K&N or Mac...Gibson or Flowmaster

[SurferGuy710]

I have a 96 XLT 2wd and I wanted better performance and gas mileage. I'm gonna get new plugs and wires but I want to upgrade the intake and exhaust as well.

Which is better for a cold air intake, MAC or K&N? Which gives better performance?

And for exhaust I want a nice deep tone but nothing too loud, I like the flowmaster but heard nothing of the Gibson. What should I get?

 

[Lazzman]

Go custom with the exhaust and get a Magnaflow or Borla installed.

Mac is a great deal for $150 can't beet it for the price.

 

[IAmTodd]

Get the Mac and Flowie if you have a V8. I wanna hear what it sounds like

 

[TheJMan]

Get the Mac and Flowie if you have a V8. I wanna hear what it sounds like

I've got both on my Mountaineer. Though I don't have any sound clips, I can tell you that it sounds really badass, I love it.

 

[IAmTodd]

[thread highjack]
Is it extremely loud inside? I want something thats an attention getting outside, but keeps somewhat of the stock sound inside to an extent.

[/thread highjack]

 

[TheJMan]

The Flowmaster is actually very mellow inside. Not overly loud at all. It rumbles at idle, and the sound at WOT is exactly like stock, but just a little bit louder.

I actually wanted to get the MAC exhaust, but it was backordered, so I decided to get the Flowmaster because it was immediately available and $20 cheaper. I'm glad I got the Flowmaster.

 

[IAmTodd]

The Flowmaster is actually very mellow inside. Not overly loud at all. It rumbles at idle, and the sound at WOT is exactly like stock, but just a little bit louder.

I actually wanted to get the MAC exhaust, but it was backordered, so I decided to get the Flowmaster because it was immediately available and $20 cheaper. I'm glad I got the Flowmaster.

I haven't heard alot of good things about the MAC. It drones alot I guess.

 

[Skibum1989]

I would have gotten a MAC, but they dont make one for the 95 model. So I went with the K&N and could not be more impressed. Good sound, noticible improvements in throttle response and acceleration, as well as a MPG boost.

Cant say much bout flowmaster or gibson, i've never heard them in person, but magnaflow was perfect for me: Deep, no drone, not super overpowering but still a great deal louder than OEM.

 

[SurferGuy710]

Hey skibum check your PM...I have a question for ya

 

[becker69]

Not positive if KKM makes a setup for the '96 or not (also I'm not sure if you want the full intake tube and filter set-up a la the FIPK) but I have a KKM filter set-up that did away with the airbox and I had it on for 3 years before I did the exhaust and I am really happy with it. Now I have the KKM (around $100 or so) and the gibson aluminum cat back with a turn-down just after the muffler, and I love the sound and the performance gains. Total invested: $460 or so... not bad.

Also of note, I had to contact KKM because I needed to buy another bracket and bolt to locate the filter and they shipped me one (3 days later! ) with a note and some stickers that said it was a free warranty replacement! Cool of them. Especially since I let them know that I didn't install the bracket original bracket correctly. Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decide on and how you like it.

 

[BeauJ]

Go with the MAC and a custom Flowmaster system.

 

[snocross1985]

Go with the MAC and a custom Flowmaster system.

werd

 

[TheJMan]

I should also mention that while there is a noticeable power gain from both mods, the gain from the intake was much more noticeable. It greatly increased throttle response, and the engine really roars when you stomp on the pedal. While there is some gain with the exhaust, it wasn't as apparent as the intake. I noticed it most when on the freeway accelerating to pass, as the X was increasing speed faster than it used to, and it didn't need to downshift to do so. My next mod will be headers but with gas prices at $3.19/gal those are going to have to wait a bit.

Also with the Flowmaster catback... my grandparents have been in my car on the freeway and in town and neither one of them complained that it was noisy or droned or anything like that. So if you are looking for a quiet catback system for the 5.0, this Flowmaster kit is it.

 

[aldive]

The net gain from intake and exhaust is synergistic.

You cannot achieve the optimal gain for wither without both.

 

[Crispy Niggets]

I bought the k&n Filter and I wich I would have made one myself for the money, the gibsom muffler sounds deep but it wasnt really a big enhansment, I think im going to sell it and get one custom made with 2 catalitic converters as stait back as possible with no mufler I think it is legal in va but I will find out soon.