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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Catback or Mufflers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dominus_Servi
  • Start date Start date May 6, 2004

Dominus_Servi

New Member
Apr 28, 2003
240
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0
San Diego, CA
May 6, 2004
#1
  • May 6, 2004
  • #1
I was wondering which is better as far as the cost/performance aspect. Ive heard that the catback systems do little to enhance the performance of N/A stangs. I would like to gain some performance but not if it is too minimal. I dont have that much mod money so I was thinking of purchasing some dual chamber mufflers instead...so I'd at least get the deeper rumble.

Opions?

Also, what are the best mufflers to buy?
 

Beau

Founding Member
Jan 29, 2000
3,050
0
0
San Diego
May 6, 2004
#2
  • May 6, 2004
  • #2
well if you wanna save some cash, go ahead and get welded in mufflers...if you want the whole system with bigger tubes and cool tips, thats where the catback comes in handy

check out www.mustangexhaust.com to hear a ton of combinations
 

StangLou

Active Member
Jul 9, 2003
1,264
0
36
Holly Springs, NC
May 6, 2004
#3
  • May 6, 2004
  • #3
A catback can give you an all around bigger exit if you get a 3" kit, but since the rest of your exhaust will be stock diameter, its pretty much pointless. A lot of people also get them for looks as stated above. I simply went with welding them in. Saved me a lot of money and it sounds just as good imo.
 
D

DrK MrK iV

New Member
Jan 11, 2004
271
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0
Charlotte
May 6, 2004
#4
  • May 6, 2004
  • #4
I like the idea of a catback. Unless you're not too much into performance then go with the weldins. if you plan on getting an Xpipe and headers-then get a catback. IMO SLP's exhaust tips are damn sexy.
 
B

Blue Mach

New Member
Apr 27, 2003
141
0
0
Celina Texas
May 6, 2004
#5
  • May 6, 2004
  • #5
I went with the weld in mufflers. But this was before I planned on buying a X-pipe and now I am thinking about headers. I should have gone with the catback.
 

WhiteDevil69

New Member
Sep 15, 2003
518
0
0
Tucson, AZ
May 6, 2004
#6
  • May 6, 2004
  • #6
Dominus_Servi said:
I was wondering which is better as far as the cost/performance aspect. Ive heard that the catback systems do little to enhance the performance of N/A stangs. I would like to gain some performance but not if it is too minimal. I dont have that much mod money so I was thinking of purchasing some dual chamber mufflers instead...so I'd at least get the deeper rumble.

Opions?

Also, what are the best mufflers to buy?
Click to expand...
Using myself as an example, I got the Magnaflow Catback as my first mod, cost me 320 shipped to my door, installed it myself, spent about another 30 on parts and tools, so for 350 i had the catback in, now that i have LT's on the way and the O/R X-pipe i'm very glad i did, just depends on your goals, i wanted the flow down the road when i get my blower..the sound is the only real gain with just weldins, but thats a huge gain!
 

FR-S8N

Founding Member
May 23, 2002
1,306
0
0
McAllen, tx
May 6, 2004
#7
  • May 6, 2004
  • #7
i have the magnaflow muffler's welded on . i didn't want to spend money on the catback, the mufflers are straight through design anyways.

IM me on aim if you want short video/sound clips.
 

decoy562

New Member
Oct 9, 2003
1,526
0
0
Acworth, GA
May 6, 2004
#8
  • May 6, 2004
  • #8
I got a catback system to have more flow when I get a blower.
 

jeff1414

New Member
Jun 19, 2003
447
0
0
Sacramento
May 6, 2004
#9
  • May 6, 2004
  • #9
I would just get a catback!
 

wms004

Founding Member
Jan 15, 2002
2,864
2
49
Los Angeles
May 6, 2004
#10
  • May 6, 2004
  • #10
DrK MrK iV said:
I like the idea of a catback. Unless you're not too much into performance then go with the weldins. if you plan on getting an Xpipe and headers-then get a catback. IMO SLP's exhaust tips are damn sexy.
Click to expand...
The poster above you has 266rwhp with weld-in mufflers. I'd say he's into performance. catback gives you 2-3 extra hp maybe over weld-ins.

