Undecided: Borla or Magnaflow

[s-seriesguy]

After crawling under my car yesterday, I've seen the time is about the come again. Yep, the time when my junk Dynomax superturbo muffler rusts apart. This will be the third one. I've had my fill with crappy mufflers, so I'm getting something stainless steel that will last many years to come.

I'm stuck between what I want to put on the car. I've looked at the Magnaflow and like the constuction of it, but there's one big thing that I'm not sure about. It's a straight through muffler. My car is basically stock except for a couple things, and I don't plan on going wild with mods on this car since it's a daily driver. I'm afraid a muffler like this will kill my low end power. It's not like I can afford to lose any more power since it's going on my already slow SOHC. Then there's the Bolra. I'm not sure whether it is straight through or not, can anyone clarify what the construction is? I like the looks of it and Borla has a reputation for good quality. The Borla is a little more costly, but the extra $30 or so more is not really an issue.

What do you all think would be the better choice muffler for me? I'd like to hear the opinions from you guys and gals who have either of these mufflers on your car. Also, if anyone audio/video clips of either of these mufflers please post them. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks

[S3aturnR]

i just got a magnaflow muffler put on a few weeks ago and it seems pretty good. it is sorta loud inside the car now, tho. as far as low end torque, i'm not sure if the straight thru design alone will kill it or not, i would think not. if you combine that with a 3" mandrel bent exhaust, you will notice a difference. if you didn't experience any torque loss with your last muffler, you probably won't with the next one...


s3aturnr

[eRic 02sc2]

I had a Borla cat-back (the one that they used to make that cost $499) on my 92 SC and it sounded nice. not too loud.

[NorCalSL1]

I put a 14" Magnaflow on my stock piping and I like the sound. I installed a turn down because I didn't want any sort of flashy tip at all. I like the sound of it, it's not loud at all unless I get on it. Normal town driving is great, it's deeper than stock but not loud. All you can hear inside is a low, low grumble, which is exactly what I wanted. I got the muffler for $50 shipped from performancepeddler.com

[cloud819]

I'm having a OBX DTM put on here soon. I got it for about $70 after shipping. It is a flashy looking piece, but not overly annoying.

[s-seriesguy]

Originally Posted by eRic 02sc2

I had a Borla cat-back (the one that they used to make that cost $499) on my 92 SC and it sounded nice. not too loud.

I would love to have the Borla catback on my car. Too bad they discontinued it.

Originally Posted by S3aturnR

as far as low end torque, i'm not sure if the straight thru design alone will kill it or not, i would think not. if you combine that with a 3" mandrel bent exhaust, you will notice a difference. if you didn't experience any torque loss with your last muffler, you probably won't with the next one...

Well my Dynomax turbo muffler isn't a straght through muffler, it's chambered. I found out the Borla is also straight through also. I'm still running the stock piping, so that should help out on retaining some low end.

Right now I'm leaning more towards Borla. I'd like to hear some sound clips if anyone has them. Or if you could give me a description of the sound on both mufflers that would be great. I'm not looking to the fart can muffler sound at all, since it's going to appear stock when it's put on.

[Craig]

I'll vote for the Borla, as I have had one on my '95 SW2 for several years; I currently have over 100,000 miles on it, still looks like new even with all the crap they dump on the roads up here, and it has a nice mellow tone, not overly loud or buzzy.

[Jon2001sc2]

Borla all the way, I've always loved mine

[VEGAS_SATURN]

I have a Magnaflow and 2 1/2 piping. I love it. My gas mileage jumped by 4 mpg (I have an SW2 which gets less mpg than the SL's). It sounds great too! If you aren't doing anything more than bolt ons, don't go over 2 1/2 on your pipes. Too big a pipe can be bad. With the SOHC you may eeven want to stay with 2 1/4 .

I looked at Borla too. They are both great. Over time teh Borla can get louder due to the dampening material becoming packed. To some louder is better. For me driving the family wagon, it's not. I want increased performance, but it's still a Daily Driver/Family Car.

[s-seriesguy]

Originally Posted by VEGAS_SATURN

I have a Magnaflow and 2 1/2 piping. I love it. My gas mileage jumped by 4 mpg (I have an SW2 which gets less mpg than the SL's). It sounds great too! If you aren't doing anything more than bolt ons, don't go over 2 1/2 on your pipes. Too big a pipe can be bad. With the SOHC you may eeven want to stay with 2 1/4 .

The piping on it is stock, and it's going to stay that way nore than likely.

Does the magnaflow use any kind of dampening material on their mufflers?

[Token]

Both Borla and Magnaflow are very good name brands.

I'm confused on why you want a performance muffler, but don't want to do any other future mods.

If you want better performance but don't want to spend alot. Start with a different intake. A Cold Air Intake or a Short Ram Intake.

[s-seriesguy]

Originally Posted by Token

Both Borla and Magnaflow are very good name brands.

I'm confused on why you want a performance muffler, but don't want to do any other future mods.

If you want better performance but don't want to spend alot. Start with a different intake. A Cold Air Intake or a Short Ram Intake.

I've got other mods on it, I'm just not doing anything else to this car. I just want to replace my muffler with one that will last many years to come.

[kagekun]

Do you live in a rainy area or a place where they salt the roads? I was going to pick up this exact muffler in about a week but they salt the roads so much here that if your having problems mine would deff go.

[s-seriesguy]

Originally Posted by kagekun

Do you live in a rainy area or a place where they salt the roads? I was going to pick up this exact muffler in about a week but they salt the roads so much here that if your having problems mine would deff go.

Yep, we have a decent amount of rainfall and they definately salt the roads in the winter. Too much actually. I would not recommend any aluminum muffler unless you live in the south west.

[sps SOHC]

MOROSO Spiral-flow (google it)

Very light weight muffler, I think they have SS ones available. EXCELLENT muffler. I own one myself! Not loud at ALL for a straight through muffler! Gets you plenty of high-end power that you need and didn't hurt me in the low end. Has a nice sound to it as well.