Magnaflow Exhaust

[fost9508]

I have a few questions about CAT backs from Magnaflow for an 88 GT 5.0L 5 spd, Mustang. I tried to search forums but I cannot locate the search bar above, dunno why. Anyway I noticed a rebate for the Magnaflow CAT BACKS and was wondering if I could get other peoples opinion about the exhaust system. I would also like to know whether or not any welding is required during the install. I am also open to recommendations for other exhaust systems

Thanks,

 

[cobradvm]

I just installed this catback on my 90GT. The install was pretty easy - no welding required. I used an angle grinder and cut the pipe on the old catback just after the muffler to get it out. That was the easy part. There is no welding needed to install it - there ae brackets that hold it all together, but you could weld it after you have it on for a while if you knew it was never coming off. On the driver side I had to bend a flange on the fuel tank out of the way a little. The hardest part was getting the rubber hangers to slide onto the hanger bars- they were a beeatch.
It is going on a 331 stroker, and I don't have the engine back yet, so I don't know what it will sound like.

Good luck

Howard

 

[gutlessTahoe]

I have it on my 88 gt and it sounds awesome. Not too quiet and not too loud. Has some popping to it though when your foot isnt on the gas, but still great sound.

 

[gt90stang]

fost9508,

I've had my 2.5" X-pipe with cats and catback for 1.5 years and really like them. Picked up quite alot of SOP power also. I'd like it to be a little more stealth My X-pipe wouldn't seal properly on the DS header flange so I had them put a slight bend in the pipe to align it. I don't know if was Magnaflows issue or BBKs issue but they didn't charge me anymore to tweek it than the agreed on installation cost of the X-Pipe. I had already put the catback on and it fit with no problems, just had to carefully align everything. I had it welded up when I had the X-pipe put on.

Don

 

[Michael Yount]

gt90 - have you noticed any volume increase over time?

 

[RydeOn]

Ive had two Magnaflow catbacks on my car so far. Ive loved them both. Ive noticed when you put them on the tone sounds a little different and after a couple weeks of driving it breaks in. Ive had Flowmaster before, and I wont go back. Im very happy with Magnaflow and thats pretty much the only exhaust I will use, besides Bassani.

 

[Whytry91]

I bought mine after listening to Rydeon's clips and coupled with the bassani X this system sounds great. Good quality and I didn't have any alignment issues.
It has a very smooth sound......I haven't experienced the popping sound as describe in an above post.

Overall, great choice

 

[larrendeuce]

I had to bend the side of the gas tank over too. It was contacting the drivers side tailpipe. The hangers on my mufflers were welded on backwards. I had to cut them off. Other then that I like the system, its been on since January and it still looks brand new. Its quiet at idle and cruising, but under acceleration it gets louder.

 

[fost9508]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I just realized I know less about exhaust systems then I realized. It sounds like there are thre parts to the exhaust. Headers, which mount to the engine, some sort of balance pipe X or H, and then the rest of the system, like CAT Backs.....is this correct or am I missing some stuff. Also, it sounded like the magnaflow catbacks may require some welding to install is this true and if so is there an exhaust system besides basanni that doesn't require welding?

Thanks,

 

[larrendeuce]

You can put the exhaust on the car and fit it properly without welding. Its optional if you want though. Everything slips together and is clamped in place.

 

[Michael Yount]

fost - you're getting it - the leg bone's connected to the hip bone....

Headers (exhaust manifolds) bolt to the heads; H or X pipes connect to the header flanges (or collectors) and include the cats if they're not off-road types; cat-back systems attach after the cats which are on the back end of the x or h pipe and include the mufflers and tailpipes. Search around - there are many cat back systems that are designed to bolt on without welding. The biggest challenge is often simply getting the car far enough up in the air so the tail pipes can be 'snaked' into place over the axle (and the original pieces can be removed).

 

[fost9508]

Mike,

Thanks for the help. Lemme ask you another "stupid" question. When I look under my car which isn't with me right now so I am going on memory, please bare with me. When I look under the car I see these 2 things that are prolly 6-8" in diameter (more oval shaped) that I think are aft of the mufflers. Are these a catalytic converter of some sort and will the CAT Backs include these in the package or do I have to buy those thing seperate? Also why are they called cat backs? Are there other exhuast systems you can use that aren't "catbacks"?

Thanks,

 

[gt90stang]

Michael,

Maybe they have quieted down a little, it is hard to tell because the tone changes with timing. In the beginning there was a slight drone at around 2k rpm, but I think it is gone because I don't notice it anymore.

Don

 

[Michael Yount]

If your exhaust system is stock the cats are before the mufflers - working from the engine back. There are usually 2 on each side in series and they look as you've described them. But they're not 'aft' of the mufflers, they're before them. The reason the muffler/tailpipe systems are called 'catbacks' is because they replace the exhaust system from the cat - back; from the rearmost catalytic converter to the tailpipe (including the muffler) is called the cat-back.

 

[Michael Yount]

Oh - the offroad X or H pipes (from the header to the muffler) have no cats - hence the term 'off road' as in emissions illegal. You need to find out if the x or h pipe you're buying is off road (no cats) or emissions compliant (has cats). The cat-back as decribed above just concerns mufflers and tailpipes - aft of the cats.

 

[5.0 HOtrain]

Are there different muffler options with magnaflow cat backs? I've heard three cars in person with them and thought they sounded terrible. Louder than any flowmaster/mac/ect......cat back I've ever heard. They are straight through and reminded me of cherry bombs
mike.

 

[Whytry91]

Are there different muffler options with magnaflow cat backs? I've heard three cars in person with them and thought they sounded terrible. Louder than any flowmaster/mac/ect......cat back I've ever heard. They are straight through and reminded me of cherry bombs
mike.

Don't confuse them with magnapacks another magnaflow product.

 

[RydeOn]

Are there different muffler options with magnaflow cat backs? I've heard three cars in person with them and thought they sounded terrible. Louder than any flowmaster/mac/ect......cat back I've ever heard. They are straight through and reminded me of cherry bombs
mike.

Those are Magnapacks man, not Magnaflows. Same company but different muff, similarr to an SLP.

 

[5.0 HOtrain]

Those are Magnapacks man, not Magnaflows. Same company but different muff, similarr to an SLP.

Thanx for the correction man

 

[Michael Yount]

I have a 3" in/out Magnaflow 18" long case on mine, upstream of the SpinTech muffler at the back. I was under the impression from talking to folks that it would do a good job quieting mine down. That didn't turn out to be the case - it seemed equally loud with or without the Magnaflow.