h/x pipe options with emissions

[Krakah94GTVert]

I go on vaca in a couple weeks and my mechanic is going to replace the throwout bearing thats been rattling for the last month.

While the stock h pipe is down I was going to have it replaced w/ an x or h pipe. I'm not really set on either style. I'm looking to make power while being able to pass emissions. Since PA didn't have emissions testing when I had my 86 a few years ago I have no clue what will and wont pass.

Any help?

 

[mustangsquared]

You need a pipe with CATS... look at magnaflow (I have a BBK X pipe but it hangs a little low and I broke the cat on a speed pump so I wont recommended them) for one that will fit your car. I passed Cali emmissions with the BBK so you shouldnt have a problem since I doubt your requirements are tighter.

http://www.magnaflowsuperstore.com/49-State-Approved-Catalytic-Converter-PRD13.aspx

 

[jrichker]

What year car do you have? Is it carb, CFI or EFI?
Cars converted to carb from EFI wiil not pass emissions visual check.
Cars that had catalytic converters will need them in place.

 

[TenorPlayinGuy]

How low do yours hang with the BBK? I also want to change my h-pipe, more for necessity than wanting, since I had a O/R BBK H-Pipe, and welded two cats on it. (BIG MISTAKE) I've now gow 2-3in of clearance, and I rub all the time.

Not to jack the thread, but photos would be nice, of their ground clearance would be great.

 

[JustA5.0]

Krakah is your car a 94 as per forum name, or a Fox?

 

[mustangsquared]

It hangs about 1 below my sub frame connectors...I smack it on every speed bump regardless of how slow I go.

 

[Krakah94GTVert]

yea its a 94. I wasn't getting many replies in the 94-95 tech forum. this forum gets alot more traffic so i posted here.

Speaking of clearance issues. On my late 86' gt the off road H pipe i had on it also hung really low. I have no clue who the manufacturer was anymore. but i too feared parking lots because of it.

 

[Krakah94GTVert]

well i narrowed it down to two choices

bassani
Bassani BX Power X Crossover Pipe for Mustang 94-95 AOD/ 5Spd 302 BX50943

or

bbk
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb...~S2OT0LWPJJ68392112916e~Z5Z5Z5~Z5Z5Z50000016d

i think i might start a thread over in the 94-95 forum asking about the clearance issues with the bbk x-pipe

any suggestions either way?

 

[JustA5.0]

Np, I saw your name and it seemed like the responses were from fox owners. There are less X-Pipe options for the fox then the SN-95.

Since the Bassani there is only a little more than the BBK, go Bassani.
What catback do you have? If it's still stock you won't get the full sound or performance out of the midpipe. Sometimes mismatched components can give install griefs, and result in clearance issues.

A matching Magnaflow X and catback sounds sweet too. Quieter at idle, no drone, but clean and raspy when you get on it.

No info on BBKs fitment specifically for the 94/95 5.0L. From everything I've read about BBK though, it seems 50/50. Some have no problems what-so-ever, others run into clearance or fitment issues.

 

[f8tlfiveo]

i have an 88 lx with o/r h pipe no cats in pennsylvania, never had a prob with emissions.
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[TenorPlayinGuy]

On my mom's 94 running a BBK H-pipe O/R there was no clearance issues. The X-pipe for the 94-95's was also modeled by said car here at BBK in Corona, Ca. So if there are issues Don't blame me.

 

[Krakah94GTVert]

i have an 88 lx with o/r h pipe no cats in pennsylvania, never had a prob with emissions.
Posted via Mobile Device

Where in PA are you? I live in the Philly area. I get this alot that people run off road pipes and still pass emissions. Is this due to the emissions station, the year of the car, local area in which you live, or because of the parts used?

 

[Krakah94GTVert]

Np, I saw your name and it seemed like the responses were from fox owners. There are less X-Pipe options for the fox then the SN-95.

Since the Bassani there is only a little more than the BBK, go Bassani.
What catback do you have? If it's still stock you won't get the full sound or performance out of the midpipe. Sometimes mismatched components can give install griefs, and result in clearance issues.

A matching Magnaflow X and catback sounds sweet too. Quieter at idle, no drone, but clean and raspy when you get on it.

No info on BBKs fitment specifically for the 94/95 5.0L. From everything I've read about BBK though, it seems 50/50. Some have no problems what-so-ever, others run into clearance or fitment issues.

The car right now is 100% stock even down to the air filter. This is going to be my first upgrade to the car. I'm only doing it because the h pipe will be off anyway.

Once work and school slow down a little ill be doing some of the more common upgrades.

 

[JustA5.0]

True that, at least when you're busy you're not spending money

100% stock is the best time to plan a direction for the car, before the mods begin. i.e. If you want headers you'll be paying even more for labor doing it at a separate time from the mids. Squeeze those into your budget now and you'll save $$$ in the long run. A midpipe for shorties/stock now, will eliminate using longtubes if you want to go that route. Also IMHO, the sound you want is the primary concern. Performance wise X or H won't matter squat on a stock car. As for the future, again an X or H might be better depending on your car's direction. All the major manufacturers (except MAC no longer) make mids with cats for the 5.0L.

For emissions you might lose a HP or two with cats, they just cost more. Don't worry about gaining more power by going offroad, and you'll be safe for emissions wherever.

 

[f8tlfiveo]

i live in lancaster, about an hour 20 minutes west of philly. they just do a visual check..but have never failed emissions..maybe i just go to a shop that doesent care. never had any issues though.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Krakah94GTVert]

i live in lancaster, about an hour 20 minutes west of philly. they just do a visual check..but have never failed emissions..maybe i just go to a shop that doesent care. never had any issues though.
Posted via Mobile Device

I don't get a visual, i get hooked up to the sniffer. I guess because of the year of the car?

You're from Lancaster... I used to live in Harrisburg. I was in this small car club a few years back called Domestic Disturbance with my 86 gt. We had a Lancaster chapter. ahhh those were the days.

 

[Krakah94GTVert]

True that, at least when you're busy you're not spending money

100% stock is the best time to plan a direction for the car, before the mods begin. i.e. If you want headers you'll be paying even more for labor doing it at a separate time from the mids. Squeeze those into your budget now and you'll save $$$ in the long run. A midpipe for shorties/stock now, will eliminate using longtubes if you want to go that route. Also IMHO, the sound you want is the primary concern. Performance wise X or H won't matter squat on a stock car. As for the future, again an X or H might be better depending on your car's direction. All the major manufacturers (except MAC no longer) make mids with cats for the 5.0L.

For emissions you might lose a HP or two with cats, they just cost more. Don't worry about gaining more power by going offroad, and you'll be safe for emissions wherever.

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

As it stands right now I'm not actually paying anything to have the x pipe put on since the stock one is coming off anyway when the tranny comes down to replace the throw out bearing.

When school and work slow down ill probably be doing most of the mods myself. I'm not doing this one because I dont have the means to drop the tranny in my driveway.

Its good to know that I actually wont be giving up all that much power with the catted pipes, although they cost a heluva lot more!

I'm sure ill start more threads when the time comes to think about headers and mufflers.

Again thanks for the help!

 

[blackmust5.0]

Bassani BX catted X-pipe is the way to go. Uses real cool looking small composite high flow cats. Fits, looks and sounds great and their is plenty of gound clearance. I love them.