Magnaflow exhaust system reviews?

[16vCorey]

I've got the opportunity to buy a used Mangaflow set up. I want something that flows better than stock, but I don't want something that's loud and annoying. I've listened to audio clips, and I like the sound, but it's hard to get an idea of decibel level from those clips. It will be going on an '02 A4 1.8t with a stage 1+ tune, carbonio intake, and 034 HFC. I'd like to eventually upgrade to a Frankenturbo kit, so I want to do all of the supporting mods in the mean time. Basically anytime I find a deal.

So anyway, what are your thoughts on this kit?

[customa4]

I like mine a lot. The Magnaflow is good if you're not looking for a ton of noise out of your exhaust. It's very mild when you're cruising around but you'll hear when you step on the gas.

[Mr.Avant]

Perfect exhaust in my opinion. I have a HFC and 3" Dp plus the magnaflow system. ZERO drone on the hwy, and it sounds deep and toney when on the throttle.

[16vCorey]

Excellent. That sounds just like what I'm looking for. Now I just have to hope this guy doesn't back out on me.

[KHARDa4]

Excellent. That sounds just like what I'm looking for. Now I just have to hope this guy doesn't back out on me.

How are you liking the carbonio intake?

[MagnaFlow]

Corey, our exhaust systems are usually just a step or two louder than stock under light throttle and idle. We design them with daily driving in mind, rather than just shooting for the highest volume possible. Based off of your first post, we think that catback would work great for you!

[old guy]

Not to be overly picky but a cat back on an A4 1.8T would include a down pipe. Otherwise it would be a down pipe back system. Does the Magnaflow system now include the down pipe?

[kifac]

I have magnaflow mufflers with quad tips and no Res...people are surprised that its a 1.8 and it sounds awesome.
You can hear it when throttling....some crack and pop when you at higher RPMS and let off the gas.

heres a pic

[16vCorey]

How are you liking the carbonio intake?

I dig it! It definitely feels a bit stronger than before, though it had a crappy cone filter stuck on the MAF from the PO, so it was probably sucking a bunch of hot air before. It also used to make a fluttering sound when the turbo would spool when it was cold, and I had thought that the turbo's days were numbered. That almost completely went away when I installed the Carbonio. I wish it fit a little better, but overall I'm very pleased.

[16vCorey]

Not to be overly picky but a cat back on an A4 1.8T would include a down pipe. Otherwise it would be a down pipe back system.

Agreed. It really annoys me that most of the kits available for our cars don't include the down pipe. I want an exhaust to improve flow and performance, and I don't really see how that's possible with that bottle neck of a down pipe.

[19jdog]

I also have magnaflow with no res. I love the way it sounds with 3.0 it is a little raspy at cold start.

[evo_ski]

I very much like my magnaflow 16601. As others have mentioned little to no drone. Good rumble at idle that is more bassy than stock and it is not overly load so you have to yell to passengers. Definitely would buy it again.

[KHARDa4]

I dig it! It definitely feels a bit stronger than before, though it had a crappy cone filter stuck on the MAF from the PO, so it was probably sucking a bunch of hot air before. It also used to make a fluttering sound when the turbo would spool when it was cold, and I had thought that the turbo's days were numbered. That almost completely went away when I installed the Carbonio. I wish it fit a little better, but overall I'm very pleased.

I felt the same when I put it on, better throttle response and hearing the turbo spool louder was like heaven lol. To bad you couldn't buy my k04 at the same time you would have loved that.

[MagnaFlow]

I also have magnaflow with no res. I love the way it sounds with 3.0 it is a little raspy at cold start.

I very much like my magnaflow 16601. As others have mentioned little to no drone. Good rumble at idle that is more bassy than stock and it is not overly load so you have to yell to passengers. Definitely would buy it again.

Thanks for sharing your experience guys!

[ShogunR32]

I have it. I like it but its annoying that its not T304 stainless steel so it will develop surface rust very quickly. I painted mine with high temp clear paint but I am not sure how well it will hold up.

[AvantNoir]

Very happy with mine. Not that loud, and very little drone. Didn't care for the polished tips, so I used high temp paint on them.

[seanf86]

I love mine as well, had a 3" downpipe made for it and had the reduction to the factory pipe size cut off so its full 2.5" where my downpipe ends to where the exhaust Ys off to the back.

[Nikon44]

I can't yet speak to the 16601 for the A4 (however I will be running it once my engine is built), however I can give my overall opinion on Magnaflow as I run the 15461 on my 14 F-150 5.0 and I run the straight through performance mufflers (I didn't want the straight out back exhaust so I went with custom bent pipes out each side right behind rear tires) on my 04 Silverado 5.3 (forgot model as its been 12 years since I put them on). The sound quality even after 12 years on the silv is amazing, and I couldn't be happier with the 15461 on my F-150. You hear it when you get on it, but at highway speed (half of my round trip drive each day) I barely even know its their. I hold full conversations not only in car but through my speakers using the bluetooth integration and I don't have to turn up the sound to hear people. I think magnaflow has hit a really good spot with sound vs performance in the products I use which is what lead me to them for the A4.

From you requirements I think you can't go wrong with the 16601.

Thanks
Sean

[Audi body]

Anyone running a big turbo setup with this? No cat just a three inch down pipe.

[ShogunR32]

Anyone running a big turbo setup with this? No cat just a three inch down pipe.

Yes I ran this on a big turbo with 034 custom 3" dp

[zdtv]

+1 for the 16601 Magnaflow system. Have it for 3 years now. 2004 1.8T Stage 1, 034 HFC, custom 2.5in downpipe. I got the exhaust without the reducer to stock downpipe size. I'm then 2.5in all the way to the cat. Like others said, it got a great rumble at start and little to no drone. On highway driving, without stepping on the gaz, you barely know there is an aftermarket exhaust on the car.

Just one point, the sound get "louder" and "bassy" when the car is under load (accelerating or going uphill) For example, when I do an 1h trip on mountainous road, the sound become a little bit annoying but nothing to make me want to remove the exhaust. To help a bit I insulate the trunk with Dynamat and some foam material, it help a bit but didn't quiet the sound that much. Only one thing to take into account for you.

[Audi body]

Yes I ran this on a big turbo with 034 custom 3" dp

Definitely worth it? As of now I'm getting real tired of the drone. I feel like I'm losing my hearing. Lol

[ShogunR32]

Definitely worth it? As of now I'm getting real tired of the drone. I feel like I'm losing my hearing. Lol

It was very loud for sure. I recently bought a second one for my avant that has the stock cat in place and prefer the sound more. It has a cleaner sound to it.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Those of you with the Magnaflow 16601, are you still liking it? If you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for a used system? Feel free to PM me if you'd prefer.