Gibson or Magnaflow? Discuss

[Mike Deege]

I went with the Gibson as well, but like someone earlier stated, I wanted something that was'nt too loud but you can still hear when you got on it, along with some HP gains. As far as dealing with it not being stainless, I just sprayed the unit down with some high temp spray paint, done...

 

[eppd00]

eppd00

I partially installed the Gibson stainless unit on my STA. Ran into a problem.The initial plan was to install the entire unit and have my muffler shop rebend the tailpipe to exit the rear of the truck(Adrenalin style). He decided his equipment couldn't handle anything larger than 2 1/2" pipe after I bought the kit. We then figured we could clip the tailpipe and adapt the facory tailpipe..............nope, ran into a problem with the overaxle pipe coming out of the muffler being 3 1/2" too long where it would attach to the muffler. Also the hanger on this pipe caused it to hang too low. At this time we adapted the entire stock tailpipe to the muffler until Gibson's tech can get back with me.
What is interesting ,the header pipe had a manufacture date of Aug.09, the problem overaxle pipe from the muffler had a manufacture date of Jan.07 and the tailpipe a manufacture date of Aug.09. Did anyone run into a problem with early manufacture pipes or issues with the installation on standard side exit Sport Tracs?

 

[JohnnyO]

What is interesting ,the header pipe had a manufacture date of Aug.09, the problem overaxle pipe from the muffler had a manufacture date of Jan.07 and the tailpipe a manufacture date of Aug.09. Did anyone run into a problem with early manufacture pipes or issues with the installation on standard side exit Sport Tracs?

I honestly didn't look at the dates on my stuff. Only real problem I had was that we had to scrounge up some shorter bolts and springs for the headpipe-to-cat flange because the OE parts bottomed out before it was tight. Also two or three times the first week I had to tinker with the tailpipe to keep it from hitting the rear suspension since it's pretty tight back in there. If I had a professional exhaust shop install it then I probably wouldn't have had that problem but I didn't regard it as a big deal.

 

[eppd00]

eppd00

The bolts to the cat flange were too long on my application also,but they did tighten up onto the shoulder of the Gibson flange. The springs did not contact the flange at all. I was wondering if we sould have opened up the holes on the Gibson flange to accept the wide shoulder on the factory bolt the way it was on the factory flange? At any rate,it snugged up and there are no leaks.

 

[run351]

Has anyone adapted the Magnaflow KIT to an Adrenalin?. I am looking to use the front pipe (included in their kit) then adapt to my stocker tail pipe from the muffler.

I currently have dual Magnaflows on my Lightning and love the sound.

Again, I would like to see if anyone has a clean install using the front pipe and muffler from the kit, adapting it to our stock tail pipe.

I am just looking to avoid as much welding as possible. I also see Ford crimped the stock tailpipe alittle as it goes over the axle, for clearance.
So I guess this is the best configuration.


thanks

 

[JohnnyO]

Again, I would like to see if anyone has a clean install using the front pipe and muffler from the kit, adapting it to our stock tail pipe.

Problem is the stock system is all welded. We had to cut the tailpipe to remove it, plus the stock tailpipe is 2.0" or 2.25" while the Gibson is 2.5". So you will lose some mpg and hp because you are necking down to a smaller pipe and either use a reducer or manage to pull the tailpipe out to get it on the flaring machine.

I am just looking to avoid as much welding as possible.

Then just bolt in a cat-back system. Presto, no welding.

 

[dave d dizzo]

If you don't want a lot of interior (drone) or exterior noise then Gibson is the way to go. I sell a lot of these to members. If interested feel free to contact me.-j

Wish I would have contacted you. I went through the Gibson Performance website, and they were nice enough to give me the wrong damn part number. Ordered it from AutoAnything, and it turns out it's for the V-8 as opposed to my V-6. Pain in the ass. So now, returns, replacements, more shipping time, etc, etc, etc. I was shocked that Gibson was wrong about their own part. The funny thing is when I punch in the right part number, which I got from Summit Racing, it comes up on the Gibson site as being the part for the V-6. Search for the V-6 within Gibson's site, and you end up with the V-8.

Lesson learned, I guess.

