Mac cat back

stangman11

stangman11

Member
Feb 27, 2006
220
3
19
New Jersey
#1
Hey guys,
Ok well I have my 2000 GT vert, its my third of all the mustangs I have owned but the only one I have ever bought that was BONE STOCK so I am starting with a blank canvas. My main next step is actually opening up that restricted exhaust that ford puts on them from the factory so I can actually hear the exhaust note.

But here lies my deilema.......I know I am going to end up getting a MAC exhaust, that is all I have ever run and I love the sound but, is it really worth it to buy the whole cat back really just for the bigger piping and tips? Or can I just get the same great sound out of welding in some flow paths and keeping my originial ford piping, completeing my exhaust for half the cost of buying an entire cat back.

I dunno guys I have been back and forth about what to do for the past month I need insight give me some feedback

Thanks
 
#2
For what you will pay to have a welder cut off your old exhaust
and weld up a new exhaust you mite as well just purchase the
entire catback exhaust kit and save yourself alittle time and money.
Why do you want a Mac catback exhaust so bad?
Why chambered mufflers?
 
#3
MAC is pretty sweet sounding on my buddys 03 terminator. ive got flowmaster 60 series on mine with an H pipe and when im next to his i cant even hear my car its like im driving a prius lol.
 
#5
I had my old Dronemasters chopped off and a pair of MAC Flowpaths welded-in for $150 including mufflers.

Pretty big difference considering that the MAC catback alone (before install) is $350+!
 
#12
I'm running a stainless mac catback w/mrt h pipe and I love the sound. To answer your question I would spend the extra for the catback if your still running a 10 year old stock system.
 
#13
Well I can tell you exactly what you want to know here since I have Never bought a catback and have always ran weld-ins.

IMO Catbacks are a waste of money. Plain and simple (unless you're getting a 3"). Some people will disagree with me im sure, but i speak from experience and a lot of research. Take it or leave it. All you're paying for is the sound and a nice looking set of tips.

I have Mac flowpath weld-ins and slp tips welded into the stock catback. It sounds the same as the catback would and i spent half of what a new catback would cost. Yes, buying the whole catback is more convenient but if your a budget minded enthusiast looking for the best bang for your buck don't waste your money.

I think i payed 80$ for the mufflers, had them welded in for 50$; spend the same on the exhaust tips. So i guess all in all i spend about about 200-225$ plus i have the SLP tips which are waaay cooler than the mac tips.

And i can testify that you don't need a new catback to make good hp numbers. Like i said i am still running the stock catback with an o/r h pipe and longtubes and i dynoed at 428hp (which are dang good numbers for my mods IMO)...now, sometime in the future i may upgrade to a 3" catback and im sure ill gain a few hp there, but, all in all, upgrading to a 2.5" catback for the money you will spend is just not worth it when you can just weld in a new set of mufflers and get the sound you want plus the same hp (minus maybe .5 - 1hp) for way less money.
 
#15
Icemanstang said:
For what you will pay to have a welder cut off your old exhaust
and weld up a new exhaust you mite as well just purchase the
entire catback exhaust kit and save yourself alittle time and money.
Why do you want a Mac catback exhaust so bad?
Why chambered mufflers?
Click to expand...

There is a thread around here somewhere comparing the different aftermarket mufflers and the respective cfm's they flow and to a lot of people's surprise (including me) the Mac mufflers came in second, in over-all flow. So, just because its a chambered muffler does Not mean it doesn't flow well.

Oh and a decent welder isn't going to charge more than 30-50$ to weld in a new set of mufflers...unless they are crooked and or suck at their job.
 
#18
deftsound said:
There is a thread around here somewhere comparing the different aftermarket mufflers and the respective cfm's they flow and to a lot of people's surprise (including me) the Mac mufflers came in second, in over-all flow. So, just because its a chambered muffler does Not mean it doesn't flow well.

Oh and a decent welder isn't going to charge more than 30-50$ to weld in a new set of mufflers...unless they are crooked and or suck at their job.
Click to expand...
I don't think the Mac mufflers are that bad.I know people buy chambered
mufflers for sound though.Straight through designed mufflers or straight pipes
flow better than chambered mufflers do.If you do buy a Mac catback definitley get the coated version.I have seen one of my friends how bought
the non-coated version of the Mac catback.After being exposed to the brutal
and harsh winters here in Pennsylvania for a few years the casing of one of the mufflers had a hole rusted/corroded right through one of his Mac mufflers from the road salt and moister/oxidation.
The welders in my area have a flat fee of $80 per. hour to weld up a exhaust system for someone.This would be a excuse to just buy a full catback and
end it. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Need MIL Eliminators?
Replies
3
Views
190
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
GOvert
G
L
Is catback worth it over axle backs?
Replies
2
Views
700
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
89ripper
89ripper
PonyGTrider
Resolved Three way cat converters..?
Replies
7
Views
271
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
PonyGTrider
PonyGTrider
C
Exhaust 4 Cats required for smog in California?
Replies
11
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Scottyding73
S
keel
Exhaust Exhaust resonance
Replies
10
Views
215
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
keel
keel
Top Bottom
Back
Forums
Menu