Full Exhaust Installed!! Kooks 1-3/4″ Headers and Magnaflow 3″ Catback System w/Magnapack Mufflers!!
After putting the JLT Intake and VMP tune on the car it was time to allow this baby to breath and sound like it should. Although we liked how the stock exhaust had a nice little rumble it was far from how a muscle car should sound. Over the last few years I’ve become a big fan of Magnaflow products running a Magnaflow catback on my 03 Cobra and then swapping that out for the Magnapack system once I put in the solid axle. Magnaflow not only sounds good but is also made from fully stainless T-304 steel which lasts.
So when it came down to what exhaust setup we chose for our car there’s no question why we chose the 3″ Magnaflow System with Magnapack Mufflers.
In addition to running the Magnaflow Catback we wanted to treat our GT500 to a nice set of longtube headers. We intend on building our car to the 800rwhp range so a better flowing exhaust will help increase efficiency of the motor and provide better power gains than the stock manifolds are capable of. For the headers we called upon our good friends over at Kooks custom headers who have always provided us with super high quality headers and X-pipes. I personally run a set of Kooks Custom Headers on my 03 Cobra and love the way they fit, sound and perform. The craftsmanship and quality of them are a step above the rest and the Kooks family are great people to deal with which makes it all that better.
We ended up going with the Kooks 1-3/4″ headers with a 3×2.5″ Offroad X-Pipe which mates to the stock and most aftermarket axle-back systems. We chose the offroad X pipe for the fact that we love LOUD and we’re looking to squeeze every little bit out of the car. Not to mention there’s no inspections down here in FL so it wasn’t even a question to go offroad.
Onto the install
Everything worked out great for us as we were installing a BMR Fabrication tubular K-Member at the same time as the headers. Once the stock K-member and exhaust was removed it was onto bolting up the headers.
For the easiest install of the Kooks headers we removed the K-member. This was a very easy process as there’s only 6 bolts that hold the K member to the frame. While supporting the motor with transmission jacks we removed the steering rack form the K-member and then the K-member from the frame. Not only did this gave us better room to work with but at the same time we were installing a BMR tubular K-member to start dropping weight. The installation of the headers once the K-member was off was fairly easy. Some notes that will help others with the install consist of removing the starter as well as cutting the passenger side header flange to allow the dipstick tube to stay in it’s stock location. Since the dipstick tube actually rests itself on the exhaust manifold it’s easier to cut the 1 piece header flange to retain that stock setup rather than having to bend and relocate the tube to the outside of the flange. Lastly we found that reusing the stock studs and bolts we’re real easy to do and also found out from past experience that not only using the stock studs but to also the OEM gaskets provide for a great seal and won’t allow any header bolts come loose as the studs are very secure.
Besides that the headers have a great fit and went in with ease. The next step was to install the Magnaflow system. The Magnaflow looked so nice on the floor that it was hard for us to think that we’d be hiding it under the car. The best tip we have when installing the 3″ Magnaflow system is to keep everything loose on the car so that it can be properly adjusted for fitment and then after everything is where we wanted it then it was time to tighten things up.
Here’s a video clip of how the car sounds. Just as we thought…. The car sounds sick.
It’s definitely loud but surprisingly when idling or just cruising it’s fairly tame. Once you lay into it though you’ll definitely be noticed. For anyone that likes Magnaflow and sick sounding exhaust system you should definitely check this setup out.Before we ran the car hard we had Justin@VMP Tuning update our tune as the longtube headers tend to lean out the tune a bit. A quick email to Justin and a few minutes later we had the new tune file. Shortly after that we had the opportunity to attend the 2nd annual Shelby meet in Ovieda, Fl. Good thing for us was that Justin had brought his dyno and was able to dial our car in a little better. With 2 runs he had the tune perfect yielding us 522rwhp and 502tq.
This was actually the first time the car has ever been on the dyno. The modifications at the time of this dyno are: AFCO Heat Exchanger, Canton Radiator Expansion Tank, PFAB Intercooler Reservoir, JLT Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intake, VMP Custom tune, Kooks Longtube Headers and the Magnaflow 3″ Catback System, BMR K-Member and A-Arms, Steeda Upper and Lower UCA’s and CHE Anti Squat Brackets . We’re still running the stock pulley so with that said we’re definitely happy with the numbers we’re putting down.
A big thanks goes out to our good friend Gary and Abby Zap for providing the Magnapack System and of course George R and the rest of the crew over at Kooks Custom Headers. Thanks for your continued support and volunteering to participate in our GT500 build!!
March 3rd, 2008
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