LT's, O/R h pipe, Catback??? Decision Time

[95ssn95]

Ok fellow stang owners next pay check I AM buying Long tube Headers, an H-Pipe (like the sound over an X) and a cat back. The dilemma is what brand? Chrome or ceramic (how long will chrome last and is ceramic worth it)? 1 5/8" or 1 3/4"? I have a set of gt40p's I plan to slap on later so I believe I'm covered with the LT's. Also is there anything else I not thinking of. I like these set ups YouTube - 95 Mustang GTS Mac exhaust clip
YouTube - My 1995 Mustang GT 1.
Also any suggestions for a cold air intake to let err breath?

 

[FRDPWR]

I have the chrome plated Long Tubes and an off-road H pipe from BBK coupled to 2 chamber flowmasters and the stock tailpipes. The BBK's were alot better then the Mac's I've had on other cars.


Frdpwr

 

[95ssn95]

TTT

 

[final5-0]

From what I saw you say

1 5/8" would be the ticket

On the CAI

You want to draw in air from the fender

That way ... when ambient temps are cool ... You can obtain a gain

Those pipes that are just a pipe and a filter within the engine compartment
will not allow you access to cool air

btw ... you can make your own CAI for not a whole lot of money

Grady

 

[95Vert]

I just read a couple of days ago of a test that was done where the engine couldn't tell a difference in temperature of the induction air over 20mph. I don't know how true that is. For me, the less bends the better.

As far as exhaust, I ran 1 5/8" long tubes with a prochamber and then an h-pipe with the flow path mufflers turned down before the axle. I prefered the h-pipe over the pro-chamber 1 million to one. The flow path sound really nice but flow less that then flowmaster. The flow path are compared to the 3 chamber flows which leads to believe that they don't flow better than the 2 chamber. I have had both and really like how both sounded, not sure which will be my on my coupe next.

Regarding 1 5/8 or 1 3/4, from what I have learned since my last set-up, 1 3/4 is not a bad thing on a 302. Why not let more air out of the engine? And I hope people don't bring up the back pressure because we don't need it. And since you're starting your build, don't you want parts that you can use further down the line?

 

[95ssn95]

Great post guys that helps! What about brand?? I am leaning toward BBK.

 

[revhead347]

I like the fit and finish of my BBKs. Had them almost 10 years now.

Kurt

 

[Stopsign32v]

Great post guys that helps! What about brand?? I am leaning toward BBK.

BBK hands down absolutely no questions about it.

 

[95Vert]

A buddy of mine has had MAC ceramic coated headers for over a year and no problems.

I had the HTS version, and stay away, they rust and look nasty.

Another friend had the chrome and they turn blue and also rust.

My fox came with BBK chrome headers and they are rusty.

That's my experience with those headers.

You can't beat a Kooks header, but those are pricey.

 

[revhead347]

Someone just posted in another thread that the Kooks headers are not only expensive, but don't fit very well. Never bought them myself.

Kurt

 

[nmcgrawj]

George Klass from accufab(they make custom headers too) once told me there is no point in getting a bigger header primary tube than the diameter of your exhaust valve.


Now if size didnt matter, why doesnt everyone just go straight to a 3" exhaust system?


A few years back i also had lunch a couple times with Jay Allen. He explained to me how a big throttle body doesnt kill the low end or velocity.....its in the cam. That said, its also true at the other end of the motor. A bigger header primary will result in a slower exhaust gas velocity. When the exhaust is being pushed out, its pulling in the air from the intake. Slow down the exhaust...and you slow down the air coming in. Its ALL in the package!


That said, if gt40p's are your heads you will be running in the end, 1) make sure your headers you buy now will swap over. seems like there were a lot of threads about this recently. 2) There is no point in getting headers that are larger than the 1.46in exhaust valve on the gt40p's. Unless you plan on upgrading yet again, and are willing to lose power now, to gain in the future, just get the right part. 1 5/8" is more than enough on these heads.

I dont believe peak HP/TQ is affected by large headers or a 3" catback. I think the power "under the curve" is though. Power down low will be affected. We dont need "back pressure"...thats the wrong term. You need the exhaust to do its job that the cam wants it to do in order to make an efficient combination.

 

[95ssn95]

Looks like I'm getting closer to a decision, but still what about a catback?? MAC, MagnaFlow, SLP, Flowmaster.....Which one is going to give me the best performance?

 

[revhead347]

MagnaFlow is probably the best performance. SLPs are too loud, and Mac and Flowbastard are poor quality, and not very good for performance.

Kurt

 

[95Vert]

Now if size didnt matter, why doesnt everyone just go straight to a 3" exhaust system?

1 5/8" are good enough for his set-up, I had them on mine and worked well.

I'm not going to get into the 3" exhaust arguement again.

I KNOW it's all in the combination.

 

[final5-0]

Looks like I'm getting closer to a decision, but still what about a catback?? MAC, MagnaFlow, SLP, Flowmaster.....Which one is going to give me the best performance?

I'm talking performance ... N O T ... sound

When talking about the average street combo

If you gathered ALL of em up and did a comparison

I bet the difference between the WORST and BEST of the bunch would be
in the ball park of 2 to 3 rwhp

For a mild combo ......
A catback is way ... way ... down on the gain list of mods you can do

Grady