MAC rustback system

mpj76 · 09-20-2002, 11:55 AM

Hey,

I have the 2.5" MAC catback for LX. It started rusting quickly from week one and requires constant attention. The main problems that I can see are the exit edges of the chromed tip and the inside wall of the pipe as far as I can see into it. I've sent a set back before for the same reason. It got so bad that the baffles in the muffler rusted out and started making ratttling sounds. The car does occasionally belch out water at startup (maybe 1/2 gallons?) My engine is completely stock and runs great. Its not coolant. I heard from many people that a healthy engine does this. I've also seen brand new cars doing it. Shouldn't the exhaust system be able to take this normal amount of condensation? Does anyone else have this same experience? A buddy's Flowmaster catback also rusted a lot. I want to complete the rest of my exhaust with headers and off road pipe but don't want to waste cash on garbage. What are your experiences? Anything more rust resistant out there that doesn't cost an arm & leg that doesn't require welding?

Stang Runner · 09-20-2002, 12:50 PM

hehe I have been there done that Thats WHy I get SS stuff only now i know it is not cheap But it is worth it to me!!!

mysweetlx · 09-20-2002, 01:42 PM

I've got a full MAC exhaust, it's been in for about 1 year now, and it still looks new. Did you get it w/ the coating? THe only thing I have MAC that I don't like are the lt headers (they rubbed on the steering shaft and needed to be "coerced" in order not to rub!

mpj76 · 09-20-2002, 02:36 PM

Yeah, HTS. The coating is the only thing rust free. Maybe they should put it on the inside too.

red82gt · 09-20-2002, 04:33 PM

My MAC catback's tailpipes are a rusty mess, the chrome was flaking from day one and now they look horrible, I don't have any rust on the inside of the system though.

1hot5.0 · 09-20-2002, 04:51 PM

Just buy some stainless steel tips?

Coupe50h · 09-20-2002, 08:33 PM

stainless tips, with borla mufflers

yea but they cost an arm and leg, does anyone like the borla sound? im thinkin of getting some.

2FastLX · 09-20-2002, 08:41 PM

I had the same problems. My tips rusted the 1st week they were on the car and MAC gave me the run-around when I tried to get them replaced. I'll never buy MAC products again.

1hot5.0 · 09-21-2002, 12:11 AM

Borla's sound awesome. If you have ever heard a Saleen, and you like the sound, well, Borlas are what they have on them. They are free flowing, and have an awesome look and finish that won't rust or flake. If I wasn't so broke right now, I would get them instead of the flowmasters im going to get. Down the road, ill be replacing the mufflers with Borla's.

Hope that helps.

09-20-2002, 11:55 AM	#1
mpj76 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 158	MAC rustback system Hey, I have the 2.5" MAC catback for LX. It started rusting quickly from week one and requires constant attention. The main problems that I can see are the exit edges of the chromed tip and the inside wall of the pipe as far as I can see into it. I've sent a set back before for the same reason. It got so bad that the baffles in the muffler rusted out and started making ratttling sounds. The car does occasionally belch out water at startup (maybe 1/2 gallons?) My engine is completely stock and runs great. Its not coolant. I heard from many people that a healthy engine does this. I've also seen brand new cars doing it. Shouldn't the exhaust system be able to take this normal amount of condensation? Does anyone else have this same experience? A buddy's Flowmaster catback also rusted a lot. I want to complete the rest of my exhaust with headers and off road pipe but don't want to waste cash on garbage. What are your experiences? Anything more rust resistant out there that doesn't cost an arm & leg that doesn't require welding?

09-20-2002, 12:50 PM	#2
Stang Runner Registered Member Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Walker, MI, USA Posts: 1,202	hehe I have been there done that Thats WHy I get SS stuff only now i know it is not cheap But it is worth it to me!!! __________________ Engine: steel mounts, Under drive pulleys, K&N, GT-40 Intake ported Lower, No power steering, No A/C, Mac cold intake, 65MM TB, 255 Fuel pump, 24's, AFR 165 58cc, Rocker Arms 1.7with the stock Cam, 1 5/8 short headers, offRoad X-pipe Drive Train: 3.55, T-5 with a Pro 5.0 shifter 12.656@107.71MPH See It at www.T-racing.com/mustang.htm

09-20-2002, 01:42 PM	#3
mysweetlx Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New York Posts: 248	I've got a full MAC exhaust, it's been in for about 1 year now, and it still looks new. Did you get it w/ the coating? THe only thing I have MAC that I don't like are the lt headers (they rubbed on the steering shaft and needed to be "coerced" in order not to rub! __________________ Damn this thing's fast!

09-20-2002, 04:33 PM	#5
red82gt Sober voice of Reason Join Date: Nov 1998 Location: Kelowna, B.C., Canada Posts: 1,514	My MAC catback's tailpipes are a rusty mess, the chrome was flaking from day one and now they look horrible, I don't have any rust on the inside of the system though. __________________ 393W: AFR 205's, hydraulic roller, TKO600.

09-20-2002, 04:51 PM	#6
1hot5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 172	Just buy some stainless steel tips? __________________ 91 Mustang LX 5.0 Convertible AOD Mdifications: K&N filter, Mac Catback, BBK aluminum u/d pulleys.

09-20-2002, 02:36 PM	#4
mpj76 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 158	Yeah, HTS. The coating is the only thing rust free. Maybe they should put it on the inside too.

09-20-2002, 08:33 PM	#7
Coupe50h Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: SanAntonio, Tx Posts: 957	stainless tips, with borla mufflers yea but they cost an arm and leg, does anyone like the borla sound? im thinkin of getting some. __________________ X-Texas highway patrol ssp 1990 coupe - exploder Gt-40 iron heads, Explorer intake, 19 lber's. E-cam. crane 1.7 rollers. 190fp. 75mm maf. 65mm tb, tubular subframe connectors, mac cai, Asp crank pulley, T-5, king cobra clutch, flowtech 1-5/8 unequals, mac X-pipe Frpp driveshaft, lakewood Lca's. race weight 3,160 12.69 @ 107.35, 1.71 60' 26x8.5 drag's 3.90 gear 13.20 @ 106.91 - 235/60/15 firestones 2.3 60' 3.27 gear

09-20-2002, 08:41 PM	#8
2FastLX The Photoshop Guru Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mecca, Indiana Posts: 1,419	I had the same problems. My tips rusted the 1st week they were on the car and MAC gave me the run-around when I tried to get them replaced. I'll never buy MAC products again. __________________ Project: 1988 Coupe - EFI 5.8L Twin Turbo with Victor intake, Canfield heads, F303 cam, March aluminum underdrive pulleys, TKO (or T56 if funds permit), PBR twin piston calipers and 13" rotors up front, 94 Cobra rear calipers and 12" rotors on the rear, 3.73's, Griggs K-member, tubular front control arms, torque arm and panhard bar, polished 99 Cobra wheels. "The GR-40 kit installation is now complete, and the humble Fox-chassis car will now out-corner and out-stop a ZR-1 or a Viper, and support massive horsepower additions with perfect balance." Griggs Racing ICQ# 42269241

09-21-2002, 12:11 AM	#9
1hot5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 172	Borla's sound awesome. If you have ever heard a Saleen, and you like the sound, well, Borlas are what they have on them. They are free flowing, and have an awesome look and finish that won't rust or flake. If I wasn't so broke right now, I would get them instead of the flowmasters im going to get. Down the road, ill be replacing the mufflers with Borla's. Hope that helps. __________________ 91 Mustang LX 5.0 Convertible AOD Mdifications: K&N filter, Mac Catback, BBK aluminum u/d pulleys.

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