NEW SVT Owner "Any muffler ideas"

[mexican]

I don't know where to start...so here it goes.
This is my first time doing anything like this(writing in a BB), but I'm just so excited and proud of what I just accomplished, that I had to share it with someone, and who else better that a group of "Pony" loyalists.
I'm 55 y.o. and purchased my very first "NEW" car ever, and to top that, it's something that I've always dreamed of owning "a beefed up production car". The previous cars were bought used, a 79 Cobra and a '01GT.
I bought an '04 SVT Cobra and I'm like a little kid with a new toy. I've already taken her to California (Live in Ohio) and "What a Fantastic Ride". Had her up to 135mph going thru the Salt Flats of Utah with pedal to spare, and dusted everything that came up to her.
She's #844 of 3768 build
Born 12/15/03 Dearborn MI.
Firery Torch Red
and Stock so far. I do want to change the mufflers as it's just too quiet. I want a nice low rumble but not too loud on the open road, and want to keep the warranty in tact.... any suggestions??.

Mex

[Mongoose]

I'm 54 and I love my Borla Stinger cat back
http://www.mustangmods.com/data/13498/dsc00262_2.jpg

[zakk03cobra]

I just welded in 2 chamber Flow-Masters. It sounds beautiful! My buddy who has the exact same car as mine put on a Magna-Flow cat-back system. I was following him to one of our last events and was blowen away by his tone!! Talk about agressive....WoW :)

-jeff-

[HAGREEN]

i'm 53. i had borla on my 99 cobra and bassani on the current 03 cobra. either system sounds great with very little cabin drone on the highway. enjoy your new car

[RMitchell12]

I'm 55 y.o. and purchased my very first "NEW" car ever, and to top that, it's something that I've always dreamed of owning "a beefed up production car". The previous cars were bought used, a 79 Cobra and a '01GT.
I bought an '04 SVT Cobra and I'm like a little kid with a new toy. I've already taken her to California (Live in Ohio) and "What a Fantastic Ride". Had her up to 135mph going thru the Salt Flats of Utah with pedal to spare, and dusted everything that came up to her.
Mex

Well, I'm 54 and have owned an '03 and and '04 Cobra. What a car!!

The first thing I did to mine was to install a Magnaflow catback. Quality and fit are excellent and the sound is great. Nice at idle and part throttle and "what the hell was that" when you really get on it. Stock the blower would mask the exhaust at WOT, but now I get both. No drone at freeway cruise, either. I was good enough that I took it off my '03 and re-installed it on the '04.

Ain't it nice to have the kids grown and a little extra income to buy a couple of toys?

Enjoy

[beerkat]

Well I feel like a child. I am only 53, just turn a couple of weeks ago.
I have FlowMaster that are weld on stock '03 Cobra pipes with round chome tips. Nice sound but I think that i want to go to Borla or Bassini. I would be happy to sell this setup for a Hundred Dollars, plus shipping. :)

[BlkCobra03]

Stingers. :tmb:

[tomsgarage]

Steeda!

I am 50 years old, and listened to a lot of Mustangs and Cobra's with different exhuast sytems on them, and the Steeda was my choice! Installed my own system 8 months ago and still love the sound! You know its a Cobra when you open her up, but at highway cruising, low noise with not much drone!

And the POWER increase! I feel she has at least 40 more rear wheel horsepower with the Catback Exhaust and Cold Air Kit!

[vger]

Man I feel like the kid here at 42 years old. I have Flowmasters on my 03. It has a nice sound but I might change it out to a Borla or Bassani, I also want to change the cats out as well. I have listen to both and boy what a sound. I also took a long trip this year in the Cobra went from Detroit to Phoenix. Passed everything except a gas station.

[2004mystic]

If you want that aggressive sound along with the power, then I suggest you add the complet Bassani exhaust system to your Cobra. Now you do have to add the Bassani headers, because Ford makes pretty good headers, but start with the X-pipe with cats of course, then compete it with Bassani mufflers and 4 in tail pipes out the back. I did this to my 04 Cobra and it sounds Great plus adds alot more horse power.

[kirks5oh]

I recently purchased an '04 cobra and added the MAC 2.5" exhaust system with stainless 3.5" tips. took about an hour or two to install, and the car sounds great and pulls much stronger.

current cars:
'04 black cobra coupe
'90 7-up convertible 5.0
'87 t-top GT--GT-40, p-headed 342 runs 12.24 @118
kirks5oh@hotmail.com

[cobraken]

Just purchased an '04 Saleen cobra Speedster. Saleen package adds a magnaflow cat back. Nice deep sound but has a "drone" @ around 2000 rpm. Only have about 200 miles on the car but that is where I believe she will "cruise". Before & more rpms are great.

[Defknotzero]

Damn, i feel like a baby here.. I'm only 20.

