3.3TT Kia Stinger Aftermarket Exhaust Information and Discussion

[bulldozer1984]

Just thought I would put my 2 cents here about the XForce Varex exhaust and my experience. I have listed below my gripes that have led me to replace the exhaust with the Borla S-Type with Jun, B.L Secondary downpipes (I have been in another stinger with this setup, day & night difference).

1. The drone - absolutely immeasurable. If you sit in the back seat, you are guaranteed a headache. My father and I were on a longer journey, he was in the back and he complained many times. If you have music on level 15+, with exhaust open, it almost echos in your skull. Highway? No way with valves open. While open, the backseat is a terrible place for someone to sit. Many people have said "just close the vales when someone is in the back?" This leads me onto my next point;
2. Quality - very poor. On install, the left muffler valve was faulty and this was replaced (took 3 weeks) - OK, no issue. Over the course of the next 2-4 months the valves had numerous issues (wouldn't open/close on first try (or subsequent multiple tries), would intermittently one side cut out all together and not work for a week. After this continued for 4-5 months, the rear muffler valve simply stopped - completely dead. Spoke to the shop, they mentioned to come in and have a look but at this point I was so sick of the constant drone that I couldn't disable (it really, was, immeasurable) that I just ordered the Borla S-Type based upon opinions from people on here with it and visual look. One month later (I made a post about this, as was quite concerning), a rattle emitted from the car on acceleration that was very loud. Took into the dealer, turns out the rattle is from the resonator, and they recommended to contact the company for replacement - this simply made me more eager to get rid of it and receive my Borla.
3. Sound - so this is a pro and con. Up high, the exhaust does sound great, really nice tone and almost wants you to keep going while accelerating. However, in town it sounds very muffled down low and almost cheap - which I was not a fan (just my opinion).

Overall, I would not recommend the product. As a side note, the exhaust is not legal in Australia for road use (however not XForce fault, the shop never told me this when I went in asking about it to purchase). Here is the exert from their website: "XFORCE products are for race/off-road use only, not road/street use unless otherwise advised. "

As someone who just bought a Varex system, you make me nervous man lol

 

[TimT]

I don't have a full Varex system but we just did a custom catback with 2.5" pipes, used Varex valved universal mufflers and I think it sounds great. Additionally the price for the valved set all together was so good that a Jun BL / Kunstwerk exhaust would be x3 the price. The valves work great (even though there is almost never a need to close them) and I'm definetly satisfied with the small DIY project.
Could make the current set more loud too by removing the mid silencers and doing a custom X pipe but honestly do not see a need for it.
I do agree that the sound quality really is not comparable with the much more expensive full exhaust systems though, so if your budget can afford going for Jun BL or something else that is valved, I definetly would.

 

[Nockalous]

I don't have a full Varex system but we just did a custom catback with 2.5" pipes, used Varex valved universal mufflers and I think it sounds great. Additionally the price for the valved set all together was so good that a Jun BL / Kunstwerk exhaust would be x3 the price. The valves work great (even though there is almost never a need to close them) and I'm definetly satisfied with the small DIY project.
Could make the current set more loud too by removing the mid silencers and doing a custom X pipe but honestly do not see a need for it.
I do agree that the sound quality really is not comparable with the much more expensive full exhaust systems though, so if your budget can afford going for Jun BL or something else that is valved, I definetly would.

That's great! Glad to hear it is working for you well (definitely would've liked to have kept the system to save $$$). One thing I notice is you still have your secondary cats. When I requested a "cat-back", they actually removed my secondary cats (I had no idea this was being done, or did I ever request it (I specifically requested to not touch the cat)). This is potentially what could've caused the immense drone. Again, this is not XForce's fault, as this is how their full "cat-back" system comes from their factory directly (cannot link due to forum rules: product is es-ks17-vmkcbs on their website) - I simply wish the shop told me that this system removes the secondary cat, when I asked to not touch the cat.

 

[Nockalous]

As someone who just bought a Varex system, you make me nervous man lol

Sorry! This is just my honest opinion from my experience over the last 7 months of the complete XForce Varex System for the Stinger.

As a side note, if any members are based in the South-East QLD and would like to hear the Borla with Jun, B.L Sec down pipes setup let me know, happy to meet to showcase - as the full system setup is quite expensive (with exchange rate and shipping).

 

[bulldozer1984]

Sorry! This is just my honest opinion from my experience over the last 7 months of the complete XForce Varex System for the Stinger.

As a side note, if any members are based in the South-East QLD and would like to hear the Borla with Jun, B.L Sec down pipes setup let me know, happy to meet to showcase - as the full system setup is quite expensive (with exchange rate and shipping).

Haha all good man. The system I bought is 3 months old, and the guy had resonators installed as the drone was immense. He said they help alot. I actually went for a drive in the car as the system is still on there, and think it sounds fine. It had a bit of a drone sure, but not an uncomfortable one. Closing the valves quietens down the drone too. I would say its more of an audible resonance than a drone. I would consider drone intrusive.

I am more worried about the build quality of the original resonators and valves now haha. Oh well see how we go.

If you don't mind me asking how much did you new system set you back?

 

[Nockalous]

Haha all good man. The system I bought is 3 months old, and the guy had resonators installed as the drone was immense. He said they help alot. I actually went for a drive in the car as the system is still on there, and think it sounds fine. It had a bit of a drone sure, but not an uncomfortable one. Closing the valves quietens down the drone too. I would say its more of an audible resonance than a drone. I would consider drone intrusive.

