Exhaust Tips

[punkfs]

As a follow-up and confirmation of others' comments: adding tips to the Borla exhaust eliminates the cabin "drone" everyone seems to dislike--and by eliminate I truly mean "unless you are WOT with the radio off you wont hear much until you scroll the windows down" eliminate. It really is that transformative. The car still sounds as good as it can for a Turbo V6 from the outside, but now I can hear the other lovely road noises like my tires and the wind while driving...

Exactly lol. Never thought I’d be happy to hear road noise and such after adding the tips! Lol!

 

[Navidk]

Hi all,
Can someone tell me if this tip would fit MBRP exhaust or no?

Tip, 3.75" OD Oval 2.5" inlet 7 1/16" length, Black, Universal​

I’m a new member so it didn’t let me to insert a link.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

As a follow-up and confirmation of others' comments: adding tips to the Borla exhaust eliminates the cabin "drone" everyone seems to dislike--and by eliminate I truly mean "unless you are WOT with the radio off you wont hear much until you scroll the windows down" eliminate. It really is that transformative. The car still sounds as good as it can for a Turbo V6 from the outside, but now I can hear the other lovely road noises like my tires and the wind while driving...

How bad was the drone inside the car's cabin (I don't care about outside of the car) when cruising around town or on the highway? Is it unbearable? Will I be able to have conversations with passengers? How bad would it be for someone sitting in the back?

The idea of dropping a thousand dollars for exhaust tips makes me feel a bit off...

 

[StingertimeNC]

To me the drone was bad. Drove it a
Couple weeks, then ordered the tips. Not the Borla tips, LOL. Knock-offs from Ali-Express work well, look great, and were
Priced right.

 

[AristotsirA]

How bad was the drone inside the car's cabin (I don't care about outside of the car) when cruising around town or on the highway? Is it unbearable? Will I be able to have conversations with passengers? How bad would it be for someone sitting in the back?

The idea of dropping a thousand dollars for exhaust tips makes me feel a bit off...

As it's purely subjective, I'd like to be as clear as I can, so I apologize in advance if this is a long response to short questions:

• My concerns were always more about the "quality" of the sound than the actual volume--I liked the cold startup sounds from outside the car but never believed what I heard inside the car matched well due to too much sound reflection within the hatch space, so I got the tips to eliminate as much as possible without needing to wrap the exhaust or pad the spare tire well. The sound now is better but it's not yet a perfect match (probably never will be, though).
• As far as the volume was concerned, yes it was moderately loud and depending on preferences, could be annoying but I think the annoyance was more related to the point above: it was just noise inside the car--not really a good clear exhaust sound itself. I wouldn't call it unbearable, but then again, I did buy tips vs leaving it alone, so I wanted something better.
• Yes, you can have conversations with passengers without concern. As far as sitting in the back, I only did that once when I first got the Borla and I didn't think it too bad at all. The rear hatch privacy cover functions well as a sound barrier itself, though, and you will notice a difference with and without it.
• The tips I purchased were only $154 total and installed simply enough that anyone can do it (I used some ramps, a creeper and stool, 15 mm socket to remove the Borla mufflers before removing the integrated factory tips, #2 Philips screwdriver and 10 mm socket to remove the integrated tips, reinstall the Borla mufflers, then slip the new tips onto the Borla outlets through the holes in the rear fascia, rubber deadblow hammer to adjust tip protusion from the rear fascia, 10 mm socket to tighten clamps to secure tips to exhaust, done).

In the end, I am happy with the final outcome and recommend to anyone interested to just get real exhaust tips vs using the integrated ones, but I can understand the hesitancy of others since I lived it.

 

[punkfs]

As it's purely subjective, I'd like to be as clear as I can, so I apologize in advance if this is a long response to short questions:

• My concerns were always more about the "quality" of the sound than the actual volume--I liked the cold startup sounds from outside the car but never believed what I heard inside the car matched well due to too much sound reflection within the hatch space, so I got the tips to eliminate as much as possible without needing to wrap the exhaust or pad the spare tire well. The sound now is better but it's not yet a perfect match (probably never will be, though).
• As far as the volume was concerned, yes it was moderately loud and depending on preferences, could be annoying but I think the annoyance was more related to the point above: it was just noise inside the car--not really a good clear exhaust sound itself. I wouldn't call it unbearable, but then again, I did buy tips vs leaving it alone, so I wanted something better.
• Yes, you can have conversations with passengers without concern. As far as sitting in the back, I only did that once when I first got the Borla and I didn't think it too bad at all. The rear hatch privacy cover functions well as a sound barrier itself, though, and you will notice a difference with and without it.
• The tips I purchased were only $154 total and installed simply enough that anyone can do it (I used some ramps, a creeper and stool, 15 mm socket to remove the Borla mufflers before removing the integrated factory tips, #2 Philips screwdriver and 10 mm socket to remove the integrated tips, reinstall the Borla mufflers, then slip the new tips onto the Borla outlets through the holes in the rear fascia, rubber deadblow hammer to adjust tip protusion from the rear fascia, 10 mm socket to tighten clamps to secure tips to exhaust, done).

In the end, I am happy with the final outcome and recommend to anyone interested to just get real exhaust tips vs using the integrated ones, but I can understand the hesitancy of others since I lived it.

I mean in my experience the tips just improved the sound quality in the cabin overall. Windows up and in comfort mode I don’t hear the exhaust at all. Like not at all... it’s at a tone where my ears can’t pick it up what so ever. In sport mode it’s definitely has a constant tone and sounds great but also still controllable. He’s pretty spot on however like I said I know how to control it and if I don’t want to hear the exhaust it’s easily controlled. Crusing in comfort seems to stick around 1200-1700 rpms in most situations versus sport is around 2-2220. I for sure do not regret borla at all and drive modes acts like a valved exhaust for me.. I would never have the car any other way..and I’m coming from a stock mercedes 4cyl which made absolutely no noise and I don’t find it loud at all . I hear the tire noise over the exhaust in a lot of situations .. so that should tell you it’s not as bad as people say lol

but yeah going uphill you gonna have a constant tone in all modes. But I’m glad if I have passengers in the car I can drive in comfort and it sits in the rpm range that’s mute lol

 

[punkfs]

I mean in my experience the tips just improved the sound quality in the cabin overall. Windows up and in comfort mode I don’t hear the exhaust at all. Like not at all... it’s at a tone where my ears can’t pick it up what so ever. In sport mode it’s definitely has a constant tone and sounds great but also still controllable. He’s pretty spot on however like I said I know how to control it and if I don’t want to hear the exhaust it’s easily controlled. Crusing in comfort seems to stick around 1200-1700 rpms in most situations versus sport is around 2-2220. I for sure do not regret borla at all and drive modes acts like a valved exhaust for me.. I would never have the car any other way..and I’m coming from a stock mercedes 4cyl which made absolutely no noise and I don’t find it loud at all . I hear the tire noise over the exhaust in a lot of situations .. so that should tell you it’s not as bad as people say lol

but yeah going uphill you gonna have a constant tone in all modes. But I’m glad if I have passengers in the car I can drive in comfort and it sits in the rpm range that’s mute lol

Only thing that is a bit crazy loud is the cold starts lol.. I mean if I lived in an apartment building with closed parking I would probably have a lot of enemies and wouldn’t run borla ... but it’s only really loud for the first 20 seconds or so .. keep that in mind.... so if you are right next to your neighbors or you leave at 5am your neighbors might want to kill you heh. Here’s just a cold start no revs this morning for reference ...

Cs

youtube.com

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

As it's purely subjective, I'd like to be as clear as I can, so I apologize in advance if this is a long response to short questions:

