When speaking of aftermarket exhaust manufacturers, few such companies come to mind as readily as MagnaFlow. MagnaFlow has and continues to be a leader within the custom exhaust market space, offering aftermarket solutions to meet the needs of virtually any consumer. The company believes in providing vehicle owners with nothing short of the highest quality components, which are backed by world-class customer service.
MagnaFlow’s product line is immense in volume and includes exhaust systems, catalytic converters, mufflers, exhaust manifolds, exhaust tips, and pertinent hardware for nearly any vehicle on the road today, as well as many such components for classic rides of yesteryear. Additionally, the manufacturer continues to update its inventory with new products every year.
Born Out of a Drive For Perfection
MagnaFlow’s story dates back several decades to 1981. At the time, Gennaro “Jerry” Paolone, came to recognize a need within the exhaust component distribution sector of the automotive industry. In response to this need, Paolone founded Car Sound Exhaust Systems, Inc., which originally operated as a distributor of exhaust-related components.
Three years later, Paolone, who felt confident that there was much room for growth and improvement within the industry, transformed his company into a manufacturer of performance exhaust products. This move served as the effective launch of MagnaFlow and its lengthy reign over the aftermarket exhaust industry.
Today, Magnaflow still operates under the umbrella of its parent company, Car Sound Exhaust Systems, Inc. Other holdings of this company include Rumble and BRExhaust. MagnaFlow now distributes exhaust components to nearly 100 countries, while maintaining a home base in Orange County, California.
Even today, Paolone remains steadfast in his belief that MagnaFlow’s customers are the driving force behind the company’s success. As such, MagnaFlow has garnered significant acclaim for its tireless customer support and consistent prioritization toward upholding rigorous quality standards.
This is not a fact that has gone unrecognized, as MagnaFlow has received its share of prestigious awards and accolades during its nearly four-decade long run. In 2017, SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) named the company as their Manufacturer of the Year.
Quality. Power. Sound.
If you have spent any amount of time delving into the world of premium aftermarket components, you are likely quite familiar with MagnaFlow’s slogan, “Quality. Power. Sound.” However, to MagnaFlow, this is much more than a slogan. It is their entire business philosophy in a nutshell. Each of these values serves as a cornerstone of the company’s success, both in the past and now.
Quality
MagnaFlow exercises an, “if it is worth doing, it is worth doing right,” mentality toward all its manufacturing efforts. The company uses only high-quality materials within its production processes, all of which have been relentlessly tested to ensure extensive durability. From stainless steel mufflers to aluminized exhaust kits, MagnaFlow’s selection of premium materials is second to none.
Additionally, MagnaFlow is an ISO-9001 certified company, which uses only the most modern of production practices. All components are manufactured and assembled primarily in the United States from materials sourced from USA-based suppliers. MagnaFlow believes so strongly in the quality of its exhaust components that it backs all such products with a lifetime warranty.
Power
MagnaFlow believes wholeheartedly in giving its consumers exactly what they want, which has an overwhelming tendency to be rooted in a request for “more power”. Therefore, MagnaFlow has created a performance-minded culture based on supplying only those components which provide unabated performance potential. The company has even coined the phrase “MagnaFlow Performance” to describe their adherence to this principle. “If it doesn’t produce power, we don’t make it,” reiterates MagnaFlow’s webpage.
In a bid to bolster the performance characteristics of their products, MagnaFlow employs the use of several in-ground dynos, multiple flow benches, and a host of highly sensitive sound testing equipment within their facilities. This allows necessary testing to be conducted in an in-house manner as a means of ensuring second-to-none quality and next-level horsepower-producing output.
Sound
If you have ever had the pleasure of hearing the rich tonal characteristics of a MagnaFlow exhaust system, it is surely an experience that you did not soon forget. MagnaFlow exhaust systems carry a sound all their own, which is unmistakable when heard. This, however, is not by coincidence, as each of the company’s numerous exhaust offerings has been designed to provide consumer’s vehicles with the legendary smooth, deep tone for which MagnaFlow is known.
Each new MagnaFlow Muffler is designed with straight-through, inlet/outlet efficiency in mind, featuring a perforated stainless-steel core, mesh wrap and tightly packed acoustical fiber fill. This ensures uniformity across the board and prevents tonal degradation under a load, all of which should be highly appreciated by MagnaFlow’s immense consumer base. Customers have come to rely upon MagnaFlow as their one-stop-shop for the enhancement of vehicle acoustics.
