So which is louder, the shorter muffler or the longer muffler? They both are 2.5 SI/DO 2.5 and both are available in stainless steel. I'm just curious as to what the difference in lengths mean...more low end? louder? more hp?

Magnaflow #14218
5x8 Oval 14" long


OR

Magnaflow #12368
5x8 Oval 24" long

Thanks,
chknbone

 

Given the same muffler design, the smaller the chamber, the louder.

5x8x24" would be the louder of the two.

 

You meant the 5x8x14" would be louder, right?

chknbone

 

Doh! Yes, the 14" shorter one would be louder than the 24" one.

 

Thanks APT

I know next-to-nothing about exhaust. I've read the basics on here (backpressure, airflow, etc) but it always confused me how you can either buy systems that have had a lot of R&D behind them or you could get one custom bent by "Joe" down on the corner

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking "Joe". I'm sure he has years of wisdom and experience, but how does he know to what degree to make the angles, and where at, and which pipe diameter? And if it doesn't make that much of a difference then how come all these exhaust places put so much money in R&D to develope a specific cat-back system?

chknbone

I have the same confusion over the custom Harley exhaust too. It seems that they can bend, twist, lengthen, shorten, swoop or curve where ever they feel like.

 

I feel the same way. I have doeen a lot of research on F-150 exhausts, yet still have the OEM. My summary is this. The people that go with a cat-back system rank performance above cost and sound. The people that go to their local shop rank price first, then sound and look, then performance. They may get some improvements, but the local shop guy doesn't go dyno the truck to see what the benefits are like the manufacturer does during R&D.

My recomendation for people going to their local guy is to at least buy a pre-bent tail pipe. Magnaflow has one, so does Flowmaster. Both are mandrel bent and are cheap.