Exhaust thoughts and Magnaflow question [Archive]

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Todd

03-26-2005, 05:08 PM

Having just got my Marauder and absolutely LOVING it I wanted to post out some thoughts on exhaust in general and then ask you guys a question about the setup I will be going with.

While hanging out at my friends race shop (which is also an online retailer/storefront for all things performance related) I hear guys walk in all the time asking about exhaust. Wanting recommendations on what type mid pipe makes most power, what type cat-back makes the most power, and then which sounds best.

And although 'sounds best' is subjective of course there always seems to be a few general rules to follow which apply to both power and sound....

1) X-pipes make more power based on all the dyno graphs I have ever seen.
2) General rule is when running a x-pipe always run a straight thru style muffler similar to the Magnaflows (non-chambered). X-pipe with chambered mufflers tend to have a strange hollow sound which is very distinctive and are usually down on power from their x-pipe/straight thru counterparts.

Now to my question.....

The car I purchased has kooks long tubes with high flow cats and of course x-pipe. I wanted to replace the mufflers (flowmasters)that are on the car with Magnaflows. After measuring under the car and looking at the catalog I came to the conclusion that the 14inch magnaflow (which has a total length of 20 inches I believe) would be the best fit. (the flowmasters are 13inches long I believe.)

However while later searching on this board for other exhaust related stuff I found that some guys are in fact using the 18inch magnaflows.

My question is, has anyone heard a car with the 14inch AND 18inch Magnaflows and if so, now much louder are they than the 18inch???????

The 14inch stainless steel muffler was well below $100 each so worst case I get them in and they dont sound right, I can pull them off without loosing much money.

Marauder386

03-26-2005, 05:25 PM

Todd, I say to you, dont let your buddies influence you...make an educated choice from most of all our experiences on this site. If I was to decide for you it would be the 18 inch MagnaFlows as we all seem to like them...you decide...

:cool:

CRUZTAKER

03-26-2005, 05:31 PM

OK...I believe our FOURTH HORSEMAN has your definitive answer here....but I believe the small muffler will be louder than the longer one.

Todd

03-26-2005, 05:33 PM

OK...I believe our FOURTH HORSEMAN has your definitive answer here....but I believe the small muffler will be louder than the longer one.

Yep, the smaller muffler will be louder but I am wondering by how much.

Problem is I already had my friend order the 14inchers because thats all I thought would fit.

But now that I read some folks got 18inchers under there maybe I should eat the cost of the 14's and buy the 18's. But if they are only slightly louder I will give them a shot.

MarauderMark

03-26-2005, 05:40 PM

However while later searching on this board for other exhaust related stuff I found that some guys are in fact using the 18inch magnaflows.

My question is, has anyone heard a car with the 14inch AND 18inch Magnaflows and if so, now much louder are they than the 18inch???????

The 14inch stainless steel muffler was well below $100 each so worst case I get them in and they dont sound right, I can pull them off without loosing much money.

I myself sir do have 18" magnaflows mufflers .When they were first installed they were absolutely the best sounding mufflers i've heard in a long time.Like turning up the bass on the stereo.But after some racing and putting on mileage they got loud .like leaving the bass but now turning up the treble.so now you can hear me a mile away especially at night.so imagine using 14"'s.Sorry for the medafore but it was the best way for me to describe it.. :D

Joe Walsh

03-26-2005, 05:50 PM

I'd have to agree with Mark's assessment of the 18" Magnaflows....I love them, they sound great, but some people might consider them a little too loud.
My guess is that the 14" Magnaflows will be TOO loud for most people's taste.

BlackHole

03-26-2005, 06:12 PM

I was pondering this same question when I myself install my Midlength headers /Race cats /X-pipe. What mufflers???????/

As I'm torn between Magnaflow or Dynomax???????????? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Todd

03-26-2005, 07:18 PM

Well, looks like I may need to sell the 14 inchers or try to send them back and pay a restocking fee.

Oh well, live and learn.

Thanks.

PS Does anyone know of a straight through style muffler that is more quite than even magnaflows??????

Glenn

03-26-2005, 09:08 PM

maraudernkc

03-26-2005, 09:43 PM

Have you seen the Ford Dual mode stainless Mufflers from Ford Motorsports? They are mellow when crusing but at WOT they are very aggresive.

