Aftermarket Mufflers

[Gunzrus]

I am looking into upgrading my exhaust system on my 03 cobra. I am planning on replacing my stock mufflers with Flomaster 40 series Delta Flow. I don't want it too loud but more throaty than stock. I can't see replacing a 2.5" stainless system with some of the high dollar pieces that I have seen, so I am planning on replacing the mufflers only. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[jshen]

I just purchased an 03 and the Service Engineer friend told me a few things that SVT didn't and want to get some feedback.

As a tradeoff with the Feds because of noise associated with the blower Ford was required to muffle the exhaust more. A friend has a stock 02 GT and there is defintely more exhaust note coming from it.

I was told that as long as the system is "cat-back" warranty is ok and I'm considering the Steeda system..but have concerns over their knowledge of Cobras, given what they did with the shifter.

I heard that a K&N air replacement, and removal of that silly air horn in the wheel well will add about 30 hp...and not affect warranty...Needless to say I'm looking for induction and exhaust replacements.......Anyone have suggestions.? Thanks

[Steve Bassen]

The catback on the 03's is extremely restrictive. Not just the mufflers, which are more restrictive than previous OEM Cobra mufflers (Ford previously only used the 03 mufflers on 99-01 model "export" models which were sent to Japan), but also the pipes themselves. The poor quality bends in the stock pipes kill exhaust velocity. A good quality 2.5" aftermarket catback with straight-through mufflers (Bassani and Magnaflow are, IMHO, the best choices for those cars) will net a substantial (~30rwhp) improvement on an 03 over just replacing the mufflers.

[white venom]

i have a mac pro chamber and mac cat back and i am very pleased with it. i didnt want to be just another mustang with flowmasters, everybody has them so i went a different route and am very pleased. just my 2 cents.

[03 Topless]

I have the 2 chamber FlowMaster DeltaFlows on my '03 and like them a lot! Inside the car they are very quiet, but outside the exhaust sounds much beefier. I went with 2 1/2 to the mufflers, and three inch tail pipes. My car hasn't seen a dyno, but I changed the exhaust just for the noise.

[ugothit]

Does the 03 come with a x-pipe????

[Steve Bassen]

Originally posted by ugothit
Does the 03 come with a x-pipe????

Nope, just the standard H-pipe with too many cats.

Two biggest restrictions on the 03 are:

1) intake
2) catback
3) h-pipe

Solved easily by:

1) Densecharger or similar setup
2) any aftermarket catback
3) aftermarket x-pipe

I guarentee at least 50rwhp from an investment of under $1500...

[hot98cobra]

I'm running a 2 1/2" Borla Cat-back and Bassani X-pipe. Absolutely love both. Borla is a bit more expensive, but I also didn't want to go with the standard, Flomaster. Borla has a unique sound, plus a respectable HP add. Just a thought...

[Jonny Bolt]

You cant beat the 2 chamber Flowmasters on a 4.6 or 5.0 Ford. Although the Borla is nice, it has the more "higher pitched" exotic sound. The Flowmasters have the deep muscle car sound. I prefer the 2 chambers. If I hopefully get my 03 Mach 1 this spring, I will be using 2 chamber Flowmasters on it.

[MadMax]

I drove a buddy's 03 Cobra with K&N intake, Bassani X-pipe w/cats and 2 1/2 rear Flowmaster pipes with Delta Flow series mufflers. It sounded great around town but out on the interstate the Flowmaster mufflers had a pretty bad drone/ressonance at 2000 rpm in sixth. Just my opinion but that would get old on a long road trip.

[03 Topless]

Originally posted by MadMax
out on the interstate the Flowmaster mufflers had a pretty bad drone/ressonance at 2000 rpm in sixth. Just my opinion but that would get old on a long road trip.

Max, I don't have any drone whatsoever at any RPM. I don't have anything Bassani on my car either,,,,,,so who knows.

[Steve Bassen]

The combination of an x-pipe and a chambered muffler tends to lead to excessive droning. Usually you want to stick with chambered mufflers and an H-pipe, or straight through mufflers and an X-pipe.

[Jonny Bolt]

i guess it all depends on what you want for HP/Torque gains through out the power band, and what kind of sound you like. An H-Pipe pairs up well with 2 chambers for the "muscle car" tone. X-Pipes are usually matched up with say Borla for the "exotic" sound. Plus H-Pipes and X-Pipes give different gains in HP/Torque. It all comes down to what you want to build. Some people say "X pipes are better", but they usually say that because they are "newer", which makes people think they are "better". It all depends on what your preference is. Ive heard guys say "After driving and hearing say a LS1 corvette with a Borla system on it, youll never want anything else". Personally, I like the H-Pipe/2 chamber Flowmaster config. Its deeper, sounds tougher, especially on the 5.0 motor. I guess I'm not into the exotic sound on Fords. Doesnt appeal to me. My friend had a 93 Cobra with an H-Pipe and 2 chamber Flowmasters, and it sounded incredible. 1st and 2nd gear was that DEEP bellow, then shifting into 3rd it would sound like the exhaust was sucking everything out (SCHOOMP!), then it would drop off after that, very quiet. I shouldnt be blatting though, I'm driving an SVTF right now.

I'm a V8 guy stuck in a moped band.

[MadMax]

Wow, you guys are totally right about the effects of mixing pipe configurations ! That is probably why the Flowmasters with the Bassani X had the "Drone" at 2000 rpm. I'm a believer in keeping things matched up if you are going all the way from headers back to the rear bumper.

[Classic]

Check these out - I produce these. They will change what a LOT of people will be running on their Cobras. Ford is in love with them.

www.classicchambered.com

They are not only very streetable on the new Cobras, it is music to the ears inside the car. After a few installations, you'll be believers.

-Eric

[COBRA90GT]

Originally posted by Classic
Check these out - I produce these. They will change what a LOT of people will be running on their Cobras. Ford is in love with them.

www.classicchambered.com

They are not only very streetable on the new Cobras, it is music to the ears inside the car. After a few installations, you'll be believers.

-Eric


Eric, I see you're a local guy. I listened to the '03 Cobra mp3 sound clip on the classic website and liked what I heard.

Didn't know the BOSS 429 had 'em, very interesting...

However, I would like to hear a late model modular cobra in person if possible. Do you know of any cobra owners that would be willing to "demo" the mufflers? Or, do you have a late model classic muffler equipped cobra that I could listen to?

I really like my Magnaflow setup but am willing to make a switch because these classic mufflers sound real nice. How do they sound with an X-pipe?
What is the average retail price per muffler for the 22520 tube (the one used on the '03 cobra) ??

edit After reading the FAQ page on the classic website, is it correct that the longer the flowtubes equate to quieter exhaust sound levels? In other words, the shorty tube would be the loudest?

Thanks, sorry about all the question... -Harry

[Classic]

Harry, there is nobody I'm aware of with a late-model 'Stang with these mufflers installed yet in our area. There's a guy in Atlanta area with an '03 Cobra that is supposed to be ordering a pair very soon.

Longer Powersticks will be quieter & will do more tuning. Ford used the short ones so they would fit for sure. That car was definitely not too loud - it sounded incredible. Sounded even better inside the car driving it. A friend of mine had it all weekend & said it was very acceptable to drive everyday - no disturbing resonance.

I have not set any MSRP on these mufflers, but they should be in the area of Flowmasters pricewise. Crandall Auto (Waterford) has a good selection of Powersticks in stock. They have been doing a lot of installations using them lately too. You may want to call them for some feedback from Craig, the owner.

[helga123]

I would like to see a fair comparison between these and a pair of Race Magnums.

On the Cobra shown earlier, there appears to be enough space to drop in a pair vs. the 2 chamber Flowmasters.

On the Cobra kit car test shown on the site, this primarily proves how poor (100 hp loss with a big block) the systems are that come in the kit. They're typically a "cherry bomb" style muffler welded into the collector with the elbow welded on the other end. Garbage in garbage out...

[COBRA90GT]

Originally posted by Classic
Harry, there is nobody I'm aware of with a late-model 'Stang with these mufflers installed yet in our area. There's a guy in Atlanta area with an '03 Cobra that is supposed to be ordering a pair very soon.

Longer Powersticks will be quieter & will do more tuning. Ford used the short ones so they would fit for sure. That car was definitely not too loud - it sounded incredible. Sounded even better inside the car driving it. A friend of mine had it all weekend & said it was very acceptable to drive everyday - no disturbing resonance.

I have not set any MSRP on these mufflers, but they should be in the area of Flowmasters pricewise. Crandall Auto (Waterford) has a good selection of Powersticks in stock. They have been doing a lot of installations using them lately too. You may want to call them for some feedback from Craig, the owner.


Thanks for the feedback Eric. I'll try to get around calling Craig at Crandall but it seems like Kinetic Racing Engines in Westland is closer to me. It sounds like I would probably want the short powersticks; hopefully you will be able to produce the stainless powersticks in the future. Thanks again. :beer:

[lethalchem]

Those sticks are ugly as hell. I wouldn't have that chunk of metal beneath my 03 no matter what it sounded like. IMHO.

[Classic]

Lethal, then they are not for sale to you! Buy something shiny that looks good.

BTW, your gas tank is ugly.

[lethalchem]

Originally posted by Classic
Lethal, then they are not for sale to you! Buy something shiny that looks good.

BTW, your gas tank is ugly.

I already have my exhaust setup, thanks. :)

I agree with you though, I don't particularly like my gas tank either. Sorry you took my opinion personal. You'll probably hear more opinions in your line of work, good luck finding a product that pleases everyone all of the time:tmb: .