Product Fitment
For many consumers contemplating an aftermarket exhaust upgrade for their current vehicle, one of the biggest stumbling blocks encountered will be related to product fitment. It is not always easy nor feasible to locate a performance exhaust system that can be installed in a simple, trouble-free manner. Many manufacturer’s claims of offering direct fit exhaust systems are highly exaggerated, often leaving consumers with a partially disassembled exhaust system, a pile of parts, and a relentless headache.
However, MagnaFlow has circumvented the bulk of these issues by offering components that can be installed in a manner consistent with a vehicle’s OEM exhaust, as well as numerous signature MagnaFlow Universal Exhaust Kits, for adaptation to custom applications. As a rule, MagnaFlow products are designed to be unequivocally direct-fit in nature, allowing for easy installation on any particular vehicle for which it is designed.
Many consumers are especially fond of MagnaFlow’s series of Direct-Fit catalytic converters, which are 100% compliant with all federal emissions standards and will not trigger the onset of OBDII trouble codes. These units are composed of mandrel-bent tubing to eliminate flow restrictions and stainless-steel construction to resist corrosion. The installation of catalytic converters within this product line can be conducted without any cutting or welding, saving consumers an immense amount of time and effort.
MagnaFlow prides itself on providing quality components for every vehicle and offers model-specific product lines for a significant number of today’s most popular vehicle models. Along with numerous exhausts for standard sedans, MagnaFlow is extensive in its offerings for performance vehicles, such as the Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger. The company also offers an extensive line of truck and SUV exhaust systems, such as those intended for use with the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan, RAM 1500, Toyota Tundra, and Jeep Wrangler.
Series Selection
Consumers are afforded the chance to play a role in the ultimate composition of their exhaust system’s capabilities when purchasing a MagnaFlow Exhaust System by selecting the unit that best suits their particular application. MagnaFlow’s exhaust systems come in a total of four individual series, each of which is tailored to a specific need.
Street Series
MagnaFlow’s Street Series Exhaust Systems are designed to provide versatile performance and perfect tonal composition for on-street use. Exhaust systems within this series provide a rich, robust exterior note yet are not overly pronounced, as to become bothersome to those behind the wheel. Street Series Exhaust Systems also provide moderate gains in the realm of performance.
All Street Series Exhaust systems are mandrel-bent and composed of high-quality stainless steel for extreme durability. Each system within this series is also offered in two individual finishes. Consumers can choose between a polished stainless-steel finish and an alternative black-coated finish.
Competition Series
If your vehicle spends the majority of its life on the track where noise ordinances are of no concern and outright performance rules supreme, then MagnaFlow’s Competition Series Exhaust Systems will see to your every need. Exhaust systems within this series feature MagnaFlow Straight-Through Mufflers for increased exhaust flow and enhanced performance. Additionally, Competition Series Exhaust Systems have also been designed in a manner that cuts mass and reduces overall weight.
MagnaFlow’s Competition Series Exhaust Systems provide a far more aggressive tone than those offered within the Street Series. The system’s exterior sound is quite robust and unmistakable in nature, even sounding relatively pronounced to those situated within the vehicle’s cabin.
Rock Crawler Series
While many consumers are well aware of MagnaFlow’s legacy on both the street and the track, far fewer realize the extent to which the company has invested themselves within the off-road market. MagnaFlow’s Rock Crawler Series Exhaust Systems are specifically designed as a trail-ready option for off-road enthusiasts the world over. Exhaust systems within this series can be installed with ease and provide ample ground clearance to navigate over anything that the trail throws your way.
Rock Crawler Series Systems produce an aggressive exhaust note that is capable of ringing out across the rugged landscape yet is moderate enough in tone as to be comfortable to all who are along for the ride. This trail-ready exhaust system is just begging to be fitted underneath any Jeep Wrangler that spends much of its days far beyond the pavement.
xMOD Series
If you are currently on the fence regarding the exact sound that you wish to achieve from the installation of a custom aftermarket exhaust system, MagnaFlow has engineered a way for consumers to have their cake and eat it too. The xMOD Series Exhaust System comes with numerous interchangeable modules, presenting consumers with the ability to alternate between tonal characteristics on command.
The xMOD Series Exhaust System’s muffler modules can be quickly interchanged with one another, wasting little time, thanks to the company’s use of race-inspired V-band clamps. Each particular module carries its own distinct exhaust note, allowing for on-the-fly sound adjustment. Exhaust systems within this series also feature MagnaFlow’s signature “No Drone” technology, which eliminates unwanted in-cabin noise that often accompanies the installation of aftermarket exhaust systems.