Having just got my Marauder and absolutely LOVING it I wanted to post out some thoughts on exhaust in general and then ask you guys a question about the setup I will be going with.

While hanging out at my friends race shop (which is also an online retailer/storefront for all things performance related) I hear guys walk in all the time asking about exhaust. Wanting recommendations on what type mid pipe makes most power, what type cat-back makes the most power, and then which sounds best.

And although 'sounds best' is subjective of course there always seems to be a few general rules to follow which apply to both power and sound....

1) X-pipes make more power based on all the dyno graphs I have ever seen.
2) General rule is when running a x-pipe always run a straight thru style muffler similar to the Magnaflows (non-chambered). X-pipe with chambered mufflers tend to have a strange hollow sound which is very distinctive and are usually down on power from their x-pipe/straight thru counterparts.

Now to my question.....

The car I purchased has kooks long tubes with high flow cats and of course x-pipe. I wanted to replace the mufflers (flowmasters)that are on the car with Magnaflows. After measuring under the car and looking at the catalog I came to the conclusion that the 14inch magnaflow (which has a total length of 20 inches I believe) would be the best fit. (the flowmasters are 13inches long I believe.)

However while later searching on this board for other exhaust related stuff I found that some guys are in fact using the 18inch magnaflows.

My question is, has anyone heard a car with the 14inch AND 18inch Magnaflows and if so, now much louder are they than the 18inch???????

The 14inch stainless steel muffler was well below $100 each so worst case I get them in and they dont sound right, I can pull them off without loosing much money.

1 BAD 03 MM

03-27-2005, 01:15 AM

ncmm

03-27-2005, 07:17 AM

Here is a link to a cool website with sound clips for 4.6 Engines and just about any combination you could imagine. It's geared towards Mustangs, but we have the same setup exhuast wise as the Mustang guys. Hope this helps. I know it helped me figure out what I'd like to do. :D

http://www.mustangexhaust.com/4.6sounds.htm
:D :D :D I could spend hours on that site!!! THANK YOU!!!:D :D :D
but my fave is (Fordfactory,factoryH,factory, '01Bullit)
I had to save it on my hard drive to get it to play in media player
http://www.mustangexhaust.com/sounds/Fordfactory,factoryH,factory,' 01Bullit.mp3

Todd

03-27-2005, 07:23 AM

No, I havent seen those... I may explore those.. Are they the ones Dennis has on his site? Their like $300+ each. But thesy didnt look stainless so maybe they are different.

Have you seen the Ford Dual mode stainless Mufflers from Ford Motorsports? They are mellow when crusing but at WOT they are very aggresive.

sailsmen

03-27-2005, 07:42 AM

I know I get killed everytime I mention this on the net, but the OEM mufflers are not that bad. Even Steve Babcock, the MM Project Manager, said the OEMs are vastly underrated as a performance muffler. I have the Cobra headers and Magaflow Cobra X-pipe running into the OEM mufflers. The sound is great, but not loud and no cabin drone at 80 MPH. I may lose 2 HP per muffler versus the Magnaflows. Yes, I have to say even the OEMs are louder as they get more miles on them. But, if you want the sound then go with the proven 18" Magnaflows.

Glenn

For me the OEM mufflers work :D , for others they are not loud enough! It's like which speakers sound best.

Driving 20K per year and on the cell cabin drone is a concern for me. Fortunately I don't have cabin drone.

rayjay

03-27-2005, 08:48 AM

No, I havent seen those... I may explore those.. Are they the ones Dennis has on his site? Their like $300+ each. But thesy didnt look stainless so maybe they are different.$329 a pair http://reinhartautomotive.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=12345&Product_Code=MM-HFM&Category_Code=9

Constable

03-27-2005, 09:08 AM

Todd---- The first set of mufflers I had ont he car were 14" Dynomax UltraFlo's (welded version). They are built the same as the Magnaflow, but weren't stainless and had a race style welded case. They did not sound right on the car. They droned a lot more than the Flowmasters do... they'd drone from 1,000 to about 3,200. Then it'd sound good til about 4,800 when the car gets on its cams and sound like an F1 racer. They made too much noise for cruising a daily driver. Come to think of it, the glasspacks were more streetable than those were.