I am more worried about the build quality of the original resonators and valves now haha. Oh well see how we go.

If you don't mind me asking how much did you new system set you back?

I had issues out of the gate for myself, which really dampened my experience. I have a two mates with XForce on their Subaru's and one has been fine for 2 years, the other only recently had issues with his right valve after 1 year.

Borla cat-back was $2020 AUD (including shipping from American Speed), and Jun, B.L Secondary downpipe was $820~AUD (630 USD). Install from mechanic was $40 (took 30 minutes, I didn't have stands/blocks - was going to cost the same as buying them). Also got some tips that mimic stock ones for $160 from Aliexpress.

 

[Nulifedetail]

Has anyone just replace the mufflers and used the stock piping to the mufflers?

 

[Flaniganskywalker]

Has anyone just replace the mufflers and used the stock piping to the mufflers?

Here is mine--welded str8 pipes into stock outlets--sounds perfect and no drone.Total cost was 300 to 400$. This also gives the best gains. Ikept cats on because if you do that you get drone and rasp and void the warranty.Have had this for months.Just took this video at 3k miles--tonight.

Haha all good man. The system I bought is 3 months old, and the guy had resonators installed as the drone was immense. He said they help alot. I actually went for a drive in the car as the system is still on there, and think it sounds fine. It had a bit of a drone sure, but not an uncomfortable one. Closing the valves quietens down the drone too. I would say its more of an audible resonance than a drone. I would consider drone intrusive.

I am more worried about the build quality of the original resonators and valves now haha. Oh well see how we go.

If you don't mind me asking how much did you new system set you back?

Here is a link to mine.Muffler deletes--straight pipes welded to the car. 2 Y pipes at the end into the stock outlets--so all 4 exhausts are evenly putting out sound.Best sound--no drone or rasp.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu0Fh035p3M Enjoy the sweet sound.BTW this only cost me 350 dollars.

 

[bulldozer1984]

Here is mine--welded str8 pipes into stock outlets--sounds perfect and no drone.Total cost was 300 to 400$. This also gives the best gains. Ikept cats on because if you do that you get drone and rasp and void the warranty.Have had this for months.Just took this video at 3k miles--tonight.

Here is a link to mine.Muffler deletes--straight pipes welded to the car. 2 Y pipes at the end into the stock outlets--so all 4 exhausts are evenly putting out sound.Best sound--no drone or rasp.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu0Fh035p3M Enjoy the sweet sound.BTW this only cost me 350 dollars.

Not a fan of muffler delete sound, but glad you love it. Was much cheaper too

 

[ht_addict]

So if I go with the MBRP Catback is it a must to replace tips to prevent drone?

 

[RKBama]

So if I go with the MBRP Catback is it a must to replace tips to prevent drone?

Adding tips to any system will help eliminate drone.

 

[20Stinger19]

Has anyone just replace the mufflers and used the stock piping to the mufflers?

About to. Going Axleback.

 

[ht_addict]

Quicksilver or MBRP. What would you pick?

 

[David789]

So if I go with the MBRP Catback is it a must to replace tips to prevent drone?

I’ve got the same problem. I think it’s because the MBRP exhaust outlet just sits in the middle of the factory chrome valences (2nd pic). I noticed the factory mufflers have flanges which, i think, are meant to close off the back, not just for looks (1st pic). So I’m either going to have my muffler guy weld flanges onto the end of the MBRP or I see people saying to add muffler wrap. Did you find a fix yet, or decide what to do? Mine have awful drone in cabin at between 1800-2800 RPM, which is my primary “around town” range. Not even turning up the stereo help. WOT it’s great, though!

 

[ht_addict]

I’ve got the same problem. I think it’s because the MBRP exhaust outlet just sits in the middle of the factory chrome valences (2nd pic). I noticed the factory mufflers have flanges which, i think, are meant to close off the back, not just for looks (1st pic). So I’m either going to have my muffler guy weld flanges onto the end of the MBRP or I see people saying to add muffler wrap. Did you find a fix yet, or decide what to do? Mine have awful drone in cabin at between 1800-2800 RPM, which is my primary “around town” range. Not even turning up the stereo help. WOT it’s great, though!

That would make sense. Still deciding on which one to get, though tilting towards the MBRP

 

[Nockalous]

I personally went with tips, and reduced in-cabin noise/drone considerably. Overall, was a quick and effective way to reduce the noise (Just get some sort of coating to prevent heat, your rear bumper will love you for it!)

There is a great thread about exhaust tips here: Exhaust Tips

 

[ht_addict]

The MBRP (T304) at $1250CDN or Magnaflow (19406) at $1750CDN which one would you pick?

 

[bulldozer1984]

From what i have heard the Magnaflow is pretty quiet, maybe too quiet.
The MBRP seems loud enough and has a nice note. It will also save you $500 which you can put towards fixing the drone

The MBRP (T304) at $1250CDN or Magnaflow (19406) at $1750CDN which one would you pick?

 

[General_Vodka]

From what i have heard the Magnaflow is pretty quiet, maybe too quiet.
The MBRP seems loud enough and has a nice note. It will also save you $500 which you can put towards fixing the drone

Magna flow is basically stock sound wise. MBRP sounds wayy better by comparison.

 

[ht_addict]

I looks like MBRP is the one. Guess I'll just get some flanges installed behind the tips at the same time to kill the drone. Can only assume that's why Kia did it with their stock.

As for tips, what is the size to get from Aliexpress