Sluggish after installing Borla S-Type exhaust

So let me start at the beginning. I have a 2019 trd off-road dblcab long-bed. I started my first mod with an airaid CAI. That was a mistake and $500 down the drain. Killed the already bad low end torque. Back to stock. Next I wanted a little sound so I threw on an MBRP catback. Sounded great but because it’s 3” I again killed the low end. Back to stock. $200 down the drain. Next, and I probably should have done this first was update my TSB to 04B33. Then I added the OV tune. Only the stock thx 87 octane. I wouldn’t have been able to do the TSB or OV without the guidance of my taco sensai @tonered. I think at this point the truck felt much better but I had the bug so I kept going. Next I put the TRD intake flow accelerator on my stock box with an AFE drop in and a
HPS-57-1600-BLK intake tube.
The truck still felt pretty good but I still wanted some growl. I opted for the Borla s type catback so I threw that on. Now my truck feels sluggish again like before the update and tune. It shouldn’t considering the Borla is 2.5” but it does. I think that Tacoma’s just run better on the stock exhaust. Or perhaps I’m just going crazy. Any thoughts would be great

 

Crazy isn't a bad place to be.

 

So in your experience from what I said, do you think the Borla could affect all that I did. I mean with the TSB update and OV tune.

 

It’s almost like I lost the tune

 

I honestly don't know. What I do know is that a Borla sounded great on our Saab. And, the butt dyno can lie. A smooth, tuned sound can feel slow. Get out there and do some 0-60s? The Torque app will time you. I'm a bit lazy at the moment, but I have a few vids of 0-60s on my Taco before OVT. I've been meaning to do an after test, but never got around to it.

 

Sounds good. Thanks again for your valued input

 

You're welcome!

 

The tune should adapt though right?

 

Yes. There are no real specifics for intakes / exhausts outside of dyno time. It will take time to adjust.

 

Ok. Thanks again.

 

No problem!

 

I installed Borla s type about a year ago and no complaints whatsoever, love the sound and definitely no power loss.

 

Yea I do love the sound. You said it’s been a year but did you find it really hard to connect at the y pipe. I could barely get it on.

 

I had a local shop install it for 60$. They did have a hard time with one piece as it was a bit out of round, they had to hammer this “cone” looking tool to make it round, don’t think it was the y pipe though.

 

Mine was the same. A few pieces out of round. I got it on though. Thanks for your response

 

On the plus side it only cost you about $1300 to learn what it took Toyota millions to find out

 

So true

 

Just writing an update after trying two aftermarket exhausts. Mind you I have the TSB update and OV tune. First was the MBRP 3” catback. Super easy install, great sound but killed the low end. I expected some since I went up in diameter. Just recently uninstalled the Borla S type. Not so easy to install. The sound was minimal and the performance. Well let’s just say the truck was sluggish and actually felt like it lost power. Bottom line. The stock exhaust is tuned perfectly for the truck. I am back to stock and have two catbacks sitting in the garage, each with less than a month of use. Total of $1000 down the tubes.

 

So amazing how sensitive this motor is to back pressure based on what I am reading. The 2.4L Honda engines love 3in exhausts and see power across the entire curve from them. I’ve seen smaller motors like 1.5L and 1.6L not like anything over 2.25in and 2L not like anything over 2.5in. This a 3.5L I would think it would do fine with 3in. Very interesting!

 

There was a definite increase in torque on the high side with the cheaper 3 inch MBRP but the Borla which is the same as stock diameter was just not impressive at all. No low or high gains. Just a tinny bit of sound. These engines are definitely sensitive to scavenging and back pressure