I admit that I "had to be different" and try a few different exhaust setups besides the MagnaFlow. But now that I've read everyones experiences adn heard some of the cars, I think I'd go with the 18" if I had to do it all over again.

P.S. -- If you want some definitive proof, I think Logan took a small video of his first MM. He was running 14" MAgnaflows. Someone else around here recently posted their 18" sounds. Just have to search.

BTW: Have you let other people drive the car around while you were outside of it??? I suggest letting someone drive it around town and the highway... you follow behind in a "quiet car". I was really suprised at how much different the car sounds outside compared to inside. I kept the Flowmasters on there because they resonated the least compared to the Dynomax and the SLP glasspacks... plus, they sounded great from the outside.

maraudernkc

03-27-2005, 10:14 AM

You can pm Tmac1337 as he has photos of the mufflers and has them on his car.

No, I havent seen those... I may explore those.. Are they the ones Dennis has on his site? Their like $300+ each. But thesy didnt look stainless so maybe they are different.

Todd

03-27-2005, 12:05 PM

$329 a pair http://reinhartautomotive.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=12345&Product_Code=MM-HFM&Category_Code=9

I hadnt noticed the 'per pair'.... thanks...

Todd

03-27-2005, 12:08 PM

I hadnt done that... good point. I thought it might sound different from outside the car since you wouldnt get the resonance from the cabin etc...

The flowmasters dont sound bad. But a straight thru muffler should net more horsepower and since I very well may be going the turbo route the straight through mufflers make a big difference....

Todd---- The first set of mufflers I had ont he car were 14" Dynomax UltraFlo's (welded version). They are built the same as the Magnaflow, but weren't stainless and had a race style welded case. They did not sound right on the car. They droned a lot more than the Flowmasters do... they'd drone from 1,000 to about 3,200. Then it'd sound good til about 4,800 when the car gets on its cams and sound like an F1 racer. They made too much noise for cruising a daily driver. Come to think of it, the glasspacks were more streetable than those were.

I admit that I "had to be different" and try a few different exhaust setups besides the MagnaFlow. But now that I've read everyones experiences adn heard some of the cars, I think I'd go with the 18" if I had to do it all over again.

P.S. -- If you want some definitive proof, I think Logan took a small video of his first MM. He was running 14" MAgnaflows. Someone else around here recently posted their 18" sounds. Just have to search.

BTW: Have you let other people drive the car around while you were outside of it??? I suggest letting someone drive it around town and the highway... you follow behind in a "quiet car". I was really suprised at how much different the car sounds outside compared to inside. I kept the Flowmasters on there because they resonated the least compared to the Dynomax and the SLP glasspacks... plus, they sounded great from the outside.

Marauderman

03-27-2005, 12:28 PM

Well , the Magnaflows were the last thing I did --after the S/C--cause my sound just wasn't what it should be---it was ( with the OEM's) more like the difference between a normal Mustang and a Cobra...and members of the Carolna Marauders Group will tell you, once they heard those Magnaflows, well ...like Mark has said already---you can tell I'm coming .....as for cabin drone..once you have made it to your flying speed, it goes away.....purrring along.....gotta love it.........

Haggis

03-27-2005, 12:43 PM

I know I get killed everytime I mention this on the net, but the OEM mufflers are not that bad. Even Steve Babcock, the MM Project Manager, said the OEMs are vastly underrated as a performance muffler. I have the Cobra headers and Magaflow Cobra X-pipe running into the OEM mufflers. The sound is great, but not loud and no cabin drone at 80 MPH. I may lose 2 HP per muffler versus the Magnaflows. Yes, I have to say even the OEMs are louder as they get more miles on them. But, if you want the sound then go with the proven 18" Magnaflows.

Glenn

I have the 18" Magnaflows and there is no cabin drone with the OEM tips. Change to the deleted tips and you will get cabin drone at 3000rpm. With the OEM mufflers you will have a bottle neck going from the 2.5" X pipe to the 2.25" OEM mufflers, which will reduce RWHP. How much I do not know?

