3.3TT '22 Exhaust Questions?

[SRV]

Hey everyone, new here and been looking at 22' GT2's and plan on purchasing very soon. One question I have regarding the exhaust is whether there are aftermarket exhausts/mufflers that would be better than stock from a flow restriction/performance standpoint, but NOT lead to an increase in how loud the exhaust is? I know that is counter to what most are looking for upgrading their exhaust, but I am a big audiophile and plan to do a really nice custom audio system in this car and would prefer to not hear the exhaust while cruising in Comfort or Eco modes. I have no issue if things get loud in Sport mode. Several of the cars I'm currently looking at have aftermarket exhausts on them and I'd hate to pull them out to go back to stock if it can be avoided...

Should I just stick to the stock exhaust, or are there things I can do with a performance exhaust to help with noise. I will already be doing a bunch of sound deadening to the interior so that's already covered, only interested in hearing about the exhaust. Thanks.

Have you been able to drive around in a GT2?

I ask because when I bought my GT2, I thought I would be doing an exhaust as well as lowering it.

However, I found out that the stock exhaust is perfect for me, which is a good thing as it turns out, as lots of guys who go with an aftermarket exhaust and are displeased due to raspiness and or drone.

So if you haven't yet, go for a drive and see what you think of the stock exhaust.

As for lowering, lots of guys have run into alignment and tire wear issues, so I chose not to lower it. But no doubt about it, the car looks fantastic lowered, I just don't want the hassles that can come it.

 

[Maljey]

Have you been able to drive around in a GT2?

I ask because when I bought my GT2, I thought I would be doing an exhaust as well as lowering it.

However, I found out that the stock exhaust is perfect for me, which is a good thing as it turns out, as lots of guys who go with an aftermarket exhaust and are displeased due to raspiness and or drone.

So if you haven't yet, go for a drive and see what you think of the stock exhaust.

As for lowering, lots of guys have run into alignment and tire wear issues, so I chose not to lower it. But no doubt about it, the car looks fantastic lowered, I just don't want the hassles that can come it.

Agreed with this. I would absolutely drive the car with stock exhaust first before ordering an aftermarket exhaust. I personally found the stock exhaust to be too quiet, so I changed it.

I don't think any of the 2022+ aftermarket catback exhaust make any noticeable performance gains anyway. Most of us just bought them for the sound. I have not noticed any performance gains from my butt dyno.

 

[squiers007]

Have you been able to drive around in a GT2?

I ask because when I bought my GT2, I thought I would be doing an exhaust as well as lowering it.

However, I found out that the stock exhaust is perfect for me, which is a good thing as it turns out, as lots of guys who go with an aftermarket exhaust and are displeased due to raspiness and or drone.

So if you haven't yet, go for a drive and see what you think of the stock exhaust.

As for lowering, lots of guys have run into alignment and tire wear issues, so I chose not to lower it. But no doubt about it, the car looks fantastic lowered, I just don't want the hassles that can come it.

I am working on scheduling a test drive of a stock setup here pretty soon so that's definitely on my list of things to do before deciding on a purchase. I hadn't heard of anyone running into alignment or tire wear issues when lowering so I'll definitely look into that too.

Agreed with this. I would absolutely drive the car with stock exhaust first before ordering an aftermarket exhaust. I personally found the stock exhaust to be too quiet, so I changed it.

I don't think any of the 2022+ aftermarket catback exhaust make any noticeable performance gains anyway. Most of us just bought them for the sound. I have not noticed any performance gains from my butt dyno.

That's good to hear that I won't be leaving any performance on the table if I keep the exhaust stock. Guess I'll see how I like things after the test drive. Thanks.

 

[Plakchup]

Just to share my stinger experience, I initially started with a base GT model RWD (kept it all stock), then upgraded to a GT1 RWD (kept it all stock for 2 years zero mods) and then found my forever stinger a 23 GT2 AWD (started modding after 4-5 months of enjoying it all stock, took me a damn year to find this car).

I definitely agree that you should experience the car in its stock form before making any modifications. I always felt the exhaust was FAR too quiet in the 18-21 year models and the ride felt too floaty with the car also swaying but this is purely my opinion. And that SUV ride wheel gap started to get to me after a while. Everyone will have different opinions. One might absolutely love stinger in all stock never touch anything for 10 years+ or one might hate it and mod it within 10 days and love it even more. Most exhaust modifications have very minimal performance gains. Heck even the fastest stingers are running stock primaries and just do the secondary cats + catback with a tune. This is my daily driver so I am never touching the primaries unless it becomes a project car which it probably won't be.

I've always had cars in the past I've modded and they've brought me more smiles so that's good in my books. At the end of the day it's your car, your money, you can do whatever you want with it. Now with all the mods I've done and about do some of my final ones for this year, the car is an absolute blast to drive, FAR more enjoyable than stock. Yes it's stiffer ride, yes it's far louder, yes it's lower (but god damn does it look good), but I absolutely love it every minute I am driving it and that's what matters. Stock or not, enjoy this beautiful rare car that not many know about. I always get admirers of my car at red lights or in parking lots and honestly that just makes me so happy. No other car I've owned has ever brought so much happiness in ownership to me as the stinger has. I sometimes just stare at it parked in my garage.

