ALBA Rhino Exhaust - PRODUCT REVIEW

RHINO EXHAUST KIT

Introduction:

We recently picked up a new exhaust system to test on our Rhino. The previous slip-on exhaust worked out pretty well but became kind of obnoxiously loud over time and didn't provide much of noticeable power gains. With the new aFe intake system I recently installed it was getting to a point were I could barely hear the person next to me talking. I wanted something quieter with more performance gains. We did some research and have been eyeballing the ALBA kit at the events. The ALBA pipe has a reputable name and has been used on so many desert and MX Rhino's its a proven system. In addition the kit provides a low decibel throaty sound just a few db louder than stock. See the sound clip below

The ALBA Kit

Continued...

Another reason we wanted to test the ALBA system is the power gains. The ALBA system averages 3-6hp over the stock system depending on your current mod list. (see dyno graph on right)

With a combination larger diameter stainless steel header along with ALBA's unique exhaust design flowing through a hushpower muffler provides a noticeable power gain through the entire power curve. The one thing I especially liked about the ALBA kit besides the power was the no maintenance hushpower automotive muffler that will never need re-packing unlike all the other exhausts on the market. Our last pipe required a re-pack every 20-hours of ride time. They weren't kidding either, the previous exhaust continued to get louder in just a few rides. With the ALBA system I ran it hard over and over again with no change in sound level or performance. That's what im talking about! With all my "toys" I maintain already, messing with exhaust packing that often is a waste of time and money. See page 2 for the articles conclusion, more pictures and a sound clip.

Testing:
The installation was much easier this time around. The first exhaust we did took about twice as long as it should have fighting with the stock muffler that must have been strategically installed from the factory. None the less the ALBA kit was a breeze to install. I like how there were 4 sections to the kit so installing them one at a time made it easier to handle. The header went in and was torqued to spec's. Next just piecing the kit together all the way out. Total installation time took about 40 minutes including removing the old system.

:: More Installation Pictures






ALBA Kit Tested - Price: $649.99 Dyno Proven Results: (Dyno results provided by ALBA's website) Comment on this article below - not registered?

Dyno Proven Results!

Evaluation:
After installing the exhaust I was very curious to see how it sounded. Like I mentioned before the old slip-on exhaust was so loud and I was just hoping this ALBA system would be as quiet as everyone had talked about. The results were a deeper throaty sounding exhaust with just a little more sound than stock at idle. It did give a little more rumble as the rpm's increased but far quieter than any other system i've heard. Some of that noise is blended with the large intake kit. To give you an example it was comparable to to removing the tip on the stock system but just deeper and meaner sounding.

Sound Clip!