Only Muffler or CatBack
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,619
Likes: 12
From: Forest Hill MD
Only Muffler or CatBack
I'm on a tight budget (who isn't) and want a flowmaster catback system but what if I only replaced the muffler itself? Would that get me any performance gains? Or would I be wasting my money.
97 F150 4.6 K&N KIPK
Not looking for sound as much as performance gains (MPG) to compliment the K&N.
Thanks in advance
97 F150 4.6 K&N KIPK
Not looking for sound as much as performance gains (MPG) to compliment the K&N.
Thanks in advance
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 742
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Iowa
On my 5.4 expie I just replaced the stock muffler with a 40 series flowmaster. I also had them cut the resonator off. I just ran 3 in pipe from the new muffler back, and had them slash cut the pipe at the tail. It looks nice, subdued and it sounds really,really good. It definitely feels like it freed up some ponies but I am not sure if that is just a percieved difference just because I can hear the engine pull through the gears now. I wish I could have dyno'd it before and after to confirm what the seat of my pants tells me!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,214
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From: Rio Rancho USA
Catbacks also have mandral bends, which flow better than crush bent pipe.
Just replacing the muffler will free up a little power, a catback will free up a little more on top of that. You can always just buy a muffler, then save for the catback later.
Just replacing the muffler will free up a little power, a catback will free up a little more on top of that. You can always just buy a muffler, then save for the catback later.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 742
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Iowa
Most local muffler shops mandrel bend thier pipes nowadays anyway. If the people who work at your muffler shop know what they are doing, then there is no real advantage to buying a cat back. It will just be more expensive, and you'll still have to pay someone to put it on. Unless you bolt it on yourself. But to me, time=money.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 161
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From: Dubai, UAE
This is what I do not understand about cat-backs? Of cousre exhaust companies will provide you with the whole system, muffler and pipes, but if I have 2 1/2 in. pipes on my 5.4 as stock (I don't know the measurements as fact, but this is what I have heard) then why do I need a whole system? I can just replace the stock muffler with a Flow Master, ...no??? Or are the pipes provided by FlowMaster totally different then the stock pipes?
Last edited by Shmuck; May 11, 2005 at 08:50 AM.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,619
Likes: 12
From: Forest Hill MD
The flowmaster comes with 3" pipe for bigger better flow. I was curious how much gain would be accomplished.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,787
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From: covington wa.
Personally I dont like flowmaster they sound way to tin-ny for me.
So on my wifes exped i had installed a 3" magnaflow cat back system and wow it sounds so much better then a flowmaster, it
has a lower mean sounding rumble that just speaks for itself when
you get on it. no hollow bafflelly noise here.I also instl a bigger system on my 89' f250 with a 460 and it made alittle better sound
but with the humongus cat on it it doesnt get as loud.
So on my wifes exped i had installed a 3" magnaflow cat back system and wow it sounds so much better then a flowmaster, it
has a lower mean sounding rumble that just speaks for itself when
you get on it. no hollow bafflelly noise here.I also instl a bigger system on my 89' f250 with a 460 and it made alittle better sound
but with the humongus cat on it it doesnt get as loud.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: covington wa.
Dont get me wrong here im sure its just the sound you like and thats great, I just prefer the lower rumble of magnaflow over the
higher rumble of the flowmasters. I believe the differance is the
baffle type of flows vs the glass of magnas.
higher rumble of the flowmasters. I believe the differance is the
baffle type of flows vs the glass of magnas.
New User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
[QUOTE=AntC1]if you want a good sounding cat-back system with impressive performance gains check out cat-back with mandral bends from IMCO, http://grabthepower.com[/QUOTE]
Have to agree here. I have had my IMCO for about 2 months and love it. Have not done the math to figure out any MPG gains or not. I have K&N filter also. Great sound and at freeway speeds little to no drone. I got the cat back system and the pipe is a lot bigger from stock. I think cat back is worth extra money over muffler only.
Have to agree here. I have had my IMCO for about 2 months and love it. Have not done the math to figure out any MPG gains or not. I have K&N filter also. Great sound and at freeway speeds little to no drone. I got the cat back system and the pipe is a lot bigger from stock. I think cat back is worth extra money over muffler only.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,665
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
I do agree, most cases flowmasters are not the rumbliest. I swapped a glasspack for a single-chamberd Flow and it lost some rumble....but that annoying 'pop' is gone too.
Now, outside we have an old chev K-5 blazer with true dual Flowmasters and headers...man, that is very loud and RUMBLY.
Now, outside we have an old chev K-5 blazer with true dual Flowmasters and headers...man, that is very loud and RUMBLY.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 1
From: Bixby, OK
I can tell you when I personally put on my Flow 40, I got a higher RPM gain, and better gas mileage.
What kind of pop are you talking about? On my Bronco II when I am changing gears at a high RPM (automatic) I sometimes get a loud pop noise. What causes this.. anybody know?
Originally Posted by MemOrex
but that annoying 'pop' is gone too