MBRP or not

[Fredman]

OK, maybe one of you fine people can shed some light here.
I made an impulse purchase thinking I knew what exhaust upgrade I wanted and got the stainless MBRP catback system for my GT. Was going to get aluminum but they did not have stock. Haven’t opened box. Not sure I want to at this point. Surprised I cannot find any installation videos for this particular exhaust. I know it’s not rocket science and I know I can get through the job but It would have been nice to find out any additional information or oddities with this particular kit. All of the information that I am gleaning now at this point almost has me accepting the 25% restock thought... I thought I would tackle this on my own at friends shop using jackstands but I am dissuaded by more and more info I am picking up like how hard it is to tighten exhaust clamps on these systems. Considering mine is stainless, I can only assume that this is even more difficult. Probably perfect world would involve welding. Not sure I want to go that route. I also heard that the kits do not come with any type of clamping hardware. That surprised me.
Lastly I am confused on the necessity of exhaust tips.
I assumed this system would simply position within the factory chrome exhaust holes without issue. Now I am reading about drone happening if I don’t add exhaust extensions...
I also realized this kit does not have the welded flanges at the exhaust tube “ends”.
I’m assuming one of the functions of these factory welded on plates is to cancel drone as well as redirect exhaust condensation. Not sure...
I can only imagine what this new exhaust would look like in the winter time with ice freezing down lengths of the pipe under the car.
I really just wanted what 99% of the stinger owners complain about, just a little more rumble. I am almost willing to lose that dream and accept the quiet purr.
Can someone
change my mind?
LOL

 

[Avon]

Eat the 25% restocking. It is better than what you'll get selling it after you realize it is not what you want.

If not....
Yes clamps that come with it are junk. You have center the clamp right over the end of the pipe you are connecting or you have no chance at getting it tight. I found that torqueing the crap out of it then loosen and repeat a few times finally got a good seal.
To each their own but for me sounded way louder than a little rumble, I'll admit I have secondaries so that could play into it.
It sounded really bad until I added exhaust tips. Extra $$
Then if like me the regret stage when you've put it on tried to like it just couldn't and take it off and it collects dust.
The post regret stage when I tell myself to try it again without the secondaries because I've spent all this money and the secondaries were cheaper. (This is my current stage and it is the weekend and I have nothing better to do). God help me

With all that said if I was 20 something again I'd probably like the extra attention it gives and while the sound is bad ass at WOT it is the everyday mild driving in town that I just didn't like.

 

[Fredman]

Thanks for the reply. That’s interesting. Everything I have read about this system, sans down pipes or any other mods is it is supposed to sound mellow (as compared to many other systems). I’m glad to hear you concur with my thoughts though. I should stop the pain right now!

I hope you have a great fourth!

 

[Aarvix]

Take a deep breath.

Sounds like you're having some buyer's remorse without actually knowing whether you don't like it?
Are there any stingers in your area that have MBRP you might be able to audition? Exhaust is really subjective and people have different expectations/likes/tolerance for drone. It sounds like you don't really want much noise, so maybe the Stillen or Quicksilver would be a better fit.

I love the MBRP sound at WOT, but the tradeoff is a noticeable resonance (drone) under medium engine load, especially around 2200rpm. It's not too bad, but I'm still considering fabbing up some J-tubes to maybe tune it out. You're definitely gonna want tips.
Any sporty exhaust is going to be louder in the cabin, especially in a hatch like the stinger. If you want a quiet cruiser with growl-on-demand, an EVC exhaust is probably the best answer ($$$).

I would not sweat the install. It's super easy and the hardware/clamps are included (unlike my QS midpipes).


ps: I know it's a bit pedantic, but the "aluminum" exhaust is actually aluminized steel (a coating on regular carbon steel). it cheaper than stainless but less corrosion resistant. Install is exactly the same and there is no weight savings.

 

[CKeeler]

I have no other mods but panel filters and a catch can. My MBRP is the perfect sound for me. A nice European sports car sound up past 3k rpm. I don’t think it’s a drone as some people want to call it. It’s just a slight resonance below 2500, unless you are on the throttle, you’ll never notice it. It’s starts to rumble a bit at 75 but no drone.
I had no problem installing mine. The clamps that came in mine were perfectly fine for my install. Just tighten them real tight. Don’t use a 3/8 drive ratchet. Use a 1/2” drive ratchet at least.
This was my video comparing stock exhaust to my MBRP. Love the little turbo purr at idle in gear.

 

[Fredman]

I have no other mods but panel filters and a catch can. My MBRP is the perfect sound for me. A nice European sports car sound up past 3k rpm. I don’t think it’s a drone as some people want to call it. It’s just a slight resonance below 2500, unless you are on the throttle, you’ll never notice it. It’s starts to rumble a bit at 75 but no drone.
I had no problem installing mine. The clamps that came in mine were perfectly fine for my install. Just tighten them real tight. Don’t use a 3/8 drive ratchet. Use a 1/2” drive ratchet at least.
This was my video comparing stock exhaust to my MBRP. Love the little turbo purr at idle in gear.

Did you use additional exhaust tips or is your system just pointing out into the stock exhaust points going out of the back of the car??
This whole exhaust tip thing still has me confused... Doesn’t the car already have stock exhaust tips hanging out the back and why wouldn’t those just simply be used??
Finally, Kia along with different aftermarket systems I have looked at include this Z shaped plate (look at stock muffler in picture) at the end of the system. I wonder why they all use it and MBRP does not. Is it for aesthetics so you cannot see inside/behind exhaust tip or a condensation drip edge?

