Bassani - To X or not to X

[shortbus]

I like to spend my money on functional HP increasing mods. Granted I that the axle back system in a looks/sound mod that is an exception that I feel was money well spent. I bought the ss Bassani system and it bolted up perefctly in about an hour.

The question is regarding the X pipe and I understand it magically equalizes the exhaust flow for potentially more HP. What could I expect to gain by going with the street X pipe with high flow cats vs. the off road X pipe ? HP, Sound?

Last question, If I remove the cats I have heard of something called a LMP? eliminator that the o2 sensors plug into. I was told that since the late model cars are only checked for emissions by looking at the computer I shouldn't have a problem if I install these.

If I install the X pipe, either version, is it plug and play? If someone thinks that I have my priorities backwards by doing exhaust first please speak up , i just figure it will eventually have to be done. Look forward to your responses, thanks.

 

[Blk05Retro]

I think Bassani has the one that you can easily change out the cats to be an off-road pipe. You won't pass emissions without the cats here in Texas.

 

[shortbus]

I have a friend who is a mechanic and a certfied inspector. He told me that the late model cars do not require the rod up the tailpipe, only a diagnostic check with the ECM. Can anyone else confirm this?

 

[Blk05Retro]

They put the rod up my 95 stangs tail pipe every year and I switch my pipes everytime I have to get it inspected. You could be right though, the latest car I have is a 97 explorer and they do it with that one also.

 

[Madhouse]

I put on a Magnaflow axle-back kit first, and was very dissappointed, I think it got quiter. I wanted noise, so I put on the Bassani o/r x-pipe (I'm not really concerned with the minimal hp changes from exhaust). Now it's loud, just the way I wanted it. The kit also came with Bassani's hi-flow comp cats, so you could put those on if you didn't want to go o/r.

Anything newer than 1996 (I think) only gets a diagnostic computer check here in Houston.

I don't know about LMP??, but I know of MIL eliminators, they plug in between the O2 sensor and the bung in the pipe. I didn't bother with them though.

 

[shortbus]

AHH "MIL" eliminators, I was told I would need them to pass emissions and to keep my check engine light from coming on.

 

[Szlachcic]

Does the CEL come on after installing the pipes? I was talking to my g/f's father, who is a mechanic, and he said that my MPG will go to hell and my CEL might come on and all of this other stuff. Have any of you guys had these problems? I plan on using the Compcats by the way.

 

[bullitt1609]

I installed the Bassani Axle-Back mufflers, I can't say enough about them, love them. I am considering installing Bassani's x-pipe, but I can't decide if I want their "short" x-pipe, or their off-road x-pipe.

If I go with their off-road x-pipe, will that void my warranty through Ford since I would be replacing the cats? I've heard that it will, just want to confirm with someone on this.

I imagine that their "short" x-pipe won't void my warranty since it "bolts" behind the factory cats. Thanks for your help.

 

[brownbrosperf]

Does the CEL come on after installing the pipes? I was talking to my g/f's father, who is a mechanic, and he said that my MPG will go to hell and my CEL might come on and all of this other stuff. Have any of you guys had these problems? I plan on using the Compcats by the way.

you GF's father is VERY incorrect. The CEL or MIL light will come on if you dont put in catts, but this will in no way affect your fuel enconomy. Of course you will like the sound so much you will be constantly reving your car wich I guess could cause bad fuel economy

 

[Doc GTO]

I have a friend who is a mechanic and a certfied inspector. He told me that the late model cars do not require the rod up the tailpipe, only a diagnostic check with the ECM. Can anyone else confirm this?

I'm not sure about the rod but they will do a visual inspection and look for the cats. In Georgia they always do a visual and if they don't see any cats - you fail and have 30 days to fix it! I always had "euro" resonators installed on my Alfa Romeos. They looked just like cats but were straight thru and the cars always passed the sniffer and visual!

All newer FI cars should not have any issues passing the sniffer without a cat as long as it is completely warmed up. Cats were originally designed for carborated cars back in the old days!

 

[Wsmatau]

here's my .02

The hi-flo cats on the X-pipe will not effect perfomance at all vs. the off road. The sound will be a little louder with the O/R pipe but not by a lot. With a catted x-pipe and axle backs you will have all the volume you want without losing any HP or gaining check engine lights. As far as X vs H pipe you will not find any difference in performance under 400HP.
I know this is a moot point on this forum but a little reminder: It is illegal to remove undamaged catalytic converters from a car with less than 50k miles. I know lots of guys do it, but I think the extra $200 for cats is worth the peace of mind.