2.0L LNF Performance Tech 260hp and 260 lb-ft of torque Turbocharged tuner version.

Thoughts on all catbacks offered for the SS/TC

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Old 10-23-2014, 08:47 PM
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Thoughts on all catbacks offered for the SS/TC

I was wondering something, and before the bashfest starts, I DID several searches, and came up with nothing.

A local has the magnaflow exhaust, frankly I didn't even think Magnaflow offered one because when I last looked in 2011, there was nothing listed.

I came across a thread here that cited after their R&D was done hp and torque gains were observed on a bone stock SS/TC, not big gains, but gains none the less.

I have always read that a catback doesn't do much other than sound different on a TC, but this guy's car is pretty mean, and it sounds like a jet fighter when he does a drive by...

So, are there any threads, or any sources which might cite which exhausts merit gains on a K04 car?

Thanks!
Old 10-23-2014, 08:57 PM
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Well catback like you said is more for sound if you want the gains its all in the Downpipe. So if your looking for a catback you like just go to youtube im sure you will find alot of examples of how a tc catback sounds. Me personally liked the turboxs FL catback and thats the one I will be getting on moday
Old 10-23-2014, 09:46 PM
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catback doesnt do **** all for performance, stock catback is a straight through design,
Old 10-24-2014, 12:19 PM
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I have read time and again that an aftermarket exhaust will not yeild a single hp.
But Magnaflow has shown that even on the stock tune (c/w learndown), that gains are to be had on a 100% stock car with their exhaust - that's pretty hard to refute.

Originally Posted by deeoh

The above link <removed> will show both a 'take off' & 'drive by' video of the final product for our SS/TC. Magnaflow hasn't yet finished uploading
pics of the catback or the dyno graph, but I uploaded what was given to me.

<more content removed>

My experience with it so far: It's only slightly louder than stock, with no rasp or drone at highway speeds, with a gain of ~10 whp. Very,
very high quality fit & finish. Enjoy!

This local car, as I mentioned is pretty mean - and it sounds down right nasty...
I can't help but think that although gains might be small, that a better exhaust will yeild less restriction, and see some gain over the stock system;
Keep in mind that the stock system does crimp down to something like 2.25~2.5" at points.

Has absolutely no one here done any dyno or track visits to try to prove or disprove gains netted from an aftermarket exhuast?

One thing that befuddles me is that time and again people here seem to just believe something is so, because they read it here - almost like people take CSS.net posts as definative, and stop thinking... It seems odd to me, that on a car which responds so well to an aftermarket 3" downpipe (catted or not), that zero gains should be observed from a full 3" mandrel bent system.

I'm not trying to argue, I am trying to foster conversation that isn't purely of a dismissive nature.
Old 10-24-2014, 12:23 PM
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I can tell you that I ran a zzp catless and their cat back. I noticed loss of low end and it was very loud. No muffler and no resonator. Sounded too bad to me so I took it off and put the stock cat back on.

Last edited by turbocharged717; 10-24-2014 at 12:24 PM. Reason: spelling
Old 10-24-2014, 12:38 PM
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I'm currently running the stock catback, c/w a MPx catless downpipe;
I've been evaluating possible upgrades based on my personal experiences with parts/companies, or local cars ect.
Old 10-24-2014, 12:40 PM
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I thought I read on here that it didn't do much good unless you where running a bigger turbo.
Old 10-24-2014, 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by turbocharged717
I thought I read on here that it didn't do much good unless you where running a bigger turbo.
but even "not much good" indicates some gains are to be had - which is different than the common assertion of "zero gains";

Do you know what I mean?
Old 10-24-2014, 12:46 PM
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im getting a custom catback installed on Monday.

3 in with 1 resonator.
Old 10-24-2014, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by soundjunky
but even "not much good" indicates some gains are to be had - which is different than the common assertion of "zero gains";

Do you know what I mean?
Yeah I know what you're saying. Something is better than nothing
Old 10-24-2014, 07:03 PM
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Originally Posted by turbocharged717
I can tell you that I ran a zzp catless and their cat back. I noticed loss of low end and it was very loud. No muffler and no resonator. Sounded too bad to me so I took it off and put the stock cat back on.
Can you explain what rpm range you feel you lose low end power?
Old 10-24-2014, 07:52 PM
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Just cover the holes in the stock muffler so it looks like you have a stock muffler but it's loud :p
Old 10-25-2014, 02:46 AM
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Originally Posted by turbocharged717
I can tell you that I ran a zzp catless and their cat back. I noticed loss of low end and it was very loud. No muffler and no resonator. Sounded too bad to me so I took it off and put the stock cat back on.
well honestly, did u expect it to not sound like crap without a muffler or resonator? idk how people even like the sound of that. way to loud and obviously will be raspy

<<<@!1!@>>>

ya iv looked around for some to, and listened to sound clips, and honestly, the megnaflow sounds the best to me, id love to have one but they are too dang expensive.

