Opinion requested: FRPP GTA Axle Back or Magnaflow Cat Back

MyLocalDJ · 09-23-2009

I currently have the FRPP GTA axle back exhaust. I like the sound, but the drone is a killer.

I was at the YearOne Chip Foose Braselton Bash this past weekend and won an auction for a MagnaFlow Cat Back exhaust system for a very good price. The result was a certificate for any make/model Cat Back exhaust from MagnaFlow and thus did not specify a part number so my options are to get one for my mustang, to get one for another one of my vehicles, or to sell it.

My question is really along the lines of whether it would be worth changing out my existing FRPP GTAs for the MagnaFlow system? I hear the MagnaFlow does not have drone. One of the parts guys at YearOne told me the MagnaFlow would be quieter than the FRPP that I have currently. Don't really want to go quieter and not sure he really knows. Another parts guy said they would be quieter at idle but louder under acceleration.

Thoughts?

dtuna42 · 09-23-2009

I don't know if I have the same part number as you would be getting, but I totally recommend Magnaflow. People do often call them "quieter" than other brands, but they really aren't- They are basically just much less intrusive at idle and normal cruising- they are just as loud at full throttle (thinking in dB's) but since the sound is so clean you don't interpret it as being as "noisy" as some other mufflers. {disclaimer- this is my opinion, I don't have a dB meter...}

However, even if you stay with FRPP you can't go wrong, as my understanding is that they are basically rebadged Borla's, or vice-versa...

Depending on how much you need to pay for the MF's, you may be able to sell them on the forums, eBay, etc..; they are pretty expensive, & in demand; this applies to the FRPP's also, but you'd obviously get more for the unused MF's.

blk281gt · 09-23-2009

The magna flows that i had , come with new over the axle pipes. If you want to switch axlebacks you have to change them also. Did not want to do that and be locked into one muffler choice , so i sold them.

ajaxthemax · 09-23-2009

I have the magnaflow cat back and it does sound quieter at idle and louder than FRPP under acceleration. It is definitely one of the top 5 best sounding exhaust systems. and NO DRONE!

**stlwagon** · 09-23-2009

I don't think there's an exhaust system out there for the S197 that can honestly claim no drone. It's almost technically impossible to design a muffler to be drone-free just due to the rear placement of the mufflers. Some may drone less than others but I've never heard one that was perfect... And I've had 6 different systems.

MyLocalDJ · 09-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtuna42

Depending on how much you need to pay for the MF's, you may be able to sell them on the forums, eBay, etc..; they are pretty expensive, & in demand; this applies to the FRPP's also, but you'd obviously get more for the unused MF's.

You'd laugh if I told you how low the price was. I was shocked when I put my bid down and someone else didn't come behind me with a higher bid. I have always been a fan of MagnaFlow anyway.

I may wind up trying them if nothing else, to get rid of some drone. I can always keep the other pipes and FRPP mufflers or see if I can get a little for them.

MyLocalDJ · 09-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlwagon

I don't think there's an exhaust system out there for the S197 that can honestly claim no drone. It's almost technically impossible to design a muffler to be drone-free just due to the rear placement of the mufflers. Some may drone less than others but I've never heard one that was perfect... And I've had 6 different systems.

I tend to agree with you but wonder if there is a significant difference. With the various ones that you have tried, did any happen to be the MagnaFlow and if so, what did you think?

ajaxthemax · 09-23-2009

Mine is the cervini side exhaust. magnaflow true catback system. Haven't heard any drone. But yes there may be a small amount. I went from factory to this setup and the difference was so huge that I may not be noticing the drone that the magnaflows do create.....

dtuna42 · 09-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlwagon

I don't think there's an exhaust system out there for the S197 that can honestly claim no drone. It's almost technically impossible to design a muffler to be drone-free just due to the rear placement of the mufflers. Some may drone less than others but I've never heard one that was perfect... And I've had 6 different systems.

+1. The rear mount mufflers probably aren't the best option for sound, but I have found a pretty good fix. Besides using the MagnaFlows and tossing the Flowmasters, I added in some Dynamat Extreme. I did the spare tire tub, all floor surfaces, and a couple inches going up the sides. It took about 6 sheets (out of a 9 sheet box), and added at most 15-20 lbs to the car, but it make a huge difference in exhaust noise, road noise, expansion joint thumping, etc. HUGE improvement. Well worth the cost & effort.

**stlwagon** · 09-23-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyLocalDJ

I tend to agree with you but wonder if there is a significant difference. With the various ones that you have tried, did any happen to be the MagnaFlow and if so, what did you think?

That's one that I haven't owned.

BKid · 09-23-2009

GTA`S are the one I like the most.

vector · 09-24-2009

I too have Magnaflow catback 2.5 in. with Hushmat thruout the trunk and have found them to be neighborhood friendly. But under load they really growl. And I dont notice the drone.

BlueLou · 09-24-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyLocalDJ

I currently have the FRPP GTA axle back exhaust. I like the sound, but the drone is a killer.
....

The GTA's or the GT5's (aka. stingers)?

I had the GTA's and the GT5's. The GTA's had no drone at all. They also weren't much louder than the stock mufflers. The GT5's sounded awesome but I found the drone unbearable. (I ended up putting the stock mufflers back on)

I don't think there's an aftermarket muffler out there with less drone than the GTA's.....

MyLocalDJ · 09-24-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueLou

The GTA's or the GT5's (aka. stingers)?

I had the GTA's and the GT5's. The GTA's had no drone at all. They also weren't much louder than the stock mufflers. The GT5's sounded awesome but I found the drone unbearable. (I ended up putting the stock mufflers back on)

I don't think there's an aftermarket muffler out there with less drone than the GTA's.....

I am 99% sure they are GTAs and I definitely have the drone around 1800 - 2100 rpm. I even changed my gears to 3.73 to up the rpm for in town use. Better, but still have it. I usually just run in a lower gear around town to stay out of the range. I do get a LOT of positive comments on the current sound. I even had a guy on a BMW convertible flag me down at Mustang Week to tell me that he could ride behind me all day just to listen to the sound of the cams and exhaust. Personally, I didn't think it was that loud.

**stlwagon** · 09-24-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueLou

I ended up putting the stock mufflers back on.

Wuss..........