Need An Exhaust System For My Car
 

I'm considering buying a performance exhaust system for my car. What's a good one to get? If I had something with a V8, I'd go with Flowmaster. But I drive a 2007 Ford Fusion with a V6, so I don't know if that would be the right call.

Can anyone make a recommendation? I don't want the "coffee can" mufflers that make your car sound like a big dirt bike. If possible, I want increased performance without too much noise.

I'd go with Magnaflow

Not too much noise, but a nice deep tone to it that's noticeable, without the fart effect.

I'd go to a local exhaust shop (NOT Meinieke, or the chain exhaust shops), and ask them. I had them build a custom 2.5 inch catback exhaust on my old 4Runner so that I could get decent torque out of the engine, but also had it set so that I didn't crush it offroading.

They charged about the same as buying just the exhaust system for both labor and parts. That's my preferred method.

I concur. I have a Magnaflow 3" muffler and a 3" resonator after the catalytic converter, and for a straight through exhaust, it's not too loud.

So what kind of horsepower/torque increase could I expect from the Magnaflow exhaust system?

I wouldn't expect any noticeable gains, unless you had a plugged up muffler. It may give you some better throttle response, but most cars nowadays are so well tuned from the factory that there isn't much that you can improve on without digging deep into the engine.

I pretty much agree with what QM said; usually not a significant gain, though a few hp is not unusual, but that is barely noticeable. Plus, on a naturally aspirated motor (non-turbo or supercharged) the optimum tuning requires some tuned backpressure/scavenging and a totally open/free flowing exhaust will actually reduce low end torque. I really like Burns Stainless stuff too, if a local shop or you can put together a good fit from what they have http://www.burnsstainless.com/

What would you consider a "noticeable" increase? The engine came stock with something like 221 horsepower, which is decent. I'm not looking to build a fire-breathing street racer, but I would like to add a little extra kick. I'd be happy if I could get to 250 - 260 horsepower.

Earlier you linked to a web site for the Magnaflow exhaust and I saw a link to a Steeda Fusion Power Pak. It claims that this will add 25 - 31 horsepower. Do you think that's accurate?

I'd trust Steeda, they're a very reputable company. Remember that the factory horsepower rating is at the flywheel, not at the wheels, I'd say stock it'd put out around 200 hp at the wheels, around 220-230 or so with the power pack.

Keep in mind that with any bolt-on (especially for non-turbo engines), these parts will only free up the horsepower that was lost in the compromise to meet economy and emissions requirements. While reconfiguring the ECU to operate with a more aggressive tune while including an intake and exhaust will provide some gains, don't be surprised if you see less than what they advertise.

It's a shame they don't have an SVT Fusion, that'd give you a lot more to work with.

2007 Fusion, hmmm... I'd say chip it right off the bat. They make performance chips for everything, and you could see a real gain (depending on the chip and which Fusion you have...the 221 hp model could see a gain of 30+hp). You can pick up an edelbrock cat back for like $300, and some matching headers for like $400-500ish. The thing is, you're not going to see real gain without forced induction.

Still, this reminds me of my own struggle with FCS (First Car Syndrome). Imagine a 94 Ford Tempo with a $1000 sound system. Not pretty.

No matter what anyone says, backpressure is bad. Scavenging is different, but that is done in the manifold and is a very tricky thing to alter. Once again Backpressure, of all types, is bad.

Ditto backpressure is bad.

The bigger exhaust will have more effect when the potential of everything else is brought up to meet it. In other words, more air intrake, bigger headers, more fuel and oxygen consumption, etc...
It's not like you can take one piece and make a miraculous change unless that piece was specifically crimping performance.

In all honesty.... with a cat back system. on that car... since its not a big V8 trying to breathe through a small pipe... i honestly wouldnt expect more then 5hp gain. All the aftermarket exhaust people will say oh you will get 15-20hp increase but its all bullshit. no way you will get that much more power from it on a otherwise stock car. Dont get exhaust to gain power its a waste of money. get the exhaust to change the sound to something you would like or... just to replace the old crappy stuff. You wont notice the diffrence from it and if you do.... well be happy for the placibo effect.

Now if you had say a big block car trying to breathe through a single 2 1/2 inch pipe... then you could expect that horsepower increase you would feel. Even a small V8 changing from single to duel exhaust would be noticable. but changing out a muffler and putting the same size pipe on and only doing cat back... dont expect much. most likely the most restrictive thing in your exhaust is the cataltic converter.

But as far as brands go... i have always liked the sound of flowmasters. Just need to make sure you get the right one for what you want. Call them up and tell them exactly what you have and what you want it to sound like and im sure they can suggest a good one.

you can see some fair gains with an exhaust system.

my elantra dynoed at 120whp. I put on a cat-back exhaust (2.25" mandrel bent straight through design) and picked up 7whp and 8tq

just for reference, its a 2.0 I4