Last edited by tomj77; 10-25-2014 at 02:46 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Old 10-25-2014, 11:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Joe09SS
Can you explain what rpm range you feel you lose low end power?
When I would pull out it felt a little on the sluggish side just normal driving it felt less torquey
Old 10-25-2014, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by tomj77
well honestly, did u expect it to not sound like crap without a muffler or resonator? idk how people even like the sound of that. way to loud and obviously will be raspy

<<<@!1!@>>>

ya iv looked around for some to, and listened to sound clips, and honestly, the megnaflow sounds the best to me, id love to have one but they are too dang expensive.
Well not originally because the videos I watched didn't make it sound that bad. I think it's different when you hear it in person
Old 10-25-2014, 11:38 AM
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Originally Posted by turbocharged717

When I would pull out it felt a little on the sluggish side just normal driving it felt less torquey
I only ask cause why do you need want max power at the low end on a fwd car? People intentionally put lower boost in first and lower rpm for lower power on the low end. Idk why the reason of loss of low end power, which I don't see, should be a negative impact on the buying of a cat back...

See my point?
Old 10-25-2014, 06:04 PM
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Yeah I know what you mean. The reason behind the loss imo was next to no back pressure. The rasp was another no thanks for me.
Old 10-25-2014, 06:11 PM
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I have a catless DP and full Hahn 3in exhaust with res and muffler. I love how it sounds it sounds deep but not too loud for daily driving I would recommend it to anybody for sure
Old 10-25-2014, 08:35 PM
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I personally have Catless downpipe and rfl Turboxs cat back. I love the gargle and backfire, and its not my daily driver so it doesn't bother me.
Old 10-25-2014, 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by soundjunky
I have read time and again that an aftermarket exhaust will not yeild a single hp.
But Magnaflow has shown that even on the stock tune (c/w learndown), that gains are to be had on a 100% stock car with their exhaust - that's pretty hard to refute.



This local car, as I mentioned is pretty mean - and it sounds down right nasty...
I can't help but think that although gains might be small, that a better exhaust will yeild less restriction, and see some gain over the stock system;
Keep in mind that the stock system does crimp down to something like 2.25~2.5" at points.

Has absolutely no one here done any dyno or track visits to try to prove or disprove gains netted from an aftermarket exhuast?

One thing that befuddles me is that time and again people here seem to just believe something is so, because they read it here - almost like people take CSS.net posts as definative, and stop thinking... It seems odd to me, that on a car which responds so well to an aftermarket 3" downpipe (catted or not), that zero gains should be observed from a full 3" mandrel bent system.

I'm not trying to argue, I am trying to foster conversation that isn't purely of a dismissive nature.
I do not believe 10whp gains on a stock tune and otherwise stock TC for a second. Even on my car with a Borla XR1 and full 3" and my most aggressive 26 psi tune I gained a whopping 6 whp over what it made with just the catless DP.
Old 10-25-2014, 09:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe09SS
I personally have Catless downpipe and rfl Turboxs cat back. I love the gargle and backfire, and its not my daily driver so it doesn't bother me.
X2 man I have the same set up and love it. The gargle and the backfires I love lol
Old 10-25-2014, 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by turbocharged717
Well not originally because the videos I watched didn't make it sound that bad. I think it's different when you hear it in person
because when u here it on a video u can turn down the volume lol
Old 10-25-2014, 11:00 PM
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Originally Posted by tomj77
because when u here it on a video u can turn down the volume lol
I did a vid with the window down you can't hear anything other than wind noise
Old 10-25-2014, 11:37 PM
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Originally Posted by turbocharged717
I can tell you that I ran a zzp catless and their cat back. I noticed loss of low end and it was very loud. No muffler and no resonator. Sounded too bad to me so I took it off and put the stock cat back on.
No resonator or muffler was loud?

No ******* way.
Old 10-25-2014, 11:41 PM
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Originally Posted by kzak104
No resonator or muffler was loud?

No ******* way.
Ya quite shocking. I can not stand a really loud exhaust on my DD it makes long trips so painful


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