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  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Weld-in Flowmasters vs. Catback System

  • Thread starter Thread starter Indy_00GT
  • Start date Start date Nov 16, 2004
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Indy_00GT

New Member
Sep 23, 2004
27
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Fishers, IN
Nov 16, 2004
#1
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #1
As you may see in my signature, the first mod I did was have a muffler shop cut out my factory mufflers and weld in some 2 chamber flowmasters. That was about 4 years ago, and I have enjoyed the sound until about 2 months ago. Unfortunately, I have been infected with the "Stang-Moding Virus" and I have been upgrading my car recently. After several bolt-ons, I now see the $180 I spent on the mufflers should have been put towards a cat-back system.

That's water under the bridge now, so here's my question: will I see/feel/hear gains if I buy a Cat-Back system now? I don't understand where the power comes from by adding a cat-back, so I need everyone's input. Thanks!
 

Islander03GT

New Member
Jan 19, 2004
470
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0
Simi Valley, Ca
Nov 16, 2004
#2
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #2
Well, a good catback system is going to be mandrel bent. Take a look at your stock exhaust, and you'll see kinks in the piping in order to clear parts of the frame more easily. A mandrel bend system doesn't have those kinks, and allows a smoother exhaust flow. Smoother flow = exhaust gets out faster = more power.

And get away from the flowmasters, they rob power in most circumstances.
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
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Ontario, Canada
Nov 16, 2004
#3
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #3
With just the few bolt-ons in your sig, you can go a lot further before the need to bolt up a new cat-back arrises. I wouldn't concern youself about it right now.
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Nov 16, 2004
#4
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #4
Gearbanger 101 said:
With just the few bolt-ons in your sig, you can go a lot further before the need to bolt up a new cat-back arrises. I wouldn't concern youself about it right now.
Click to expand...
Agreed! You'll gain about 2-3 RWHP...nothing you'll really notice. Get gears!
 
J

JayC

Founding Member
Jul 11, 2000
674
0
17
Southern Indiana
Nov 16, 2004
#5
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #5
Welded in Flowmasters are good enough for 11.56@118.03mph........any of you exhaust experts run faster with your cat-back?

Jay
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Nov 16, 2004
#6
  • Nov 16, 2004
  • #6
JayC said:
Welded in Flowmasters are good enough for 11.56@118.03mph........any of you exhaust experts run faster with your cat-back?

Jay
Click to expand...
Who was calling themselves an exhaust expert? 2 of the three posts (including myself) agreed that weld ins are fine. Jump down off your soapbox and read...no need to blow your own horn dude.
 

Indy_00GT

New Member
Sep 23, 2004
27
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0
Fishers, IN
Nov 17, 2004
#7
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #7
That's what I wanted to hear...

twogts4us - Thanks, I didn't want to buy a CB for little gains. I was afraid gears were next, they're pretty salty ($$$).
 

Red03Mustang

New Member
Apr 26, 2004
373
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0
Nov 17, 2004
#8
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #8
Gears definitely!

Gears! 4.10s especially. They are definitely one of the best mods for our cars. My auto loves 4.10s.

I would use the weld-ins. I had Magnaflow weld-ins, and then I got a MAC catback. The MAC sounds mean, but it is droning me to death. I really wish I would have stayed with the simple welded-in Magnaflows. Especially after 4.10s! They would've sounded awesome with the higher RPMs I run now.
 

zkiller18

New Member
Nov 25, 2003
80
0
0
Nov 17, 2004
#9
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #9
i wouldnt buy the flowmaster catback... i wish i ahd went w/ weld ins.... the fittment of the catback sucks. the mufflers hang to to low. we checked and checked it and without alot of fabricating there is nothing i can do. my c/b drags on everything its rediculous i see cars with different catbacks and they are all tucked nice a neat up in there. im currently looking for something different. great sound crappy fitment and quality. deffinatly go w/ the 4:10 gear and weld ins. you wont regret it.
 