 

[dave d dizzo]

Well, after WEEKS of dealing with this, I finally got the Gibson system hooked up. Sounds great. Looks great. I welded it together as opposed to using the clamps that came with it. Really happy with it, and I am already up a few MPG according to the display. Very pleased with it. If you decide to go with this or a similar system, no instruction manual will tell you, but you need to buy a new flange gasket for the pipe. It'll cost you $6 at Advanced Auto Parts or $20 at the dealership. You decide. The old one was practically welded inside the old pipe.

Very pleased with the Gibson!

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

dave did u get single gibson or dual

 

[dave d dizzo]

I went with the single.

 

[brown986]

I have the Magnaflow on my '07 Limited 4.6. It will be on three years this coming June. I like the Magnaflow because every piece shipped w/the system is impeccable quality and it all fit together easily & perfectly w/no leaks first time. It was very easy to install the system myself - took about 1 hour to remove factory exhaust & replace it w/the Magnaflow. I bought my Magnaflow on sale w/free shipping from Autoanything.com - don't recall the price but I believe it's a fair price regardless for those like me who plan to keep the truck for a long time (where the all stainless, including nuts & bolts supplied, will pay off). The sound is mellow w/a nice healthy rasp when you get on it a little; there is no unpleasant noise from w/i the cabin regardless of speed or throttle position. In fact, the interior of my Limited is so well sound insulated, it's necessary to roll a window down to really hear the exhaust.

I'm not saying the Magnaflow is better than other systems especially since I haven't used anything but Magnaflow (this is the second vehicle I've owned that runs a Magnaflow. I liked the Sport Trac application so well I installed a Magnaflow on my wife's Lincoln LS V8 & like it very much). I picked up a couple miles/gallon on the truck & amazingly about 6 mpg on the Lincoln LS, which is an '02 model.

Good luck & enjoy whatever your decision.

 

[turtlesdove3]

Magnaflow are known to deliver a trouble free performance for quite sometime though I've not tried but Gibson Exhaust comes with a high-performance and cost-effective package.

 

[eppd00]

eppd00

I finally finished the adaption of the stock STA tailpipe to the Gibson system. When we started the original installation, the overaxle portion of the tailpipe was apparantly a prototype that was accidentally sent. After many photos and conversation with the Gibson tech, I was able to point out the problems and they sent me a new pipe. I had my muffler shop clip the stock tailpipe about 4" forward of the tip flange. It was flaired and then welded to the aft Gibson tail pipe. Turned out very nice. A lttle loud but very mellow. Sounds very similar to a 4.6 Mustang with a Magnaflow. No drone inside the cab of the truck. You do have to ensure the overaxle portion of the exhaust exiting the muffler is far enough forward not to contact the axle tulip(this is where the stock pipe is dimpled).
Does anybody know why Gibson put an extra hanger on the exhaust pipe just after the y pipe connection ? There are no brackets on the frame to attach at that location.
Also, I installed a Zabtech throttle body last week. Excellent piece of equipment. The truck picked up an extra 2 mpg on the hwy. It know produces a CONSISTANT 25-26 @ 62-65 mph. Believe it or not. And I am very satisfied.
I noticed folks are posting current and past vehicles, so here goes

1954 Ford Mainline
1665 Falcon Futura (289HiPo)
1968 Torino GT (390 and a rare 3 speed trans)
1972 Gran Torino w/ram air(sold to my brother who installed a 429SCJ)
1966 Sunbeam Tiger with 289 HiPo
1955 T-Bird with the complete drivetrain from a 70 Mustang (351C, FMX trans 9" rear and disc brakes) Before everyone panics, this vehicle was butchered by a Delta A/L mechanic long before I got it. It took several trophies at various shows in the Atlant metro after I finished it.
1978 Mustang II ,with a hopped up 302
1982 Mercury LN7 Worst vehicle I ever had.
1983 Mustang GT Convertible #468 of 1000 built original(still have this one)
1984 Turbo T-Bird
1985 Mustang GT T-Top restored(still have this one also)
1991 Paxton supercharged V6 Explorer
1996 Explorer
1997 Explorer XLT 302 still have this one)
2002 Sport Trac XLT
2005 Sport Trac Adrenalin
2008 Sport Trac Adrenalin
Yes I am older than dirt

 

[wb4eje]

I just put the Magnaflow Cat Back on my '08 Limited 4.6L. Install went well, a bit hard to get to the clamp on the tailpipe, but otherwise not a bad installation. A helper would be good.

I like the sound of the Magnaflow, not too loud, but has that nice low rumble that is the reason I buy V8s.