Question about exhaust! :) Mostly, good places to buy, setup, etc.

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Ghaleon64

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So I recently discovered that the mechanics garage where I work will do installations for employees for a small fee. So I REALLY want a Magnaflow setup now that I know I'll be saving like $700 in labor.

However, they'll only do the labor, I must supply the parts. So where is a good place to get a good deal on mufflers, tubing, etc? Are there any all inclusive kits I can buy or do I need to buy all separate parts? Thinking of going 2.5" tubing with an X pipe.

One last question, what do you guys have installed and what are your opinions of your setup? :) I'm not looking for sound, looking for the most power gains. A nice rumble is always nice though.

Have an 06 V8 Sport.

Thanks all!
 
Labor for exhaust is nowhere near that much.

Ive probably spent maybe $300 at the most in labor and a few hundred on mufflers tips and xpipe and its all magnaflow stuff. doesnt look as pretty as the polished stuff though.

But the full magnaflow catback kit runs around $750 on ebay.

The Magnaflow setup is not as loud as others but it supposed to flow and perform the best. I have no resonators with 11225 mufflers and x-pipe. 3.5" tips out the rear. Mine was a hack job...everything was patched in but welded.
 
I have 2.5" tubing from cats to magnaflow mufflers with a X pipe in the middle. Gives it a nice sounds and the 4" tips makes it look good. There is no way you'll save that much in labor because my whole system plus install cost less then $700. There is a kit but buying it separate will be cheaper.
 
Thanks Black! Though, $800 is pretty steep... And there's no real picture of it and the description is pretty vague. No data on tubing size, tip size, etc...

Can I buy the tubing separate somewhere?
 
Don't mean to change the subject but what are you 1st gen guys running in terms of exhaust setup?
 
The muffler shop can install tubing but it will be aluminum and much more if they weld in steel.

You can patch into your current pipes but you will still spend $70 per muffler (double if they are polished) and tips will be anywhere from $20 - $100 each. Add in the xpipe and thats another $80. Now you are at $250+ for a hack job. Take out resonators and add in pipe and thats another $100 brings it up to about $400. youve now spent half for a hack job. And i havent added in labor costs.

http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/shopexd.asp?zone=all&id=7506

The LS is a luxury car. If i were to do it again i would do it right with the full polished setup. especially yours being an 06. Keep in mind its $800 but you are replacing the entire exhaust system except for the cats. The OEM system from ford costs twice as much and makes the car sound like a scooter. All you hear is fan.
 
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Good point Black... Thanks for the info. I may shop around for that setup you recommended though, always iffy on eBay with stock photos and bare bones descriptions... Course, I could just shoot them an email and ask specifics. Plus it's $800... Or best offer... :)

Can't imagine they get a ton of offers on these nowadays.
 
I think summit racing has it too.

But that vendor looks reliable.
 
Bassani mufflers would be the way to go really. I have APExhaust big max turbo 2.5 mufflers on my gen1. They are the same size as the bassani muffler and cost about 1/2 the price. LDM has a good thread about how the exhaust shop tucked the mufflers up out of the way unlike mine...grrrrr, guy got in a hurry.
 
i called bassani and they wouldnt sell me mufflers unless i was a vendor. looks about 115 per muffler from various sellers of the bassani. so ill save up some to buy em.
 
i got on there and ordered some. question i have is can a shop weld 2.25 inlet tip to the muffler thats 2.5 or will i need to buy one of those reducers for each tip?
 
They have tools to expand pipes and can make it work.
 
im thinking of replacing my cats but i live in cali. and wondering what would still pass smog. has anyone replaced oem cats with hi-flows and still passed smog? if so what brand? i have a 2000 v8 with magnaflow cat back system currently
 
A cat is a cat regardless of brand.

As long as the cat does its work and there are no leaks you wont throw codes and pass.
 
there are cats on ebay that say wont ship to california and not for on road use, off road only. these same cats are sold on different sites and dont say this. why they would say this if all cats are same and will pass regardless of brand.
 
The peoples republic of California has tons of screwed laws.

An "off road" cat with an o2 sensor that doesnt throw codes will pass emissions.
 
Peoples Republic of California

The socialists in Sacramento expect, should I say demand, the CA smog stations to do "enhanced smog check inspections." One of the sections is a visual inspection. In the republic, if the cat is non OEM the vehicle is to fail the visual inspection.
However, I am aware of one instance, not necessarily mine, where the 340lb tech in a smog station with no lift didn't "inspect" anything below the beltline of the car.
I also know a dude, a CA resident with friends in democratic states who buys 49 state stuff and routes it effectively.
Seems a bit ridiculous.
 
ya i just dont wana deal with some B.S. where i fail and gotta pay some one reinstall my old cats after already paying them to install the new ones. i guess i could just have it smogged now with the oems and after i pass find a shop that will swap in my new high flows... but then ill still have to pass a smog in a year or 2 lol maybe i should have stayed in nebraska... GO BIG RED
 
Understood.

Maybe a performance shop that also does emissions will overlook it.
 
Dont think HI flows will pass here in CA. You dont have to get OEM cats, those are 1200+ a piece, you can have a shop weld in some maganflows but they have to do all this paper work, install it in the same place it was from factory and all this other bs.
 
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