MAC Catback Advice Needed

WhiteCobra95 · May 28, 2008

I’m having second thoughts about the Flowmaster Force II cat-back I recently bought for several reasons, in addition to my previous post regarding the tailpipes. After searching around the net and reading a lot of old posts, I’m considering returning the FM system and going with the MAC all stainless system. (The price is actually pretty reasonable at $450) I have a couple specific questions that are preventing me from making the move.

1) I used to have 2.5” Flowmaster 40’s on my big block car, and they were WAY too loud. I’m afraid the MAC system might be the same way. On nearly stock 302 cobra like mine, would the MAC mufflers be louder than the FM 40’s or Super 40’s?
2) My car already has unequal length BBK shorties and an offroad H-pipe. Do you think this combo with the Mac system is reasonable around ticket happy Michigan cops?
3) How nuts is this combination for someone who still wants to listen to the radio on the highway?

I've listened to a lot of clips and the Mac's don't sound much different than the FM's, but it's hard to judge with cell phone/digital camera audio quality. If I've ever heard one in person, I didn't know it at the time so I don't really have much basis for comparison.

Thanks and I apologize in advance for my obsessing!

hollywoodstang · May 28, 2008

MAC systems are "LOUDER" then flowmasters.

ga94gt · May 28, 2008

I just switched from welded in(2 1/4) flowmasters to MAC (2 1/2) catback last week and so far the MAC is louder but does not drone as bad as the flows did and they are both chambered mufflers.

But I do think the MAC sounds better too. In the sticky above MAC is the loudest next to no mufflers. But my definition of loud may not be yours

fiveoho · May 29, 2008

those guys are right. mac mufflers are louder than the standard 2 chamber flowmasters. the cool thing is, its louder outside but quieter inside

my GF has longtubes, o/r h and full mac catback on her 94. it sounds great. very aggressive

94GTLaserRC · May 29, 2008

fiveoho said:
those guys are right. mac mufflers are louder than the standard 2 chamber flowmasters. the cool thing is, its louder outside but quieter inside

my GF has longtubes, o/r h and full mac catback on her 94. it sounds great. very aggressive

Can you get us a sound clip of that?

Im putting in long tubes and an Off-road H.. Im going to see how it sounds with flows first, then decide if I should change to MAC.

Thanks
RC

WhiteCobra95 · May 29, 2008

Thanks a lot for the feadback. I'll really have to think carefully about this one.

I have one other question which I forgot to add to my original post; Will the Mac system fit a Maximum Motorpsorts Panhard Rod? I might add one in the future, but I know it's really difficult to package along with an aftermarket exhaust system. That was one of the reasonswhy I went with the FM system in the first place since MM says that they use the stock exhaust pipe routing. If you look at the pictures carefully, you can see that the FM system bends outward towards the side of the car like the factory pipes earlier than Bassani or Magnaflow. I can't quite tell how hte Mac system routs based on their photos.

Thanks again for all of the help!

fiveoho · May 29, 2008

94GTLaserRC said:
Can you get us a sound clip of that?

Im putting in long tubes and an Off-road H.. Im going to see how it sounds with flows first, then decide if I should change to MAC.

Thanks
RC

i'll try my best to. sorry in advance if i cant tho

m0l0 · May 29, 2008

On the 95 H/C/I I had the MAC O/R X + MAC catback and daamm it was loud, the sound on a H/C/I is as good as it gets passing 3000+ RPMS @ WOT but be aware of the horrible 2500 rpms Drone on WOT and a little load on the engine

They sound awesome, but on street I would say they get really loud sometimes think about some AM arrivals at your neighborhood they are really a wake alarm for all the ppl

SQUEEZE&STROKE · May 29, 2008

Mac catbacks are loud (like already stated)

Especially with an off road H.

FWIW, I had BBK unequals, off road H, and mac cat back...It was on my HCI 331, and that sucker was pretty load. I drove it on the street frequently, but when I would pass by cops I would put it in neutral and coast by.

94GTLaserRC · May 29, 2008

SQUEEZE&STROKE said:
Mac catbacks are loud (like already stated)

Especially with an off road H.

FWIW, I had BBK unequals, off road H, and mac cat back...It was on my HCI 331, and that sucker was pretty load. I drove it on the street frequently, but when I would pass by cops I would put it in neutral and coast by.

That settles it...NO MAC for me!!

RC

earleys94gt · May 30, 2008

I went from the Force II to the MAC's.

Night and day difference.

The MAC's sounded "smoother", and you could hear my cam better too.

ga94gt · May 30, 2008

earleys94gt said:
I went from the Force II to the MAC's.

Night and day difference.

The MAC's sounded "smoother", and you could hear my cam better too.

Yeah it is a smoother idle and you can hear the cam better. I dont think MACs are loud with an o/r h-pipe but that is just me, I may change my mind once I get the new motor done

Where I live cops dont care at all how loud the cars are I guess that is a small town for you.

Black Stampede · May 30, 2008

I'm in Michigan and I have to say I would never really be worried about being too loud.

WhiteCobra95 · May 30, 2008

Thanks a lot for all of the input. This has been really helpful!

I’m going to try and return the FM system. It arrived with a damaged tail pipe (the stainless section that would be visible from the rear of course) and one of the mufflers is bashed up due to their poor packaging.

Then I’ll place my order for the stainless MAC system sometime soon.

Do any of you know if replacing my BBK off-road H-pipe with the BKK H-pipe with cats will help tone down the volume on the MAC system? My stock mufflers got a lot louder when I yanked the production cats, but that pipe was pretty ugly as far as all of the bends. I’ve debated putting cats back on due to the exhaust HC smell in traffic, this might be the time and reason to finally do it.

ga94gt · May 30, 2008

The cats will tone it down but if I were you i would just wait and see how you like it with the o/r h-pipe. I personally think it will be just right for you but I am bias

MAC Catback Advice Needed

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