MagnaFlow Product Categories
Throughout the company’s tenure, MagnaFlow has consistently expanded its product offerings, better enabling the manufacturer to meet every need of consumers the world over. This expansion in production has left virtually no area of the aftermarket exhaust industry untapped by MagnaFlow.
The following are a number of MagnaFlow’s most popular product categories as well as some of the most popular offerings in each subset.
Cat-Back Exhaust Systems
For those looking to bolster their vehicle’s performance, there are few better options than MagnaFlow’s Cat-Back Exhaust System. This system is designed for maximum performance and flow-rate efficiency. To facilitate this, a cat-back exhaust system allows a vehicle’s engine to breathe in a less restrictive fashion by enhancing flow and significantly decreasing backpressure.
Each MagnaFlow Cat-Back Exhaust System is engineered to replace a vehicle’s OEM exhaust system from behind the catalytic converter back to the mufflers and exhaust tips. As such, a higher rate of exhaust flow is achieved and subsequent gains in horsepower are produced.
Axle-Back Exhaust Systems
MagnaFlow’s Axle-Back Exhaust Systems are intended to enhance the tonal characteristics of a vehicle’s exhaust system. As the system’s name would suggest, these kits provide that which is required to replace all stock exhaust components from a vehicle’s axle rearward. Kits of this nature are typically less expensive than cat-back systems, due in large part to their inclusion of a lesser number of overall components.
Axle-back kits within the MagnaFlow line provide a far more aggressive sound than that produced by the stock exhaust systems found on most vehicles. While undoubtedly aggressive in nature, the tonal characteristics of this kit are also remarkably smooth and free of degradation when at high-RPMs or when a vehicle’s engine is under a load.
Crossmember-Back Exhaust Systems
If you aim to increase your vehicle’s performance to the next level, while also enhancing its sound output in the process, then MagnaFlow’s Crossmember-Back Exhaust System is worthy of your attention. This kit replaces all of a vehicle’s stock exhaust components from the forward cross member back. As a result, an engine is better able to breathe, free of power-robbing exhaust restrictions.
Perhaps the most notable of MagnaFlow’s Crossmember-Back Exhaust Systems are those found within the Street Series line. This line of crossmember-back exhaust kits includes a polished stainless-steel muffler and Tru-X Pipe. These kits also include 2.5” mandrel-bent tubing as well as 2.5” polished stainless steel turndown tips.
Turbo-Back Exhaust Systems
Another immensely popular option within MagnaFlow’s sizable product catalog is the company’s lineup of Turbo-Back Exhaust Systems. As denoted by its name, the Turbo-Back Exhaust System is specified for use with forced-induction engines and replaces all stock exhaust components from the turbocharger rearward. The installation of this kit will provide noticeable performance gains, most pronounced under periods of peak engine operation.
Much of this increased efficiency stems from a significant reduction in exhaust backpressure, which tends to be a limiting factor in the performance of turbo-equipped vehicles. This increased flow also allows an engine to reap maximum gains from subsequent modifications in the realm of induction and fuel delivery.
Direct-Fit Catalytic Converters
Those who have replaced their fair share of catalytic converters likely have more than a story or two pertaining to ill-fitting units that required extensive modification before installation. This is nothing short of an immense headache, and one that MagnaFlow intends to prevent with the introduction of their Direct-Fit line of the catalytic converter. Each MagnaFlow Catalytic Converter is designed to fit in exactly the same manner as a vehicle’s OEM unit.
Of added benefit is the fact that MagnaFlow Direct-Fit Catalytic Converters are designed to meet all federally mandated emissions standards, which should be of substantial value to those who live in states where regular smog testing is required. This compliance also means that the installation of such a unit will not trigger a check engine light or associated OBD II trouble code.
Straight-Through Mufflers
For those who are primarily looking to bolster their vehicle’s sound output, MagnaFlow produces a full line of Straight-Through Mufflers. These mufflers are less restrictive than the vast majority of stock units and provide a substantially increased flow rate. This presents a far deeper, more aggressive exhaust note, which breathes new life into any car, truck, or SUV’s acoustic profile.
Every MagnaFlow Straight-Through Muffler features a free-flowing, perforated stainless steel core with stainless mesh wraps and is packed with proprietary acoustic filler. As a result, a vehicle’s tonal characteristics are enhanced from mundane to magnificent in a matter of minutes. If you have yet to hear the MagnaFlow advantage for yourself, go listen to any of the company’s sample audio files on their website to see what you have been missing.
