Stainless Works Catback Review
4/2/14 | 11:24 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: April 2, 2014
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Central IL
Stainless Works Catback Review
Pictures: http://imgur.com/a/zLFix
Video:
Yes, I know the video is very poor quality. Hoping to have a better camera soon.
This was installed on my 2014 Mustang GT with Track Pack at around 1500 miles. This is the only exhaust modification on the car. I did lots of research on exhausts before I finally decided to go with Stainless Works. My goals were something unique, loud but refined, and will still sound good if I decide to go headers/mid-pipe in the future. I can honestly say this system checks all of my goals and then some.
Install: Overall the install went very smoothly. I had an exhaust shop do the install as I do not have access to a lift. After reading a few reviews on this exhaust it seemed like the install would be the worst part. After the installer mocked up the exhaust we realized it was going to stick out a few inches (as others have noted in their reviews). I was hoping for a more OEM look so the shop cut around an inch off where the tip connects to the muffler. This was the area originally designed for the hanger that comes with the exhaust. As you can see in image 3, 5, and 9 above, he welded the tip directly to the muffler. He used a stainless steel weld and unless you are up close and looking under the tip/into the tip you cannot even tell it has been modified. The only other slight problem he ran into while installing the exhaust was the pipe clearance on the passenger side over axle (picture 8 above). There is only about an inch clearance at that location while weight is on the suspension. In the two months I've been driving with this new exhaust I've only heard metal to metal contact a couple times when I hit a decent sized bump going 35-40 mph. These pictures were taken after I heard the contact being made and there are no dents that I can see in the exhaust pipe.
Experience: I absolutely love the sound of this exhaust! I will say that it does sound deeper in person than in any videos I took or found online. When I first had it installed I had the back seats down for a couple weeks and it was much louder inside the car. Once I put the seats back up the sound was noticeably quieter inside. With the windows up and the music at a normal level the exhaust note is present but not overly loud. When you get on the gas this changes completely and it roars to life. The weather has not been nice enough in central IL for extended trips with the windows down so I cant comment on noise level with the windows down. There is some drone in 6th gear around 1.8-2k rpm. For my 3.73 rear end that's about 60-70 mph in 6th gear. Its only noticeable under load (not cruising but when you get on the gas) in that rpm range. Its not loud enough that other people in the car have said anything especially with the music on. I find myself setting the cruise a little above 70 on trips though.The biggest surprise sound I noticed from this exhaust was the deceleration/downshift sound. It sounds like a really deep rumble/gurgle sound. It does not pop or ting like other exhausts I've heard. Its such an addicting sound I find myself downshifting more and more every day. I would recommend this exhaust to anybody looking for a unique sound for their mustang. Also, to somebody who prefers something louder than stock but not racecar loud and is wanting to leave the door open for future exhaust mods that can reuse the catback system and still sound good (at least from the videos I have seen of a full header/midpipe/catback stainless works system).
Please let me know if you have any questions about this exhaust or would like any specific pictures/videos taken.
Video:
Yes, I know the video is very poor quality. Hoping to have a better camera soon.
This was installed on my 2014 Mustang GT with Track Pack at around 1500 miles. This is the only exhaust modification on the car. I did lots of research on exhausts before I finally decided to go with Stainless Works. My goals were something unique, loud but refined, and will still sound good if I decide to go headers/mid-pipe in the future. I can honestly say this system checks all of my goals and then some.
Install: Overall the install went very smoothly. I had an exhaust shop do the install as I do not have access to a lift. After reading a few reviews on this exhaust it seemed like the install would be the worst part. After the installer mocked up the exhaust we realized it was going to stick out a few inches (as others have noted in their reviews). I was hoping for a more OEM look so the shop cut around an inch off where the tip connects to the muffler. This was the area originally designed for the hanger that comes with the exhaust. As you can see in image 3, 5, and 9 above, he welded the tip directly to the muffler. He used a stainless steel weld and unless you are up close and looking under the tip/into the tip you cannot even tell it has been modified. The only other slight problem he ran into while installing the exhaust was the pipe clearance on the passenger side over axle (picture 8 above). There is only about an inch clearance at that location while weight is on the suspension. In the two months I've been driving with this new exhaust I've only heard metal to metal contact a couple times when I hit a decent sized bump going 35-40 mph. These pictures were taken after I heard the contact being made and there are no dents that I can see in the exhaust pipe.
Experience: I absolutely love the sound of this exhaust! I will say that it does sound deeper in person than in any videos I took or found online. When I first had it installed I had the back seats down for a couple weeks and it was much louder inside the car. Once I put the seats back up the sound was noticeably quieter inside. With the windows up and the music at a normal level the exhaust note is present but not overly loud. When you get on the gas this changes completely and it roars to life. The weather has not been nice enough in central IL for extended trips with the windows down so I cant comment on noise level with the windows down. There is some drone in 6th gear around 1.8-2k rpm. For my 3.73 rear end that's about 60-70 mph in 6th gear. Its only noticeable under load (not cruising but when you get on the gas) in that rpm range. Its not loud enough that other people in the car have said anything especially with the music on. I find myself setting the cruise a little above 70 on trips though.The biggest surprise sound I noticed from this exhaust was the deceleration/downshift sound. It sounds like a really deep rumble/gurgle sound. It does not pop or ting like other exhausts I've heard. Its such an addicting sound I find myself downshifting more and more every day. I would recommend this exhaust to anybody looking for a unique sound for their mustang. Also, to somebody who prefers something louder than stock but not racecar loud and is wanting to leave the door open for future exhaust mods that can reuse the catback system and still sound good (at least from the videos I have seen of a full header/midpipe/catback stainless works system).
Please let me know if you have any questions about this exhaust or would like any specific pictures/videos taken.
4/3/14 | 09:49 AM
#2
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: September 6, 2011
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 56
From: Kansas City, MO
Nice first post & review! Welcome to TMS!
I've got to say though, the fact that your exhaust shop had to modify the product that much to make it fit right makes me wary of any product from Stainless Works, as does the drone. With GT-500s, Corsas and Borlas all available and drone-less, seems like they're still the best options.
I've got to say though, the fact that your exhaust shop had to modify the product that much to make it fit right makes me wary of any product from Stainless Works, as does the drone. With GT-500s, Corsas and Borlas all available and drone-less, seems like they're still the best options.
4/3/14 | 01:00 PM
#3
Banned
Joined: July 4, 2012
Posts: 2,983
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
Nice first post & review! Welcome to TMS!
I've got to say though, the fact that your exhaust shop had to modify the product that much to make it fit right makes me wary of any product from Stainless Works, as does the drone. With GT-500s, Corsas and Borlas all available and drone-less, seems like they're still the best options.
I've got to say though, the fact that your exhaust shop had to modify the product that much to make it fit right makes me wary of any product from Stainless Works, as does the drone. With GT-500s, Corsas and Borlas all available and drone-less, seems like they're still the best options.
4/4/14 | 09:10 AM
#4
I Have No Life
Joined: September 24, 2011
Posts: 10,141
Likes: 172
Nice first post & review! Welcome to TMS!
I've got to say though, the fact that your exhaust shop had to modify the product that much to make it fit right makes me wary of any product from Stainless Works, as does the drone. With GT-500s, Corsas and Borlas all available and drone-less, seems like they're still the best options.
I've got to say though, the fact that your exhaust shop had to modify the product that much to make it fit right makes me wary of any product from Stainless Works, as does the drone. With GT-500s, Corsas and Borlas all available and drone-less, seems like they're still the best options.
Sounds decent. A little too muffled for me. And fitment issues and drone issues? That's not good. With my latest exhaust fiasco's, everything better be perfect in all aspects: Sound, Fitment, Quality, and Customer Service.
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