My NEW Magnaflow exhaust

[217gsr]

Well, I finally got my exhaust installed. For those of you who don't know what I got, it's a custom 2.5" cat-back with a Magnaflow universal muffler (non-mandrel bent). I chose a 2.5" slash-cut style tip. The whole deal looks REALLY close to stock.

When I picked it up and started it for the first time, it really surprised me how deep and low the tone was. It immediately struck me as being kinda loud though. But as soon as the car was warmed up (and out of the garage), the tone was MUCH quieter. In fact, while sitting at idle, you can't hear the exhaust AT ALL (well, barely).

On the freeway, if you open the throttle up, the sound is pretty deafening inside the car. But interestingly enough, my girlfriend following me noted that although you can hear the car from the outside, it's not loud at all. Certainly no raspiness at all. Just clean deep low rumble. Also, while cruising, there is no noticeable noise from the exhaust.

As for performance, the car does seem to lag a tiny bit, but as soon as the rpms start to climb, the car pulls harder (and smoother) than it did before. Definately a few ponies gained. I didn't get this thing for the performance value, to be honest, so that's just a plus.

I had a friend drive the car around the block when I got home. I stood outside. It really is weird how the noise is pretty loud inside the car, but outside the car, it's barely noticeable.

Over the course of 1 evening, I "re-learned" how to drive the car so that the interior noise is toned waay down. Even my girlfriend doesn't complain about the noise inside anymore.

I don't think I'll be worried about run-ins with police anymore. For the price, the exhaust is totally worth it. My exhaust leak is fixed. . .no more rattles. Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ June 05, 2002 12:40 PM: Message edited by: 217gsr ]</font>

[217gsr]

Well, it looks like I'll need to rethink this Magnaflow.

I just took a 1 hr drive up to Irvine (where I'll be living next year) and I arrived DEAF! The drone inside the car is too much, even if the car is pretty quiet on the outside.

I will be going back to the muffler shop tomorrow morning to have my Magnaflow muffler taken off. I am going to get a Dynomax Super Turbo muffler to take its place. If that doesn't quiet the exhaust down, nothing will.

[vteg]

Did you use a resonator in your setup? I have had the magnaflow 2.25 catback on my car for almost a week. I am NA. The exhaust is definately noticeble inside the car. I have not had someone drive my car around yet to hear it from the outside. At idle, I would not know it was there. 1500-4000 rpms it is definately louder than stock. Above 4000, I cannot hear it.
I had a dynomax super turbo on a civic that I used to own. Initially that muffler is pretty quiet. With age mine got louder.
Personally I think the noise levels are comparable, but I like the deep growl of the magnaflow better. The magnaflow is much better than I expected from a straight through muffler.

[217gsr]

I totally agree about the Magnaflow being a great muffler. The difference is that I have 2.5" piping, which does create some more noise due to higher flow (boost). If I wasn't going to live in a city where the police pull just about anyone over for DWA (Driving While Asian [img]wink.gif[/img] ), then I wouldn't even bother to change the muffler.

Of course, if I idled everywhere I went, instead of driving at 4K rpm while cruising at 80mph, then I wouldn't have the droning problem either. Hehe. Hopefully the Dynomax will cure all my problems. It's being installed as I speak, so I'll definately update everyone on what my final outcome is. I think if it's still loud though, I'll be assed out. Crossing my fingers. . .

[217gsr]

Well, the Dynomax Super Turbo muffler is on and the Magnaflow is off.

I can hear my supercharger again! [img]smile.gif[/img] Now, the predominant noise on the freeway is once again road noise (not exhaust drone). Listening to the stereo can be accomplished at a lower volume once more.

It still sounds like I have an exhaust though, which isn't surprising. At idle, the burble of the exhaust note doesn't sound nearly as smooth and deep as the Magnaflow. During acceleration, you can hear the exhaust note inside the car, and it sounds deep and mellow.

So far, I'm happy with the switch.