Just the other day leaving the gym, this young gentleman in a SUV pulls up next to me: "hey man that is one hella sweet ride, saw it and I was like what the hell is that it sounded so good." That not only made my week literally but reaffirmed that the mods I am doing to my car are right; nothing extreme just on more modest level while keeping stock look of the car mostly. I thanked him and was telling him how rare these cars are and how hard it is to find one nowadays. Of course I then gunned it a bit and saw him smile in the rear view mirror.

Things I've done so far are:
Ark Downpipe + Borla Catback Active Valve 22+ (getting it installed in a few weeks while I have the non active valve version)
Eibach lowering springs + eibach anti-sway bars front and rear (they make a huge difference)
Moshimotto oil catch can
HKS SSQ BOV
K&N Typhoon Intakes

Plan on getting some rims maybe next year and maybe some exterior mods like a diffuser or lip kit + duck lip spoiler. We'll see.
Good luck in finding your Stinger. Glad to help others on here with anything to make us all happy owners.

 

[SRV]

I am working on scheduling a test drive of a stock setup here pretty soon so that's definitely on my list of things to do before deciding on a purchase.

That's good to hear that I won't be leaving any performance on the table if I keep the exhaust stock. Guess I'll see how I like things after the test drive.

Make sure to also test the exhaust while in Sport mode.

All my P-car buddies love the sound of the exhaust in Sport mode, and said there's no need to change it. Meanwhile, it is pleasant sounding inside the car with zero drone.

 

[squiers007]

Make sure to also test the exhaust while in Sport mode.

All my P-car buddies love the sound of the exhaust in Sport mode, and said there's no need to change it. Meanwhile, it is pleasant sounding inside the car with zero drone.

Thanks for your input. I'm scheduled to go look at a 22' GT2 Scorpion on Friday, so fingers crossed it looks as good in person as it does in the photos. If all goes well, and we can make a deal, I should be joining the club very soon!

 

[SRV]

Thanks for your input. I'm scheduled to go look at a 22' GT2 Scorpion on Friday, so fingers crossed it looks as good in person as it does in the photos. If all goes well, and we can make a deal, I should be joining the club very soon!

Excited for you, keep us posted!

The Stinger is such an excellent car, but keep in mind that it is a GT and not a sports car.

 

[squiers007]

Excited for you, keep us posted!

The Stinger is such an excellent car, but keep in mind that it is a GT and not a sports car.

Will do, GT vs sports car is exactly why I'm looking at them. Sporty, comfortable, but still able to haul my kids, pets, and luggage if I want to! Wish me luck!

 

[Maljey]

I would also add, make sure you turn off Active Sound Design in the infotainment menus. That option strictly changes the fake engine noise coming through the speakers. It has no bearing on the actual exhaust sounds coming out back.

You'll want to turn it off completely if you want to hear the exhaust in full. Otherwise it can be intrusive especially if someone set it to the highest setting (Strong).

 

[squiers007]

I would also add, make sure you turn off Active Sound Design in the infotainment menus. That option strictly changes the fake engine noise coming through the speakers. It has no bearing on the actual exhaust sounds coming out back.

You'll want to turn it off completely if you want to hear the exhaust in full. Otherwise it can be intrusive especially if someone set it to the highest setting (Strong).

Oh man, thank you so much for posting this. I've read a ton about these cars in the last few months and never ran across that. That feature seems completely useless, lol. Will definitely be turning that off.

 

[Plakchup]

Good points about the fake engine sound. Christ like did they really have to put that crap in the car? Hope all goes well. Curious to hear your feedback

 

[Maljey]

Oh man, thank you so much for posting this. I've read a ton about these cars in the last few months and never ran across that. That feature seems completely useless, lol. Will definitely be turning that off.

No problem! If I recall correctly the fake engine sound on the Strongest/Loudest setting will completely overwhelm the sound from the stock exhaust, even when the car is in Sport mode. So yeah it's important to turn off the the fake stuff if you want to truly judge the sound of the stock exhaust in all modes.

I can instantly tell if a Stinger has the fake sound on when watching a YouTube video lol.

 

[rtv900]

I've never been able to detect any sound at all from that feature.
I've tried it all the way up and completely off.
I have no idea what it even does?

 

[Plakchup]

It basically pumps fake engine noise into your speakers.

 

[rtv900]

It basically pumps fake engine noise into your speakers.

yeah I know the purpose, I'm just saying I can't detect any change at all when I put it on max vs off
I feel like it must be super subtle except people on here seem to say it's not subtle at all

 

[Maljey]

yeah I know the purpose, I'm just saying I can't detect any change at all when I put it on max vs off
I feel like it must be super subtle except people on here seem to say it's not subtle at all

Just to be sure, are you actually driving the car when you enable the sound?

I don't think it activates at all if you are in Park or Neutral and revving it.

The biggest change when driving it is putting the sound in Strong and the car in Sport.

 

[rtv900]

Just to be sure, are you actually driving the car when you enable the sound?

I don't think it activates at all if you are in Park or Neutral and revving it.

The biggest change when driving it is putting the sound in Strong and the car in Sport.

yep
I'll have to try again but I've done it numerous times and I can't tell crap when driving
windows down, windows up, no difference

 

[NHATRANG]

maybe it's only on post facelift 2021+?

 

[rtv900]

maybe it's only on post facelift 2021+?

mines a 22