[BlackWinterDay]

Hey Everyone,

I've got some questions about the stock exhaust system on a 2005 Mustang GT.

First of all, I have read that the stock system is made from 2.5" stainless steel mandrel bent piping. Now, even with my limited automotive knowledge I know that stainless steel mandrel bent piping is about as good as it gets. Why then, do some people seem eager to slap a catback on their new rides? I understand that a pair of Magnapacks won't line up with the stock piping, but what's the point of buying the Magnaflow catback? Or any of the other catback systems that will no doubt be released? If you want to change your exhaust note, then why not do it with mufflers alone and save some cash?

Here is a link to a thread on another board where they photographed the install of a Magnaflow catback system on a new Mustang GT. They noted that the stock exhaust system was "crimped" and "convoluted". I cannot comment on the crimping, but it would have been nice to see some pictures of what they were talking about.

http://64.177.72.121/forums/showthread.php?t=7691

(My apologies if I should not post links to other Mustang boards)

The fact that the factory piping has a few more bends in it compared to the "smooth" Magnaflow system should not affect performance to any noticeable degree, if they are in fact mandrel bends. By "crimped", I am going to assume that they mean the ends of one pipe were bent inwards to make insertion into another pipe easier. Again, it would have been nice to see some pictures of this. Can anyone who has done a catback install themselves on their new Mustang comment on whether or not this is true? That would be a flow stopper for sure... But I just can't see Ford spending money on high-end exhaust system for these cars, and then blowing it through sloppy assembly.

So that leads me to my next question, which is: would there be any reason to change out the factory H pipe unless you really wanted an X, or unless you wanted to make room for a pair of LT headers? If the catalytic converters are the bottleneck, then why not just replace those with a couple of high-flow ones and call it a day?

I just thought it would be nice to stimulate some conversation on this topic, as there's probably going to be a lot of people out there spending money on upgrades that aren't going to do anything for performance. If you can enhance the sound and maximize the performance of your exhaust system with nothing more than mufflers, cats and headers, then that leaves a lot of cash leftover for other go-fast mods

[GTRaptor]

I think FORD has taken good care of covering some of the BASICS to leave room for more important upgrades.

As you mention it already has a decent exhaust, so why bother at this point changing it?
Agree with you that the stock exhaust can stay, and maybe just add a nicer set of mufflers to deepen the exhaust tone.

In other platforms we had to install miriad of little things to improve HP, braking, handling and chassis stiffening. With the 2005 its an entire NEW ballgame.

You can keep most of the stock stuff and focus on more important issues, 1st could be the engine, a set of underdrive pulleys, maybe a set of headers, a more performance oriented program for the EEC, remove intake restrictions (CAI, HYDROCARBON FILTER REMOVAL), etc..
Steeda already has a package that increases output to 350HP , and it consists of mostly the above items.

I think this is great news if you want more performance, you dont need to spend insane ammounts of money with basics to correct some of the problems present with the platform since most have been taken care from the factory.

This might sound as a comercial but just look at the pieces steeda offers, they have the above 50HP package plus many things to improve the suspension further.

The total cost of installing all those things will be less than you need to spend in other platforms such as the FOX and SN95s.

Less money spent on basics, means more money for serious mods such as superchargers or turbos. Or if you want to be different, that money can be spent on looks.

[thunder05]

Well...I can't speak for everyone..
My catback magnaflow system will be here tomorrow... I had fully intended to get only the mufflers and not get the pipes......I wanted only a stronger sound.....but while shopping found a coupon deal that bought the full catback system delivered....for less than the mufflers alone everywhere else.

I don't know all of the technical reasons for having the complete system.....I wanted a little more sound......But the cash still in my pocket after buying the full system tells me why I did it.

[BlackWinterDay]

Originally Posted by thunder05

Well...I can't speak for everyone..
My catback magnaflow system will be here tomorrow... I had fully intended to get only the mufflers and not get the pipes......I wanted only a stronger sound.....but while shopping found a coupon deal that bought the full catback system delivered....for less than the mufflers alone everywhere else.

I don't know all of the technical reasons for having the complete system.....I wanted a little more sound......But the cash still in my pocket after buying the full system tells me why I did it.

Well when you take the old exhaust apart, please inspect the ends of the stock pipes and let us know how they look. Grats on the deal :thumbsup

[bandgod]

well from what ive seen is that the the cat-back system gives about 5-8 more hp than the axle-back system. And even though the few less bends in the system might not make that much of a difference every little bit helps

[BlackWinterDay]

Originally Posted by bandgod

well from what ive seen is that the the cat-back system gives about 5-8 more hp than the axle-back system. And even though the few less bends in the system might not make that much of a difference every little bit helps

The Mustang in the link I posted saw only 5hp at the wheels after the install of the Magnaflow catback, which was likely due to the straight through muffler design. I am willing to be that you would see similar gains on a car with only the Magnaflow axleback exhaust installed.

[mustangtk]

The exhaust companies are still stuck with the mentality of the previous Mustang generations and their piss poor exhaust pipes. They are trying to get you to buy the whole cat-back system since they will make more money doing so. If you want to spend the extra money be my guest, but I would suggest just replacing the mufflers if you want a louder sound. I personally think they nailed the right exhaust note. As for the exhaust being crimped and convoluted what the hell are they talking about, this is the smoothest looking pipes I've ever seen on a Mustang including aftermarket pipes.