Just installed my CAI, tune & Boom Tubes...Awesome!!!
How would I know if I didn't get the exhaust clamps tight enough and have an exhaust leak?
Because you asked that question I assume you aren't happy with the feel of it. My installer said the clamps wouldn't tighten up enough and so he used the original Ford clamps instead. It turned out fine.
DAMMIT. I can post replies but I need to post a new thread and when I do Internet Explorer says It cant show this page because I must be logged in... BUT I AM!
WTF? Can someone help me?
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2006 GT Premium, 5 Spd 18" Roush wheels on 275/40/18''''s Xenon quarter scoops SLP Crew Member ...more to come
I had actually copied the list as it was in about January of this year.
Here ya'' be.
STOCK MUFFLER SETUPS:
For those who would like a toned down, not so loud inside the cabin sound, the stock mufflers work quite well. However, they are very sensitive to offroad x pipes, meaning they will make rattling noises very easily and I would only suggest h pipes/prochambers for this setup.
First, let’s go through the different brands/types of mufflers and how they sound. An axle back system will offer little to no performance advantage, and the motivation for going aftermarket is usually purely based in aesthetics. Dyno numbers might show 2-3 additional HP but a loss of torque of about the same. It is not considered a performance modification to replace the axle back system.
I recommend that this exhaust be combined with either a catted x pipe, or a catted h pipe or offroad h pipe. The drone is there, but is minimal and bearable.
Borla:
Also sold under the FRPP and Steeda exhaust guises, and I believe Roush, there are 3 types of Borla exhaust: The less aggressive chambered version, which is standard fare on the Shelby GT, (referred to as the FRPP GTA’s) the more aggressive “S” type, and the catback, which is the S type (bullet muffler) along with replacement over-axle pipes up to the midpipe. This catback system offers pretty much no performance/sound advantage. The GTA’s are a subtle increase in volume over stock, as well as being deeper. They can be paired with a catted x pipe, or a catted or offroad h pipe. An offroad x pipe is not recommended, as these are a chambered style muffler and could get crackly. Drone is minimal. The aggressive style (also referred to as the Borla “stinger,” although not the official designation) are a substantial increase in volume over stock, and the sound is very low and very deep. They tend to dampen the tone a bit; they are not as throaty, and the sound is well under control. The best way to describe it is that the sound is toned down, not as aggressive, but very very deep. Drone is moderate, but is load-dependent and bearable. Not an exhaust for those who can’t stand drone. These mufflers are complimented excellently by a catted or offroad x pipe. An offroad h pipe will work well, however there are some “trumpeting” issues. In addition, it will not scream on the higher RPM’s like an x pipe will. However, an offroad h pipe is still a very viable option to consider. Borla aggressive types are always a good choice; you really can’t go wrong with this muffler.
Corsa, while being a more expensive option, are a surefire way to make your stang sound fantastic while completely avoiding drone. Corsa’s are a flow-through or bullet muffler, shaped like a cannister, and very similar to the Borla’s in that sense. They sound somewhat aggressive, while being under control at idle and part-throttle. This muffler can be combined with virtually and midpipe and still sound fantastic, although it will be quite loud without cats.
Flowmasters seem to be an interesting subject on the S197, as the elusive sound created by Flowmasters on previous generation mustangs is largely absent on the S197. This is due to muffler location as well as head port design; it just won’t sound the same. Flowmaster makes an axle back kit for the s197 that makes use of their “American Thunder” series muffler, incorporated into an axle back kit. It sounds very very decent with just the axle back system, slightly louder than stock, but when you get on it, sound aggressive. Mild drone between 1800-2400 RPM and again higher in the rev range. They are acceptable with an o/r h pipe, sound somewhat decent with a catted x pipe, but putting an offroad x pipe with this system is a big no-no. It sounds rattly, tin-canny, just nasty. A prochamber would probably work well, but I have yet to see/hear this combo.
This is a chambered muffler similar to flow masters. They increase the volume slightly, and are deeper than stock. The sound is very natural for the 3v engine; it sounds genuine. I would recommend these with an offroad prochamber, or offroad h pipe. A catted x might work, but an offroad x will sound raspy and nasty.
As this is a chambered style muffler, I’d say anything but an offroad x pipe will work well.
IMCO: IMCO is a company that has been around for a while. they make a chambered axleback that is very deep, but has some packing material and therefore is very under control and the sound is very "smooth."
JBA: JBA is one of the higher quality brands for s197 exhaust parts. They make 2 types of shorty headers, and longtube headers, as well as catted and offroad h pipes and axle backs. The axle backs are what we’re looking at right now. They increase the sound a fair amount, while giving the car an aggressive tone. They sound fantastic in my opinion. They are not obnoxiously loud, but are a considerable increase in volume when the go-pedal is applied liberally, and sound mean and rumbly at idle. Drone is mild, and controllable. An offroad h pipe or a prochamber would complement this axle back well, or a catted x pipe. Again, since this is a chambered muffler, an offroad x pipe is not recommended.
