yeah it's nicer to have the power { with dyno sheets to prove it } when you want it than not have it when you need it , as for durability well 4000 miles the weekend afterr it came out of the box and a year of driving the snot out of it later and no signs of smoke or oil loss yet . All it takes to sound nasty is a missing muffler , maybe you should try a fart pipe and some spinny wheels on your hoopty