E3 Senator Cat back

[BigFella]

Its been 10 years since my last Ls commodore.
Love the E3 Senator just need to have some V8 Rumble. Its got enough power for what i use it for and not after power.

Ive narrowed it down to 2 systems:

1/ Xforce 2.5" mild steel. Reviews say the sound is good but some say build quality isnt that good. It is one of the cheaper ones after all so it is what it is. approx $800 + fitting

2/ Manta 2.5"mild steel. only read good things approx $1200 + fitting.

I just want a good meaty sound thats not super loud as i see clients in the car all the time, i doubt they will drone only being 2.5"
Thats why im not sure if i can justify the extra for the manta, but saying that im happy to consider and listen to what you guys think.

Cheers Jimmy

[white lie]

Manta hands down.

[Wonky]

Make sure you listen to the XForce on an identical car to yours eg exactly the same headers and cats, stock cam (assuming that's what you have) and VE V8. Headers, exhaust, cats, cam can all change the sound and mislead you.

Xforce systems have a distinct sound which some people love but others hate. They're typically lots of volume but no "class" (if you listen to a DiFilippo or KPM system they have class). XForce tend to be raspy and hollow sounding IMO. I can't really speak on Manta.

[whitels1ss]

Hey Jimmy, good to see you back
Still selling new Hondas?

What have you bought mate?

[Micks]

Depends on your budget but a Manta would be the way to go.

[BigFella]

Hey Jimmy, good to see you back
Still selling new Hondas?

What have you bought mate?

haha hello mate! Its been a looooong time!

I left Honda many years ago and went to BMW for a few years. Got over driving BMWs and got my self a 2014 Ford Ranger XLT to drive to work. sold that and got out of cars and now i find myself in an E3 Senator. I miss my ranger to be honest but made some $$ on it when I sold it.
Good to be back in an old V8 though.

Just E3 senator alto grey with 20" wheels haha that looks like my car.
Not worth a pic

[whitels1ss]

haha hello mate! Its been a looooong time!

I left Honda many years ago and went to BMW for a few years. Got over driving BMWs and got my self a 2014 Ford Ranger XLT to drive to work. sold that and got out of cars and now i find myself in an E3 Senator. I miss my ranger to be honest but made some $$ on it when I sold it.
Good to be back in an old V8 though.

Just E3 senator alto grey with 20" wheels haha that looks like my car.
Not worth a pic

Sounds nice.
Gotta love the Senators

[Thunder]

Dual 3" is the best size for performance, better sound and drones less.

[BigFella]

i though 3"would drone more than 2.5"??

[Thunder]

i though 3"would drone more than 2.5"??

When the VE was released and we did 3 weeks of testing on the same vehicle. We made the same designed system in both 2.5" and 3" and found the 3" droned less, had better power and better sound, so we standardised and did our R&D on 3" systems. The 2.5" system was lucky to make 6rwkw and the 3" made between 14rwkw and 20rwkw.

If you ask for "no drone", in most cases you will be sold an "Off the Shelf" dual 2.5" system or a system where the rear muffler has 2 outlets but only one outlet is straight through. Others believe the restrictive systems will drone less. If it still drones, they have no solution for you.

[BigFella]

so would say a 3"manta cat back is not the best option for me being off the shelf?
I have no idea so any feedback and experience is good!

[Micks]

so would say a 3"manta cat back is not the best option for me being off the shelf?
I have no idea so any feedback and experience is good!

If you can spare the time go & visit shops with similar zorsts otherwise as many have found can be trial & error. I unlike many have XForce & very happy with them on my older 5.7 & my other VZ 6L, though some say the VE platform is very different!! I can't advise as our My10 Calais V 6L is still running oem & the new VF 6.2L ute I got last week is on oem too albeit Bi-modal.

[Smashfist]

If you're buying Manta then buy locally where you can deal with someone face to face. I bought from a guy on another forum, it turned up 2 months later after I harassed the shit out of him, it turned up damaged and I had to get it repaired myself.

Decent system but no support from the vendor or from Manta themselves (who think wrapping something in plastic and throwing it on a courier counts as packing).

[white lie]

If you're buying Manta then buy locally where you can deal with someone face to face. I bought from a guy on another forum, it turned up 2 months later after I harassed the shit out of him, it turned up damaged and I had to get it repaired myself.

Decent system but no support from the vendor or from Manta themselves (who think wrapping something in plastic and throwing it on a courier counts as packing).

I dare say you'd get better product support buying from Manta direct. I know a lot of people interstate that have purchased direct from them and rate their service as second to none.

[Thunder]

so would say a 3"manta cat back is not the best option for me being off the shelf?
I have no idea so any feedback and experience is good!

We don't see many Manta systems, so I can't comment.
Some shops will tell you anything to get your money, and then if it drones they wipe their hands of you.
Try to find someone else who has the same type of car with a system they like and go for a drive with them.
ie If yours is auto, make sure you go in an auto. If yours is AFM, make sure the car you go in has AFM. Make sure the diff gears are the same as well - Holden & HSV are different.
Everyone's taste in sound, and tolerance for drone is different, so it pays to do your homework.