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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Central Kentucky
Posts: 161
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Cat-back vs. muffler swap
What are your thoughts on having new mufflers welded in place of the factory mufflers vs. buying a full 2.5" cat-back kit?
I'm currently running a Mac 2.5" H-pipe into the stock 2.25" cat-back. I'm trying to decide if the $500 is worth it for a 2.5" cat-back, or if there would be no performance difference over keeping the 2.25" piping and having different mufflers welded in.
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2003 Mach 1 - TR3650 - Mac O/R H-pipe - Ford Racing driveshaft - Modified air intake - Nitto Motivo 315/35s on 10.5" FR500 wheels - Steeda clutch adjuster |
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#2 |
it's soo-tack
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Fairmont, WV
Posts: 2,082
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Re: Cat-back vs. muffler swap
Since your motor is basically stock, then all you are doing is adjusting the sound when changing mufflers or cat-back. I say if you like the sound now then leave it alone.
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mark 2004 DSG Mach 1. Built motor. Turbo. 667whp 2006 Sonic Blue Focus. Built motor. Turbo. 12.4 @ 115mph (sold) 2003 DSG Mach 1. 12.65 @ 106 (sold) |
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#3 |
Heppasketties
![]() Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Mercer County, NJ
Posts: 4,760
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Re: Cat-back vs. muffler swap
I agree with Sutyak I just put my factory cats back on after 14 years of being off the car (i removed the factory exhaust at about 1,500 miles in 2003) I have noticed no HP drop just a noise level drop. The car is quiet now with a nice little rumble but nothing like what it was with a catted Bassani X-pipe and exhaust which is what I put on it back then. Currently I have the MRT mufflers and pipe after the factory cats and I feel it sounds like it did with the stock mufflers. I still have the factory mufflers and pipe but had to cut the pipe to remove it. The rolled tips are what i really like about the factory exhaust the MRT is rolled also just a larger diameter.
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M1R Member #1829 2011 Shelby GT-500 Grabber Blue W/SVT Performance Package Born on Friday, 6-25-2010 Purchased 8-19-2010 2003 Zinc Yellow Auto I/UP (Build #8280 of 9652) Born on Thursday, 7/17/03 Purchased 8-18-2003 first owner Sold 8-19-2010 bought GT500 Purchased again 3-3-2017 fifth owner Purchased for my wife to drive (but she knows I love the car) |
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#4 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Theodore Alabama
Posts: 282
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Re: Cat-back vs. muffler swap
I would love to find a complete factory set up to go back too.
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Parkesburg, PA
Posts: 1,084
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Re: Cat-back vs. muffler swap
In the end it comes down to grand total price, and if you got a deal on a cat back and are installing it in your driveway, it's usually worth it(especially for us North easterner's dealing with 15 year old, crusty, rusted metal).
If you know what you want, and aren't going to be spending more and more chasing a certain sound then the catback is one and done. If mufflers are $70 a piece let's say, that's $140. Maybe $80-100 for a shop to cut your old mufflers out and put new ones in. You're looking at $220-240. That's a decent discount vs most catbacks, but what's another $250 if you're keeping the car for years? Just wait for the catback you want to pop up used, and save yourself some money. You already have the midpipe, may as well match it up(plus, you get a good size set of exhaust tips). Not that the mufflers aren't the bulk of the gains, but it also helps each mod moving forward if you have plans. |
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#6 | |
Can't be bridled
![]() Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 7,006
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Re: Cat-back vs. muffler swap
Quote:
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2004 Mach 1 #6956 5spd w/IUP Eaton swap, longtubes, built 3.73 SRA 452hp/409tq dynojet🏁 |
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#7 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Central Kentucky
Posts: 161
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Re: Cat-back vs. muffler swap
Thanks guys. I'm not necessarily looking for a certain sound. I'm more interested in squeezing power out of this thing. I figured that 2.5" pipe running into 2.25" pipe isn't doing my car any favors. And there is a small chance I will be doing some more power adders this winter. I was just wondering if anybody had experience with testing pipe sizes to see what the difference really is. If it's 5 HP I'll pass but if there's say, 20 or so to be found I'd go for the full cat back.
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2003 Mach 1 - TR3650 - Mac O/R H-pipe - Ford Racing driveshaft - Modified air intake - Nitto Motivo 315/35s on 10.5" FR500 wheels - Steeda clutch adjuster |
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Hopinsville
Posts: 163
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I could tell a difference in my Impala when I upped the exhaust size. These 4V’s should move enough air to tell a difference too.
Pick your poison. |
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