Sponsored

TRD Pro exhaust - better performance or just sound?

4Runner4Fun

TRD Pro
Active member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Mar 11, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
42
Reaction score
44
Location
Michigan
Vehicle(s)
2018 Toyota Highlander, previously 2002 4Runner
I'm getting the AWE OFG exhaust soon (installing this week) to replace my TRD Pro exhaust. The TRD Pro exhaust sounds good except for the droning which, like some others, I dislike.
 

3rdRunner

Trailhunter
Active member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Jan 13, 2026
Threads
2
Messages
29
Reaction score
21
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Trailhunter
I'm getting the AWE OFG exhaust soon (installing this week) to replace my TRD Pro exhaust. The TRD Pro exhaust sounds good except for the droning which, like some others, I dislike.
Just a heads up- I installed the AWE OFG on my Trailhunter. Drone is not going to be an issue but there is a substantial resonance between 1500-2000 RPM in higher gears (8) when under load. AWE asks for a 800-1000 mile break-in to modulate. I completed 2000 miles this weekend and while I agree the overall tone modulated, this band of resonance has not improved and if anything is more pronounced.
 

4Runner4Fun

TRD Pro
Active member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Mar 11, 2025
Threads
1
Messages
42
Reaction score
44
Location
Michigan
Vehicle(s)
2018 Toyota Highlander, previously 2002 4Runner
Just a heads up- I installed the AWE OFG on my Trailhunter. Drone is not going to be an issue but there is a substantial resonance between 1500-2000 RPM in higher gears (8) when under load. AWE asks for a 800-1000 mile break-in to modulate. I completed 2000 miles this weekend and while I agree the overall tone modulated, this band of resonance has not improved and if anything is more pronounced.
Thanks for the head's up. What do you mean by resonance? And you say it's under load in a higher gear. So it's not an issue under "normal" driving? I don't drive hard so hopefully the AWE is an improvement for me. The Pro exhaust droning around 40-60mph at low RPM/minimal acceleration is what is bothering me and I'm hope to get rid of that. Thanks.
 

3rdRunner

Trailhunter
Active member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Jan 13, 2026
Threads
2
Messages
29
Reaction score
21
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
Trailhunter
Thanks for the head's up. What do you mean by resonance? And you say it's under load in a higher gear. So it's not an issue under "normal" driving? I don't drive hard so hopefully the AWE is an improvement for me. The Pro exhaust droning around 40-60mph at low RPM/minimal acceleration is what is bothering me and I'm hope to get rid of that. Thanks.
So I consider droning as a waa-waa-waa low frequency noise similar to that produced by unsynchronized props on a multi-engine aircraft - (I used to be a multi-engine flight instructor for the Navy). This is a loud, constant, low frequency noise that gets louder as the load increases until the vehicle selects a lower gear. Similar to an engine bogging until you downshift with a manual. Some folks have described it as ac”rumble” on-line. I wasn’t aware until after I installed and noticed that if I was driving in high gear (8), with a constant speed say 60 MPH, and a RPM in the 1500-2000 range the exhaust note was loud but not unreasonable. As soon as I would hit an incline in the road that required additional power to maintain the same speed, the note becomes much more pronounced until eventually the vehicle downshifts. Also, I would be very careful with installation and make sure that the exhaust doesn’t contact any part of the frame, any component (gas tank @the crossover) or even the rubber grommets on the hangers. This will transmit engine vibration to the cab.
Sponsored

 
 







Top