 

[CKeeler]

I didn’t add anything to negate drone. I imagine those plates are all to help negate drone. If you’re concerned about it get some exhaust wrap and wrap the tips before putting the exhaust on. Cheapest way to get rid of any resonance.

 

[narsnail]

Just take it to an exhaust shop, charged me 150 to put mine on and that's Canada pricing, bet you could have it done cheaper in the states.

 

[SKStinger]

Did you use additional exhaust tips or is your system just pointing out into the stock exhaust points going out of the back of the car??
This whole exhaust tip thing still has me confused... Doesn’t the car already have stock exhaust tips hanging out the back and why wouldn’t those just simply be used??
Finally, Kia along with different aftermarket systems I have looked at include this Z shaped plate (look at stock muffler in picture) at the end of the system. I wonder why they all use it and MBRP does not. Is it for aesthetics so you cannot see inside/behind exhaust tip or a condensation drip edge?

Look under your car from the back. Notice how the stock exhaust tips are not attached to the exhaust? They float inside the tips.

When you put a louder exhaust on the sound resonates under the car rather than out the back because the tips are not connected to the exhaust.

Aftermarket tips fit snuggly to the exhaust and force the exhaust to exit the back of the car so that it doesn’t resonate underneath and cause drone.

 

[Fredman]

Look under your car from the back. Notice how the stock exhaust tips are not attached to the exhaust? They float inside the tips.

When you put a louder exhaust on the sound resonates under the car rather than out the back because the tips are not connected to the exhaust.

Aftermarket tips fit snuggly to the exhaust and force the exhaust to exit the back of the car so that it doesn’t resonate underneath and cause drone.

Makes sense. I am just a little guffawed I bought a model specific exhaust for $1000 and it doesn’t come with exhaust tips. Seems like a really inexpensive part to omit.
Live and learn I guess.

 

[TimT]

Makes sense. I am just a little guffawed I bought a model specific exhaust for $1000 and it doesn’t come with exhaust tips. Seems like a really inexpensive part to omit.
Live and learn I guess.

It does not come with independent exhaust tips because the stock solution has BUMPER TIPS where a seperate Y pipe goes inside them and then has the circle around them to create the visual effect that it can be seen that its not a real tip as well as get rid of a bit of drone.
For drone purposes the best solution is seperate tips (Aliexpress Akrapovic ones are the best looking) and then sound deadening in the trunk. The metal circles around the exhaust pipes actually have very little effect on drone compared to real tips & sound deadening, tested it on my custom solution.

 

[Aarvix]

I for one am glad they didn't weld on a plate like the OEM exhaust. That way I didn't have to cut the damn thing off to install my CF tips.

Fake tips (and entirely fake outlets) are all over new cars these days, changing them is just part of the price you pay to mod a car.

If you want the OEM look just buy some $15 header wrap from O'Reilley's and wrap the pipe to fill the gap (as mentioned above).

 

[SKStinger]

Makes sense. I am just a little guffawed I bought a model specific exhaust for $1000 and it doesn’t come with exhaust tips. Seems like a really inexpensive part to omit.
Live and learn I guess.

None of the aftermarket exhausts for the Stinger come with exhaust tips because the car already has them.

FYI - Even the expensive ($2,500+) EVC systems don't come with tips.

Borla has tips that can be bought in addition to the exhaust that cost $1,000.

 

[Fredman]

Some of the confusion was whether or not the tips are required to be purchased for this kit.
I am fine with the look of my stock tips. I assumed I would be able to just remove old system and install the new, with the new pipes floating within the stock tips and all would be well. Was also getting all this confused with the flat plate that is welded on the stock exhaust pipe ends and whether or not that is even necessary, Impacting drone or just the looks. I think I get it all now.
I’ve changed my mind. I am going to run this system and I am going to approach this all a little more methodically. Nothing good comes easy... Thanks everyone !

 

[87and66]

I installed mine by myself with the back wheels on ramps. The only difficult part was getting everything lined up so that nothing would rattle when driving. But overall, not bad. I have the stock exhaust tips and i have very very little drone. probably not even worth mentioning. Just install it man. I think you'll be happy with the sound and you wont be throwing away a few hundred dollars. If you end up not liking it, post it on the forum classifieds. At least you'll know if you like it or not and wont have to wonder what could have been

 

[Gtecko]

You sure can run the exhaust with the oem tips but be aware that you will hear (feel) some drone sounds ...
as for the flat plate you were referring to, you will reuse that plate

Good on you for keeping it, everyone of us who has that exhaust on the forum loved it !

 

[Avon]

I had to come back to admit I was wrong about the MBRP. I finally did what I said I might and removed the secondaries.

Sounds good. Really good now and haven't even put tips on. (yet)

Glad you kept yours and glad I gave mine yet another try.

 

[Fredman]

I had to come back to admit I was wrong about the MBRP. I finally did what I said I might and removed the secondaries.

Sounds good. Really good now and haven't even put tips on. (yet)

Glad you kept yours and glad I gave mine yet another try.

How are your unused oxygen sensors managed? If I’m not mistaken, the removed secondaries had catalytic converter‘s with oxygen sensors. Just trying to fully understand.

 

[Avon]

How are your unused oxygen sensors managed? If I’m not mistaken, the removed secondaries had catalytic converter‘s with oxygen sensors. Just trying to fully understand.

The two oxygen sensors are on either side of the primary cat and not on the secondary.

 

[Fredman]

Gotcha. Glad I asked. I am really enjoying the new system now!
It’s funny how first time I started up, I thought it was almost bit too loud.
Two weeks later and I can’t get enough. Lol
I priced out some secondaries when I bought my exhaust. I was blown away on pricing - What brand did you use and what was cost if you don’t mind saying?