Kevin's 2010 Malibu LT

Alright, time for the last update for a long time. Unfortunately, due to complications with work, I will be unable to get the projector headlights done, which means this exhaust is the last update to my car.

I was lucky to get a Black Leather Headrest for free! My dealership has rewards for every purchase made and you get 5% back into a rewards account. I have just enough to get the headrest (~$75) and they're going to install it for free while it's in tomorrow.


So, here are some pictures. I will say that it looks amazing! I also DID notice a sound increase! However, as I state in the video, unless you drive the I4 Malibu everyday, you probably won't hear it. The video below also does NOT do it justice and it is a little deeper than what it sounds like. It's not loud enough for cars passing by to hear it (which is what I wanted), but it's noticeable enough for me to notice it and it makes me happy! I did notice a slight acceleration increase, but it seems to be more increase on the low-end and on the upper-end and not as much in the middle, if that makes sense. As for mpg increase, that remains to be seen, but since I've only had it on for a few hours and have been stepping on it for fun, it's obvious I wouldn't notice. I will say that the Inst. MPG on the DIC was reading approximately 2 (sometimes 1, sometimes 3) above what it's normally at. I know a lot of people swear the Inst on the DIC is nowhere near accurate, but accurate or not, an increase there is an increase in general to some extent. My guess is it will be a 1-2 increase once I start driving highway.


So, here are the pictures and video (video link to youtube at the bottom)!!

Lgndryhr said:

Been looking at your exhaust video. I was wondering if you could do a recording from inside the car. That is if there is any noticeable difference inside the car.

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I can indeed, sorry I didn't see this post sooner. It might be a day or two. Found out today that I will not have a single day off from either work, obligations, or my thesis for the next three to four weeks, but I will certainly do it.

In terms of sound, you likely will not hear it on video. The sound comes from a couple of things, which makes it relatively nice for those of us not trying to turn the car into a ricer:

1. The sound is almost impossible to hear outside. You -can- if you know what it originally sounded like, but it is more like a mellow tone that is just a little lower than the stock.

2. The sound is not aggressive, it only really sounds out during the peak rpm range (for me, it seems to peak at ~3000 rpm). If you floor it 80-90% of the way, you will catch it and hear it. If you stomp on it 100%, you will simply hear the engine cry for the spanking.

3. The sound (believe it or not) seems to resonate a bit around the 800 rpm range and seems to be a little more noticeable when the gas tank is empty. Now, this may seem odd kind of like the debate over how to get a simple K&N drop-in to create a deep sound, but it is indeed there.


All of these things combine to create a more overall slightly deeper tone. I don't mean deep as in six cylinder or eight cylinder deep, I don't mean deep as in aggressive deep, I mean deep as in the tone/note seems to be down a couple of steps.


So, I will certainly repost some videos since the exhaust has now seen over 1000 miles, but just a forewarning, the chances of the video picking it up (at least the means that I have of taking video, my iPhone) is sort of a 50/50 shot.

It's cool man. Take your time. It is whenever is convenient for you. I understand about the being busy part. I work 7 days a week between two jobs and I am a full time college student so I know the feeling.

I am hoping I will hear something in the video. If not oh well, I still thank you for the time spent doing it.

I don't want a loud ricer exhaust on mine. I am looking for a deeper tone or a mellow tone. If I want a loud exhaust then I'll get me a V8 american muscle car. (Wanting that ZL1 Camaro so bad) I might be able to notice the difference if I hear it in person. I've watched you current vids a few times to try to hear. Our cars are lower RPM vehicles so the rpm range sounds about right. So it resonates at idle? Speaking of the K&N filter (off topic I know) do you use one? I've been considering getting one, but most people on here do not recommend them due the oiling required for them. I may just get my car a tune to work with a CAI and fix a few things about the car. You might be surprised how good the iPhone camera is. All of my car videos are shot using it and it picks up a lot of stuff really well. I have the iPhone 4 so I don't know how the 3GS is since my previous phone was the iPhone 3G.