[aggiedj02]

is it cheaper to get just mufflers and have a shop put on madrel bent piping from thecat back... or get the actual cat back? Is this possible even?

I know the piping on the cat back I am looking at (Flowmaster Delta 40s) is 2.5in... which do you think is better?

Anyone got ideas?

Also, what is the piping diameter of stock pipes? 2in right?

[Nighthawk]

stock pipes are 2.25"

aftermarket are mostly 2.5"

if you buy the mufflers new, and dont know someone to hook you up on welding, the mufflers might cost the same as a full cat back.

$140 for mufflers
$100 or so for welding

but also, the cat back is just a better buy.

you get the full 2.5" piping, usualy bigger tips, and if you ever want to sell it, the catback would have better resale, and you wouldn't need to pay again to get the stock mufflers welded back in.

-B

[delrio2v]

i dont know anyone in san antonio or dallas that has a mandrel bender. u would need a machinest make u a pipe that has mandrel bends. but that will be expensive

[Nighthawk]

whoa, looks like i missread the post....

buy a catback for sure...they are way cheaper than getting a catback made

[Scottyboy]

im a little confused. Mandrel bends? Doesnt every exhaust shop have a pipe bender?

[TrueBlueVenom]

catback all the way. I speak from experience. I had Flows welded in about 8 months ago. I just replaced it with a MAC catback and it's a world of difference. I regretted just welding them in (although I initially enjoyed it). In the long run it's a waste of money.

2ch Flows - I think I paid 140-150 for both online then had 'em welded in for 50. Total about 200
MAC catback - 308 shipped. installed myself. rented sawzall for $11 at Home Depot.

opened exhaust up. better throttle responce. (I installed h-pipe too so that makes a difference as well).

-John

[delrio2v]

Originally posted by scottyboy
im a little confused. Mandrel bends? Doesnt every exhaust shop have a pipe bender?

yeah they have a pipe bender but it crushes the pipe where its going to be bent and then it opens it up. so u have all these wrinkles in the pipe making some part of the pipe 2 1/2" and bends at 2 1/4. mandrel bends keep everything the same all through the exhaust

[Scottyboy]

Originally posted by 2002stangGT
catback all the way. I speak from experience. I had Flows welded in about 8 months ago. I just replaced it with a MAC catback and it's a world of difference. I regretted just welding them in (although I initially enjoyed it). In the long run it's a waste of money.

2ch Flows - I think I paid 140-150 for both online then had 'em welded in for 50. Total about 200
MAC catback - 308 shipped. installed myself. rented sawzall for $11 at Home Depot.

opened exhaust up. better throttle responce. (I installed h-pipe too so that makes a difference as well).

-John

do you have the 2.5 inch tips? 308 shipped?

thanks for filling me in on the mandrel bends.

[ken97gt]

Just get the whole cat-back kit, not only is it something that you can intall yourself but it will not rust at the spots where a muffler would be welded in.

[aggiedj02]

thx guys for all the info.

I guess I'll just have to fork over the extra money. I want flowmasters, but the cheapest I can find it for is like $500... does this seem pricey? It does to me.

Anywhere I can find it cheaper?

by the way, I can get madrel bends for free... i know some people in the ME department at Aggieland. I'll reserve my favors for later though.

[Nighthawk]

which flow catback do you want?

american thunder
$350 at summitracing

[Machine]

Originally posted by aggiedj02
thx guys for all the info.

I guess I'll just have to fork over the extra money. I want flowmasters, but the cheapest I can find it for is like $500... does this seem pricey? It does to me.

Sounds like a good idea...in hindsight, I probably should have gone with something different...I am rethinking my exhaust setup since now I am more focused on performance and not just sound and appearance...