Difference btw axxle-backs and cat-backs

[gotgasracing]

hi guys, im new to this forum and to american muscle cars, i just ordered an 06 manual transmission mustang.... i am seeing at all this aftermarket parts to make my mustang perform better, just came to a dead end.... whats the diference between axle backs and cat backs, which is better, what r the individual caracteristics of each?

 

[Power Surge]

hi guys, im new to this forum and to american muscle cars, i just ordered an 06 manual transmission mustang.... i am seeing at all this aftermarket parts to make my mustang perform better, just came to a dead end.... whats the diference between axle backs and cat backs, which is better, what r the individual caracteristics of each?

It's basically the same thing, it's just called an axle back on the 05 because of how the exhaust is setup.

On a traditional car, you have the cat pipe after the manifolds, which connects to the mufflers under the car, and then that goes to tailpipes out the rear.

On the 05, there's just piping under the car, and the mufflers are behind the rear bumper. So to change the "cat back" is just changing the part after the axle. So it's called an axle back.

Hope this helps.

 

[KrisHorton]

Sal's on the right track, but there is a difference.

I'll use Borla as an example, since that is what my 05 GT has on it. Borla offers an axle-back kit that is a bolt-on that replaces the exhaust behind the axel. The cat-back system includes the pipes that run the length of the car and go over the axles.

There's a pretty good difference in price as well. I'm not sure on the power difference, but I believe that it's not too substantial. I think it's more a case of continuity, keeping the pipes all the same under the car.

Kris

 

[turrizt]

However, there are a couple of companies that do make a true "cat-back" which supply extra piping to go from the cats. I'm not sure if this is that much better than stock, but like you can look at the sales pitch and get their assessment (www.magnaflow.com)

Matter of fact, I like the sound of those magnapacks so much I'm going to buy their catback any day now...

 

[Power Surge]

Well, the factory piping from the cats to the axle is mandrel bent 2.5" right from Ford. So there's really no reason to change it, other than when you add long tube headers (a whole different setup). If companies are making "cat backs" for these cars, and people are buying them, they are getting ripped off IMO.

But yes, there are actual "cat backs" for the 05s as well.

 

[gotgasracing]

thankz guys for all ur help, power surge, now that you've brought it up, whats better, short headers or long headers? i suppose they are both for diferent kind of performance gain...

 

[1ba96gt]

thankz guys for all ur help, power surge, now that you've brought it up, whats better, short headers or long headers? i suppose they are both for diferent kind of performance gain...

LT seem so far to be the better power gains. Shorttubes gain popularity with the 5.0L, but the power gains was never replicated on the modulars. If I was to mess with headers I wouldn't bother unless it was LTs.

 

[gotgasracing]

so im better off with the long tubes?

 

[2L8IWON]

yes, also the LT gives nets you more torque, which is what you need in a modular car anyway.

Good question about the axle and cat back. I wasn't sure if there was a big differance or not. I know that it adds $100 on the Magnaflow kit.

 

[gp001]

Think of it this way:
axleback = mufflers and tips at the very back of the car
Cat back = piping from just under the footwell area all he way back to the mufflers

And I completely agree with Power Surge. You can't ask for a uch better factory setup

Here's a pic

 

[gotgasracing]

thankz alot guys for ur comments, they were really helpful, with this great help i wont hesitate for help in the future