I've been considering a Magnaflow on my 05 Screw FX4, but *REALLY* enjoy the Audiophile sound system and am hesitant to change exhaust due to the concern with droning in the cabin at a cruise.

I've heard the sound clips here on this forum, and they're good, but the poster did them all on acceleration runs......no steady state "normal" driving. Sure they sound great when you put your foot into it (like most all aftermarket pipes), but how do they sound when you're taking it easy?

Thanks for the info.....

-DCollie

 

under normal driveing driving conditions I can not hear the exhaust at all when the radio is on. I dont nessessarily blast the radio either. normal volume. there is zero droneing at any speed. the only time I hear it is when I step into it hard or if the radio is off. hope this helps. I have the magna flow dual rear exit cat back.

 

Magnaflow is a brand, not a muffler or exhaust. I point this out because folks seem to think all the Magnaflows are the same. I had the short loud one on my truck, and unless you are deaf you won't like it. It's for guys that wish they had an open exhaust, but the police won't let them. The twenty four inch muffler is better, loud when I nail it, but I can listen to the CD without having to jack the sound up. On any slight grade I can tell it is back there.
The shorter one droned in top gear up any grade. Tiring after awhile.

On a Screw there is a little less sound in the cab than a regular cab like mine, as you have a second set of seats between you and the tailpipe.
Chris

 

I agree with JasonKola,

Under normal driving (cruise) you can barely hear it and only then if you listen closely. I can say that Magnaflow is one of the quietest under cruise, provides zero drone and has a great sound when you push the go go pedal . I have the SISO system installed in a SuperCab with the 6.5' bed. Hope this helps...

 

I have the 16615 SIDO Magnaflow cat-back system on my truck, and notice minimal cab noise at normal throttle. It definitely sounds more aggressive than the stock system, but is not ojectionable at all. And then when I hit the throttle I get that nice Magnaflow growl! Screw the Audiophile -- listen to the Maggie!

 

I had Mflows on my Marauder. Sounded great, but with alot of cabin drone. Short trips were fine, but spend an hour in the car and it got old. I went with Ford Racings Duel Mode Mufflers. I dont know if they make them for trucks or not, but I love them on the Marauder.

 

My experience is similar. Hardly noticeable at all at normal cruise, even without a CD playing. When accelerating I hear it well but not too loudly even then. Mine is a 24-inch that I had a muffler shop weld on to my existing pipes some time ago. Definitely worth every cent of the roughly $180 total costs.

 

Never fear, the 2004-2006 F150 Exhaust Guru is here! I'm now on my third aftermarket exhaust (Flowmaster and IMCO before this), and I've finally found what I have been looking for. The best performance and sound (in the reasonable price range anyway) is by far Magnaflow. They sound great, there are 3 lengths to choose from and they actually add to rather than reduce your factory torque. The loudest is the short 14" model, then there is the very common 18" model, and the quiet 24" model. The 14" sounds great but it is rather loud. Acceleration and hill climbing will definitely result in a considerable drone. Cruising on the highway it quiets down quite a bit. The 18" model is the most common one here. When you get on it it's loud. Normal acceleration it provides a nice background rumble that isn't intrusive. On the highway it is just about silent. Climbing hills there is a rumble but it isn't too loud. I have an 18" on my truck. It's dumped under the bed so it is louder than those with tailpipes. No doubt the 18" with a tailpipe will be quieter than what I just described. Finally the 24" seems to be the muffler of choice for those that like to hear exhaust when they hit it but not when cruising. The great thing about Magnaflow is the straight through design, so regardless of the length of your muffler you get the same performance. This can't be said of a baffled muffler like a Flowmaster. So, in closing, I would highly reccomend the Magnaflow!

 

i bought the Magnaflow 16612 cat back exhaust.. i believe it comes with the 18inch muffler....

some days i like it, some days i dont....

don't let anyone tell you that this cat back exhaust on a 5.4 V8 F-150 does not give off some drone noise... it does....

it's silent at idle and coasting... but if your going up a hill or any kind of grade you'll hear the drone...

if you step on it, it turns into a more pleasant, more powerfull, rumble.... but at constant highway speeds under acceleration or even off of the highway at a slow accleration up to speed the rumble is not there, it's a done sound....not real lound but definetely not the nice rumble....

i first thought maybe i had a exhaust leak, but i've checked several times and there's no leak....

 

Any aftermarket performance muffler will be louder than stock; that’s the nature of the beast. The key is to find one that the sound is pleasing to your ears

 

Ditto on everything you just said. I have the catback dual side exit kit and mine sounds just like you described it.

dcollie, you didn't say if you were looking for a catback system, or just a muffler to weld-in place of the stock one? If just a muffler only, I say go with the 24" model so you don't get much drone in the cab and can still enjoy the Audiophile system.

 

Steve,

i am thinking about going with the 24 inch Magnaflow muffler..... It's part number 14251...(3 inch in/out, 5X8 oval)......

But... I am not sure if it too will exhibit the same drone noises etc....

Also, the cat-back pipes would have to be altered....

I found the muffler for about $115 online.... so I am thinking about buying it and having my local muffler shop cut/alter the existing pipes so that the longer 24 inch muffler will fit... I'll have them clamp it on and I'll take it for a spin to hear the results.... if i like it i'll have them weld it on, if not, then i guess i'll go back to stock and try and sell the 2 mufflers on ebay or something.....

 

Well it all depends on what Magnaflow muffler you decide to use. I am running a 14in SIDO Magnaflow and to me it sounds really good, but then I like a nice deep rumble and want to hear it when I step on it. To some it might be too loud but to others it might be too quiet. I used to have a 40 series flowmaster and hated the raspy baffled sound. The magnaflow has a much deeper powerful tone. If you want quiet then go with a 24in or an 18in, the 14in is slightly louder.

 

I've got the same tastes as you seeing as how I have an audiophile and silent Lariat Supercrew.

I rode in a supercab with the 18inch SIDO magnaflow and it was barely audible under normal acceleration (engine made more noise than the exhaust) and you could tell there was exhaust under heavy acceleration.

Being as I have a supercrew I expect it to be even quieter because it will be farther back.

Mine should be here Friday and instead of using the tips that come with it, I'll be using the magnaflow camaro style tips for a different look. Pic will be posted when it's installed.

For normal acceleration video clips with sound go to the exhaust forum and look at one of the members Magnaflow SIDO "How To" thread. He posted clips under normal acceleration.

 

Thanks for all the opinions, guys. I'm reasonably confident with the dual rear model I can get a good tone that's not overwhelming after reading your comments. I've had aftermarket pipes on cars before, and nothing is more annoying than one that sets up a droning resonance at highway cruise speeds.

-Duane