Magnaflow exhaust system 19515. I cannot recommend it.

So last Memorial Day, after watching oh so many Youtube videos on the different exhaust systems I purchased the Magnaflow 19515 system from the Magnaflow sales site, Hottexhaust.com Why that one? I have had great experiences with Magnaflow in the past, they offered a 20 percent discount and no shipping fee or sales tax, which lowered it from "ridiculously expensive" to merely "expensive", and it had Heimholtz resonators which are cool as f, cuz science! What an expensive mistake.

First, the install. The mid-pipe end that is supposed to easily slide over the down-pipe end was exactly the same diameter as the down-pipe. Because I had no desire to spend a couple hundred dollars on a quality pipe expander I would only need once, I loaded everything in the back and went off to my local Yelp five star rated muffler shop with only the down-pipes as mufflers. But I didn't throw a code so cool! $100 bucks later the install was complete and they had another five star review. What a great shop.

When they first fired it up I was very happy with the sound. And then I got on the highway and discovered the drone. A drone so bad it buzzed the steering wheel. But only within the entire highway cruise range of 65-85 above and below 2000 RPM so no biggy right? WTF?! I guess the Engineer who did the math on the Heimholtz resonators has a twisted sense of humor. Somebody needs an ass whoopin'. I added some header baffles with steel wool packing which helped but it still has the drone meter up in the annoying range so I'm writing it off as an expensive mistake and writing Magnaflow off forever due to their "too bad, so sad" response to my complaints.

Hottexhaust.com sent me a review request which I honored. I did give the system two stars due to the quality construction of the components and a detailed write up of my experience. When I hit send I got a "review pending approval" message and I laughed out loud. Needless to say if you go to that product on the hottexhaust.com site it says "no reviews yet". Liars!

So now after reading oh so many posts on the the forum here I'm twisting myself into knots trying to decide between the Thermal R&D and the MBRP systems. I'm gonna call Whoosh Motorsports later today and and parlay a bit and pick their brains. I don't want to make another expensive mistake.

Another guy had the whole thing crack where the unsupported Helmholtz chamber is welded in. He scrapped it and went full custom.

Yep. I'm considering that as well cuz no lie, the Magnaflow tips are gorgeous and I would love to salvage them. But the end result would be a crapshoot. I'm leaning heavily towards the Thermal based upon everything I've read on the forum. A few complaints about the erector set nature of the system but all of the comments on sound are very appealing to me.

I previously had the Borla S-type and it had zero drone. I purchased the Borla before the Magnaflow was available. I personally prefer the lower tone of the Magnaflow setup. I currently have the Magnaflow system with stock downpipes. I mainly drive in town and/or on the urban freeways say 70 to 80 mph for 10 to 20 miles at a time. Drones at 1600 to 2000 rpm (range changes with burn-in) mainly in 9th and 10th gears which are overdrive gears. I put it in manual mode and 8th gear (which is also an overdrive gear) and the rpm's go up and the drone goes away.

I did have an annoying 1500 rpm rattle and vibration in my ST after the installation of the Magnaflow #19515 exhaust system (OEM downpipes). Rattle began as the exhaust system would warm up (i.e. expand in length). Finally got back to Midas today and found a forward facing right angled exhaust hanger (steel finger pushed through the rubber insulator) on the drivers side midpipe (ahead of the large single muffler) was barely coming in contact with a thin metal (painted black) bracket that is near the floorboard and covered with some heat insulation. Midas heated the forward facing right angled exhaust hanger (steel finger pushed through the rubber insulator) on the drivers side midpipe and bent it backwards so there was no further contact. This also seems to have reduced the 2000 rpm drone also. Otherwise, I love the deep tone of the Magnaflow #19515 exhaust system. Giddy this rattle is gone and I can finally enjoy the exhaust system.

Magnaflow sent me a passenger mid pipe whos front opening had not been expanded at the factory (to fit over the OEM downpipe) and Midas had to expand it with the risk of cracking the pipe and also had to shorten the pipe about one half inch so the slots would engage with the pin. The exhaust hangers on this system may not be at the correct angle to ensure clearance from other parts beneath your ST. Magnaflow sent me two #14156 resonators to add to the system to perhaps quiet the drone. I have not done that yet. I may have finally found a fab shop that is capable of that type and quality of welding. Even though the system clamps were installed with air tools I had the connections all checked by hand after 6 weeks and the joint connectors all needed at least one half turn to tighten and some were as high as one and a half turns to fully tight. There was no evidence of any exhaust leaks at the connections.

I have noticed that the Magnaflow #19515 exhaust system sticks out further out the rear when the SPD downpipes are installed versus the stock downpipes so you see more of the etched MF on the tips.

