BBK x-pipe any good?

[garystocker]

I have stainless FRPP Headers and Magnaflow Stainless Cat-Back. My thought was to get the aluminized x-pipe w/cats because the cats would wear out at 50,000 miles needing replacement. Therefore stainless expense not necessary. Agree?

Do you like the exhaust set up?

 

[foxfreak88]

i know a guy who has a BBK x pipe, i dont know his catback but it does sounds pretty beastly

 

[The Fox]

I have BBK LTs, BBK orX, and Flows. Sounds great. Easy install, I would definately go all BBK again on my next combo And the thing about the cats, I don't know the answer to. By "wearing out" I guess they get clogged? Or they just stop collecting "harmful" pollutants? If I knew the answer I'd tell ya. I just went without them because I heard NJs "historic" age was 18. So in 6 months I won't ever need inspection. Good luck with whatever you do. And once again, just because BBK is affordable doesn't mean it's not just as good as Bassani. Pipe is pipe.

 

[Insane3D]

I have BBK LTs, BBK orX, and Flows. Sounds great. Easy install, I would definately go all BBK again on my next combo And the thing about the cats, I don't know the answer to. By "wearing out" I guess they get clogged? Or they just stop collecting "harmful" pollutants? If I knew the answer I'd tell ya. I just went without them because I heard NJs "historic" age was 18. So in 6 months I won't ever need inspection. Good luck with whatever you do. And once again, just because BBK is affordable doesn't mean it's not just as good as Bassani. Pipe is pipe.

I've got to go ahead and disagree there. BBK is good stuff, but it's simply not Bassani level IMO. The Bassani X's come in three pieces, fit perfect the first time, and most importantly, they are stainless steel with a LIFETIME warranty. "Pipe is pipe" is a bit oversimplified IMO...

 

[The Fox]

Yeah you're right with the warranty. That's true. And stainless steel is also better. I doubt there is 2hp difference between the pipes. Going from H to X doesn't even show enough of a difference to make people get em. There really only is a sound difference. True the construction and material may make it last forever, but I don't see the need of a warranty on a midpipe. Headers are a different story IMO. I would still go with BBK because I'm not exactly Bill Gates who can afford Bassani. BBK chrome longtubes DO rust within months.

 

[Daniel50]

bbk is good. i recomend upr if going without cats. just because mine went on with no trouble and stil looks good under there

 

[_jb_]

I like mine.

 

[Scorcher2005]

i have BBK unequal shorties, BBK x pipe w/ cats, and flowmaster 2 chambers and i think it sounds good. Had it for about a year now and the pipe is still in great condition.

 

[Insane3D]

You guys should try driving your stangs in the winter...

Salt eats aluminized pipe FAST...

 

[The Fox]

really? what if you spray something on them to coat them? Like engine enamel or something similar. NJ uses a lot of salt over winter. I do NOT want to have to buy another mid pipe.

 

[Insane3D]

I suppose you could coat them, but that would be super expensive. The best thing you can do is to try to hose off the undercarriage whenever it's above freezing. After the season, just run through one of those automatic car washes and get the undercarriage wash.

I'm up here in NH, and I drive my '92 year round. I have a set of dedicated winter tires on my 16 x 7 pony's, and I got sick of changing the exhaust every few years. The BBK's probably use pretty thick steel, so it may rust on the outside, but it will likely take quite awhile before it rusts through.

Oh, and before, I wasn't trying to claim either pipe made more power, or sounded better/worse, just commenting on the aluminized pipe versus true stainless. Also, things like the welds are super clean on the Bassani's.

BBK X is still a great pipe, and I wasn't trying to knock it at all. I just liked the idea of putting on a midpipe, and never having to get another one. I regretted the cheap route last time when I went with a POS OR Summit H...absolute, complete...SUCKAGE.

 

[wythors]

I My thought was to get the aluminized x-pipe w/cats because the cats would wear out at 50,000 miles needing replacement.

Catalytic converters do not "wear out at 50,000 miles". In theory, they never wear out, since all they are is a honeycomb that the exhaust gases pass through. What kills them is an out of tune engine, usually one running too rich. Too much gas equals too much heat which breaks up the media or plugs the passage ways.

 

[tjm73]

really? what if you spray something on them to coat them? Like engine enamel or something similar. NJ uses a lot of salt over winter. I do NOT want to have to buy another mid pipe.

Then you should buy something that's made from stainless. Magnaflow has a nice X-pipe that's stainless and it's available with or without cats. I'm going that route when my '90 needs a new mid-pipe.

 

[tunedin302]

Had a magnaflow SS X-pipe - IMO they are junk, don't fit worth a crap. You have to watch the BBK stuff. I have their shorty headers and like them (for the most part). Their x-pipes are known to be made from very thin piping. This translates into a raspy sound - kind of like a tin can. I personally hate the sound of them. I also had a MAC OR H-pipe at one time and it was great. The thing sounded amazing and fit pretty well. Due to emission requirements around here I picked up a Bassanni SS H-pipe with Cats. This thing is just awesome. Great sound (considering it has cats) without any tin sound, great fitment, amazing quality ... couldn't be more pleased but for close to $500 it should make the customer happy.

 

[Insane3D]

Then you should buy something that's made from stainless. Magnaflow has a nice X-pipe that's stainless and it's available with or without cats. I'm going that route when my '90 needs a new mid-pipe.

The Magnaflow X's are pretty nice, but they do have fitment issues. Most people need to spread them apart somehow to have them match up to the headers.

If you are going to go OR, the Bassani SS X can be had for under $300...