers.