Ok, I finally got my crap together and got my Magnaflow catback installed today after a month of looking at it in the garage. Took about 2 hours start to finish, would have been quicker if I hadn't attempted to take the factory system off in one piece. I also used an exhaust pipe cutter to finally make the cut, which would have been accomplished more quickly had I used my sawzall.

For anyone contemplating this install, the tools I used were:

15mm deepwell socket & 17 inch flex handle (breaker bar) to get the factory installed clamp loose (it is welded to the intermediate pipe)

Channel lock pliers to wiggle the old system out of the rubber hangers.

Pipe cutter (sawzall would be better) to cut about 1 1/2" behind the factory muffler.

9/16" socket to tighten new clamps (I didn't break any!)

I also had two 3" steel clamps and one 2 1/2" steel clamp just in case I broke one of the stainless ones. I tightened the stainless ones evenly and didn't have any trouble.

There are definately clearance issues with the tailpipe and the rear tire/shock. I ended up shifting the spare over a little to the drivers side and slid the rubber tailpipe hanger past the stop all the way towards the passenger side. I about an inch from the spare and the shock. There is just very little clearance for that 3" pipe, I can see where rubber shock boots could be an issue.

It sounds awesome at idle but I was too dirty to take it for a test drive. It is not obnoxiously loud, but it rumbles like a truck should.

 

Well its about time

Just kidding. I'm sure you will like it. I sure like mine.
It will wake up when you floor it.

Remember it will get louder when it breaks in, but not too loud.

Instead of a sawzall, I decided to use one of those cut-off discs on my 7 1/4 Circular saw. It cut soooo much smoother,quicker and with no jerking/ vibration like a sawzall.

Also a little soap and water on those hangers, and mine pulled off by hand...Thought I'd throw that in there for anyone about to do the swap.

Enjoy

 

Took the truck out to see how she sounds and I have to say, she sounds pretty sweet! Only problem is that I noticed that the gap between the spare and the tailpipe closed up some, leaving only about a quarter inch. Anyone else have this issue. I am wondering how much clearance I need to prevent damaging the spare.....

 

Ok, I crawled under the truck again this morning to check the clamps. I loosened the tailpipe clamp and twisted it and gained some clearance for the spare tire. I now have about 3/4" from the top of the tip to the bottom of the rear fender and about 3/4" clearance from the spare. I guess I should have spent some time adjusting it when I did the install, but I was anxious to hear what the system sounded like. I will be interested to see if I am maintaining the clearance after it heats up.

If anyone is thinking about a Magnaflow go for it! The sound is wonderful, it is not overly loud, but it rumbles really nice!

If you want to save some money on the system, you can sell your CD player to help pay for it, I haven't had mine on since the install!

 

I installed mine as well this past weekend. It went pretty smooth as well only taking about 1 1/2 hours. I cut the old exhaust with a sawzall. My clearance on the spare tire is about 3/4 of an inch. I had to slide the exhaust hangers over as far as they could go. Without doing so my clearance was none to 1/4 of an inch. It is an awesome sound when you step on it though!!

 

Magnaflow recommends at least 1/2".

Hope that helps.

Can't wait to get mine in.

 

installed mine last night.

after mounting it (took 1 hour), i was actually incredibly disappointed with the exhaust. it sounded barely louder than stock when i revved it and it was almost as quiet as stock at idle.

but after driving as little as 10 miles, it started to open up.

i put about 50 miles on it last night, and it sounds soooo much better. just like i was hoping for.

can't really feel a power difference, i am just noticing that it is allowing the tranny to hold 4th gear up hills that it normally drops to third for on the highway while the cruise is on. should help out on gas mileage a decent amount (my area is very hilly).

This exhaust definitely gets my vote.

 

I wasn't sure if I was going to do anything, but I've never had a truck/car that has stayied stock.

My plans as of now are some helper/overload springs in the rear, exhaust, and probably that K&N Filter Injection performance kit. I also need to tint the front windows, and that's about all I can think of right now.

 

Just installed 15609 on 03 F 150.Sounds great except at 70 mph on interstate.to much noise in cab.After 1700 RPM's at a steady speed. you cant stand in side. Any idea's...........

 

Any idea's...........

Turn your stereo up





Just kidding, at a steady speed, I don't have a bad drone, it usually occurs during acceleration.

 

Probably have a leak. I'd have a shop weld the connections instead of relying on those clamps.

 

Hi.

It's not a leak, it's system/cab interaction and resonance.

Does not happen ( or is not an annoyance) for everyone.

Dynamat the cab.

Cheers

 

I am trying to install a 16612 on my 05 and I can not get the stock system apart. I have losened the clamp with no problem but can not seem to get the stock muffler tube out of the cat back tube.

Did you have to cut the stock system to get it out???

I am afaraid that when they welded the clamp on that they welded the tubes togeather too.

Any words of wisdom??

thanks
Alex

 

I used an acetylene torch and heated the pipe up until it loosed up on it's own when I installed my 15749 kit last Thursday. After we broke the clamp loose the pipes were still rusted together, so we heated things up with the torch. Slid right apart then.