Message Title: Re: To give you an idea of the power increase....

Posted by: Paul C. on 2003-08-28 at 14:47:44 (7 views)
(posted from: Host: cpe-65-25-208-47.mn.rr.com IP: 65.25.208.47)

 Message:

Here is an email that Saman sent me:

Hey,

I had posted a story about racing a Lexus GS400 and you had asked a couple of questions. I have the Magnaflow Cats, they are actually made by Carsound. Carsound is the parent company that makes everything Magnaflow. Its funny that the carsound cats are about $20-30 cheaper. The reason is I spoke to carsound and they said the cats are identical except the Magnaflow's are polished to look shiny and the carsounds have the aluminum color and unpolished. I really didn't care about shiny or not. Most people on the forum have bought the carsound cats. They are great and the car feels quicker out of the hole. My exhaust is also Magnaflow. I was going to spend $600-700 on Remus or Suspersprint but heard a couple of people on the forum that had Magnaflow's with great results. I got the Magnaflow muffler for $154 from http://www.exhaustproslinc.com/magstreetser13.html and the cats http://www.exhaustproslinc.com/carunconwita.html you want the #94006 which is the NO air option for $70/piece for total of $140. Total in all it'll cost you $330 with shipping. Another $200 for a good install and you are done. The exhaust has a very nice deep growl without having the rumbling of a muscle car. I absolutely love it. You just need to find a good custom exhaust shop not MIDAS and make sure they do custom pipe bending. And they replace from the cats to the muffler a 3" straight pipe. I hope all this info helps. Here is a pic.

Saman

The Magna flow and carsound mufflers are the samething, expect the Magnaflows are polished and cost more. One recommendation, if you get the cats get the NON-oval ones, my exhaust guy claimed they barly fit(although many have done them) I think DDB, or one of the regulars has the straight style and they recommend those...hope this helps

 Message:

Carsound makes Magnaflow, they are the EXACT same thing.

Carsound 53005 2.25" in/out, round body, no air, $65: http://www.exhaustproslinc.com/carrounbodun.html

Or you could pay more for the IDENTICAL converter with a polished case, 54305: http://www.exhaustproslinc.com/magpolstains1.html

If you don't know a local exhaust guy: http://www.magnaflow.com/03dealer.htm

So here are your choices:
--- $600/side for BMW Cats + installation.
--- $65/side for Carsounds + $100-$150 for installation.

I can tell you to avoid IMCO Cats in a 540i, I had a pair of IMCO High Flow Cats (75115) installed once. The drivers side Cat started rattling within 3 weeks, the ceramic brick was loose from the metal casing. I went back to the shop and had Carsounds (53005) were installed, like they should have originally (but that’s another story). The owner was apologetic and said that he was just trying to get his customer the best value, just tipped the welder $20, otherwise no charge for the Carsounds.

IMCO Cats: http://www.imcoweb.com/


Later,
Dave