Axel-back vs. Cat-back
09-20-2011, 06:03 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 48
Axel-back vs. Cat-back
I really want to get an exhaust for my car as soon as I can. The stock mufflers just...well MUFFLE the car more than I'd like. Also my main goal here is more performance than sound. After looking through several sites, YouTube and talking to people I've decided on the Magnaflow Street Series exhaust. The problem is I don't want to pay a whole lot more than I have to. So again after asking around I've heard some mixed things. Some people say a full cat-back is the way to go. Others say there isn't enough of a performance benefit over an Axel-back to justify paying the extra money. What do you guys think?
09-20-2011, 06:12 PM
#2
6th Gear Member
Little to no gain either way except the axleback is cheaper. The stock system flows pretty well, despite less tone, such that aftermarket exhausts offer no measureable gain. Of course, more sound usually means folks THINK they're faster.
09-22-2011, 05:47 PM
#5
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: VA
Posts: 720
It sounds like you're thinking like me. You can do what I did and buy two Pypes mid mount mufflers, new tips (or re use the stock ones to sae more money) and take it to a good muffler shop to install it. Total cost was about $240. So basically I got a Pypes exhaus sstem for half price. I also saved almost 40lbs by losing the old mufflers.
09-22-2011, 06:10 PM
#7
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Lynchburg, VA
Posts: 1,898
Hows about a quick exhaust vid Hogass? Im gonna do something real soon myself. Ya'll may laugh, but I was REAL impressed with the 'straight pipe" vids I saw on Youtube. I really really really doubt Id ever go that route, but it did sound pretty good, for real cheap 
BTW... sorry for the mini-hijack OP, Im just in the same boat as you. As much as I wanna do the cai/tune first (then gears), I gotta get some noisemakers on there
BTW... sorry for the mini-hijack OP, Im just in the same boat as you. As much as I wanna do the cai/tune first (then gears), I gotta get some noisemakers on there
09-22-2011, 06:55 PM
#8
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 423
I can tell you on a GT 5.0...
Manufacturers of axle backs are advertising performance gains for Coyotes. This is not the same as 3V 4.6's between 2005 - 2009 where axle back changes did not provide gains.
Magnaflow and others are advertising 10+ Hp increase just on axle back swaps alone for 2011 & 2012 GT's. Gains would be there for V6's, but less.
Supposedly, the muffler on the 2011 & 2012's are so much different than the previous generation that an extra hanger was required.
Another primary restriction point on the GT is are the resonators before the rear axle. These restriction points on the GT can narrow down to close to 2".
A catback exhaust will replace the resonators with 2.75 - 3" pipe depending on the manufacturer. An axle back ONLY replaces the mufflers and leaves the stock resonators intact. I do not know what performance gains would come about from removing the resonators by themselves. I also do not know if V6 exhaust is the same as V8 on a 2011. But you can poke your head underneath the car and see the resonators if they're there.
Although, I do concur that you could swap in a set of Roush's and the performance gains would be similar to any other aftermarket axle back that advertises gains.
Magnaflow and others are advertising 10+ Hp increase just on axle back swaps alone for 2011 & 2012 GT's. Gains would be there for V6's, but less.
Supposedly, the muffler on the 2011 & 2012's are so much different than the previous generation that an extra hanger was required.
Another primary restriction point on the GT is are the resonators before the rear axle. These restriction points on the GT can narrow down to close to 2".
A catback exhaust will replace the resonators with 2.75 - 3" pipe depending on the manufacturer. An axle back ONLY replaces the mufflers and leaves the stock resonators intact. I do not know what performance gains would come about from removing the resonators by themselves. I also do not know if V6 exhaust is the same as V8 on a 2011. But you can poke your head underneath the car and see the resonators if they're there.
Although, I do concur that you could swap in a set of Roush's and the performance gains would be similar to any other aftermarket axle back that advertises gains.
Last edited by Thrashard340; 09-22-2011 at 06:59 PM.
09-22-2011, 07:29 PM
#9
6th Gear Member
The manufacturer's also advertised similar gains for the 05s thru 10's. None of those gains were valid. Now, if you really BELIEVE advertising, go buy a TB spacer...
