I've been reading a lot and doing my homework on catback exhaust systems (since it's one of the next mods on my list of to-do's) but I'm contemplating going custom instead of buying a pre'fab'd system (XLR8 or ATLP).

I already have RV6 j-pipe and HFPC's. I want the car to SOUND mean, but at the end of the day, I'm looking for the best power gain.

XLR8 and ATLP are both awesome looking and sounding systems, but I have read in multiple places that custom is the way to go if you're looking for power (some even say 3" exhaust works best), though I haven't seen any hard evidence. Anybody here running a custom setup? If so, do you have a dyno chart after the install? I know dyno's aren't the "end all be all", but it will give me some kind of clue as to whether it's worth doing over an "easy to install/off the shelf" system.

For those of you running custom set ups, how much did it run you? (pricing from the 3rd cat, or lack-there-of, back)

Any help you guys could provide would be awesome!

 

I have priced out a custom catback with stainless 2 1/2" tubing, 2 magnaflow mufflers, a stainless dynomax resonator, and quad tips for $604.35 just for materials. I would do all the welding myself.

 

go custom.
3 inch pipes mandrel bent!

 

3" mid section and dual 2.5" tailpipes shouldn't be any restriction. If you want a mean sound look into chambered mufflers instead of straight through like Magnaflow/Dynomax etc. Spintech Pro Streets flow great and are probably the meanest sounding muffler I've ever heard. They outflow most other chambered mufflers. I have yet to hear one on a TL but I'm tempted to try it.

 

My build is odd, but I'm planning on going 2.5" from the exhaust flanges on the heads into single 3", then splitting back into dual 2.5"s before the rear and run two Dynomax VT mufflers

 

I would search around for some more info on the VT's, I've heard people say they start to rattle, not sure if newer ones have fixed this or not.

 

Just straight pipe it with no mufflers, ull be screaming loud!

 

They had a big recall on them and "suppose" to have fixed it...worse comes to worse I can always tweak or pull the valve out.

 

^but doesnt that defeat the purpose of getting that muffler? just get magnaflow and call it a day

 

I'm hoping they really did fix the problem....if it was my car I would just make it and keep it loud, but it is for my parents

 

So you are putting a custom exhaust on your parents car??

 

Don't get VT's. I have one in my mid pipe area and I don't like them. I think a 30" resonator would have been better.

 

Justin, are you running a set up similar to this? Curious how this would sound as well haha

 

This was the first question that came to my mind too.

 

He's got the RV6 true duals on the way!

 

Lucky ducky! hahaha

They sound incredible

 

No off the shelf exhaust is made for j32 swapped 66 mustang

 

^

 

You put a J32 engine in a 66 Mustang?? Y not a Cobra motor?

 

I have the custom magnaflow setup with the mufflers, tips and resonator.
I also deleted the mid muffler.
Ran around $400 for parts and $300 for labour. $700 all in.
But I had to shop around for the labour. Some places were quoting me much much more.
Would I save up and buy a full catback now? probabbly lol I love the sound of the xlr8, but find the tips to be too small.

 

I have the MM delete with PCD/J-pipe and I get nothing but compliments on WOT.
But under moderate exceleration, it sounds like a distressed cow

 

My original plan was to delete the 2 rear mufflers and leave everything alone (since I already have the RV6 pipe and high flow cats). I found some videos of similar set ups that sounds pretty nice from what I can hear, though I haven't heard it in person.

A few days ago I took the car to a master mechanic to have him look at the exhaust while it was up on the lift so I could explain to him what I wanted done and he could see exactly what was going on. He kind of discouraged that idea and suggested doing a full after market cat back instead.

 

Rear muffler delete does sound good and is dirt cheap. If you want a few extra HP, maybe 10 at the most pay up for a catback. To me the premade ones at $1000+ aren't worth it when the real gains to be had are from cats/j pipe which you already have.

 

I have the RV6 v3 jpipe, dynomax 24235 for the resonator, deleted MM and 11365 magnaflows. Left the rest of the OEM pipe in place. I kinda dig it

 

When I was quoted (on 2 separate occasions by 2 different shops/mechanics) I was told around $200 by one and around $250 by the other. (both of which seem a little high to me, but I have no other previous exhaust work to compare those prices to....)

I do love the sound it makes, though! I think I would rather go that route if I'm able to!

Were you able to keep the stock tips with the rear muffler delete? I like that the stock tips conform to the shape of the bumper.

 

Do you have any videos of it, by chance?

 

I'm working on it, but I need to make a suction mount for a point and shoot digital camera that can capture a video. I think the exhaust systems sound different under load than revving in a driveway. I do like it though, and it wasn't very expensive. I'll post one when I get the mount finished

 

I knew a guy working in a small shop that did after hours jobs, so basically $20 for a muffler swap, ie $40 for the rear. When I went back later and had him swap my resonator another $20. I'd look around for a small shop that works for cash. The rear mufflers have 2 hangers but you only need to fab up 1 of them by the tip, I wouldn't bother by the back of the muffler since you're reducing the weight a lot. I brought some 2.25" pipe with me, welded to the stock pipe angles towards the tip, welded the tip back on, and used a piece of scrap rod, bent it and welded it on for a quick hanger. Easy to do.

$200+ for such an easy job is highway robbery. There's a Monroe right around the corner from my house so I stopped in there cause the guy I knew was busy for a bit, I asked them how much to just swap a straight pipe in place of the mid muffler (before I decided to delete the rears) and the guy is going on and on about how it won't pass inspection, I say it'll pass and I don't care I won't bring it here. Dude looks at me like I'm crazy and says it's gonna be at least $100, I say put my car back down have a nice day.

 

HAAAA! I don't even weld, but I would be attempting the mid muffler in my drive way before I paid someone $100+ to do it......... seriously???? It's not even like it's bent or angled.

Monroe was one of the places I got quoted for the rear muffler deletes, btw. The issue that everyone that looks at is has is the angle that the rear mufflers come off of. They claim it would take a lot of work to get the tips looking perfectly straight because of the pre-muffler bend. Also the fact that one of the rear mufflers has a flange before it.

Guess I should continue to shop around.