Sorry to beat a dead horse here, but I have a dilema....

I've ordered the magnaflow exhaust mostly because I love the trumpet pipes. However, yesterday I got my alta pulley installed and Al at AE performance in Campbell told me that the loudness will get really annoying..... He recommended the borla system.

I don't mind the pipes being loud at full throttle, but what I don't know is how loud it is just "cruising at freeway speeds". For those of you how own or have owned the magnaflow system, can you comment on your freeway speeds and maybe overall opinions in regards to noise?

I know it will all come down to personal preference and it would be best if I could hear the system in the mini itself vs the borla. However, since I don't know anyone with those two pipes I don't have that option. Any comments you guys (and gals) have would be appreciated!

 

I have it. Not too loud for me, but the guy I bought it from took it off 'cause of the noise. It does not drone at highway speeds, but after 3-4 hours it does get a bit overwhelming. No headaches or anything, and I can hear my 3 year old from the backseat over it.

 

i have one... it has no resonator, so its louder than a regular one, but it doesnt bother me... im putting in a megan header this weekend with no cat... man thats gona be really loud.... . we're all different, i have a different tolorance level, you might like it or not... its worth a wack.

 

I Live in San Jose and know Al and I also do have the Magnaflow. If you wanted I could meet you there and or anywhere close by for a test ride no problem.

 

I love loud!!!! i even took off my resinator and stright piped my magaflow... it sounds so good...

I dont listen to the radio half the time cuase i love hearing the humming of my engine...

 

Hey Blissfull, Thanks for the offer! I would love to do that. I actually live in San Carlos and work in Mountain View. Do you happen to work North of San Jose? If you do maybe I can meet you during lunch one day. If not, I can meet you anywhere really. I really appreciate the offer!

 

For me, the stock magnaflow was great except for extended highway trips when it did drone (especially with the windows up). I just recently decided to tame my magnaflow- see pictures below. I added flanges one side of the rear section. I have given myself the ability to run the magnaflow "stock" or I can block off one side by bolting in the block off plate. Unfortunately, at the same time as I made this mod, I became aware that I had melted the fiberglass in the resinator into hard chunks that were rattling around like marbles inside of the resinator body. The resinator has been replaced by a 2.5" straight pipe.....the exhaust is definately louder now, but with the block off plate in place, it actually cruises quieter on the highway than it did before!
Jason

 

The resonator problems for the magnaflow have surfaced from time to time. They have stood by the product tho but it is still a pain in the but to replace the parts even if they are free.

 

Hey Jasonsmf,

I haven't seen the pieces of the magnaflow up close before. Did you make the flanges to weld on? I have a friend with a welder so I could weld them on, but I don't have the ability to make those nice flanges. Also, when welding what's your advise so I don't melt my figerglass?

Did you notice a reduction in power when you "close" the flange or only a reduction in noise? Have you tried different sized holes in the "inserts" to "tune" the amount and tone of the noise?

 

sure send me a private message and we can hook up. If you can maybe a weekend if not weekday since it's a work day. Anyways, let me know I'll be glad to let you ride in it.

 

There is a bit of a drone at highway speeds. You may need to turn the radio up a bit. It sounds awesome around town, though. Comparing it to the 3" straight pipe with no resonator and race muffler I just got....it's whisper quiet.

 

I love my Magnaflow catback. I test drove a used MCS with a Borla sport last fall and really like the sound. Then started checking around for somthing new for my MCS. Alot of folks say the Magnaflow is too loud. I rode in a MCS with a Milltec and didn't find it very exciting. I got a Magnaflow for my car. I drove another MCS yesterday we were considering buying. It had a Miltek, still not inspiring. I love the way the Magnaflow sounds. I don't usually drive long distances in my MCS so I can't speak much about the "drone". I do know I can listen to the stereo loud and can still enjoy the exhaust music too.

 

I actually purchased my system used and it had already had the resonator replaced with the newer style setup- so I didn't even attempt to get it replaced. I think prolonged high exhaust temps from track days are the cause of melted fiberglass.

Jason

 

I have a friend with a CNC mill, the flanges were custom made out of 3/8" thick 304 stainless steel. I then used my TIG welder to weld everything together. The flanges are far enough away from the mufflers that they really didn't get hot from welding-I didn't have any issues.

I have not noticed any reduction in power (seat of the pants). Just a reduction in noise level. The only hole size I have used is 2 1/4" (same as the pipe diameter back there). For day to day street driving I'm happy with it closed, for autox or track days I will probably uncork it so I will atleast sound faster.

Jason

 

I had the same problem with another after market exhaust. I solved the problem by going to a muffer shop and having them install a glass pack muffer inline just before the pipe splits into the Y for the dual mufflers. I actually took out part of the center bracket that holds the two rubber mounts that hold up the center exhaust pipe(the part of the bracket after the first four of the total six bolts that holds up the center exhaust pipe) since it is not necesssary to hold the two rubber mounts that hold up the exahust pipe. As a result I could fit in a 27 inch long glass pack which really took the noise level down without any significant change in exhaust restriction or the great sound of the muffler.

 

I have no problem with my "Flow" being too loud. If drone at highway speeds bothers you, lower the window about 1/2 and it cuts the drone in half.

 

Depending on the application, borla can be loud too...but my comment is coming from the track. While driving an M3 last season, we were told that we exceeded the decible limit for the track. If you track your car you may want to check into this.

Oh, the M3...when I came into the pits, I removed one one of the numbers...62 instead of 162. We honesty felt another car was the problem...we were never bothered again. Just consider noise if you track your car.

 

I have a Magnflow 6" resenator I built for this exact problem. The resenator is 14" by 6" round and comes with a pre welded flange and rear tubing. This is a slip on and there is no need to cut your OEM Maganflow exhaust up. I'm selling it for $90 bucks shipped. It helped a lot making it much quieter. Here are two pix
Mario

 

So, if officials black flag you for noise, this device can be installed quickly with little effort?

 

I don't think there is a device for being erroneously black-flagged. Well, maybe glasses for the officials. Don't most tracks have an actual dB requirement? I believe BeaveRun requires < 95dB. I have a hard time believing that the major aftermarket street exhausts are too loud for track racing.

 

Hey MarioKart, do you happen to know the P/N for this part?

 

So did we...that's why we removed one number and were never bothered again. There was a very old, wicked quick, butt ugly, GTI circling with us...we blamed it, rightfully, on him. They wouldn't listen...so off came the number. Still haven'r been bothered a year later...

 

I'm not sure of the number but I guess I could find out. It is a direct bolt and you never have to cut your OEM up.

 

IIRC there are two different magnaflow systems. One of them (older) is much louder than the other .

 

The new system is really nice. They changed it allot. Before, the center pipe connected to the back like a T (bad). They now use two stamped pieces of stainless to create a perfect merged Y collector (good). This really improves flow over the old design. They also went to a traditional exit out of the mufflers. The mufflers exits do not connect to each other like the old systems. This also improves flow.

The center pipe is 2.5" and the rear section is 2.25" . Compare that pipe size to the 1.75" rear section on the Milltek and the 1.50" rear section on the Borla. The big Magnaflow can really flow some air. It should be loader just based on the piping diameter.

They no longer make the old system. Here is a pic of the new one.

Longboard