Celica Forums Install Guides and Technical Articles Engine and Transmission Guides Exhaust, TRD - Review

TRD Exhaust Review
By Jason Bly

Well it's finally that time that we get down to checking out some exhausts. I recently purchased the TRD exhaust from Powerhouse Racing and installed it with relative ease. If you would like to use a guide for assistance on installing your TRD exhaust please print it out here. The install guide will closely match the installations of RMM exhaust system as well as the HKS, Bosal and possibly the 5Zigen Fireball exhaust. But if you can install this one or it seems like this exhaust isnt hard to install then others wont either. And this being an "axle back" exhaust makes it easier than many other vehicles to install!





But lets talk about the TRD exhaust. The sounds coming from this thing is great. Most everyone loves the sound. I thought it was somewhat quiet but after a night of "breaking" it in. It seems the computer must have made some adjustments and as a result has made it seem somewhat louder now than when I first put it on. Which it sounds all but perfect for me. Dont expect to be able to pipe off Mustangs but its audible and nice sounding. The RMM exhaust sounds similar but not quite as good in my opinion. But that depends on your taste.






Quality is what you would expect from TRD. Top notch, full stainless, muffler system and tip are polished to perfection with the TRD logo etched on two sides of the tip. It is very nice to look at. With the 4-inch tip it fills out the notch in the bumper nicely. Just be careful that you have the exhaust mounted in the middle and have the muffler bearing loose enough for plenty of play. That way there is not touching of the tip on the bumper when the exhaust moves around when th motor is under load. If that happens melting will occur, as the tip gets very hot. But all of this is fully explained in the install guide.





You immediately feel the power increase from this exhaust over stock. I remember everyone asking if it felt like you had more power with the RMM Intake when it first came out which most did. With this thing there is no second-guessing. Much more power than from the Intakes so far. You can feel it from 3500 rpms all the way to redline. Hard accelerating feels very immediate once the second set of cam profiles come into play. A LSD would be a great help as you feel the torque steer all the more. As it gets harder to control this beast with the added power.




Like I said earlier this is a breeze to install, and is a good value for the power increase. I would recommend this exhaust to most any that wants a top quality exhaust, good power increase, and a sound thats not raspy sounding at all. Plus if you get it installed at a Toyota dealership you dont need to worry about warranty problems.

Is this TRD exhaust for the GT or GTS?

I think you can get it both ways (at least we can locally). There is a standard exhaust (if you don't do a body kit) and an "extended" exhaust, which you need if you DO do a body kit - that's what I'm told. www.wctoyotasport.com [wctoyotasport.com] shows you both models.

Sounds awesome doesn't it? Can't wait to get mine on!

the trd exhaust sounds great with intake and header. It sounds really nice and really mean.

Jason,
I'm interested in purchasing it for my 2003 Toyota GT. You said that the Toyota dealerships could install the exhaust system for me. Is that right? I live in Hawaii so I'll check with Servco Pacific (authorized Toyota dealers in Hawaii). How much is the TRD Exhaust system?
Thank you,
Larry

can you get the kit without having toyota to install? is there anywhere to buy except through trd? i don't wann deal with dealership expenses

i just bought a trd exhaust, it come in a extended form for the gts action package or regular gts or just gt. shop around on the web i got mine from a trd carrier in texas and had it shipped to california for 576.00 out the door. put it on in about 20 min just put some sope on the rubber mounts and the old one will slip off with ease and if you have air tools like me, well then there ya go. sounds great and is not really annoying like some exhaust can be but when you get on it, it gets loud. the craftmen ship is awsome and i would give it a 10 out of 10.

Just a note for someone inexperienced and putting on any aftermarket cat-back exhaust for the celica...make sure you get new 14mm nuts for it...I walked in thinking i could just use the stock nuts and bolts and realized after i yanked it all out that the stock nuts are welded onto the flange ...oh and WD-40 makes removing the stock exhaust as well as putting the new one in much smoother!

Would you consider this exhaust a good buy for it's bang? Just trying to get a feel of what people think... I'm thinking about buying it, but doing some research on other exhaust systems.

Very big help, thank you

where is the install guide for the TRD exhaust?

whatever happend to the TRD cat-back? (there was one wasn't there, i can't find it any where now) [/color]

Hey i was interested in getting a TRD for my GTS, i was wondering where the cheapest place might be to find one. just hit me up on here, but it would be better for me to get an e-mail. Im not dead set on the TRD, but from what i hear, it's what i want. A sound that isnt so loud and annying, but i still get a nice power gain, i have a cool air intake and i was wondering what i might need to break the 200hp barrior. Thanks, Tyler