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View Poll Results: hooker or magnaflow?
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magnaflow
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magnaflow vs. hooker catback

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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 12:44 AM
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Default magnaflow vs. hooker catback

Which do you guys think is better? I want something that is kind of between a sleeper and the LM1(with manifolds and cats). I live in Iowa but don't drive in the rain or snow so SS vs. mild steel isn't a real big deal.

Thanks, Mike
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 09:04 AM
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I own both, and I like the magnaflow better, plus it's stainless, and fitment is a whole lot better. I just installed a hooker on my car yesterday, and it fits like crap. I had to cut the tailpipes to get the tips tucked like I wanted, although it does sound better imo. the magnaflow is the better. Brian
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 09:06 AM
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Hooker sounds way better, IMO. I can't speak for fitment, however.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 09:26 AM
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i own magnaflow and my buddy has the hooker. they are both great flowing catbacks. magnaflow is stainless steel and i believe the hooker isnt. so magnaflow has the better quality. as for sound, they both are pretty quiet. i would think my magnflow has a smooth crisp sound. the hooker has a more deeper rumble than the magnaflow.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 10:06 AM
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I just got the Hooker and love it, especially over the LM1 ory set up I had. Fitment is great and the sound is kinda quiet but I welcomed the change. The only thing I don't like are the tips but I'm gonna have them slash cut. The Magna is a great exhaust too, but I don't like the cannon tips and the cost of the quad tip kit is way too much. Save a few bucks with the Hooker. Is this going on the '99?
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 10:14 AM
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So there is no real noticable power difference between the two, correct?
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted by ACLR8R
So there is no real noticable power difference between the two, correct?
No. The only real difference is the internals of the mufflers which are pretty close.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 10:49 AM
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Just went from a Dual set-up to a Magnaflow. Fit very well, looks good. Tips are not my favorite but I can live with them. Sounds good and is "healthy" when I get on it. I had to go with a bit more quite set up and this worked well. Flows great, lost only a bit on the dyno from what I had with the duals. I would consider my car a sleeper to most now, large cam still noticeable but it does not sound like I am making over 500HP at the motor.

Also, it is a quality piece over the Hooker in my opinion.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 10:56 AM
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do yourself a favor Magnaflow muffler #12267 can be had for less than $95 and it is a straight thru design.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by '00_Z
I just got the Hooker and love it, especially over the LM1 ory set up I had. Fitment is great and the sound is kinda quiet but I welcomed the change. The only thing I don't like are the tips but I'm gonna have them slash cut. The Magna is a great exhaust too, but I don't like the cannon tips and the cost of the quad tip kit is way too much. Save a few bucks with the Hooker. Is this going on the '99?
Yeah, I just bought it. The previous owner installed a LM1 and cut the cats out. If I wanted to have a loud exhaust I would just drive my firebird with turndowns and no muffler. I will do headers eventually but just want the LM1 gone before I go nuts.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 02:08 PM
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I hear ya on that! Whichever you choose you won't be disappointed. With the Magna you get the durability of s/s but if that doesn't matter to you are still making a good choice either way.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 02:17 PM
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I had Magnaflow on my car once with stock manifolds and no cats. It sounded awesome as hell. I bought just the muffler, my muffler is 4 years old now (its just sitting up now) and I think they changed the design on them. Because my muffler is a lot louder than my friends is with the same setup.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 02:33 PM
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I just cant stand the magnaflow slash tips on a camaro, otherwise it would be a no brainer for me.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by ACLR8R
I just cant stand the magnaflow slash tips on a camaro, otherwise it would be a no brainer for me.
They're horrible. Probably the worst tips on a Camaro. They should be on a
Z71. The muffler looks great though. Hooker is nice, but I like stainless. If I had a Magnaflow, I would rum custom tips that didn't look like they came off the shelf at Advance Auto.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 03:03 PM
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I've yet to hear the dual dual kit by magnaflow. It looks so nice.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Striker
I've yet to hear the dual dual kit by magnaflow. It looks so nice.
that's what I got on my 02 ws6, and your rite it does look nice.
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by blownws6_nc
that's what I got on my 02 ws6, and your rite it does look nice.
I just cant believe they want so much more for the dual tips
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by blownws6_nc
that's what I got on my 02 ws6, and your rite it does look nice.
Would you mind snapping some pics? How would you say the tips look back there, are they too big? I dont want them to "overpower" the rear end of the car, if you know what I mean.

Overall how is the sound compared to the stock cat back? Can you tell that theres a V8 under the hood
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by 94dragbird
Yeah, I just bought it. The previous owner installed a LM1 and cut the cats out. If I wanted to have a loud exhaust I would just drive my firebird with turndowns and no muffler. I will do headers eventually but just want the LM1 gone before I go nuts.
If your LM1 is in good shape, what are your plans for it once its removed? I live in North English which I think is about an hour or so from Ottumwa. If you wanna sell it for cheap, I could meet you half way some time to take a look at it?
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Old Jun 20, 2009 | 07:46 PM
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****...also...a friend and I installed Magnaflow with Jet Hot LT's and ORY on his 98 Z28 this winter and it sounds pretty ******' good. I don't have any experience with the Hooker System so I can't really compare the two. The only thing we don't like about the Magnaflow is the Over-Axle Pipe is really close (almost touching) the panhard bar and it vibrates at times, but other than that its a really nice piece and went together really well.
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