[bhartman]

I'm asking Santa for the Steeda Catbacks. :bna

[mexican]

Mongoose,
where did you get the COBRA inlays?

[HAGREEN]

Mongoose,
where did you get the COBRA inlays?www.ssinserts.com

[mexican]

Thank You for the info and reply......this will be the 1st Mod

[Mystic Cobra]

Mexican:

First off Congratulations! This car was my first Ford product. I had been a die hard GM Muscle car guy until I bought the Terminator. These cars are unreal.

As to exhaust, I STRONGLY recommend that you attend a Mustang or Cobra get together and listen to the different types of exhaust. Most guys (and gals) are more than happy to fire up their car so that you can listen to it. Exhaust sound is a VERY subjective subject. What sounds good to one person doesn't to another. Some exhausts are fairly loud, some have a drone at certain RPM levels, others sort of crackle. There is no way to verbally describe them. There are some sites that have sound files that you can play but it is not the same as hearing one in person. Do yourself a favor and hear some different exhaust systems before installing one. There has been more than one instance of people buying exhaust systems only to change them later because they personally didn't like the sound.

Just my 2 cents.

I went with the Borla 14858 (not the stinger) because I liked that is was quieter than the other systems but still sounded more agressive than stock.

[Orleans]

Inserts here.



https://www.keysecure.com/ssinserts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=b42d70884b6a525f4c4f2397da76f7fc&

[leluckjr]

From reading all the previous post. I must be "GrandPa". I'm just 62. This is my third (3) Cobra. As for exhaust I have a Bassani Cat Back and love it. :cbra:

[CobraSVT04]

I have the Magnaflow C/B's. It's a little louder than stock at idle. I don't have any drone @ 2000 rpm Nice deep tone while crusing. When it's WOT holy crap... :bna people can't not look to see what's coming. My friend has an 03 cobra with borla c/b. his is much louder all around and has a distinct drone @ 2000 rpm.

[Screamin04Cobra]

I just installed Magna flow and what a difference and what a sound. Just like RMITCHELL said , sound is good at idle and part throttle and what the hell was that when you really get on it!!!!! I am very pleased with this set up. Sounds the way a Cobra should LOUD and PROUD!!!!!!!

[mexican]

Mystic,
Thanks for your 2 cents, they're worth a bundle :beer: , to me. Great advice, which I will take you up on.

Thanks Again :D

[Beabout]

I'm 55 and this is truely my second childhood. If you want noise just pickup a good set of mufflers. If you are after noise and increased performance go with Bassani stainless.

You will truely enjoy the car, I do.... :)

[Orleans]

I have a set of Flowmaster 40 Series for the 03 - 04 Cobra Id sell ya for a reasonable price.

[kimble]

Flomaster Series 40 - "American Thunder" - Titanium Blend...
They give you a great growl!

[Mgrad92]

I always hate these type of questions. The sound of your car is a personal preference. One person's loud is another's nice rumble. The best advice is to go to some events, cruises, car shows, track events, whatever, and listen. Then ask what the owner has. Be sure to ask about headers, cats and H / X pipe too. They all contribute to the tone. Don't buy a system without hearing it first. You could be really disappointed and be stuck with an expensive system.

[SVTCobraTx]

Magnaflow, Borla and Bassani all produce good power.... According to tests run in 5.0 and Superfors these three are within tenths of a HP of each other..... Borla and Bassanis tones are sharp and brash, while Magnaflow is Deep ,Throaty and Powerful sounding and don't fill the interior with rude noise at cruising speeds. Check this website as he has pics and sound of systems.... http://www.kinneysmufflershop.com/home.html .I have used him for many Cobra Systems with total satisfaction from all customers.. his is a custom system, not a pre packaged kit.. Totally welded and custom bent/fit.......Gained 18RWHP exhaust catback alone...

[mcflysvt04]

Borla Stinger, K&N FIPK & MGW Shifter. You cant go wrong with good bang for the buck

[EAZ390]

I sure do feel lucky! I'm only 45 and reading all you "old folks" enjoying your Cobra's makes me wish that the snow was gone.

Changong the rear mufflers is all that's needed to give it a deeper sound?
Is there a website I could find these magnaflow and Steeda cat backs in Canada :fryem: ?

[mcflysvt04]

Who you calling "old folks?" Im only a young 41.You can buy them & have shipped with out a probklem but I think they have a distributor in Canada. Try calling Borla or Steeda. Borlas # is 1-800-go Borla (I think) They will give you a local place. The Steeda is good but the Borla is BAD! Also the Borla is better made but the choice is yours

[ChicagoMike]

FYI I believe the Steeda catback is made by Borla especially for Steeda. It sounds very tame at idle. At WOT it screams like a banshee, nice.

The Borla stingers have a louder rumble at idle and sound VERY nice with the stock H pipe.

The Bassani catback has a deeper sound and is not as loud as the stingers at WOT.

