03 Cobra exaust

[CSCOBRA]

As most of you are aware of the exhaust sound of a 03 Cobra is not very exciting:o .Has anyone heard a good sounding exaust for a 03. I would like to just do a cat-back system,probably stainless.I dont want a real loud system that will cause that 2000 rpm drone. I had a Mac cat -back system on my 99GT, it sounded great in the city but had a annoying drone at 2000-2100 rpm.I would like a sound that is deep and a little louder than a stock 01 Cobra. This sounds (pun intended) like it could be difficult to achieve without hearing a Cobra.
I checked on some web sites and read some comments from several posts. Let me know what you think.

[xbnch]

I too have been reading on the various forums about the vast amount of exhaust systems to get. I like the Bassini (think thats how it spelled?) But I think that cost the most. A lot of people tell he the Mac Cat Back is the way, the 2 1/2" with the 3 1/2" tips?
If I don't get any more info before spring I think thats the way we go.

[BlueOvalBolt]

The Bassani costs more because it is Stainless Steel. The MAC is "aluminized." Bassani has a reputation of being of "higher quality" for what that's worth.

Any magazine article I have read about 03 upgrades have the Bassani added. xbnch, what are the guys running in your SVTOA forum?

[xbnch]

Looks like u just may be changing my thoughts on what to put on next spring. I will have to keep checking & decide later.
In the forums I have looked at they seem to be either going to FlowMasters or Macs systems. The Bassani system seems to be tops but is it worth all the $$?

I have yet to figure out what gets replaced? Do u replace the cats & everything after them inc. the mufflers or just the mufflers & rear pipes?? Why replace the cats??

I just want to get a better sound then the stock gives without spending big $$. I don't want anything that drives you out of the car either.
I am looking for help & ideas from all.

:confused: :confused:

[BlueOvalBolt]

The exhaust system is generally referred to in 3 parts/sections and can be replaced as a whole section to bolt up to remaining factory parts and using factory hangers:

1. Manifolds/Headers
2. Mid-pipies/Cat-pipes
3. Cat-back (the part with the mufflers)

When someone says he is putting on a Bassani Cat-back, he is getting a kit from Bassani to replace the third section of the system which bolts up to the factory mid-pipes and uses factory hangers.

If someone says they are getting some cat-pipes, they are getting the mid section of the system which includes some high flow cats (uses 2 cats which replaces the factory 4 cat system). This once again bolts up the the factory manifolds/headers and to the cat-back factory or aftermarket section using the factory hangers.

Why replace the cats? One reason can be for sound as going from 4 to 2 cats elimiates some muffling of the exhaust sound. Another reason, and the most popular reason for this mod, is to reduce backpressure which, in theory, should result in more horsepower.

Buying these bolt on kits are the easiest way to go versus buying just mufflers or cats where you would have to cut out the factory piece and welding in the new muffler or cat into the factory pipes. The kits are a little more expensive because they come with all the piping which is usually mandrel bent which is another advantage as the factory piping is not always (usually not) mandrel bent.

If you are looking for purely a sound mod, I would recommend going with just a cat-back system. Choosing the right sound can be hard, especially if you don't have access to a car that already has it done to hear it. I don't think you can go wrong with the Bassani. They are the favorite among Lightning owners and have an aggressive but not overpowering tone. I have never heard the Mac system and they are used by L owners too. I have only heard Flowmasters on 5.0 Mustangs and, frankly, don't like them as the sound is just too much (very popular with the younger crowd). There are very few L owners with Flowmasters. Many that did buy them initially took them off. I personally have had a soft spot for Borla and have them on both my Cobra and Lightning but I do not know if they make a cat-back system for the 03 yet. Like Bassani, Borla is stainless, and thus, more expensive than most.

Ask in the 03 forum if someone has some sound clips they can post to help you decide.

This is a mod that you generally get what you pay for both in sound and quality IMO.

Hope it helps.

[CSCOBRA]

Thanks for the input. I have checked on several Cobra web sites and opinions are all over the map. Some like the loud Flowmaster type of sound,some go with complete systems with cats.
I realize that a complete system with high flow cats
makes more power, but right now I just want better sound.
Last month I read in some Mustang magizne a 50 plus hp increase just by adding high flow cats and a high flow air filter.
I will also check out Ford Racings FR500 cat back system.
It has some type of internal gate that opens under high flow (wot) and closes for highway cruiseing also lowering the sound level. It could be the best of both worlds.
I have one more question, where is the best place to order Ford Racing parts?:)

[BlueOvalBolt]

Originally posted by CSCOBRA

I have one more question, where is the best place to order Ford Racing parts?:)

Check out some of the supporting vendors of SVTOA on the national site first (just click on their logo at the bottom of the message board). They offer discounts from 5% off to selling at wholesale for SVTOA members.

[venomos 03]

i am using magnaflow cat back, love the sound, not that bad of a price, picked mine up for 345.00 still debating if i want to run an off road pipe, or keep the stock catted h- pipe

[animal]

I have the bassani catback on my truck if you'd like to hear it. I know it's a 5.4 vs a 4.6 but they're both modulars and will probably sound similar.

But to hear comparable sound you'll need to do so before spring as the long tubes will be coming with my tax return! :)


I honestly think the bassani was worth it to me just for the sound. That's probably because I bought it Hehe.

But seriously, on the 'L' boards, everyone asks, "How does it sound compared to the bassani", so i figured there was no other choice for me.



:bna:

[thhodges]

Originally posted by BlueOvalBolt
Check out some of the supporting vendors of SVTOA on the national site first (just click on their logo at the bottom of the message board). They offer discounts from 5% off to selling at wholesale for SVTOA members.

I was looking for a cat back for my car. went to the national site and clicked on Borla link. From looking at the link and the info I am getting back from Borla, they do not give any discounts??:confused: