Cat-back exhaust system (FR500 or Steeda?)

[wals9331]

Anybody hear these systems or see them in action. My friends stang is louder then mine now...so of course this means mine needs to be louder to. He has the magnaflow system on his 96 gt. It drones a little too much for me. I just like it loud when i get on it. Thanks -Dan

P.S. I am only doing cat-back! Ford screws you on warranty if u do more then that. Trust me on this one. My dad has gone through about 1200 warranty complaints and this one came up often.

Man these boards are dying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am done with school so i will be on here more often now :)

[Taz]

If you're looking for that "muscle car" sound, the FR500 is probably not the catback for you. I've been running the FR500 catback on my snake for several months. Over that time, its volume has increased a bit, but it's still nowhere near as loud as the Magnaflow. At idle and through the lower RPM range, the FR500 is nearly as quiet as the stock '01 exhaust - just a little healthier sounding. At high flow rates, the system's pressure-sensitive valves open, and the system shrieks like an F1. Its a very exotic sound that I love, but not what I would call a "muscle car" sound.

The FR500 does have two advantages over other catbacks - first, it includes a downstream X-pipe to minimize droning, and second, its pressure-sensitive valves enable it to provide better low-end torque. With most aftermarket catbacks, you'll get booming or droning, and you'll most likely lose low-end torque because of their reduced backpressure.

Hope this helps.

BTW, I know what you mean about these forums. This is the first time I've been back here in at least six months. Maybe with some new blood coming in, things will turn around.

The main reason I quit visiting this board was that few posts contained any real in-depth tech, and most members seemed to believe that modding their cars was sacrilegious. I, on the other hand, was more interested in upgrading my ride, which I considered a great base to build on, but not the greatest thing on wheels since the invention of pneumatic tires.

T-

[wals9331]

Thanks for the info. Ill have to look into it more. I actually like the way the car sounds now...I just wish it was alittle more throaty. My friend has the magnaflow cat-back on his car and it sounds sweet. I just dont like its look or fit as well. I would be interested in hearing something about the steeda cat-back system still.

[mach0ne351]

Taz is right on that......this board is basically dead. if u want some good tech and more info...goto www.svtperformance.com ive learned a lot there.

on another note that Taz said.....i love upgrading my ride too. its all about making these cars better all around.

wals9331 - right now im using a Bassani o/R xpipe and Bassani catback with street comp mufflers. JESUS! lol i just put the xpipe in a week ago. i had a bassani catted x b4. man is the volume changed lol. very muscle car sounding. loud as hell! lol u can find a used o/r x around for $100-200. UPR has theirs for only $149. but the bassani is loud as hell. lol im gonna get pulled over...i just know it lol. the steeda catback i believe is worked off the bassani product. not sure though. if u get my setup, you wont be disappointed ;)

-marek

[XFIRECHIEF]

The Magna-flow fit my '03 Cobra perfectly. Could not believe how easy it was to install. Around 1 hr. from start to finish without putting it up on a hoist. Just jackstands were used.

[wals9331]

I doubt my friend hooked up his magnaflow correctly though...I wouldnt let him touch my car :). Is the magnaflow stainless too and how much is it? I doubt I could afford this upgrade right now though. I just bought a new laptop...I need to get cheaper hobbies.....

[wals9331]

When you installed the bassani x-pipe, did your check engine light go off? Just wondering because I heard this happens. I am going to look into the bassani cat back and xpipe though...I want the muscle car sound now :).

[Ken 01-Cobra]

I've had the Bassani X w/cats on my car for over a year now with no CEL. *knock, knock* :D

[kevinscobra]

If I were to do exhausts, I would do the FR500.

[Ken 01-Cobra]

Everywhere I go, I get props for the sound of my Cobra. I had to have my snake towed to Ford 2 days ago because it broke the rear differential cover. (don't ask me...I have no idea how) Even the guy that drove the tow truck wanted to know about the car when I started it up to pull it where he could get to it. He said it sounded better than his old 396 SS he owned in the 70's. When I went on a cruise in the mountains with a bunch of other Cobras and Lightnings, everyone said they knew exactly where I was because my car sounded so good and was so distinct.

Yet everything you read says my setup should suck. I have the Bassani X w/cats and the Flowmaster Deltaflow catbacks. Everbody poo-poos them on all the Mustang forums. Everybody says they sound like ****. Everbody says they make no power. Everybody says that because the are aluminized, they won't last.

I guess it just goes to show that what "everbody says" is not always gosphel. I've had the Flowmasters in over a year, and they show 0 signs of rust, in Georgia, with high heat and humidity. They still sound excellent, and I can replace them 2.5 times for what a Bassani system costs. If you live where there is a lot of salt on the roads, MAYBE this is an issue, but I wouldn't bet on that if you kept your car clean. They also netted me a nice RWHP gain you can see on the dyno charts on my site, particularly in the high end where these cars like to run! This ain't no butt-o-meter dyno...this is an actual dyno proven result.

Just my 2 cents.

[POPE]

I HAVE CLASSIC DESIGN CONCEPTS SIDE PIPES.TALK ABOUT NICE DEEP TONE, I LOVE IT AT LOW RPM.WHEN THE COBRA HITS 3500 RPM AND HIGHER SHE SCREAMS.WITH THIS SETUP YOU GET SIDE ROCKERS, REAR SPATZ,HIGH FLOW 2.5 "CAT BACK PIPES,POLISHED CAST ALUM TIPS,AND SUPER TURBO DYNOMAX MUFFLERS.OH MY GOD.

[COBRA90GT]

I say opt for the magnaflow catback...good value & yes, it's stainless. Can be had for ~$340 or so.

[Goldy]

I have the Bassani x-pipe w/cats and Bassani catback. I've been very happy with this set-up. Bassani makes top shelf stuff.

Good Luck.

Howard

[dennish]

My FRP500 has a drone from 1500-2000. I like the overall sound, but the drone can bug me into changing gears sometimes.

It sure sounds nice flying past me at 4-6000 RPM.