Installed RSR 3" turbo back....extremely pleased!

[mc738]

This is a review of the RS*R 3 inch downpipe and 3 inch catback system for 2nd gen AWD DSM's. I know there are some other reviews of this exhaust so I'll try not to repeat the stuff you probably already know, and try to give some comments that you might not have read previously.

First off let me give you a little background on me and why I chose this system. I am somewhat of a half-asser. If I can save a buck by doing or building something myself I will. My previous exhaust was a perfect example of this. I made a turbo back system out of 2.5" mandrel bends I bought from JC Whitney. I topped it off with an OBX universal muffler. This worked ok, but I never did get it to seal up perfectly and it was a tad to loud for my taste. Not to mention the extensive labor I went through to save a few bucks. I was looking for a high quality, quiet as possible, 3" system that was easy to install with minimal/no modifciations needed to bolt the catback to a 3" downpipe. I was close to buying a GReddy Power Extreme, but I hesitated because it appeared that I would have to cut the piping and add a 3" flange to bolt the catback to a 3" downpipe. Luckily I came across the RSR system while searching for quiet exhausts. My RSR experience has made me rethink my half-assing ways.

Build quality: I haven't really seen other sport compact aftermarket exhaust systems up close, so I dont have alot to compare to, but I judge the quality of this system to be excellent. I'm sure it's as good as a GReddy or HKS, but probably better (from what I've read) than a system made by a smaller vendor with less resources for R&D. The fitment was dead on, the welds were impeccable, and the overall product was so beautiful, I wanted to assemble it and hang it on my living room wall.

Measurements: I read some people saying that the RSR was actually a 2.75 inch system rather than 3". So I took some measurements to verify for myself. The inlet of the downpipe inner diameter measured at 2.25". This diameter continues throughout the 90 degree bend at the front of the downpipe and through the flex section at which point it increases to 3". The I.D. of the downpipe outlet was 3". As was inlet and outlets of the rest of the system. The only weird thing diameter wise I saw was one of the resonators in the midpipe seemed to have a smaller than 3" inner diameter. I wonder if this is the 2.75" part because I couldn't find it anywhere else. This part was several inches into the midpipe so I couldn't get my tape measure in there for an accurate reading. You could probably measure it with a telescoping gauge, but I didnt have one and I'm not too concerned about it. While looking inside the piping on the muffler section I noticed that the muffler was not the typical perforated core like I thought was going to be. It is a straight through muffler but there are several inches of the muffler core where there are no perforations. Its got about 6 inches of perforated inner diameter, then it changes to solid pipe, then it changes back to a couple inches of perforated core. Not sure why this is, but I would think it does something. I also remember someone saying that the one downfall to this system was it was a bit on the heavy side, so I weighed the system (on my bathroom scale) to compare to my previous system. The downpipe was 11 lbs., the midpipe was 18 lbs., and the muffler section was 22 lbs. for a total of 51 lbs. My 2.5 inch turbo back weighed in at 40 lbs. I think an 11 lb. increase is acceptable since its mostly 3 inch piping.

Sound: This is the main reason I bought this system. The sound characteristics are about as perfect (for my tastes) as I can reasonably expect from a high flow 3 inch system. My cousin and I went to an empty parking lot and I got out of the car to listen to a drive by. He drove slowly in 1st gear at about 2000 rpm then floored to redline as he passed me. My first impression was it was louder than I expected from the reviews I've read, but then I remembered this was without a cat, however it was not annoyingly loud. In non-technical, somewhat poetic terms I would say that it sounds very authoritative and mean, much like a V-8 Mustang with an X-pipe and flowmasters. I'm NOT saying that it sounds like a Mustang, it just has that type of attention grabbing, "What the f*ck was that?!!" sound that any auto enthusiast can appreciate. It lacks the slight sharpness and buzzy sound my old system had a WOT. At idle and cruise, even on the highway, it is barely noticeable which is exactly what I wanted. The overall reduction in exhaust noise makes it easier to hear the turbo spool up which is a nice bonus.

Price/Purchasing: I got this system from turboimport.com at the recommendation of other DSMTalk members. Already knowing the features and characteristics for other posts, when I saw the prices, I immediately placed my order. I got a complete 3", high quality turbo-back for pretty much the same price at a GReddy catback.

Last Impressions: If you find that you are reaching that age/time in life where you want something a little nicer, a little more refined, and you're able to spend a little more to get it, then you will love this system.

