Sub'd. I'm in the market for exhaust, as well. Are there any performance differences? Can you swap out the mid-muff for an x-pipe.
Sorry, not trying to hijack your thread.
I have the Solo mach shorty balanced. Would go unbalanced if I did it over again b/c the balanced isn't overly loud, even w/ the Kooks headers. But I love loudness so it's hard to annoy me.
Had the unbalbanced and still wasn't loud enough for me even with Kooks mid length. Although, I am the minority on how loud the unbalanced is. Exhaust is all in the ears of the beholder. Goodluck with your choice
I have the Mach shorty w/high flow cats and I love the way it woke up the car! My butt dyno definitely notices a difference. With the radio off, I'd almost swear that I can actually HEAR the air going through the exhaust now! And it's not a leak, already had it checked by 2 different shops. I went unbalanced because I like the sound of the exhaust on the car & think Solo makes it sound like it should have new ... IMO obviously. It's cold & snowy here today, but I'll try to make a vid with my iPhone later this week to post up here.
The Mach Shorty is outstanding...get lots of compliments from car folks on the sound...cant speak for the unbalanced though...however no doubt both are fantastic choices.
I have the Mach shorty unbalanced on my gxp. When I called solo to ask questions about unbalanced vs balanced they told me the sound volume is about the same between the two with the unbalanced being a little noisier of the two. The difference between the exhausts was that the balanced would help with the sound when the motor transitioned between 8 cylinders and 4 cylinders. The balanced would smooth the sound out better than the unbalanced. If you're going to tune out AFM I can't see there being much detectable sound difference between the two.
I've hear the Unbalanced system in person with Solo HFC's on a GXP. It sounds great at WOT and is subtle at idle and cruising. Not as loud as my set up, so if I am a 10 your looking at about a 6-7 with just the exhaust, HFC's +1.5.
I have the unbalanced shorty paired up with pacesetter longtubes,and everyone tells me it's pretty loud..IMO it's not loud enough cold start is pretty fun though! On a serious note the unbalanced will give you a more choppy sound,almost as if you can hear each side of the motor...balanced will even it out
Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the Mach Shorty the loud system that Solo makes?
I have the Mach Shorty on my G8 (after calling Solo and saying to send me the loudest system lol) with HFC's and I love the sound! I personally don't think it is loud enough, but I also have never heard my car at WOT while not in the drivers seat, but from inside it sounds awesome!
I have had many people I know say that the exhaust is very loud though lol.
I guess most of the info here has already been raised ... but I'll add that the unbalanced verses balanced is a sound pulse pattern issue (like a cammed car verses a well-mannered car, ever so slight unique bank sound at certain RPM's) ... I far prefer unbalanced and have had that on my car the longest, and I've tried them all.
Sorry I'm late to the party but I was off the grid for a little while there. If anyone is still unsure, ask away and I'll try to give further help. Notice my signature...
Too be honest i would go big or go home. Get the Mach shorty, especially if you are not going to get the HFC's. The Drone is nothing, after reading what i did regarding the noise and then hearing it for myself i couldn't believe they even mentioned it. There really isnt any drone so on that note get the Mach Shorty as it is just a bit louder. And Remember the J pipes in the back really quiet the car down a lot inside. When i got in the car right after they were installed it still wasnt loud enough for me. I Got the Solo HFC's about 6 months later. Hope this helps
Judging by the pics on Solo's website:
1) The balanced has a chrossover/H-pipe.
2) The Shorty has a shorter mid-muffler.
3) Didn't see an "unbalanced" set-up, but I assume it's the one without a crossover/H-pipe.
4) Is there an X-pipe that takes the place of the mid-muff? Be it with or without headers. I hear of a lot of folks eliminating the mid-muff.
If I could come out cheaper buying an X-pipe and axle-backs, that would be nice.
I love my exhaust set up (see signature.) Very tame while cruising, and very aggressive when on the throttle. I've also heard the car drive from a different vehicle and you can tell it's got something going on lol. Turns a lot of heads and I get a lot of compliments.
The key is to mate either system (balanced or unbalanced) to a pair of longtubes. Best sound and performance for sure.
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