WRXracer

New Member
Feb 28, 2003
825
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Nov 17, 2004
#10
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #10
you make your power by putting in higher flowing mufflers and taking out the cats.. I would get a cat back over weld in mufflers because you can do all the work at home..
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
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Ontario, Canada
Nov 17, 2004
#11
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #11
Well, I think that if someone is going to go with just weld-in's, then at the very least, they should buy them in 2 1/2 inch and weld a 2 1/4 inch reducer in each end to make them fit the stock system. That way, if later on they decide to upgrade the exhaust to a full catback, they don't have to replace the whole thing, just add in the tailpipes and flowtubes.
 

boomshack

New Member
Jun 4, 2004
274
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0
Southern Cali
Nov 17, 2004
#12
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #12
Gearbanger 101 said:
Well, I think that if someone is going to go with just weld-in's, then at the very least, they should buy them in 2 1/2 inch and weld a 2 1/4 inch reducer in each end to make them fit the stock system. That way, if later on they decide to upgrade the exhaust to a full catback, they don't have to replace the whole thing, just add in the tailpipes and flowtubes.
Click to expand...

Exactly!
 
J

JayC

Founding Member
Jul 11, 2000
674
0
17
Southern Indiana
Nov 17, 2004
#13
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #13
twogts4us said:
Who was calling themselves an exhaust expert? 2 of the three posts (including myself) agreed that weld ins are fine. Jump down off your soapbox and read...no need to blow your own horn dude.
Click to expand...

If this doesn't apply to you, then STFU and keep your comments to yourself. I posted what I did before the self-proclaimed exhaust experts started telling everyone how much better a full cat-back is. So move along junior


Jay
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Nov 17, 2004
#14
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #14
JayC said:
If this doesn't apply to you, then STFU and keep your comments to yourself. I posted what I did before the self-proclaimed exhaust experts started telling everyone how much better a full cat-back is. So move along junior


Jay
Click to expand...
Dude, you're out of line. You're coming off line an A$$ for no reason. Yes, a full mandrel bent 2 1/2 inch exhaust is better than a stocker with weld-ins, but at this particlar moment isn't necessary. But nobody should be faulted for using either, nor was anyone saying that good numbers weren't possible with a stock set up. You should seriously chill a little.
 
J

JayC

Founding Member
Jul 11, 2000
674
0
17
Southern Indiana
Nov 17, 2004
#15
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #15
Gearbanger 101 said:
Dude, you're out of line. You're coming off line an A$$ for no reason. Yes, a full mandrel bent 2 1/2 inch exhaust is better than a stocker with weld-ins, but at this particlar moment isn't necessary. But nobody should be faulted for using either, nor was anyone saying that good numbers weren't possible with a stock set up. You should seriously chill a little.
Click to expand...


I am an ass when someone butts in after I've not spoken to them........just like you did. It's not your place to tell me to calm down .......it's your place to mind your own damn business......got it?

Jay
 
C

codyGT

New Member
Apr 11, 2004
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Nebraska
Nov 17, 2004
#16
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #16
Or you could at least weld in some mufflers that flow good.
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Nov 17, 2004
#17
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #17
Yawn....or what? You're going to be vulger with me. Please, I've seen bigger chunks of meat in my stool. Think cause you posted here a couple of times in the last 4+ years that that makes you an expert and everyone else should bow to your very presence, because your word is rule? Please, do us all a favour and take your own advice....STFU!
 

YardSpecial

New Member
Mar 20, 2003
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MT
Nov 17, 2004
#18
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #18


Power is in the pipes, muffs are for sound.........
Cobra's drop 400 at the crank with 2 1/4 pipes !
You will lose bottom end with bigger pipes.

Like the rest said, no need to change with your mods.........

Gears would be a better choice.......
 
J

JayC

Founding Member
Jul 11, 2000
674
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17
Southern Indiana
Nov 17, 2004
#19
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #19
Gearbanger 101 said:
Yawn....or what? You're going to be vulger with me. Please, I've seen bigger chunks of meat in my stool. Think cause you posted here a couple of times in the last 4+ years that that makes you an expert and everyone else should bow to your very presence, because your word is rule? Please, do us all a favour and take your own advice....STFU!
Click to expand...

Just check the sigs......it's obvious who's the experts and who's not


Jay
 

Gearbanger 101

Straight Outta Locash
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 10, 2002
9,457
1,377
234
Ontario, Canada
Nov 17, 2004
#20
  • Nov 17, 2004
  • #20
JayC said:
Just check the sigs......it's obvious who's the experts and who's not


Jay
Click to expand...
Let me get this strait.....your an expert because you took your car to a shop and built it with your VISA? I'm humbled.... And how does my sig make me look like an armature? Wow....now who's sounding like the punk kid. Can your daddy beat up my daddy too?

Why don't you just admit you were being a jerk-off about nothing, apologise to everyone on this post for your needless attitude and put an end to it? No harm, no foul.
 
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