1 BAD 03 MM

03-27-2005, 01:11 PM

:D :D :D I could spend hours on that site!!! THANK YOU!!!:D :D :D
but my fave is (Fordfactory,factoryH,factory, '01Bullit)
I had to save it on my hard drive to get it to play in media player
http://www.mustangexhaust.com/sounds/Fordfactory,factoryH,factory,' 01Bullit.mp3

Just remember ours is a 4V engine. A little different sound. My favorite is this one. It's from a different part of their website. (01' Cobra Engine = 03' Marauder Engine, more or less) Long tube Headers (Kooks) Off Road H pipe / SLP Loudmouths,

http://www.testicleez.com/vids/Car%20Vids/SLPNight.wmv :drool: :drool:

DEFYANT

03-27-2005, 01:28 PM

I am planning on going with kooks, x- pipe and fords duel mode mufflers

jim geary

11-06-2005, 09:25 AM

DEFYANT

11-06-2005, 09:33 AM

Good morning gentlmen. You guys sure are full of info. I think that's great. I saw on the Kooks web site that they indeed make a complete exhaust system for the Marauder. Can anyone shed some light on this system for me. I'm out here on the West coast and you know what a problem the smog laws are. I'm wondering if all this is legal for California. The expense is 1743.00 A little steep but do able. If this setup is legal does anyone know about how much power I could expect to increase? Plus are catalitic converters mandatory? Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me. Jimmy G Proud owner since 8/30/05

Welcome to MM.Net :beer:

I dont know about smog law in Cali, but I think the Kooks are legal there. depending on your set up, you could see around 15-30 HP gain. But the best part about this set up is the great sound! The Magnaflows were a bit much for me and my family, so I went with the Ford Duel Mode Mufflers. I am very happy.

Catalitic converters are necessary. Especially where you are. Besides, todays high flow cat designs are very efficiant and rob little if any HP! Keep em.

:cool4:

FordNut

11-06-2005, 09:41 AM

Good morning gentlmen. You guys sure are full of info. I think that's great. I saw on the Kooks web site that they indeed make a complete exhaust system for the Marauder. Can anyone shed some light on this system for me. I'm out here on the West coast and you know what a problem the smog laws are. I'm wondering if all this is legal for California. The expense is 1743.00 A little steep but do able. If this setup is legal does anyone know about how much power I could expect to increase? Plus are catalitic converters mandatory? Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me. Jimmy G Proud owner since 8/30/05

I dont believe any of the exhaust upgrades have a CARB number. You may be able to get away with the Cobra manifolds from DR since they will appear to be original equipment. Unfortunately exhaust mods are tough in the ROK (republic of Kalifornia).

Svashtar

11-06-2005, 07:57 PM

Jim, let me know if you find out anything. I called Dennis checkbook in hand to buy his cobra exhaust system and he told me that there is no way it would be legal out here in CA. As far as I am concerned that holds true for the exhaust as well. You can put them on, but really can't change anything around them, and keeping everything the same except for the exhaust isn't going to buy you any HP I don't think.

If swapping out just the exhaust is going to buy me 15 HP I will absolutely do it, but I don't see how that could be the case. I talked to Dennis about changing the OEM mufflers for the Ford dual-mode ones, but he said except for the sound it would make no performance difference by itself. The low-flow cats are the problem. Put a new exhaust and hi-flow cats on the car and it won't pass smog.

All I did on mine was add the megs delete tips which sweetened by the sound nicely, but the engine is still breathing through a straw.

If I ever get out of here the first mod I will make is the exhaust.

Thanks,

Norm

magindat

11-07-2005, 11:12 AM

I have the 14" and kept the stock resonated tips. At idle and in-town driving it has a low, mellow, but I mean business sound. It actually sounds a lot like a mustang GT. But.... when I mash it, it sounds like a friggin NASCAR. You can hear all 32 valves singing and the JLT whooshing and the exhaust letting it out. The magnaflows are the perfect loudness to hear the 'symphony' that is the Marauder. Any more would, as stated above, be too much.
As with my music, I want to hear it all, not just the bass, although I do like bass.
I researched here and made a friend at the local muffler shop. Liked the magnaflows so much, I put 'em on my Silverado, too.

My $.02. Good luck... remember, it's about what YOU like, NOT what your buddies like!!!!!!!!!:beer: