1. Will these two street sets sound nearly the same? Does the catback (16887) sound any different then axleback (16883) and in what way? Has anyone heard both of them?

2. Which of these two sets has the least amount of drone??

yeah i am researching this too input please

the differance between the two is that the street system with the whole cat back has an extra resonator to keep it quite. If you get the axlebacks then they are the same exact mufflers as the original one.

I got the axle backs and I love them. Theres no drone that would have bugged my wife. I think the sounds is pefect. They took me 20 minutes to install. 2009 G8 Gt panther black new chrome 19" wheels tinted windows and axle back magnaflow system. Love the car. Ive been waiting for Pontiac to make its come back.

I got the axle backs and I love them. Theres no drone that would have bugged my wife. I think the sounds is pefect. They took me 20 minutes to install.

+1. It took me a little longer to install but they sound great. You get a nice, throaty growl in the lower RPM's and a nice sound during WOT. I have only had mine for a little over a week, so I'm not sure if they are fully broken in yet and if the sound will change, but I would definitely recommend them.

This is how the car should have come stock.

+1. It took me a little longer to install but they sound great. You get a nice, throaty growl in the lower RPM's and a nice sound during WOT. I have only had mine for a little over a week, so I'm not sure if they are fully broken in yet and if the sound will change, but I would definitely recommend them.

This is how the car should have come stock.


Is it totally drone free or is it still there but just not too obnoxious? I'm really on the fence between Magnaflow cat back vs. axle back vs. Corsa cat back.

The MF axlebacks sound like the best solution based on installation simplicity and price but the drone has me worried.

Is it totally drone free or is it still there but just not too obnoxious? I'm really on the fence between Magnaflow cat back vs. axle back vs. Corsa cat back.

The MF axlebacks sound like the best solution based on installation simplicity and price but the drone has me worried.

There is a little bit of drone that you will hear somewhere between 1000 and 2000 RPM that if you keep constant light pressure on the accelerator. I'm not sure what the exact definition of drone is, but the "drone" i am describing is basically a constant, loud, single tone in the exhaust note that goes away once you change speeds, stop accelerating, etc. So, in my sense of the word, I would say it is just not obnoxious as opposed to completely drone-free.

You can also hear a faint droning when the AFM kicks in. This is very quiet though, and, at least to me, is not bothersome at all.

I have not yet been on the highway to test drone there, but I imagine it wouldn't change from the drone scenarios I already listed.

I had asked another member, ERIC_GT, on here about the axelback system before I had bought it as well, and he gave me a good piece of info that may help you with noise level questions:
If you listen to XM/Sirius radio in the car, at volume level 15 you faintly hear the exhaust and at 20 you don't even know there is an aftermarket exhaust on it.

Overall, when I purchased this system I was looking for something that is not obnoxious, but something that lets people know we have a V8 in our cars. I can't compare it to the catback system or corsa, but it definitely met and exceeded all my expectations. Hope this helps.

I wish someone in southeastern PA had this system. I would love to hear it in person before I made the plunge.

Go for it. I had the same worries and now that I have it I am totally satisfied. And trust me I was worried about having a bothersome drone.

I'm not sure what the exact definition of drone is, but the "drone" i am describing is basically a constant, loud, single tone in the exhaust note that goes away once you change speeds, stop accelerating, etc.

Thanks, I guess the drone I'm referring to is like an almost absense of "normal" sound. It's more a feeling of fullness in your ears coming from low frequency resonance. When it's bad, it almost feel like you have a bad head cold with stuffed up ears and your head wants to explode.

Do you sense any of this type of sensation with the axlebacks?

Normal RPM induced exhaust sounds can be dealt with. It's this head exploding sound that's unbearable. It's not AFM induced but AFM can change it's characteristics.

Thanks, I guess the drone I'm referring to is like an almost absense of "normal" sound. It's more a feeling of fullness in your ears coming from low frequency resonance. When it's bad, it almost feel like you have a bad head cold with stuffed up ears and your head wants to explode.

Do you sense any of this type of sensation with the axlebacks?

Normal RPM induced exhaust sounds can be dealt with. It's this head exploding sound that's unbearable. It's not AFM induced but AFM can change it's characteristics.

Yeah there is definitely nothing that makes my head feel like it is going to explode. I used to have a 99 Monte Carlo w/ a Flowmaster muffler and on the highway at a steady RPM i would get that feeling in my head.

Also, just a note: if you do decide to buy this system, try Maryland Speed. They had the best price when I searched and I ordered it around 2pm on a Tuesday and it was delivered before 10am on Wednesday. Great price and service.