• My concerns were always more about the "quality" of the sound than the actual volume--I liked the cold startup sounds from outside the car but never believed what I heard inside the car matched well due to too much sound reflection within the hatch space, so I got the tips to eliminate as much as possible without needing to wrap the exhaust or pad the spare tire well. The sound now is better but it's not yet a perfect match (probably never will be, though).
• As far as the volume was concerned, yes it was moderately loud and depending on preferences, could be annoying but I think the annoyance was more related to the point above: it was just noise inside the car--not really a good clear exhaust sound itself. I wouldn't call it unbearable, but then again, I did buy tips vs leaving it alone, so I wanted something better.
• Yes, you can have conversations with passengers without concern. As far as sitting in the back, I only did that once when I first got the Borla and I didn't think it too bad at all. The rear hatch privacy cover functions well as a sound barrier itself, though, and you will notice a difference with and without it.
• The tips I purchased were only $154 total and installed simply enough that anyone can do it (I used some ramps, a creeper and stool, 15 mm socket to remove the Borla mufflers before removing the integrated factory tips, #2 Philips screwdriver and 10 mm socket to remove the integrated tips, reinstall the Borla mufflers, then slip the new tips onto the Borla outlets through the holes in the rear fascia, rubber deadblow hammer to adjust tip protusion from the rear fascia, 10 mm socket to tighten clamps to secure tips to exhaust, done).

In the end, I am happy with the final outcome and recommend to anyone interested to just get real exhaust tips vs using the integrated ones, but I can understand the hesitancy of others since I lived it.

I really appreciate your detailed response! Very well written! I'm going to bookmark this. Would it be okay if I send you a PM in the future if I have any questions?

Only thing that is a bit crazy loud is the cold starts lol.. I mean if I lived in an apartment building with closed parking I would probably have a lot of enemies and wouldn’t run borla ... but it’s only really loud for the first 20 seconds or so .. keep that in mind.... so if you are right next to your neighbors or you leave at 5am your neighbors might want to kill you heh. Here’s just a cold start no revs this morning for reference ...

Cs

youtube.com

I park on a hill right in front of the house I'm staying at. Bedrooms are opposite of the house but you can hear the tv from the master bedroom if you stood in front of the house door even if it's cold. Is the Borla going to wake up people sleeping at 6am when I leave for work? I don't wanna be "that guy" since I was already "that guy" when I had my WRX lmfao!

I mean in my experience the tips just improved the sound quality in the cabin overall. Windows up and in comfort mode I don’t hear the exhaust at all. Like not at all... it’s at a tone where my ears can’t pick it up what so ever. In sport mode it’s definitely has a constant tone and sounds great but also still controllable. He’s pretty spot on however like I said I know how to control it and if I don’t want to hear the exhaust it’s easily controlled. Crusing in comfort seems to stick around 1200-1700 rpms in most situations versus sport is around 2-2220. I for sure do not regret borla at all and drive modes acts like a valved exhaust for me.. I would never have the car any other way..and I’m coming from a stock mercedes 4cyl which made absolutely no noise and I don’t find it loud at all . I hear the tire noise over the exhaust in a lot of situations .. so that should tell you it’s not as bad as people say lol

but yeah going uphill you gonna have a constant tone in all modes. But I’m glad if I have passengers in the car I can drive in comfort and it sits in the rpm range that’s mute lol

So without tips the drone is annoying but the sound is fine but with tips the drone is essentially gone? If I am understanding correctly?

 

[punkfs]

I really appreciate your detailed response! Very well written! I'm going to bookmark this. Would it be okay if I send you a PM in the future if I have any questions?


I park on a hill right in front of the house I'm staying at. Bedrooms are opposite of the house but you can hear the tv from the master bedroom if you stood in front of the house door even if it's cold. Is the Borla going to wake up people sleeping at 6am when I leave for work? I don't wanna be "that guy" since I was already "that guy" when I had my WRX lmfao!


So without tips the drone is annoying but the sound is fine but with tips the drone is essentially gone? If I am understanding correctly?

Yes correct. I had it for 2 weeks no tips loved it but sound was messed up because of the cabin reverb . Was going to go back to stock but I got tips and it was night and day. I drove my dad to the airport this morning in comfort mode and he couldn’t even hear the exhaust the whole 40 min drive... but when I went sport that’s a different story lol

 

[AristotsirA]

Would it be okay if I send you a PM in the future if I have any questions?

Sure thing.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Sure thing.

Thank you!!

Yes correct. I had it for 2 weeks no tips loved it but sound was messed up because of the cabin reverb . Was going to go back to stock but I got tips and it was night and day. I drove my dad to the airport this morning in comfort mode and he couldn’t even hear the exhaust the whole 40 min drive... but when I went sport that’s a different story lol

Understood! Fantastic!

So without tips you can still have a conversation but the sound is pretty harsh due to drone... but it's not the end of the world?