Mac: Mac is one of the more popular brand choices for the s197 mustang. Their company makes 2 variations of axle backs: the most popular, and their “boom tubes.” The regular axle backs are a chambered type, and make the car significantly louder; as well as being deep. The sound is unique; it maintains all the definition of the engine sound while adding a genuine deepness that you can feel. They sound flat out mean. With an offroad h pipe, the sound level increases, and they become very loud. They are very rumbly and muscle car-like, however, they will not scream at higher RPM’s like an x or prochamber will. With a catted x pipe, the sound is acceptable, louder, but very aggressive. With an offroad x pipe, the sound becomes very aggressive, and absolutely fantastic at wide open throttle. However, with this combination, there is some crackling and tin-canny sound at certain rpm’s. If you can deal with that, this combination is worth it. I recommend an offroad prochamber, as a nice compromise between the two. Drone is moderate to excessive with this muffler; but a pair of resonators installed before the axle will help this. However, with resonators, as always, the sound is toned down, not as aggressive. The Mac’s Boom tubes are an axle back system that is much like the SLP loudmouths (muffler delete), but with some packing material inside to lessen the raspy sound. They sound excellent with almost any midpipe. Drone is minimal, but the exhaust is somewhat loud and filters into the cabin.
Magnaflow: Magnaflow is a system that’s been around for a long time. They have 2 basic systems for the s197: their regular magnaflow system, and the “magnapacks” which are cannister shaped and slightly more aggressive. The regular axle backs are very quiet, and slightly deeper than stock. The magna packs are slightly more aggressive. They are a bullet style muffler. The sound is not too aggressive, very under control, but deep. I would not recommend an H pipe with this setup. An offroad x pipe or a catted x pipe would work best.
MBRP exhaust: MBRP produces 2 axle back systems for the s197 Mustang GT: One is similar to borla in almost every way, the other is a muffler delete that basically replaces the mufflers with a section of straight piping. It is loud, it will be a little raspy, but it will be very deep. Very similar to the SLP Loudmouths. Works better with a catted x pipe, can also be paired with an offroad h pipe but will be obnoxiously loud.
The Mufflered version tones the car down much more with a Borla. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A SLEEPER EXHAUST, HERE IT IS. even with an offroad x pipe, it is still very quiet compared to most setups, and will flow extremely well.
SLP: SLP makes 2 variations of the axle back muffler. The first is the SLP power flow, which is a bullet style muffler, aggressive, loud and very deep. Similar to most other bullet style mufflers. Can be paired with any midpipe. Drone is moderate. And of course, the wildly popular SLP Loudmouths. Merely a simple muffler delete, these axle backs consist of just piping, with the appropriate hangars, and nice tips. Very aggressive, obviously loud. Can be paired with an offroad h pipe or x pipe to be ridiculously loud, but recommended is a catted x pipe. Drone is minimal, almost non-existant.
Steeda has one axle back system, produced by Borla, however not the same as any of the models sold under the Borla or FRPP guises. This one is more similar to the Stinger, but has less packing material for a more Metallic sound. Goes EXTREMELY well with an offroad H pipe, works decently with an offroad x pipe, and would probably work well with a prochamber as well. I have heard this combination (with the offroad h pipe) personally many times, and I think it is easily one of the best sounding exhausts out there, bar none. GURU RECCOMENDED. There is some drone with just the axle backs, but it is VERY mild and VERY tolerable. With the offroad h pipe, the drone disappears for the most part, but the car becomes very loud, especially upon startup.
Pypes is another brand that has been around for a long time. Up until recently, they made only 2 variations: a pro street axle back, and a violator axle back. The pro street is a subtle improvement over stock, while the violators are much more aggressive, loud, and very deep. They are comparable to Mac’s, and the same rules apply regarding midpipes: anything but an offroad x. personally, I recommend an offroad prochamber. Drone is mild to moderate. However, Pypes has broken the mold and introduced the first “mid-muffler” system for the s197 mustang. It includes their M-80 Bullet race mufflers mounted before the axle. The reason this works is because the M80 mufflers are very narrow and long, and are probably only a half-inch in diameter wider than the pipes themselves. Judging from the sound clips, id say they did very well. This catback (yes, a true catback) can be paired with any midpipe. For this, I actually recommend an offroad x pipe. That will give you the closest to that 2v/4v new edge sound that is so hotly pursued. An offroad h will work well, and a prochamber is a nice compromise as always.
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RE: The Official S197 exhaust sound thread - 
