Best Cat-Back Exhaust Brand?

[DINOSOAR21]

After learning that a cat-back system can remove about 70lbs of weight (says LMR, but others say only 30lbs), and tune the exhaust note of this glorious V8, I have been wondering what guys think the best brand is? Borla? Magnaflow? Corsa? Others?

I want two things, in addition to dropping weight, retain the adjustable valve, but mainly, the best quality and best fitment...I have done enough mods to know the latter two are not always easy to find, even if you pay for it.

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[JPGC_S650]

On the Mustangs that I've had of the model years between 2011 and 2024, I have had a Borla, Corsa, and Flowmaster exhaust. The Borla and Corsa were full exhausts and the Flowmaster had a Steeda H-pipe. For sound, all 3 sounded good. The Flowmaster was a outlaw system and ended up being too much on the drone side of things while just cruising. As far as quality and fitment...the Borla and Corsa both were excellent and fitment was spot on. Both of those developed no rust (I still have the Corsa). The Flowmaster did have a little bit of a fitment issue as in it was more difficult to get lined up without it touching something under the car...but do able. The Flowmaster also developed a little bit of surface rust on the welds and where the paint was wore/ scraped off. Nothing major or detrimental though.

 

[robvas]

After learning that a cat-back system can remove about 70lbs of weight (says LMR, but others say only 30lbs)

Source?

I would go with one of the cheaper setups that are 304 stainless. The crappy ones are 409 or aluminized, you don't want that. And the prices that Corsa, Borla, and Magnaflow want these days are insane. Good quality (not great) but what you get for your money, especially with an AE-compatible system...nutso.

 

[DINOSOAR21]

Source?

I would go with one of the cheaper setups that are 304 stainless. The crappy ones are 409 or aluminized, you don't want that. And the prices that Corsa, Borla, and Magnaflow want these days are insane. Good quality (not great) but what you get for your money, especially with an AE-compatible system...nutso.

LMR...Late Model Restoration. They posted an article saying, actually, 72lbs reduction, though they did not a range of weight reduction due to brands, but all reference to a full cat-back system replacement. I find 72 a bit high, but factory stuff is heavy.

 

[needforspeedirl]

After learning that a cat-back system can remove about 70lbs of weight (says LMR, but others say only 30lbs), and tune the exhaust note of this glorious V8, I have been wondering what guys think the best brand is? Borla? Magnaflow? Corsa? Others?

I want two things, in addition to dropping weight, retain the adjustable valve, but mainly, the best quality and best fitment...I have done enough mods to know the latter two are not always easy to find, even if you pay for it.

I have the AWE Switchpath full system linked up to catless Kooks headers. Most of us catless folks use this setup to cut down on the rasp that these engines produce when you go catless or even delete the resonator.

My 2 cents
Corsa extreme would never be on my list due to the piercing sound it produces. I’m a fan of clean deep V8 sound with some rumble. I don’t want it to sound like there are metal parts trying to escape the exhaust.
As others have said you should look for quality stainless 304 systems as the factory exhaust system is better than the cheaper aftermarket systems. The price is hard to swallow on a cat back system and there’s really no big gains to be made on NA cars as the factory exhaust system is only choked up by the cats.

 

[bountifulgoose]

I run the awe switchpath on my dh and have been super happy with it. As far as weight savings maybe 10 -15 pounds max. The only way your gonna save anything close to 30 is with a muffler delete system like the awe track. Now yo get beyond 30 pounds your gonna need to go titanium buy i Imagine that would cost $5k.

 

[Kaleza]

if cat back is too expensive, u can always get axle back and pair it with x/h pipe. I got my ford performance axle back by borla on a sale and now x pipe from steeda and thats basically cat back for around 1000$

 

[robvas]

LMR...Late Model Restoration. They posted an article saying, actually, 72lbs reduction, though they did not a range of weight reduction due to brands, but all reference to a full cat-back system replacement. I find 72 a bit high, but factory stuff is heavy.

The weight of the entire factory system is 72lbs. You have to add back the weight of the new catback when you install it.

So you're probably saving 25-30lbs with a new one

 

[DINOSOAR21]

The weight of the entire factory system is 72lbs. You have to add back the weight of the new catback when you install it.

So you're probably saving 25-30lbs with a new one

Yeah, I think I was just not reading thier article right, though, after reviewing it again, it could have be more clear.

My biggest question of this thread is fitment, really. Got good replies on that one. I did find out that the OE system is likely 409 Stainless Steel, which is lighter than the higher-quality 304 Stainless. My guess is the aftermarket systems, while using heavier and better steel, are just not making them as big and bulky.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Junkyard Dog]

I have the AWE Switchpath full system linked up to catless Kooks headers. Most of us catless folks use this setup to cut down on the rasp that these engines produce when you go catless or even delete the resonator.

Do you get a check engine light?

 

[needforspeedirl]

Do you get a check engine light?

Junkyard, as much as you quote me I would think you had my build memorized. I’m custom tuned so no check engine light. Car is nowhere close to stock.

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