Does anyone have a FULL MagnaFlow exhaust system?

[crwalkerasla]

My 06 has a MagnaFlow Cat Back system, and I have a catelytic converter code. Seeing as how the CC is part of the exhaust manifold, I was thinking about getting a MF header instead of the OEM. Any suggestions or comments on volume /tone from running both components together? Being an I5 any extra punch would be nice too. I have seen straight pipe headers, but am concerned about losing the O2 sensor and what that would do to the computer driven air/fuel ratio. I think that it is currently running a little rich.

 

[alrock]

You'll need that O2 sensor to keep the truck's computer from freaking out. I don't know about the MF headers but its nice having cast iron to help dull some of the exhaust noise.

Note that 06 has a different setup than other years in that both cats are monitored by the O2 sensors. In 07 and later only the first cat is monitored.

 

[crwalkerasla]

That's interesting. I was thinking that it just had the one in the manifold. Guess I need to get down there and check this out. That also explains the individual CC I have seen online. figured that was just for those who had added the straight header.

 

[crwalkerasla]

Also, in my misspent youth building Mustangs, it was common to grind the sand casting in the head and exhaust manifold to reduce turbulence and improve flow out of the block. Is this something that should be considered for the I5?

 

[JPaul]

I doubt you'd see any improvement, manufacturing processes have come a long way, and often they take into account the roughness of the casting to actually improve airflow. Unless you have access to a flowbench and really know what you are doing, I wouldn't bother.

 

[crwalkerasla]

Okay, thanks. Honestly, the only time I thought it really helped was when there lip that overlapped the opening.

 

[JPaul]

Yeah, gasket matching is a good idea (or if no gasket, align the openings with each other), but that's about where I'd stop.

 

[crwalkerasla]

So no one out there has full/both MF HEADER & CAT BACK System?