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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

performance of cat back system?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ocbaud
  • Start date Start date May 13, 2005

ocbaud

Member
May 7, 2005
239
1
18
Midwest City, Oklahoma
May 13, 2005
#1
  • May 13, 2005
  • #1
when i get a 99-04 gt mustang this summer, i'm wondering what is so special to warrent the price of cat back systems. I want to get a magnaflow system, but i dont like the idea of paying $400+ for it. Besides the mandrel bends, what would be the performance difference between getting a magnaflow catback system, and having a shop weld in some magnaflow mufflers in the stock location?
 

my_03GT

New Member
Feb 9, 2003
186
0
0
DE
May 13, 2005
#2
  • May 13, 2005
  • #2
The cat-back is a nice piece, I bought the catted x and cat back at the same time two years ago. If I had to do over again I would just get the mufflers, and spend the extra on the mid pipe, or gears. Oh and little to no gain on a cat back. Maybe two or three HP.
 

pdl2flr

New Member
Dec 17, 2003
154
0
0
Leesburg, VA
May 13, 2005
#3
  • May 13, 2005
  • #3
In my opinion, the cat-backs main benefit is sound and looks (tailpipes). If your looking for performance than a quality mid-pipe with or w/o cats is what I would get.
 

streetstang03

unModerator
Dec 27, 2003
0
1
0
the dark side of the moon/home of the 1999, 2003,
May 13, 2005
#4
  • May 13, 2005
  • #4
just get weld-ins and an o/r midpipe.
 

myponyrocks

I have more billet on the Stang than most women ha
Apr 18, 2004
1,219
0
37
May 13, 2005
#5
  • May 13, 2005
  • #5
I think my SLP killed some ponies, but if it did its worth the sound.
 

Evenflow

yellow snow cone lover
Nov 4, 2004
116
0
16
Mass
May 13, 2005
#6
  • May 13, 2005
  • #6
I got my Magnapack catback, not yet installed.
Alot of people say "get weld ins, blah blah", but there is definitely a difference between just getting mufflers, and a full catbck
What I looked at is, well I am getting 2.5" mandrel bent tubing, 3.5" tips, and the quality of Magnaflow. And I know that by going with the catback, im getting the more refined sound than just getting some magnapack mufflers, and throwing them on the 2.25" stock tubing.

...and knowing that when I do get blown, the 2.5" mandrel bent catback will be alot more free flowing than a 2.25" catback.
 

dcarlson

Member
Apr 8, 2005
128
3
19
Long Island, NY
May 13, 2005
#7
  • May 13, 2005
  • #7
When the car is near-stock, just the mufflers works pretty good. But once you sart doing a lot of other modifications to increase the horsepower you will benefit from the increased flow from full mandrel-bent 2.5" pipes.
 

csledd

Official Ovary Punching Member
Founding Member
Aug 18, 2001
1,115
1
0
Paducah, KY
May 13, 2005
#8
  • May 13, 2005
  • #8
I put the Steeda Cat-back on my car along with SLP LTs and SLP O/R X-pipe. My car does not drone

The Steeda Cat-back is only 2.25" which is the same as stock, but 2.5" isn't always good. Since I have no cats I have lost A LOT of restriction which means I have also lost A LOT of low end power, but I have gained A LOT up high. I chose it mostly for the tailpipes (3.5" tips, shiny, and has Steeda logo) and also for the fact it is known for no drone.
 

Ghostface

Member
Jan 11, 2004
226
0
17
May 14, 2005
#9
  • May 14, 2005
  • #9
If you get mufflers like flowmasters and tips, that'll probably be almost the price of a magnaflow catback ($300 if you call most places).

If you get cheaper mufflers and dont care for the looks of tailpipes, it'll probably save you alot. Dynomax is having $50 rebates on their ultraflo mufflers.. comes out to something like $20, I would take it if money was a big issue.. but heard mixed reviews about their sound.
 

xseler8

Member
May 4, 2004
619
0
17
Montgomery County,Pa.
May 14, 2005
#10
  • May 14, 2005
  • #10
Buy it for the sound & look. My first mods were a shifter & cat back(Borla). They make the Stang more fun to drive.
 

misterb

New Member
Dec 3, 2004
42
0
0
May 15, 2005
#11
  • May 15, 2005
  • #11
christiesledd said:
I put the Steeda Cat-back on my car along with SLP LTs and SLP O/R X-pipe. My car does not drone

The Steeda Cat-back is only 2.25" which is the same as stock, but 2.5" isn't always good. Since I have no cats I have lost A LOT of restriction which means I have also lost A LOT of low end power, but I have gained A LOT up high. I chose it mostly for the tailpipes (3.5" tips, shiny, and has Steeda logo) and also for the fact it is known for no drone.
Click to expand...

That's what's going in my 02 GT. Good to hear that it doesn't drone.
 
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