[Brett95GST]

Nice review man...I had thought of ordering this, but instead I got a REALLY good deal on an Apex'i N1 Turbo-back exhaust so I picked that up instead. Do you have any pictures of this exhaust on your car (maybe even underside pics too). Again, nice, thorough review

[truwarrior22]

Man I can't wait to bolt mine on now How much longer until spring??? I wonder if the GST one will sound any different because of the extra bends. Got any exhaust sound samples? email me one at truwarrior22@hotmail.com if u do

[GizmoGST]

I just got my rsr turboback for fwd installed yesterday. It has a real nice tone. Not loud or suspicious.... It sounds mean at wot. Sleeper look.... perfect exhaust for cali.

[mc738]

Brett95GST, I'm sorry I dont have any pics, or even a digital camera for that matter. I think I might be a little embarrassed to show you underside pics (due to my oil leaks- remember what I said about half-assing? - I should've just paid the extra
do-re-mi-frogskins for the turbo install kit!)

truwarrior22, I don't have any audio samples, but since the install I've done a some WOT runs for a couple people, and they say it sounds like the green eclipse from the fast and the furious. I personally didnt get that impression, but it sounds somewhat different/quieter from the inside. I think I can say that you would only get that sound at WOT though. Remember after Brian did his 140 MPH spinout at parking lot test and tune, and after he said "$hit!" and then slowly drove away. Remember how loud the exhaust seemed (especially on surround sound) at that relatively low rpm range/load level? I am confident that the RSR doesnt sound like that when you are slowly pulling away. Part throttle driving is quite pleasant.

Other people's comments so far:

Sound testing

Me: How does it sound?
Friend #1: Oh...pretty much badass.

Me: What's up Greg?
Old Fart I work with #1: "I heard your new 'Blooey-pipe' when you were leaving for lunch today. You get those 'Mexican shocks' on yet? (Refering to the coilovers I've had for a year and havent installed)

Looks testing

Me: (Not saying anything as we walk towards the car)
Friend #2: (Walking behind the car, spots the muffler/tip) "That is the shit!"

GizmoGST, does the fwd version have a smaller tip. I saw some pictures of an RSR installed and I remember thinking it looked very stock, but my (AWD) tip was bigger (not so stock) than I had envisioned. Later I thought that the pic I saw might have been on a FWD.

[LaNg Jii]

Originally posted by mc738

Last Impressions: If you find that you are reaching that age/time in life where you want something a little nicer, a little more refined, and you're able to spend a little more to get it, then you will love this system.

My thoughts exactly.

[evoir]

if I recall the AWD were 80mm and the FWD were 70mm

[Turbo96Eclipse]

i recently installed the RSR 70mm turboback on my 96 GST and i think its gains are great but here in michigan cops dont care about noise so i wish it were a little louder. Its got a great tone dont get me wrong but im in the phase you older folks like to call "young & stupid" i guess. Great exhaust overall. just like the others said, perfects welds and craftmenship. Nice sleeper exhaust

[Maximuscr31]

where did you find the rsr for sale.I have been searching the net and haven't found it anywhere.They say it can't be shipped in from Japan anymore

[harry99GSX]

Originally posted by Maximuscr31
where did you find the rsr for sale.I have been searching the net and haven't found it anywhere.They say it can't be shipped in from Japan anymore

http://turboimport.com/ They have them.

[KILURV8]

Originally posted by GizmoGST
I just got my rsr turboback for fwd installed yesterday. It has a real nice tone. Not loud or suspicious.... It sounds mean at wot. Sleeper look.... perfect exhaust for cali.

You must have one with a different tip than me because I have a 5 1/2 inch RSR tip on my exhaust. I love it an wouldn't trade it for anything. Nice and quiet and really scares the shit out of V8 guys when I blow by them at the track =)

[GSXSTAC]

i first had the rsr with the 3.5 inch tip and got rid of it because it wasnt loud enough for me. i then had the apexi n1 system (both systems were without a cat) i loved the n1 syste, but it was getting me pulled over all the time so i recently bought rsr again brand new with the 5.25 inch tip this time. i got it for 440 shipped to my door. the first time i got it for 390 shipped to my door, both times brand new from turboimport.com the guy there is great and he shipped fast both times. he even gave me a discount the second time i bought exhaust from him considering the fact i bought the last 5.25 tip exhaust he had. i've also had atr, greddy pe and my gf has greddy evo on her car. the rsr has a great sound that still sounds professional much like a porsche. my gf's car also has a deep throaty sound and if they made the greddy evo for the awd i prob would have bought that but i like my quiet rsr. but 2g fwd owners, i suggest the greddy evo, true 3" system and sounds awesome