The rear wind deflector that fits between the tailpipes slightly touches the passenger tail pipe on the Magnaflow #19515 exhaust system but it doesn't seem to get hot enough to melt.

I also bought the Borla Type-S and had no drone at any speed. it was just on the load side and I was looking for something deeper. Keep in mind I have already done quite a bit to this truck, SDP down pipes, intercooler, Big Brake kits, blowoff valves, etc... . then I bought the Magnaflow and quickly installed it after having to shorten my mid pipes by 1/2". Let me tell you the drone is so bad nobody will ride in this truck anymore! Luckly I still have the Borla and it is going back on! I believe the next exhaust will be the Thermal R&D or MBRP also.

So does anyone know if magnaflow fixed the 65-70 mph drone? I'm on the highway routinely and don't want the drone. I love magnaflow and have their exhaust on my 2011 expedition and 1995 tbird and those are great. I just purchased the kit for my ST and have now been reading about the drone issues and I'm going to send it back for a refund before my 30 days is up if the drone issue isn't fixed. The system has heimholz resonators but I'm assuming they don't eliminate the highway drone? I have a week left before I can return the exhaust for free. Anyone know?

Magnaflow sent me resonators to deal with the issue. Never installed them. I believe they told me they have no plans for any further engineering on the #19515 exhaust. The Magnaflow exhaust tips were my favorite exhaust tips for sure. I did not like the lower grade stainless steel that started to have surface rust issues fairly early from just car washing as I try to avoid driving in the rain due to the carwash I use has inconsistent water temp, pressure and soap that sometimes does not fully remove road film. I went Thermal R&D 2.5 inch and have been happy with zero drone but do miss the Magnaflow exhaust tips.

I know this is subjective, but on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the worst, how bad would you say the drone is? I can deal with a little, just don't want a lot on the highway. I'm also considering Thermal R&D but have always loved the deep magnaflow tone. How is the Thermal sound compared to magnaflow as far as depth?

Highway is where you will notice the drone the worst in 9th and 10th gear unless you want to drive in 8th (to avoid the drone by raising the rpm's) on the highway like I did. Thermal 2.5 is quieter on the startup and at lower rpm but gets pretty pronounced at higher rpm. No drone at all. I am talking stock downpipes. I believe the Thermal will get louder with aftermarket downpipes.

Thermal is sounding better now. Hopefully I can return the Magnaflow without getting stuck paying shipping. Did magnaflow say the resonators they sent you would fix the issue or do you think they were trying to appease you?

I suppose they may quiet down the drone a bit. The other issue is the rust prone lower quality stainless steel used on the Magnaflow. Borla and Thermal are 304 stainless steel that should continue to look a lot better than the Magnaflow over time. This surface rust is 95% due to car wash water and not salty roads. Shown below is my old Borla system taken off prior to the Magnaflow installation. The 304 stainless steel still looks in much better condition that the Magnaflow after about the same time and condition of use.

You guys do know magnaflow sells just the tips.

https://www.hottexhaust.com/pages/dual-stainless-tips.html

Just graft the maggie tips onto your exhaust system of choice.

Those are not the same tips. The magnaflow tips for the #19515 exhaust are dual 4.5 inch black chrome tips similar to Corsa tips.

One more question and then I'll shut up lol. Did you get the thermal mid pipes as well? I'm getting ready to order the 2.5" system with the mid pipes, just wanted to make sure it's still drone free with the mid pipes

Yes I do have the 2.5 inch Thermal mid pipes and it is drone free. FYI, I recently asked Magnaflow if I could get their 19515 exhaust tips separately and the answer was no.

Thanks again for the info. I just ordered the 2.5" system and can't wait to get it! Bad thing is, Thermal is out of stock and is building another batch with a 6/18 ship date. Man, that sucks about the Magnaflow tips, I would've bought a set for sure!

Which down pipe do you recommend for the 2.5” Thermal? Looking at this: https://thermalrd.com/collections/f...2-5-downpipe-back-exhaust-ceramic-coated-tips

I did purchase new Fenfab downpipes that never were installed and then I sold them. I now have new Whoosh downpipes in the box sitting waiting for the OEM downpipe to crack. As far as I know the Fenfab or Whoosh will fit with the R&D exhaust. Others who have installed aftermarket downpipes with the 2.5 R&D exhaust should chime in here.

I went back and forth on all of the different systems too. In the end I bought two Paradox Hot Tamale mufflers and had my local shop install them in place of the stock mufflers. He added some open stainless steel dual tips as well. Couldn't be happier with the sound. Of course this is the most upgrading I will do to the engine of mine with the exception of an airbox at some point.