Hey guys,
I had the MagnaFlow 14468 installed this afternoon and I have a few issues that I need some help on. First, upon starting the truck, it sounds like it's struggling to start and I have had to turn it over twice to get it started. This has happened a couple of times. I have only driven it around two miles so far. I got it installed at lunch time. The shop was unable to use the old tailpipes and bent and welded a new set for me. Then, they welded on my old tips. Also, it seems that my truck has lost some power. I know that this mod will not give me a gain in power, I just wanted a little sound. BTW, I have to say that for my taste, the sound is AWSOME. I can idle away and nobody would ever know that I have an aftermarket exhaust. However, at WOT it sounds like a beast. Also, at 2k rpm it sounds really smooth a nice tone that is not overpowering. My short cruise on the e-way proved that it was not too loud. Anyway, back to my delima, do you think that they could have bent the pipes and narrowed them to much? Thus, restrincting exhaust flow and creating too much back pressure? Or should I wait and run it a few days and see if I have any improvement. Also, how do I know they used a mandrel bender? They do custom bending and are not a hack shop (I think). What would you do????

 

I am pretty sure:

Mandrel bending just means that a constant diameter is maintained through the entire length of the pipe. You can see some older exhaust systems when they go through transition spots (like over the axle) there are "crimped" marks in the pipe..........that restricts flow.

--Joe

 

The muffler will reduce your backpressure, which will rob you of some low-end torque. I too noticed this after installing mine.

Now here's how to fix it: Cut a hole in the bottom of your factory airbox.

This will get your low-end torque back, and also make your blower louder so you can hear it over the exhaust.

Good luck!

 

Or go get a KB or Works blower

--Joe

 

I have heard that the 14468 is too short of a muffler for the lightning, it wiil cause a lost in power. The 14568 is the longer one, it is not much louder than stock, but will actually slightly increase power.

 

01Lite,

Do you have any pics of how and where to do this?

Thanks, Jim

 

Sure do:

 

Thanks,
This solved the problem completely? Are there any drawbacks to cutting the hole (any other problems I should be aware of)?
What did you use to cut the hole? Thanks again for your help!

 

I used a dremel to cut my holes.

 

If your going to cut the air box, go to your muffler shop and have them make you a header flange with a 3 inch pipe welded on.

That way you can run a hose to it and get cool air into the box

 

 

No Bs at all Bob, just call JDM and ask about the Dyno results they did in the past. Why do you think the stock muffler is so functional? That is why they told me they never carried the 14468, only the 14568, because it had showed gains and not any loss like the other one. Since the 468's are too short of a muffler, you will loose bakpressure , thus loosing torque. That is why you hear people asking why their Lightnings don't feel as strong as before they put in the 14468 muffler. I have never heard of anyone reporting any loss or feeling of loss of power with the 568 series. The only thing is that people go with the 468 series is because it is much louder. The bottom line is: If you are looking for a louder tone goo with the 468 series, but expect a little loss in power. If you are looking more minimal gains, go with the 568 sereis, but it won't be much louder than stock. So I suggest you do a little research before claiming BS to a subject you are unfamiliar with.

 

The stock muffler is a completely different design than the magnaflow. You can see through a magnaflow. All it is, is a perforated X pipe with a muffler around it. I cannot see why 4 inches of length would make any difference besides sound. Longer pipes = longer muffler around those pipes = quieter. Still an "X-pipe" design.

I definetetly felt no loss in power after my 14468 install. They also had to re-do the pipes from the muffler to tips on mine - not mandrel bent. But I don't understand why a muffler change (especially on a s/c engine) would make your truck bog down....doesn't make sense unless the pipes were crush bent too much.....

 

eliminating too much bakpressure in asupercharged engine will be felt. My point of this post is tha I have never heard anyone post a feeling of loss of power with the 14568, but there has been several posts like this one wiht people running the 14468 and reportin a loss in power like this post. I have a silver bullet now, it has dynoed to add about 10hp.

 

14468 too short huh?

I've had a 12468 (non-stainless version of the E-vil 14468) for a combined total of 30K miles (on two different L's) and noticed NO loss on the dyno.

More than likely and JMHO, one of the primary reasons the 14568/12568 muffler is touted is that it allows for EASIER configuration of the tailpipes. The 14468/12468 tail pipes were a bitch to setup. Time is money. Think about that.

Using the loss in backpressure theory, suppose you install this



Backpressure is lost with the headers AND the mufflerS. DOUBLE DOH!!!

Guess this is merely an audible enhancement with NO gain huh.

cheers!