Any tips any of you guys have for me on installing a magnaflow cat back on a Gen II V8? Im getting ready to do mine this weekend. Ive put them on on other vehicles and its pretty straightforward, I was just wondering if there any particulars on the LS I should know about? Thanks.
Magnaflow Cat Back Installation.
- Thread starter 238LS
- Start date
cammerfe
Dedicated LVC Member
My Experience
The Magnaflow cat-back is designed for the GenI. My installation on my '02 was very straightforward. By the way, I used bandclamps instead of the regular muffler clamps that came in the kit.
Although the layout of the GenII exhaust system is somewhat different through the middle section, I can't see why a complete replacement should be any serious problem. The Magnaflow muffler outlets have turndowns that are hidden behind the rear apron, but it should be simple to cut off the turndown ends and put some sort of trumpets on instead. Good Luck!
KS
The Magnaflow cat-back is designed for the GenI. My installation on my '02 was very straightforward. By the way, I used bandclamps instead of the regular muffler clamps that came in the kit.
Although the layout of the GenII exhaust system is somewhat different through the middle section, I can't see why a complete replacement should be any serious problem. The Magnaflow muffler outlets have turndowns that are hidden behind the rear apron, but it should be simple to cut off the turndown ends and put some sort of trumpets on instead. Good Luck!
KS
Tru-Blu
Dedicated LVC Member
Awesome, 238! You're gonna be the lab rat (was going to say guineau pig, but that wasn't going to sound too good) on this one. I'm hoping everything goes smooth for ya, because I want to put the same kit on in the fall (have to span the major mods out so I don't have to sleep in the car). :shifty:
1LoudLS
Dedicated LVC Member
the hardest part is always getting the old parts off, rusted bolts, pieces stock together, and the rubber hangers, jeezh, those took the longest.
new parts (at least for non universal bolt on kits) is as straight forward as possible, bolt up and bolt on!
new parts (at least for non universal bolt on kits) is as straight forward as possible, bolt up and bolt on!
Well guys, I went to install the system after work today and I had some problems. I will paste the email I just sent Magnaflow to explain. I hope the handle it well as I have done literally $3000+ worth of business with them in the past few years.
"Hi, I recently purchased your cat back system #16678 at the Local Napa Store that I work at for my 2003 Lincoln LS 3.9L V8. I tired to install it today and I found that the front piece of the kit (the part with the X-pipe and resonaters) does not fit. It seems that the entire piece is too long especially the front of the passenger side exhaust pipe in front of the x-pipe. It also seems to have clearance issues with the the cover that covers the bottom of the driveshaft. I did not attempt to install the left or right muffler assemblies. I have attached a picture comparing the system to the stock exhaust that I hope will be helpful. I am suspecting maybe the front piece of the kit I got was for an older LS maybe(2000-2001?) I have installed several magnaflow systems on my vehicles and I have never had any kind of issue until now. I need to get this resolved as soon as possible becuase I had to cut the factory exhaust to get it off, so the car does not have
a full exhaust system on it. Thank you,"
"Hi, I recently purchased your cat back system #16678 at the Local Napa Store that I work at for my 2003 Lincoln LS 3.9L V8. I tired to install it today and I found that the front piece of the kit (the part with the X-pipe and resonaters) does not fit. It seems that the entire piece is too long especially the front of the passenger side exhaust pipe in front of the x-pipe. It also seems to have clearance issues with the the cover that covers the bottom of the driveshaft. I did not attempt to install the left or right muffler assemblies. I have attached a picture comparing the system to the stock exhaust that I hope will be helpful. I am suspecting maybe the front piece of the kit I got was for an older LS maybe(2000-2001?) I have installed several magnaflow systems on my vehicles and I have never had any kind of issue until now. I need to get this resolved as soon as possible becuase I had to cut the factory exhaust to get it off, so the car does not have
a full exhaust system on it. Thank you,"
Tru-Blu
Dedicated LVC Member
1 word - Ouch!
Bullschmidt
LVC Photographer
This is exactly why everyone with a GenII just buys whatever mufflers and x pipe they desire and have a shop custom do the rest.
1LoudLS
Dedicated LVC Member
is that the reason?, i always thought it was because they only wanted to spend half as much
Maybe the reason people like me buy it is becuase there isnt an exhaust shop within 250 miles that can do anything but straight pipes on a 350 chevy? Its pretty hard to take time off work during the week so you can take a 4 hour road trip to get exhaust put on your car.
jolinc01
Dedicated LVC Member
is that the reason?, i always thought it was because they only wanted to spend half as much
bwahaahahaha:d
NickT88LSC
Dedicated LVC Member
Sounds like a good business opportunity. Buy a Huth pipe bender and you can be the best exhaust guy in 250 miles
Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
I helped with 5 or 6 magnaflow swaps now - very easy. Make sure to buy a can of PB Blaster - it's like WD40 industrial strength and will not run the O2 sensors. I also use some silicon spray on the rubber hangers.
Well guys, I just spoke on the phone with Magnaflow. They told me that cars sold in Canada in California have a slightly different exhaust configuration which thier system does not fit on. I am assuming mine must have been sold there originally, I bought it here in montana with only 43k on it. So, I guess now I need to decide it I should return it and have a new setup made the next time I get out of town or if I should just take it with me and have a shop modify it to fit. It looks like the tailpipes, mufflers and tips should fit great. Either way I have to drive it 250 miles with only 1/3 of its exhaust on it.........ughh. Would have been nice if magnaflow had mentioned this when I ordered the damn thing
Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
I don't believe that's true..... I have never heard of any variances in the cars - reguardless of location.
Tru-Blu
Dedicated LVC Member
238, where did the installation instructions indicate to make the cut on the factory exhaust? Your experience is not giving me warm fuzzies on this. I may end up just doing what other Gen II owners have done instead of getting this kit.
They didnt, But I ended up cutting it by the rear end because I couldnt get the exhaust to move enough to get it off the rubber hangers. Of course I didnt think I would ever be using it again.....I sure wish I wouldnt have done that now.
Tru-Blu
Dedicated LVC Member
So you didn't have to cut it after the catalytic converters? I would have thought that's where you would have to do it to mount the new kit (admittedly, I haven't looked underneath my LS on that).
If that's the case, if you could (in theory) move the exhaust enough to get it off the rubber mounts/hangers you wouldn't have to cut it at all?
If that's the case, if you could (in theory) move the exhaust enough to get it off the rubber mounts/hangers you wouldn't have to cut it at all?
No, it just attaches to the cats with two exhaust clamps so all you have to do there is loosen them and it slids off the factory stuff. I probably could have gotten the stock exhaust off the hangers without cutting it, but cutting it made it a lot easier.
Hey guys, I guess the word from magnaflow is the california/canada emissions thing...not really sure if I buy that. Anyways, they offered me a full refund to return it but at this point I think im just going to keep it and get it modified somewhere so it will fit. Maybe I should send them the bill from whatever exhaust shop that ends up doing the work?
Tru-Blu
Dedicated LVC Member
Well, if it IS due to emissions then they should be able to show it with some type of picture or graphic - IMO