Warning: Magnaflow #15218 Cat-Back

[Fast Gator]

Well, this thread came a few weeks too late. Mine should be arriving either today or tomorrow. Wonderful part is mine does have the tow package. To OP do you have photos of the modification required to do this? I may fire off a prelim email to Magnaflow and see what they have to say.

Please report back after you receive your catback, and what Magnaflow has to say

 

[Frmconcrete09]

This is some good info . Thanks for letting us know

 

[rspong]

Alright here is the email I fired off to Magnaflow, we'll see what they say... "Hi there, recently I have ordered your exhaust system #15218, the system should be arriving at my door any day now. The question I have is in regards to the installation of this system on a 2013 Explorer Sport w/tow package. This morning I stumbled across a fellow forum member who has brought two VERY important issues to light and would like some clarification if possible. His post reads as follows "Warning for those looking to pickup the new Magnaflow for the XSport.

#1 it is not a bolt on like the instructions depict. You will need to hack your stock exhaust off after the cat. Stupid IMO when they could have just offered a kit that either A) replaces the cat or B) has hi-flow cats that does to a flange.

#2 the kit will NOT fit if you have a factory tow package. They designed the system for one w/o it. I am lucky enough to live 5 min. away from their engineering center so I brought my car into them to show them and they agreed, fixed mine and hopefully redesign it. Basically the drivers side muffler hanger needs to be reversed. Simple enough for anyone with a grinder and welder to fix but crappy for those without access."

Obviously you can see the reasons for my concern as it says nowhere in the installation manual that there will need to be any modification to the stock exhaust system aside from simply unbolting and bolting up the new one. Secondly if this kit will not fit with the tow package, why is this not listed anywhere and who is responsible for the cost of modification to the new system? If you can confirm or deny any of the above and provide a solution this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks."

So it looks like they are saying changes in installation are required if you have a trailer hitch, but did they answer the first part of the question, whether or not this is a bolt on installation? I don't have the hitch, so I would be curious to know. My catback is arriving tomorrow. Hope it is a simple bolt on.

 

[Azazell64]

No, they really didn't answer much of what I was going to find out. My quoted material that I've posted here is the entire extent of my communication with them. My kit will hopefully be arriving tomorrow as well and if I haven't received an email response back from them by noon I'll have to place a phone call and begin to climb the ladder that way. I'll keep everyone here posted on anything that comes up.

 

[Azazell64]

So it looks like they are saying changes in installation are required if you have a trailer hitch, but did they answer the first part of the question, whether or not this is a bolt on installation? I don't have the hitch, so I would be curious to know. My catback is arriving tomorrow. Hope it is a simple bolt on.

Well I decided to place a call today to see if there were any updates on this. I was told that you DO indeed have to cut your factory exhaust behind the catalytic converter due to the fact that the exhaust is essentially one piece. Also for anyone that has ordered this exhaust, I guess they are looking into a redesign but as of right now do not have an expected completion date. I was told that if anyone has it currently, they can either do the modification or wait until the redesign is out and ship your exhaust back and get the new kit. Hope this helps some of you out.

 

[rspong]

Well I decided to place a call today to see if there were any updates on this. I was told that you DO indeed have to cut your factory exhaust behind the catalytic converter due to the fact that the exhaust is essentially one piece. Also for anyone that has ordered this exhaust, I guess they are looking into a redesign but as of right now do not have an expected completion date. I was told that if anyone has it currently, they can either do the modification or wait until the redesign is out and ship your exhaust back and get the new kit. Hope this helps some of you out.

Crap. I just received my kit on Monday. I will have to call them and see about returning this. I really don't want to cut my factory exhaust. So that applies to any Explorer Sport, regardless of tow package installed or not, right? Thanks again for all the research and followup.

 

[Azazell64]

this is correct, cutting the factory exhaust regardless of tow package to install slip joint for the aftermarket exhaust.

 

[Azazell64]

I may attempt to put my exhaust on later today, weather permitting (it's blizzarding here today), if I do so, I will try and snap some pictures of what is required for the install just so everyone knows what they're getting themselves into.

 

[fiefen]

I didn't do the cat back system, but I did replace the oem mufflers with the magna flow ones and put on the 3" tips

 

[dink117]

I didn't do the cat back system, but I did replace the oem mufflers with the magna flow ones and put on the 3" tips

Do you have any pics you could share?

 

[fiefen]

I will try to get some for tonight. We got blasted with over a foot of snow yesterday lol

 

[fiefen]

It was a little cold and some snow came over night. Just over a foot.

Yeesh noob here for posting pics. Sorry for all the edits lol

 

[Fast Gator]

It was a little cold and some snow came over night. Just over a foot.

Yeesh noob here for posting pics. Sorry for all the edits lol

Hey fiefen
Are you running the stock tires and if so, how are they in the snow?
Iam thinking not so good.

Anybody heard anything from Magnaflow if they are producing a catback that fits a Sport model with the towing package?

 

[fiefen]

The tires are ok in the snow, haven't had a chance to use it much with trade shows and all. Seems to do well in the snow mode.

As for the catback it is coming soon. I saw it on the dealer end for being able to pre order but with no firm date

 

[Fast Gator]

The tires are ok in the snow, haven't had a chance to use it much with trade shows and all. Seems to do well in the snow mode.

As for the catback it is coming soon. I saw it on the dealer end for being able to pre order but with no firm date

Thanks for the insight

 

[Iceman4ever98]

Well this just f*&kin sucks............
I was ready to pull the trigger on a new cat back system

Ditto. I was eager to put one on our Sport until I read this thread. Ugh.

 

[Azazell64]

They are supposed to be in development of the new tow package system and will release it as soon as it is done. No expected delivery date yet. To be fair to the company I purchased my kit from, I am going to modify mine as they have been nothing but helpful and I don't want to waste a bunch of their money shipping back and forth etc etc. I'll keep you posted if I hear anything new from Magnaflow. If anybody has the kit currently, I have pictures of the modification needed to complete the installation, it's actually fairly easy.

 

[fiefen]

I had my installer look at both the kit and doing seperates. He basically told me that the piping was the same, and resonator was similar. Other than the mufflers and the tips, there was no real advantage to switch it all over. Not for the price of the kit anyways. hope this helps. Might save some a little bit of money

 

[Azazell64]

There is actually a little bit in difference if you get under there and look at the piping and resonators. Enough to justify the cost, that's up to you guys, my biggest complaint is at the front, again if you crawl under there, you can see where the pipes 90 off to go to the back, they are squished and bent quite terribly, I believe there is substantial room for improvement there. Just my opinion.

 

[CobraJohn]

Magnaflow 15218 doesn't fit my Sport...Frustrated

Earlier this year there was a lot of conversation on this forum about the Magnaflow 15218 not fitting our Sports if you have the trailer tow option.

I called Magnaflow back in June and was assured they had resolved this issue in March.

Based on that information I ordered my Magnaflow 15218 on June 27th.

My 2014 Sport came in last week and tonight I proceeded to install the exhaust.

Step 1......cut off my stock exhaust......not turning back now :-(

Fast forward to the last step where the muffler and tip section doesn't fit due to rear hangers on both sides obstructed by the hitch frame.

The fitment issue pushes the tips all the way to one side and rubbing the inside radius of the rear plastic facia. Can't drive the vehicle now or it will melt the plastic. Can't put my stock exhaust on.

Now my vehicle is down for who knows how long. Very Frustrated!!!!

Will be calling Magnaflow first thing in the morning.

Anyone else recently experiencing the same fitment issue?