GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

OK now I'm in the market for an exhaust which has the better gain in hp and torque? Also on the magnaflow what exactly are you cutting off? I 've read the resonator but what is that and are you cutting off the catalytic? Anyhow didn't see dyno's for both on the search wondering if you all could help me out.

I've only seen the dyno from the MagnaFlow. Here is the chart that PTuning has on their website: As far as where you have to cut, you make the cut just in front of the stock resonator. It is after the sensor behind the catalytic converter. Here is a picture of the cut I made in mine.

Attached files Catalytic.doc (395 KB) 

Why do you have to cut?

because it's a true cat-back (not axle-back like Borla's), and the stock piping doesn't come apart in sections at that point, to the best of my knowledge.I'm sure Borla doesn't publish a dyno because theres very little gain. I don't think there's any way an axle-back will produce more gains than a cat-back.The only reason I see to buy Borla's is if you a) like spending more money for less gains, b) are a die-hard Borla fan, or c) like Borla's tip more than MFlows, but don't care that you could have gained 6 or 7 more horsies.Personally, I feel Borla's product description is false advertising, yet they refuse to change it. Unless they've changed it within the last two months, they still advertise their exhaust as a cat-back.

I know what you mean... trd claims that their exhaust will give you an extra 14hp for the celica... which is not true at all... LOL.

so you are cutting the catalytic off? won't that affect your car?

The cut is after the catalytic and before the resonator, so the catalytic remains in the system.

correct me if I'm wrong...from the engine, you have: the headers, the catalytic, the resonator then the exhaust.So you have to cut right after the catalytic, but on the Magnaflow it seems to have it. or it's the resonator?and if you cut, that's meen you'll have to do some soldering?

so do you weld it on or clamp it on? Should I just take it to the shop and get it done professionally?

The magnaflow includes the resonator. After cutting, the magnaflow slides over the stock pipe and is clamped on. I did the install by myself, but it would probably be easier with a friend. The local shop wanted to charge me $100 for the install, but the whole job took me less than 1 hour. If you don't have a reciprocating saw, then you should borrow or buy one to do the cut. Also, spray the hanger mounts with WD-40 to help with removal.

How tight was the fit of the Magnaflow over the stock pipes after cutting? Was there much of a gap at all or was it a sealed fit?Jim

It was very tight...almost too tight! I had to hit it a bit to slide it over the stock pipe. The clamp is very strong, and compresses the new pipe a bit to make a very snug connection. No worries for me there!This is something that could easily be welded later if you had concerns.

So your all saying then that Magnaflow is the one to go with? The gains look impressive, how is their prices?

I am partial to Magnaflow because I have had their mufflers on 2 cars. My 95 Nissan Pathfinder, and my Vibe. I had a muffler shop install a resonator , muffler , and stainless tip on my car. After I lowered it I had them remove the resonator because it was the lowest part of the car. At that shop they have cut aways of all the mufflers they install. Borlas and Magnaflows are a strait pipe with sound deadening material around them. The most restrictive part of the exhaust is the factory rear muffler. There is very little, if any differance in HP between Borla and a cat back Magnaflow. Both are strait pipes. I would buy the Magnaflow because of the sound deadening quailties of their muffs. You don't get sound reasonating into the car unlike other muffs.

Cool so Magnaflow is the choice of the group then? What about Greddy and such?

Quote, originally posted by Mavrik »So your all saying then that Magnaflow is the one to go with? The gains look impressive, how is their prices?see my post at http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=9643if you are interested, but your name their, I'll had you to my list!

Are there any quircks I should be aware of? Is there rattles and shakes?

why don't you just ask carrie. she has the magnaflow on her base vibe, ivan.

Quote, originally posted by trdvibe »why don't you just ask carrie. she has the magnaflow on her base vibe, ivan. Good point Hope. And Ivan, you can drop by and check it out anytime, since you live, what, 10 blocks from me?

You Still have the restraining order remember...close as I can get is 5 blocks. Maybe I'll do that if no charges are laid.

When I had my exhaust system, I had a custom built 2 1/2" cat-back system welded on, then replaced the muffler with a Typhoon series muffler. I was pleased with the gains, and the change in exhaust tone.

cant you as well buy a high performance 3inch in/out magnaflow catylitic converter, which would as well help air flow!?!?

Be careful with pipe size 3" and up is usually reserved for V6 and up, not enough back pressure can rob you of performance.

Does your Magnaflow sound pretty much like the sound from their web site? I want the performance without attracting too much attention from the cops. I like the sound of my Flowmasters on my Chevy V6 (4.3L) and hope this is about the volume of the Magnaflow on my Vibe GT. Any comparisons would be helpfull.

if you have a GT, you will be able to get loader, but nobodies gonna hear you unless there relitivly close, it will be loader, but imbetween obnoxious(like fart cans for say) and normal, as the GT is already slightly loader then a average engine(atleast when it hits lift), in normal driving youll make little extra sound, in lift youll be a loader , but not "wow im def now" load

Quote, originally posted by cbetts »Does your Magnaflow sound pretty much like the sound from their web site? I want the performance without attracting too much attention from the cops. I like the sound of my Flowmasters on my Chevy V6 (4.3L) and hope this is about the volume of the Magnaflow on my Vibe GT. Any comparisons would be helpfull. It sounds almost the same as the Borla exhaust a little different but not by much.sound cliphttp://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=8047

Quote, originally posted by Celtic_Curse »Be careful with pipe size 3" and up is usually reserved for V6 and up, not enough back pressure can rob you of performance.All I got to say to the back pressure is show me proof or explain how back pressure could help teh engine in any possible way because so far none of the arguements I've heard for back pressure are convincing in the least

Absolutely right, Smokin! There is a scientific basis for maintaining certain minimum gas velocities in headers and pipes (nobody uses 3" pipes for the primaries of the header for a 1.8 L. engine or 5" for the tailpipe.), but actual backpressure can only hurt by trapping burnt gases in the cylinder, thus displacing fuel/air mix and forcing the pistons to do extra work pushing them out. (as an irrelevant example, my first summer job at 16 was in a gas station. I watched their mechanic crimping the tailpipe almost shut on his old Desoto and asked him why. "I want to get better mileage and I figure if the gas can't get out, then it can't get in!" The next morning he was prying it open again because the car barely ran.

nice example MB

I'll see what I can do, I read it in an article and post the reason Other than that I finally did get my magnaflow exhaust and it sounds and works awsome.

Now that I have it noticed a couple of things.1. Car sounds way cooler under acceleration and just idleing.2. when letting off the gas I occasionally get the phart put put sound. Is this common and does anyone else experience it?3. Noticed a slight rattle when I used to start it up, fixed it by making the resonator connection level, guess I put it on crooked the first time and now its gone.This is a great exhaust sounds so good and doesn't sound anything like those fart can mufflers you see the ricers with. Go get one if you can.

I get #2.