I LOVE Mopac. The Calgary location is super inconvenient to get to or I'd be there a lot more (horrible location). I scored my Powerslot rotors/Hawk Pads from Mopac (special order) as well as my MSD coil pack (in stock and cheaper than US pricing). I actually got my Flowmaster from them as well and for a fraction of what anyone else in town wanted for it. I'm not a fan of VHT Night Shades anymore (talk about a dated mod), but Mopac was the only place in town to get it and at a price much lower than the US.
Do you get staff discounts? If so, lucky you.
If you're looking for an aggressive, but not obnoxious sound, I think you'd be happy with the Flowmaster. I had it installed with 2.5" pipes from the cats back, without resonator. It was quieter in the cab than the Magnaflow in stock 2.25" pipes WITH resonator. I really didn't like the sound of the Magnaflow at all and tried to live with it. I had buyer's remorse within a day of scoring the muffler and never did with Flowmaster.
I eventually went with an aftermarket Flo-Pro resonator, just to quieten down the Flowmaster a bit and only because life changed when we had a baby. It was just a bit too loud inside (although he spent most time in my wife's Subie). Notice the distinction between "loud" and "droney". The Flowmaster didn't give me headaches on the highway. It was just a little louder inside than I cared for inside, but sounded great outside. The Magnaflow droned inside and sounded OK out (depending on the revs). That was with a resonator and in stock pipes. I can't imagine what it would have sounded like with 2.5" pipes (which tend to make an exhaust louder) and no resonator (which tunes the sound....I'm sure you know all this).
Anyhow, exhaust is personal and you may like it. The riceburner comment went a long way with me. My wife didn't feel the same way about the Flowmaster, but did find it a tad loud. The Sport (2 door) is 10" shorter than a 4 door so the sound dynamics are different. You may like Magnaflow on your ride (others do). Magnaflow was my first taste of custom exhaust and it didn't make a great first impression on me. I did a lot of research AFTER I got it (hence deciding on the Flowmaster) and the Magnaflow gets great feedback on OHV V6 and V8 versions of the Explorer. That's why I may use the Magnaflow on the V8 some day.
I was just hesitant about using a loud exhaust on my ride which is a daily driver and is also a family vehicle. I use Flo Pro now (Canadian company out of Red Deer, AB) and they are much mellower than Flowie or Magnaflow, but they flow great. High quality construction too. It wasn't too loud at all in the cab, but a year ago my son said to me one day:
"Daddy, can you please turn down your engine?"
I went with a resonator after that and it mellowed it down even more, especially inside. I guess it all depends where your priorities lie. Exhaust can be obnoxious, but it can be mellow. At the end of the day it's all about performance and I'd imagine Magnaflow and Flowmaster are comparable.
I reviewed all three in the
reviews section of this site quite some time ago.
I've heard others suggest the SOHC is a tempermental engine to throw an aftermarket muffler on re: sound. I've seen and heard a lot of different mufflers on the site (via Youtube) and a lot sound like ass. No one can convince me that any V6 sounds like a V8 with any muffler. Only a V8 sounds like a V8.
Might want to snoop around Youtube and see if there are any good vids/soundclips there for you to decide.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Brad (celly)