Magnaflow muffler swap

[armoredpig]

Special thanks to @Polar Bear for his post about this muffler!!

Got mine in today. I'll take pics of the finished product tomorrow!

During the install, I noticed how massive our stock mufflers are. That's the stock muff lying on the floor in the pic, with the box that contained the magnaflow to the right of it. Huge difference in size and weight. The exhaust shop did have to do a little fab work to get it on since the stock muffler has two hangers and is much longer than this 14" can. I asked them to install it offset in, center out, but it could go on either way and work just fine.

I was debating hard about whether I should go with the 18" or the 14" since I really only like exhausts on manual transmissions (gives you more control of noise in neighborhoods). But, I'm happy to say that this setup is really quiet and is barely louder than stock except during a cold startup (it's a hair louder than your fan on startup) or when I'm trying to make it sing. I do notice that it's there while driving on the highway, but only if I turn down my radio. I'd say the volume on the highway is comparable to the wind noise inside the cab. No drone. I probably would have regretted doing the 18".

Definitely still sounds like a 4-banger, but not ricey or showy. More of a mellow deep purring that magnaflow is known for. No rasp. Sadly, no pops or backfires (I do miss that from my other cars). I'd be curious to hear what a Flowmaster 40 or 50 would sound like, but I'm not taking this muffler off to find out.

When I get on the gas, I can hear the turbo whistle pretty distinctly. It's my favorite part. The exhaust growls, and it definitely sounds modified, but it's never loud. I can also hear the turbo at parking lot speeds, which I think is really cool.

I thought it might be annoying having an exhaust and keeping auto start/stop, but it isn't to me. The exhaust is quiet enough that you can hear the starter over it.

Others have said that the turbo spools a little quicker once the stock muffler is out, I can't say that I've noticed, but they're probably right.

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[Desertranger19]

I’m going to chip in this thread and give my opinion on a Magnaflow that I also installed. Went to a local exhaust shop and got the 14” straight through design on mine. It’s just the universal fit 2.5” inlet/outlet. (it looks like the same box as pictured by the OP) I did have them weld a pipe to connect it to the factory resonator. The only difference is that I cut the bend after the resonator to eliminate the tail pipe after the rear tire. So it served as a “dump down” and now you can’t see the tip which is what I like anyways.
but the OP assessment is pretty much spot on. It has a deeper sound. Not a lot louder then stock but it’s noticeable. Driving on freeway is pretty much non existent unless you open it up. But at all RPM’s the exhaust sounds good and deeper, no rice sound here. The resonator is a straight through design so it will not cause a performance restriction in case anyone was wondering. So this is a cheap alternative to anyone paying over $200 (cause I paid 160 including the muffler) and have the performance gain of a high end exhaust at the fraction of the cost.
Here is a picture of the tip, or lack there of just incase anyone was wondering.

 

[Desertranger19]

and by the way, that picture is with me laying on the ground pretty much, you cant see the resonator if you are standing up and standing behind the truck. its definitely tucked away and out of sight.

 

[Polar Bear]

Glad Y'all like it!!

 

[Frenchy]

I’m going to chip in this thread and give my opinion on a Magnaflow that I also installed. Went to a local exhaust shop and got the 14” straight through design on mine. It’s just the universal fit 2.5” inlet/outlet. (it looks like the same box as pictured by the OP) I did have them weld a pipe to connect it to the factory resonator. The only difference is that I cut the bend after the resonator to eliminate the tail pipe after the rear tire. So it served as a “dump down” and now you can’t see the tip which is what I like anyways.
but the OP assessment is pretty much spot on. It has a deeper sound. Not a lot louder then stock but it’s noticeable. Driving on freeway is pretty much non existent unless you open it up. But at all RPM’s the exhaust sounds good and deeper, no rice sound here. The resonator is a straight through design so it will not cause a performance restriction in case anyone was wondering. So this is a cheap alternative to anyone paying over $200 (cause I paid 160 including the muffler) and have the performance gain of a high end exhaust at the fraction of the cost.
Here is a picture of the tip, or lack there of just incase anyone was wondering.

What I want to know is what was the rough MPG gain when this happened? I figure there had to be a fair amount when you are trying to stay moderate on the throttle!! Also i know the two restrictors in the factory muffler make things fun to say the least

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