Then .. Borla Stingers + Bassani catted X = insane loud at WOT, highway driving is painful to the eardrums and forget about the radio. Illegal loudness.

Bassani catback + bassani catted X = suitable for daily driving on and off the highway.

[mcflysvt04]

Yeah but look at the Steeda its not the same material as the Borla. My dealer had a 03 Cobra with the Steeda. The car had only 10k on it and the pipes had a liitle rust on them. Not alot but a little. My borla has almost 20k and will never look rusty. Something to think about. I dont think the Steeda has the million mile warranty like the Borla does

[intellimatic]

I agree McFlysvt04 , my 03 has 15K on it with about 10 k on the steeda exhaust system. The exhaust tips that are supposed to look shiny but have rust on them. The stainless seems to turn a brown color through out the pipe. I brought it into steeda to look at it and they never saw this before.

On the good side I like the sound of the Steeda exhaust because its little more melow without the drone at 2K. Performance of the car was up by 40 hp from the standard exhaust.

[EAZ390]

Thanks for all the help. Now with the top down at highway speeds is where I need to stay sane. Which set would be good for that? I'm leaning towards the Borla so far for what was said for quality. I do alot of highway driving though! (Can't wait - I've only been able to drive twice so far with the top down as I bought mine last October, and we get snow in that month)! :(

[mcflysvt04]

Where are you up in Yukon Territory? Talk about the sticks. Bet you dont have too many cops up there to bother you. How for is your nearest SVT dealer?My borla makes a little drone starts a little at 85 mph so I drive 90 or above and I dont hear it anymore. Sustained highway driving doesnt bother me but the again I have a coupe not a vert.

[mcflysvt04]

I have had Borla on for over 15k and car has almost 20k on it in less than a yuear. After a good wash the pipes still look like new. I drove my car most of the winter except the heavey snow days and the pipes have had snow/salt/sand but still look great

[EAZ390]

I'm Living in an Iglo, and the only time I get to use my Cobra is in August, when I come down to a little town called La Salle, Manitoba Canada, just outside of Winnipeg. (unless you include ice racing) Lots of cops there, but they haven't caught me - YET!

It may come to pass in the future that I will have to drive this car in the winter, but for now, I have "winter" transportation - DOG SLEDS! (Just kidding!) The closest SVT dealer is about 24 miles away. The problem is that there aren't enough SVT owners that I can find up here in Manitoba to open a chapter.

What about the Magnaflow cat backs? The first post was interesting.

[mcflysvt04]

I love the Borla. Im not saying the other ones are no good Ive just had great luck with all the borla products I have had. You might want to consider that living up where you are. If you only drive one month that sucks. I drive mine almost everyday. My 99 lasted almost four years and 95,000 miles but next year in going to buy a truck and put the Cobra down in Florida after Thanksgiving

[EAZ390]

I was just joking!

I live in La Salle Manitoba Canada about 2 hours north of Grand Forks North Dakota. My car hybernates from the end of October until the middle to end of April - depending on the snow.

What i'm looking for is a low rumble at idle and at 2K with a WHAT THE *U** WAS THAT ? at WOT. I want to hear the stereo at highway speeds though.

Highway speeds up here are 62MPH and if you go over anymore than 6 or 7 MPH the boys in blue like to talk to you. We have LOTS of them around here!

Will that Borla system do this for me? :confused:

[mcflysvt04]

Yeah that will do it. Have you logged on to mustangexhaust.com? There you can listen to all the different exhaust sounds. The Borla Stinger which I have sounds great at idle but barks when you nail it. On the highway at 65-70 mph it rumbles but when you floor it it sreams & howls. I have had people folow or chase me and when I get stopped at the lite or toll they tell me how great it sounds. If you want PM me and I will call you from my cell on the way home so you can hear it first hand

[EAZ390]

I'll try Pm'ing you. I'm new to the forums, and haven't done it before

[harrymeise]

The only thing that I didn't like was the exhaust note of of the stock system on my 2003 Cobra, which I purchased new in early 2004. After some research, I installed a 3" Dynomax catback system. The system is made of aluminized steel, not stainless, but still looks brand new after more than a year. The welded, straight-through ultraflow mufflers have 3" diameter I.D. tubing. The sound is perfect. From idle to wide open throttle. Especially at wide open throttle! I installed it myself in about two hours. You can't go wrong for the price.

[bposner]

I'm 56, 2001, happy with stock ;)

[rjcobra]

Ditto on the Steeda Catback. :tmb:

[me32]

man im a little kid compared with you guys im 23 im just waiting to get enough cash to get buy mad flowmaster Catback. i have my o/r H from my old 00GT. just wait to get the Flows and then ill put everything on at once plus my car is still very new just hit 1000 miles the other day.

[mcflysvt04]

Get the Borla Stinger if you can find one.And dont hurt yourself.