Well I'm probably one few who has owned multiple cat back systems for my 2001 Tundra. The first was the Bassani Split Side with the cross over muffler. I got right when it was released. It sounded okay, but was a little TOO loud. The quality was good, but it was just annoying.
Sold it and bought the TRD system. The TRD system was built very well, and sounded okay. But I went from loud and beefy to pretty mild. But it wasn't annoying, had no drone, and looked good so I was happy.
Then I happened on a low mile used Borla Split Rear, with the Rolled Stainless tips (not the Phantom tips). I decided to buy it and replace my TRD system since I could hardly hear it after doing all of the sound deadening in my truck.
So a few days ago I went ahead and installed the Borla. I will say the TRD and the Bassani had better build quality than the Borla. I'm not a big fan of slip joints, and the Borla has 4 of them. Since the system was used it wasn't just slip and slide of the pipes, so it took me about 3 hours to get it installed and adjusted. Also the rolled tips look okay, but look a tad big to me. I think it will grow on me, but the TRD has the nicest looking tips IMO.
But when it comes to sound, man the Borla is the best. It sounds very nice. Start the truck and there is a nice rumble. To put it this way, I just spent around $2k on a new stereo system and it hasn't got much use since I got the Borla on! It's music enough to my ears. Not too loud, not too weak. Sounds mean when you get on it, but it's not annoying to me, and I'm sure the sound deadening has something to do with that.
But if I were out shopping for a Catback again, it would be:
1. Borla
2. TRD
3. Bassani with a resonator installed!!
I'm currently stock exhaust,removed my Borla split-side. I found a used Bassani duals with both side and rear tailpipes/tips included,the price was so good I bought it.
I agree with Unix about Borla vs. Bassani quality. The Bassani is built a little better,but that shouldn't turn any potential buyers off since Borla has a basically lifetime warranty. I also agree with TRD having the best looking tips of the three. Besides the price,the biggest reason I bough the Bassani was to eliminate the crimped-up OEM y-pipe. At that time JBA hadn't released the high-flow Y-pipe,so if I hadn't found the Bassani I'd be using my Borla with the new JBA Y-pipe.
Sound-wise,I prefer the Borla over TRD hands-down. I hope the Bassani sounds just as good or better (louder is fine with me,hope not extremely loud).
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Originally posted by EdJadeSR5Tundra Sound-wise,I prefer the Borla over TRD hands-down. I hope the Bassani sounds just as good or better (louder is fine with me,hope not extremely loud).
I don't think you'll be dissapointed by it being too loud. I've been drowned out many-a-times by other trucks at stop lights......
I installed the Borla dual rear split and love it. Could not ask for better sound. It definently gets the attention of the big 3 truck owners. Combined with the K&N intake I have gained 1 m.p.g. also.
One good reason not to run duals is because it looks tacky, especially when it exits out the back.
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Originally posted by Verndog I'm thinking of running true dual all the way back on my 2003 TRD. Can anyone give me a good reason not to, and go for the 2-1-2 stock option?
Kevin
Welcome to TS.com Kevin. Do a search on "Duals" and you'll get plenty of reading material. Personally, I like the duals to come out behind the rear tires rather than out the back but it's all personal preference. Also, some will say that with duals, you will lose low end power. Do some reading and let us know if you have any other questions. Again, welcome. Boone
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Bassani, Borla, TRD - I've had 'em all...
Borla
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