 

[AristotsirA]

So without tips you can still have a conversation but the sound is pretty harsh due to drone... but it's not the end of the world?

Agreed.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Agreed.

Sweet! Thank you btw!

I'm going to sound really cheap but if I can get a catback exhaust (leaning more towards Borla over MBRP at this point) then I really don't wanna drop another $1000 (exaggerating a bit, but still) on exhaust tips that reduce the drone... I don't like drone but idk... a new Borla catback is already pretty pricey... :/

 

[punkfs]

Sweet! Thank you btw!

I'm going to sound really cheap but if I can get a catback exhaust (leaning more towards Borla over MBRP at this point) then I really don't wanna drop another $1000 (exaggerating a bit, but still) on exhaust tips that reduce the drone... I don't like drone but idk... a new Borla catback is already pretty pricey... :/

My tips were 25$ each

also I would assume almost all aftermarket exhaust just have this issue with the stock tips since it is not connected.. but of course borla will be the worse since it’s the loudest... even if I got mbrp I would still get tips. Just my opinion

 

[StingertimeNC]

My tips were $28 each! Look good and work great. Get the Borla and get Ali Express Akropovic knock offs, and you will be set.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

My tips were 25$ each

also I would assume almost all aftermarket exhaust just have this issue with the stock tips since it is not connected.. but of course borla will be the worse since it’s the loudest... even if I got mbrp I would still get tips. Just my opinion

Ah okay! I must be completely blind but can you post where you got your tips for your Borla exhaust? How difficult would installation be? Thank you so much!!

My tips were $28 each! Look good and work great. Get the Borla and get Ali Express Akropovic knock offs, and you will be set.

Hey! Same as the other cool cat posted above... I must be totally blind but can you post where you got your exhaust tips for your Borla exhaust? How hard would installation be for them? Thank you btw!!!

 

[Schroedes]

I found mine on eBay... I saw they had the size for borla on there as well

 

[AristotsirA]

Ah okay! I must be completely blind but can you post where you got your tips for your Borla exhaust? How difficult would installation be? Thank you so much!!


Hey! Same as the other cool cat posted above... I must be totally blind but can you post where you got your exhaust tips for your Borla exhaust? How hard would installation be for them? Thank you btw!!!

Look at post #994 in this thread, page 50. Also, I gave a complete installation walkthrough in post #1005 above (obviously if you arent retrofitting the new tips to the Borla, you can remove the stock integrated tips after removing the stock exhaust):

• The tips I purchased were only $154 total and installed simply enough that anyone can do it (I used some ramps, a creeper and stool, 15 mm socket to remove the Borla mufflers before removing the integrated factory tips, #2 Philips screwdriver and 10 mm socket to remove the integrated tips, reinstall the Borla mufflers, then slip the new tips onto the Borla outlets through the holes in the rear fascia, rubber deadblow hammer to adjust tip protusion from the rear fascia, 10 mm socket to tighten clamps to secure tips to exhaust, done).

Cheers.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Look at post #994 in this thread, page 50. Also, I gave a complete installation walkthrough in post #1005 above (obviously if you arent retrofitting the new tips to the Borla, you can remove the stock integrated tips after removing the stock exhaust):

• The tips I purchased were only $154 total and installed simply enough that anyone can do it (I used some ramps, a creeper and stool, 15 mm socket to remove the Borla mufflers before removing the integrated factory tips, #2 Philips screwdriver and 10 mm socket to remove the integrated tips, reinstall the Borla mufflers, then slip the new tips onto the Borla outlets through the holes in the rear fascia, rubber deadblow hammer to adjust tip protusion from the rear fascia, 10 mm socket to tighten clamps to secure tips to exhaust, done).

Cheers.

You're amazing! Thank you so much!

 

[Billy G]

Went with the Akropovic style round tips. They required some grinding of the bumper to fit. They are attached to the Borla cat-back system. The grinding was not visible at all.

Overall, very happy!

So, after this post, I searched to see if someone else had asked this.....and didn't have any luck.

I have the Borla's on the way. I like the round more-so than the oval. When you say "some grinding"...how much we talking here?

Does anyone have a pic of the before/after to see what I'm getting myself into?