Glasspack Mufflers
If you are a fan of the classic, aggressive exhaust note provided by a true glasspack-style muffler, MagnaFlow has what you have been looking for. MagnaFlow manufactures its own premium line of glasspack mufflers, with individual models to meet the needs of nearly any consumer. The tonal characteristic of these custom mufflers is sure to put a smile on the faces of all who are within earshot.
MagnaFlow’s Glasspack Mufflers feature a reversible, straight-through design, with a single-stage packing. The installation of such a muffler is a highly economical approach to providing your vehicle with an authoritative sound, which you are sure to love.
Universal Mufflers
Shopping for custom aftermarket exhaust components can often be tedious. After all, it is often difficult to place your thumb on exactly what it is you are looking for until you stumble upon it. This exact concept is the reason that MagnaFlow has engineered an extensive lineup of universal-fit mufflers. These mufflers are offered in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations, allowing consumers to click through numerous options until they locate the one that best suits their particular application.
It is worth mentioning that MagnaFlow’s universal series mufflers require a specific amount of cutting and welding to facilitate installation. As such, they are best installed by a professional, in absence of an available welder, and a notable amount of fabrication and automotive-related acuity.
Bends & Elbows
More than one custom exhaust build throughout the years has been derailed on behalf of an inability to obtain a pipe of the correct angle. At times, a small discrepancy in angle can gridlock your mechanical endeavors, leaving you stuck with a partially assembled exhaust system. However, MagnaFlow has engineered around this hardship by offering a comprehensive line of specialty exhaust bends and elbows.
MagnaFlow’s specialty piping comes in a number of angles and sizes. Many of these pipes are designed to be universal in nature and can be purchased in diameters of 2.25”, 2.5”, and 3”. This allows consumers to select a specific pipe that accommodates their particular build, no matter the configuration.
Y & U Pipes
At times, correct exhaust fitment can call for the use of junctions of various types. Many such junctions cannot be easily sourced from one’s local parts house, which presents a problem when in the middle of a custom build. To avert such difficulty, any need for these items must be assessed and all required components should be ordered at the same time as any other necessary items for a custom build.
When in search of obscure Y and U pipes, no matter the size, MagnaFlow has you covered. The company’s Y and U pipes are constructed of stainless steel and are offered in 2”, 2.5”, 3”, 3.5”, and 4” variants. With such significant inventory on hand, every consumer should be afforded the opportunity to select the exact component required to round out their particular build.
Tru-X Pipes
With every passing year, the integration of X Pipes into custom exhaust builds rise in popularity. The use of these pipes synchronizes exhaust pulses from each cylinder bank, which in turn enhances outflow velocity and scavenging from each respective cylinder. In essence, the use of an X Pipe creates a venturi effect, which leads to better combustion gas expulsion across both cylinder banks, thereby enhancing a vehicle’s horsepower and overall output.
MagnaFlow also supplies everything one could dream of in this product category as well, with the offering of their Tru-X Pipe line. These X Pipes are manufactured from stainless steel and come in 2.25”, 2.5”, and 3” configurations. Tru-X Pipes are also offered in several different angles and offsets, allowing each consumer to locate the exact model which best suits their particular application.
Hangers & Hardware
No custom exhaust build is complete without the inclusion of numerous additional components and pieces of hardware. From clamps to hangers, and valves to cutouts, the smallest of exhaust components can play just as significant of a role in an overall build as any muffler, manifold, or catalytic converter. Without each of these components within arm’s reach, a project can grind to a halt at any time.
Luckily, this is a concept that the folks at MagnaFlow are all too familiar with. In a bid to prevent issues of this nature, MagnaFlow carries a complete line of clamps, hangers, collectors, exhaust cutouts, valves, and flanges. If a component could possibly be needed to complete a build, MagnaFlow has it at the ready and is prepared to send it to your doorstep.
Custom Exhaust Kits
Do you have an idea in mind for your vehicle’s exhaust but cannot currently locate a prefabricated kit that catches your eye? No problem. MagnaFlow offers a line of custom exhaust kits, enabling the avid DIY mechanic to take matters into their own hands. Kits of this nature are offered in 2.25”, 2.5”, and 3” configurations, providing every consumer with exactly what they need to get the job done.
With a basic custom build kit in hand, one is free to order any number of additional MagnaFlow components to complete their build. As such, it is easier than ever to bring the idea in your mind to life and build something from your own two hands that you will be proud of forever.