Yesterday I finally got some free time to install my new Magnaflow catback exhaust. Here's a review:
The install was pretty straight forward. The hardest part was actually removing the stock system. You have to cut the tailpipe an inch or so after the muffler. This wouldn't be that big of a deal, but the only things I had to work with were a dremel tool and a steel saw... It was a pain to get the dremel in the right position, and I couldn't get it into place above the muffler so I had to finish the job with my steel saw (quite a workout). The hardest part was getting the stock system off of the rubber hangers. I used a bit of soapy water, and they eventually slid off after a good bit of wrestling.
Putting the new system on was a breeze. It comes in three sections; a dual pipe that bolts to the cats, a muffler with two 2.5" inlets and one 3" outlet, and a 3" tailpipe with a 3.5" tip. I just bolted everything up and slid it on the hangers.
Quality, construction, and fit are all top notch. It's full stainless steel with mandrel bends and a polished muffler and tip. Everything fits exactly where it should, and there's no rubbing whatsoever.
Sound is wonderful. It's not too loud, but you can definitely hear it. The tone is nice and deep with a smooth burble at idle. It's actually just what I wanted.. Nice and deep, but not intrusive..
Power can definitely be felt on the butt dyno, but that could just be my brain hearing the sound, and thinking there's more power underneath.. At some point I'll probably hit the dyno, but I don't have any baseline numbers to go by so I won't know what my actual gains were... I'd say maybe 10hp, but we all know a catback is mostly for sound and looks anyway..
Overall, I'm very happy with this system. I paid $500 for it, and I definitely feel that it's worth the money...