exhaust axleback or catbacks?

[JTGrant]

I know that the new mustang's exhuast system from the factory is pretty good. Is there any performance to go with the catback or just to buy an axleback system? I know that replacing the mid section and long tube headers is a no-brainer. Which axle-back or cat-backs have actually made more power or is just souly for sound on this car?

Pole:
Choose your favorite:
-Borla
-Magnaflow
-Bassani
-Flowmaster
-JBA
-Loudmouth
-other

 

[I8URVTEC]

I have the Bassani system and love it. IMO the best way to get a power gain is to replace the cats. They seem to be the most restrictive part of the stock system. Axle-back may give you 3-5 hp but it is mostly for improving the sound. The midpipes i.e. x-pipes will also give you a nice gain in mid range torque but again its only like 5-7 hp. Check out this picture I took compairing the stock cats and h pipe to the Bassani cats and x pipe. You can really notice the difference in airflow:
http://franksperformance.com/Forums/index.php?act=module&module=gallery&cmd=si&img=7

 

[GNN60GT500]

The reason why you would want to get a cat back instead of just an axle back is there are 4 bends before the exhaust goes over the axle that can be eliminating resulting in additional power gains-

I work for Magnaflow, so Ill let you guess which exhaust product Ill suggest...lol

 

[Alec]

Maybe it's a little early in the game, but are there any articles on the net or in a magazine doing a non biased test of all the available systems.

Seems like in the 5.0 days every other article was comparing exhaust systems.

 

[willys1]

Maybe it's a little early in the game, but are there any articles on the net or in a magazine doing a non biased test of all the available systems.

Seems like in the 5.0 days every other article was comparing exhaust systems.

Yeah,probably because back in the 80's it was the best sounding car from the factory.Ford small blocks always had the best sound.IMO,,You cant go wrong with Bassani,it gives your car a nice mean "Growl"!!

 

[918Chef]

The last 3 issues of Mustang Muscle have had an exhaust shootout. Unless you are going to replace the cats, IMO, an axle back is the way to go. You won't be buying much HP unless the stock cats go.

 

[phantom05]

I have the full Magnaflow System...Catted X pipe and Catbacks.
There is very little difference in the Mids...If you only want Axle back...Theres no reason to get the catbacks...The only real reason I bought catbacks...Is because the coupon deal I got from partshopper when the systems first came out, gave me the catbacks for much less.
Heres a pic of the stock and magnaflow mids The top pipe is magnaflow...You can see the bends Brent refered to in the stock pipe....but they are clean unkinked or restricted bends.
It's your call.

 

[JTGrant]

I just don't want a system that pops like hell when you let of the throttle.

 

[SixFivePony]

I just don't want a system that pops like hell when you let of the throttle.[/QUOTE

Bassani then. Mine has *never* popped.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who looked for that in an exhaust before my purchase.

 

[GTwhtGT]

I went with the Cat-Backs primarily because there wasn't that much of a price difference between the axle back and cat-back. Following that same logic (don't laugh, it worked with the wife) I also got the Catted x-pipe.

 

[celticstanger]

Not sure I'm following - the cats are part of the mid pipe, so all there is after that is muffler and tips. By cat-back, do you mean mid-pipe and mufflers? I did the mufflers on my car (Roush conversion) first. Sounded good - appreciable difference over stock, but not as nice as the Flowmasters I had on previously. I recently added the catted Magnaflow x pipe and sounds MUCH better.

I haven't dyno'd the car, but with the exhaust and 3.73 gears, it moved like ***** off a hot shovel (ie, fast!), and roared majestically. 100% recommended.

 

[GTwhtGT]

The mid-pipe is from the header back to the H or X. Cat-back is from the H or X pipe back, not from the Cats like it sounds. Axle backs are just from the axle back and use the stock pipes forward to the H/X.

 

[krowbar]

I just took the stock mufflers off and ran straight pipe out the back. It pops a little but it's loud. That's the way I like it though.