Bottom line if you want the good looks of a catback and have some cash to spend, get it. Its gonna sound about the same.
 
C

cronin49

Banned
Aug 12, 2003
432
1
16
SC
May 6, 2004
#11
  • May 6, 2004
  • #11
I went with the magnaflow x pipe and regular magnaflow catback, 780 bucks shipped, and love it! With my top down the sound is awesome and i can feel the SOTP too.
 
4

4.6modular

New Member
Dec 5, 2003
141
0
0
Springfield, MO
May 6, 2004
#12
  • May 6, 2004
  • #12
It all depends on what route you plan on going with on your car and combination of parts and mods. If you plan on doing a little mod here and there and you are just looking for sound and some minimal performance then I would go the weld-in route. I know from personal experience I went with delta 40 weld-ins cost me 200.00 dollars for the muffs and install. You can get an american thunder catback shipped to you for what about 390.00 roughly and install it yourself in 2-3 hrs. You get the 2.5 in system with 3 in. chrome tips and the do it yourself pride, and maybe about 2-3 more hp/trq. Plus with bigger diameter pipes you get a little louder deeper exhaust tone. And if you plan on finishing off your exhaust you will have 2.5 in exhaust front to back. Not to mention if you do lots of intake mods the exhaust mods make it all perform better i.e., more hp/trq from all your mods together. If you plan on going with a power adder of any type in the future or doing a build up of any type then you will need the full exhaust. Hope that helps.
 
D

DrK MrK iV

New Member
Jan 11, 2004
271
0
0
Charlotte
May 6, 2004
#13
  • May 6, 2004
  • #13
wms004 said:
The poster above you has 266rwhp with weld-in mufflers. I'd say he's into performance. catback gives you 2-3 extra hp maybe over weld-ins.

Bottom line if you want the good looks of a catback and have some cash to spend, get it. Its gonna sound about the same.
Click to expand...

I haven't seen too many 400+ Horsepower mustangs with just weld-in's.
 

StangLou

Active Member
Jul 9, 2003
1,264
0
36
Holly Springs, NC
May 6, 2004
#14
  • May 6, 2004
  • #14
Performance wise you may only see around a 2hp increase TOPS with a catback compared to weld ins. Honestly every little bit helps, but imo it wasnt worth it. Not with a pretty much brand new car anyways. But as the guy who posted post #4 says if your not into performance do weld ins
 

oogtdude

Banned
Jun 9, 2002
1,626
0
0
May 6, 2004
#15
  • May 6, 2004
  • #15
if you got the cash get the catback....stanglou lives on his ss check so...only weld ins where an option
 

StangLou

Active Member
Jul 9, 2003
1,264
0
36
Holly Springs, NC
May 6, 2004
#16
  • May 6, 2004
  • #16
 

wms004

Founding Member
Jan 15, 2002
2,864
2
49
Los Angeles
May 6, 2004
#17
  • May 6, 2004
  • #17
DrK MrK iV said:
I haven't seen too many 400+ Horsepower mustangs with just weld-in's.
Click to expand...
His post said he's staying N/A.
 

dkshadow

Banned
May 12, 2003
952
0
0
TEXAS
May 7, 2004
#18
  • May 7, 2004
  • #18
Im dumping my exhaust so why spend $350-500 on a catback??
 

Dominus_Servi

New Member
Apr 28, 2003
240
0
0
San Diego, CA
May 7, 2004
#19
  • May 7, 2004
  • #19
Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Im still a little divided though I appreciate all the input. Yes, I plan on staying N/A...at least for the next 4 yrs or so eventually however...

4.6modular said:
I know from personal experience I went with delta 40 weld-ins cost me 200.00 dollars for the muffs and install. You can get an american thunder catback shipped to you for what about 390.00 roughly and install it yourself in 2-3 hrs.
Click to expand...
I think I'll probably go with the catback if the cost comparisons above are that close.
 
C

codyGT

New Member
Apr 11, 2004
365
0
0
Nebraska
May 7, 2004
#20
  • May 7, 2004
  • #20
Actually I have seen a test where weld in Magnaflows were compared to a full Flowmaster catback. They both added the same HP.
 
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