• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Magnaflow Exhaust

  • Thread starter Thread starter fost9508
  • Start date Start date Aug 30, 2004
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
F

fost9508

New Member
Aug 28, 2004
131
0
0
Aug 30, 2004
#1
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #1
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

New Member
Sep 2, 2003
245
1
0
Woodinville, WA
Aug 30, 2004
#2
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #2
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
 
G

gutlessTahoe

New Member
Apr 19, 2004
136
0
0
Port Angeles, WA
Aug 30, 2004
#3
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #3
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.
 
G

gt90stang

New Member
Dec 7, 2002
568
0
0
Aug 30, 2004
#4
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #4
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

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Aug 30, 2004
#5
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #5
gt90 - have you noticed any volume increase over time?
 

RydeOn

Licensed to Chill
Founding Member
Sep 26, 2000
6,273
1
77
orange county, CA
Aug 30, 2004
#6
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #6
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

New Member
Nov 26, 2002
321
0
0
Morrisville, NC
Aug 30, 2004
#7
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #7
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

Member
Sep 13, 2003
649
1
19
Southern NJ
Aug 30, 2004
#8
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #8
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.
 
F

fost9508

New Member
Aug 28, 2004
131
0
0
Aug 30, 2004
#9
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #9
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

Member
Sep 13, 2003
649
1
19
Southern NJ
Aug 30, 2004
#10
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #10
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

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Aug 30, 2004
#11
  • Aug 30, 2004
  • #11
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).
 
F

fost9508

New Member
Aug 28, 2004
131
0
0
Aug 31, 2004
#12
  • Aug 31, 2004
  • #12
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,
 
G

gt90stang

New Member
Dec 7, 2002
568
0
0
Aug 31, 2004
#13
  • Aug 31, 2004
  • #13
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

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Aug 31, 2004
#14
  • Aug 31, 2004
  • #14
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

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Aug 31, 2004
#15
  • Aug 31, 2004
  • #15
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

Founding Member
May 20, 2001
2,247
0
47
New Hampshire
Aug 31, 2004
#16
  • Aug 31, 2004
  • #16
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

New Member
Nov 26, 2002
321
0
0
Morrisville, NC
Aug 31, 2004
#17
  • Aug 31, 2004
  • #17
5.0 HOtrain said:
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.
Click to expand...


Don't confuse them with magnapacks another magnaflow product.
 

RydeOn

Licensed to Chill
Founding Member
Sep 26, 2000
6,273
1
77
orange county, CA
Aug 31, 2004
#18
  • Aug 31, 2004
  • #18
5.0 HOtrain said:
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.
Click to expand...
Those are Magnapacks man, not Magnaflows. Same company but different muff, similarr to an SLP.
 

5.0 HOtrain

Founding Member
May 20, 2001
2,247
0
47
New Hampshire
Aug 31, 2004
#19
  • Aug 31, 2004
  • #19
RydeOn said:
Those are Magnapacks man, not Magnaflows. Same company but different muff, similarr to an SLP.
Click to expand...

Thanx for the correction man
 

Michael Yount

Mustang Master
Apr 10, 2002
9,039
6
79
Charlotte, NC
Aug 31, 2004
#20
  • Aug 31, 2004
  • #20
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.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Exhaust 4 Cats required for smog in California?
  • Codosuarus
  • Sep 28, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
964
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 6, 2025
Scottyding73
S
C
Need MIL Eliminators?
  • crazyone64
  • May 18, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
138
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech May 21, 2026
GOvert
G
3
2006 v6 exhaust conversion
  • 302Rich
  • Jun 10, 2025
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
159
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- Jun 10, 2025
302Rich
3
S
Engine 2003 Mach 1 Automatic Upgrades assistance
  • SJK1417M1AT
  • Sep 25, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
288
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 21, 2025
01SVTvertt
0
Fox Fuel Pump Issues After Replacement/Upgrade
  • Ryu
  • Jun 23, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
518
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 5, 2026
Ryu
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?