Magnaflow Catback Installed

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...

:pics:

You went with a very nice setup. Do you have the link from the manuf. site that shows exactly what you got. Sounds like it turned out pretty nice.

A dremel and hack saw, yikes, that must of been a PITA!! Been there though, lol.
Where did you get it from, 500 sounds like a good deal.


later,

allen

Damn, I knew I forgot to do something... I've been driving around in the rain so it's all dirty... Once I get her washed up, I'll take some pictures.. You can go HERE for a picture of the single inlet system, which is just slightly different than the one I got (dual inlet)... I bought the system from my local shop Brocks Automotive. They got it from the supplier in one day, but wanted another $150 to install it.. I'd rather use that money on something else and spend an afternoon wrenching. Only took two hours start to finish...

I bet it looks hella good. If you take pics and want a members page, let me know and i'll make you one. Hell, i'll make them without pics. Just has some info about the truck. Pages can be found here http://www.ls1truck.com/members.html.

Sweet, once I get some pics together I'll let you know... The sun looks like it may peak through the clouds this afternoon, so maybe I'll go give her a wash later on...

That sounds like a great install. Removing exhaust is allways a pain, but I wouldn't pay to install a system built for a specific app like yours was. If they are made right they will bolt right up. :pics:

I had a older style s10 once that I lifted, and I was sick of the stock exhaust so a friend and I used a hack saw and a claw hammer to chop off the muffler all the way back, talk about a PITA :eek: ! Drove around like that for a while, then decided to put a magnaflow muffler on, they sound awesome. On my current truck I put a flowmaster, didn't know what would sound the best and the muffler shop recommended the flowmaster. I like the sound but still wan't to hear a magnaflow to compare. Anyway :pics:

I have flowmaster 2 camber and remove the cats. Sound is very loud and sound very strong. I have the pipes bent and hide behind the rear wheels,

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I have flowmaster 2 camber and remove the cats. Sound is very loud and sound very strong. I have the pipes bent and hide behind the rear wheels, [/b]

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Did you remove the cats or did you hollow them out, and can you pass inspectoin that way.

Mine is 2chamber thats all I know, its sounds real strong and mean right now. Mine are Dual pipes straight out the back on one side.

I have them removed. I do not have emission yet were I live. I have a feeling that they are coming. I will put them back on to pass. Atl. is growning so they can pass Fed. Smog testing. I don't want to make any changes that can not be put back easy. I have the cats and stock pipe in the garage.

Emissions laws are pretty strict here in CO, but I know it would sound just awesome without cats. I could always have a local shop weld in some flanges on both sides of the cats, then do the same thing with a set of straight pipes so I could swap between the two. That would probably throw a CEL, so I think I'll wait for some PCM tuning before heading in that direction.. I'm just psyched about the way it is now. Sounds really good, and my passing power has definitely improved.. I actually had a 3" flow"disaster" :taunt: setup on my last truck (88 Jimmy fullsize), and it sounded really deep and mean but only over a small rpm range.. Once the revs passed a certain limit it actually sounded like crap (metallic and thrashy). The magnaflow sounds nice and smooth all the way across the rev band. This is probably a result of the chambered design versus straight-through design. The straight-through's don't have the insanely mean sound to them like the 2 chamber flows, but what they lack in overall volume they make up in smoothness and tone...

Anyway, I went to wash the truck yesterday with the digital camera in hand. I stopped by the grocerie store on the way to my favorite picture spot, and when I came out.... Downpour... :bash: Now today it's all misty and rainy out.. Once the sun shines I'll post pics, unless you really want to see it all dirty...

Hate the rain after washing also. I like to have clean for a couple of days before having to wash it again.

Acouple of suggests for your next install or if anyone here does thier exhaust.
Go to Home Depot and get a Saws-ALL and some blades to do the cutting. Then return it if you don't want it.
When you are removing the hangers from the gromets, heat them up with a propane torch and pull on them at the sam time. The hangers will come right out. :thumb:

Hahaha you are a cheap one!!! keep the saw it is useful as hell!!! :thumb:

LOL, a sawsall is definitely on my list of tools to purchase... Would have only taken me an hour if I had one... :duh: After that all I need is a TIG welder, 10klb Lift, some air tools, a flow bench, and a garage to put it all in.... :wink: