Utterly conflicted about catback

First of all, I've spent hours upon hours reading threads about different exhaust setups, as well as searching google, youtube, and streetfire for vids. Most videos out there have poor sound quality, thereby making it extremely difficult to hear the subtle differences between kits. Anyway, here goes:

I cannot decide between a regular Magnaflow catback and a Magnaflow Magnapack catback. I am looking for a deep, rumbling sound at idle / low rpms, and i want it to be a relatively smooth, "pulsey" kind of sound when driving normally.

I hate the Flowmaster drone I have now (stupid previous owner), so I don't want anything like that. The Flowmasters coupled with the BBK Catted X I have now result in a very uninteresting yet annoying exhaust note while driving normally, kind of like a "wuuuuuuuuh" sound that varies in pitch with RPM. The only time my setup sounds good is at WOT, which I don't get a chance to experience often.

Highway driving with my existing setup is basically choosing between the drone or not hearing anything at all; for some reason, my exhaust makes very little noise on the highway when the engine is below or above the dronemaster rpm. I would prefer a nice burbly sound that I would enjoy listening to for 3+ hours at a time.

But I digress...basically, which setup will fulfill my needs best? I am not changing my midpipe, so remove that from the equation.

In addition to picking between those two, I also would like input on whether I should go with turndowns, or spend the extra coin and get dynomax tailpipes (or custom exhaust work). The reason I ask is because I have a panhard bar which I would like to install at the same time, and Magnaflow catbacks don't clear it. I would rather do turndowns if they wouldn't be too loud / droney, due to the huge cost difference (dynomax tailpipes are 140 per side, whereas dumps are essentially free).

I hope this isn't too long that it scares you all away...thanks in advance!
 
I would go with the Magnapack since you have a catted x pipe. I think they are more of a straight through muffler. And I would definatly go with tailpipes cause I love these cars with tailpipes and I am not sure what a magnapack mufflers would sound like dumped.
 
Magnapacks. They are loud catless but subdued a bit with cats. They sound mean!!

They might sound a little off if they are dumped with cats. Without it just opens up a whole other realm of evil noise...
 
Im very happy with my AT catback with stock h pipe... Wanting to go OR-H but sounds like it might drive me nuts... prochamber a better choise??? AT with stock H is not any louder in the car than stock was if you ask me..
 
I like magnapack a lot, i used that style of magnaflow's mufflers when fabricating my side-pipes because its fitment was required but ended up liking the sound a lot too. You should look into bassani mufflers too as they have the exotic throaty sound yet smooth during 2400-2900rpm highway cruising. I'd recomend not to do turn downs as your current bumper has cut outs for the tips. My sig has clips of my exhaust, although it certainly does sound deeper in person.
 
I guess I forgot to explain something: I'm more interested in how the exhaust sounds from inside the car, because that's where I'll be spending my time. Those videos of the B&M hammer shifter gave me a pretty good idea of what to expect from the magnapacks, but does anyone have a similar video of the regular magnaflows?
 
Flghtmstr1:

I've had my MagnaFlows (and catted X) for 5 1/2 years now. I wouldn't trade it for any exhaust setup I have heard unless it can make the car sound heavily cammed.:)

Just today cruising home from work, I told myself how much I enjoy the sound. The car litterally sounds so mean it's as if I'm hiding something under the hood.

It doesn't sound like a kid's car (Flowmaster) at all. It's certainly not loud enough during normal driving to wake the neighbors. However, non auto people always comment on how "loud" my car is. So, it's louder than stock, screams when punched but 95% of the time under normal driving conditions, it makes my car sound like it's better than yours. And that's what it's all about!
:nice:
 
I guess I forgot to explain something: I'm more interested in how the exhaust sounds from inside the car, because that's where I'll be spending my time. Those videos of the B&M hammer shifter gave me a pretty good idea of what to expect from the magnapacks, but does anyone have a similar video of the regular magnaflows?

Just keep in mind that's with the windows down. I've never shot a vid with the windows up cuz well i drive with the windows open 95% of the time. I could make an inside vid of the sound for you sometime, cuz really it's not bad - those vids definitely contain hard throttle. Cruising and on the freeway it's not bad at all, you dont get the drone some get w/ flowmasters. Borla stingers, as said before might be a good choice too.
 
I guess I forgot to explain something: I'm more interested in how the exhaust sounds from inside the car, because that's where I'll be spending my time. Those videos of the B&M hammer shifter gave me a pretty good idea of what to expect from the magnapacks, but does anyone have a similar video of the regular magnaflows?

Another video of in car driveing with the MRT catted H and the packs.
http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d154/scupking/?action=view&current=mustangvideo.flv
 
Just keep in mind that's with the windows down. I've never shot a vid with the windows up cuz well i drive with the windows open 95% of the time. I could make an inside vid of the sound for you sometime, cuz really it's not bad - those vids definitely contain hard throttle. Cruising and on the freeway it's not bad at all, you dont get the drone some get w/ flowmasters. Borla stingers, as said before might be a good choice too.

CobraRed, I would love to hear a vid from inside the car with the windows up. If you get the chance, I would really appreciate it; it would make my decision much easier. Thanks!
 
Another video of in car driveing with the MRT catted H and the packs.
http://s35.photobucket.com/albums/d154/scupking/?action=view&current=mustangvideo.flv

scupking, I love your car, being laser red and all :)

Your car sounds awesome, but I'd rather not change the midpipe.

The more I think about it, though, the more I'm leaning towards Magnapacks. I don't think the regular Magnaflows would be enough for me; they sound too subdued with a catted midpipe. CobraRed's video will be the deciding factor, it seems. If only I could hear them in person...
 
scupking, I love your car, being laser red and all :)

Your car sounds awesome, but I'd rather not change the midpipe.

The more I think about it, though, the more I'm leaning towards Magnapacks. I don't think the regular Magnaflows would be enough for me; they sound too subdued with a catted midpipe. CobraRed's video will be the deciding factor, it seems. If only I could hear them in person...

Yeah, PA's a lil far away for me:p
 
uploading video right now, i didn't go on the freeway because well i didn't need to today and i realized i have 3.73 gears so i'd be a good 300 or so rpm's over what you'd be hearing. Keep that in mind for my daily driving vid too.
Also my exhaust exits about 6" behind my seat being i have side pipes, so keep that in mind too.