Rogue Engineering Diablo Exhaust

[nmulax]

After all the issues with my car, it's finally back home; sporting a new exhaust system, and a minor mod.

The exhaust went on yesterday morning, so I've only put about 80 miles on it.
* For comparison, my RPI writeup can be found here.

Fit/Finish:
Seems fine. I had the system delivered to the body shop and didn't see it till it was installed on the car.
Didn't hear any complaints about fitment from the shop.

Looks:
I loved the tip style on my RPI system, so I was seriously concerned that the RE would look plain to me. Not so... sure it's 4 equal size tips, but it's noticably different then stock, and the new tip design that RE went with looks great!

Like the RPI, the Diablo also eliminates the sagging-balls look of the stock mufflers. From 5" off the ground, it may hang a bit, but it's definitely less then stock; and lets be honest, who's down low enough to see that when behind you?

Sound:
It's nowhere near the level of drone that the RPI is, but that's not to say it's quiet. IMO, this is the perfect level... just enough noise to let you know something's there when cruising at a constant RPM; then under acceleration it really opens up. Kind of a 3/4 RPI level. It still turned heads everywhere I went this morning!
I do miss the immediate pops/burbles every time you let off the throttle with the RPI; but this system has it's own charm, and I think in the long-run I'll be much happier with the Rouge Engineering Diablo.


Bonus:
Since the car was already in the shop, I decided to have the exhaust ceramic-coated in black prior to install. It's a nice change from all the polished tips out there – Never again have to polish the exhuast when detailing! It hides the exhaust canisters from being seen dipping below the bumper, and IMO it gives it a extremely purpose-full look. As if to say "I'm here to perform... f*ck looking pretty".


* For those of you wanting to do this, there's a difference between powder-coating and ceramic-coating. Ceramic-coating is specifically designed for hi-temp applications and can withstand up to 2000°F. The downside being that it doesn't offer the color selection of powder. There are hi-temp powders available, but I wanted flat/satin black anyways, so I went ceramic.

I decided to rebadge the car as well. An M car is something special and why hide that? Plus, even if you take the 3 off the panels, there's like 14 other ///M badges... so who are you really hiding it from?
So to keep my with black-out theme, I had the body-shop paint the ///M badge in gloss black. Once I wear through the stock rubber and get new wheels, I will have eliminated all the silver/chrome/polished metal from the car.


--------

Came across a beautiful Ferrari 612 Scaglietti parked on the street, and also saw a red Ferrari 288 GTO as well (didn't get a chance to snag a pic of that one).

[VinnieAces]

Nice look on the satin black!

So do these pop/gurgle at all when you let off the accel?

Also, sorry if i missed this in another thread but why did you decide to switch mufflers?

[mousitch]

Mine pop quite abit since I have no cats.

I glanced at your last photo real quick and was like "when did he get Ferrari wheels?"

[nmulax]

EDIT:
Just went for another drive. Yes, there's plenty of pop/gurgle when you let off the gas. I'll try and get some video clips of this exhaust up.

First this happened, which took out my brand new RPI system. I decided to switch it up and order the Rogue Engineering; and while that was on order, this happened. The Diablo arrived two days before the repairs from the second accident were complete, so timing ended up being perfect.

Originally Posted by mousitch

Mine pop quite abit since I have no cats.

I glanced at your last photo real quick and was like "when did he get Ferrari wheels?"

Hahaha... yeah, the color and general shape are the same!

[Incompatible]

Nice look. Although I prefer the debadged look, using the ///M badges only does have a certain appeal. Did you consider going flat/matte black on the "M" instead of gloss?

[nmulax]

Yeah, I like it debadged as well (how I've been running it for the past 2 years).
I ordered one of the matte black plastic badges from a vendor and wasn't pleased. I thought it looked cheap. Maybe a semi-gloss paint would be a good balance.

[cloud8r]

Love the plates!!!! Exhaust looks great too

[Z4Murder]

very original man. i think it looks good on silver

[crfine88]

Looks really good!

I really like the badge and exhaust in black on SG.
I should send my M badge out to your paint shop, Looks like they nailed it.


BTW: logged 300 miles this weekend, how about you?

[mousitch]

Originally Posted by crfine88

Looks really good!

I really like the badge and exhaust in black on SG.
I should send my M badge out to your paint shop, Looks like they nailed it.


BTW: logged 300 miles this weekend, how about you?

I did around 330. SO sunburnt. Went down parts of old Route 66. Bad ass.

[nmulax]

Thanks for the comments guys!

Originally Posted by crfine88

Looks really good!

I really like the badge and exhaust in black on SG.
I should send my M badge out to your paint shop, Looks like they nailed it.


BTW: logged 300 miles this weekend, how about you?

Haha, yeah I drove just over 300 miles over the weekend. Guess we're making up for all those weeks our cars were off the road!

[inTgr8r]

lovin the ceramic black finish
That would look badass on AW

Do you know how ceramic costs compare to powder?

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by inTgr8r

lovin the ceramic black finish
That would look badass on AW

Do you know how ceramic costs compare to powder?

Yes it would look good on AW

I paid $150 in total.
I think price is about the same between ceramic-coating and powder-coating.

[inTgr8r]

^ thanks.
I think the temperature is low enough at the rear cans that powder should work no problem.
I do have a local ceramic shop though, and if the cost is comparable I might as well go ceramic.

[Ubermensch]

I think this review has sold me on the Diablo. Was leaning towards the RPI, but man I don't think I can deal with earsplitting drone in yet another car...

[nmulax]

Yeah, the Diablo is still far from quiet, but IMO it's a lot more manageable then the RPI. Since I do a lot of freeway driving I wanted to tone down the drone. It's still there, but it's less. The RPI gave me a headache after about 45 minutes.

[Blind32]

I really like the look of your exhaust.

[nmulax]

Originally Posted by Blind32

I really like the look of your exhaust.

Thanks!

I was a bit nervous having it coated before even hearing the exhaust for the first time; and since I hadn't seen anything like it in person yet. Definitely like the way it turned out. IMO it provides a nice aggressive contrast to the SG paint.

[inTgr8r]

Well.... I think the time has come to get this done, I can't resist any longer.
I really have to thank you for being the first to think of the ceramic coating.
The one thing I wasn't crazy about with the RE Diablo was all the polished bling.
This solves that problem in spades. Can't wait

:edit:
Won't be copying your lead after all.
I was ready to order the RE Diablo but got lucky with a deal on another system.
I still like the ceramic idea though