• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

cons with off road h pipe?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 03redfiregt
  • Start date Start date Dec 6, 2004
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

03redfiregt

New Member
Aug 4, 2003
290
0
0
Dracut Ma
Dec 6, 2004
#1
  • Dec 6, 2004
  • #1
I'm going to be getting a mrt h pipe in thte spring but i cant decide if i want the catted or non catted. I want the cats because i don't want to have a problem getting a sticker but i want a good muscle car sound. whats is the sound difference between an off road and catted. ?
 
9

94Gtstock-newclutch

Founding Member
Mar 22, 2000
849
0
0
Dec 6, 2004
#2
  • Dec 6, 2004
  • #2
alot. no cats are way louder. a con of no cats is lost low end torque
 
D

Darkhorse845

Banned
Nov 17, 2004
101
0
0
Las Vegas,Nevada
Dec 6, 2004
#3
  • Dec 6, 2004
  • #3
True and a huge loss of back pressure with isn't good!
 

Blk01gt_

Founding Member
Sep 1, 2001
422
0
0
winnipeg, canada
Dec 6, 2004
#4
  • Dec 6, 2004
  • #4
whoops, didn't notice this thread before i made mine, basicly the exact same question!

So is the catted H-pipe a better option, or is the O/R better? I want LOUD, but i dont want to lose a ton of performance.
 

twogts4us

15 Year Member
Apr 1, 2004
4,188
12
79
Dunedin, FL
Dec 6, 2004
#5
  • Dec 6, 2004
  • #5
I dunno if I'd call it THAT much of a sound difference - had both on the 01 (which is now catted), but it really wasn't that much louder.
My MRT catted H is on the way...and we don't have emmissions testing here anymore, but I hate the smell on non-cats. Oh yeah, it's cool every once in a while...and I love the smell of the track...but living with it everyday is another thing.
 
S

stang74

Member
Feb 12, 2004
76
0
6
NV
Dec 6, 2004
#6
  • Dec 6, 2004
  • #6
off road mrt h pipe here and flowmaster catback, I went from MRT catted to o/r, no low end loss noticed, but I have 4:10s
 
S

spikeGT_99

New Member
May 3, 2004
184
0
0
Jackson, Ms
Dec 7, 2004
#7
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #7
no cats will make more power, and better times, only reason to get cats is if u gotta pass emissions or u dont want it to be loud
 

merc123

Active Member
Jan 27, 2003
420
2
39
North GA
Dec 7, 2004
#8
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #8
My MAC O/R H-pipe made a huge difference in sound. The 2k RPM bass tone I had from my Dynomax mufflers is so much louder now and the overall sound is louder. I should have a comparison video up in a few days showing my stock H vs. O/R H.

The low end torque isn't all that much. From a 10MPH roll I was dead even with a 5.0 that I was dead even with before my O/R H. The 60+ though is amazing. I can hit 90 like nothing now. I have to watch my speed more now than before the O/R H.
 

propellerhead

New Member
Apr 13, 2004
1,541
0
0
"but what's with the but shots?"
Dec 7, 2004
#9
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #9
Man, I was sure I was gonna get an offroad H or non-catted ProChamber but it's gonna cost me some low end torque, I think I'll go with cats. I like my torque. I do 99% of my daily driving at part-throttle.
 

Red03Mustang

New Member
Apr 26, 2004
373
0
0
Dec 7, 2004
#10
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #10
I'd get one with a couple of high-flow cats. You'll be slightly quieter and still get great performance without much torque loss. Some backpressure is a good thing!
 

merc123

Active Member
Jan 27, 2003
420
2
39
North GA
Dec 7, 2004
#11
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #11
propellerhead said:
Man, I was sure I was gonna get an offroad H or non-catted ProChamber but it's gonna cost me some low end torque, I think I'll go with cats. I like my torque. I do 99% of my daily driving at part-throttle.
Click to expand...


Go non-catted. You will not regret it. The torque isn't enough to notice. Besides, even at part throttle you can tap the gas and you will lift the nose. The throttle reponse is so much quicker now. It seems to rev faster.
 

flashstang04

New Member
Jun 7, 2004
154
0
0
Wichita Falls,Tx
Dec 7, 2004
#12
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #12
I dont know about you guys but when I had my o\r H every time I had to drive more than a few miles I would be able to smell exhaust fumes on my clothes. Something to think about if you are going to be on a date!!
 

propellerhead

New Member
Apr 13, 2004
1,541
0
0
"but what's with the but shots?"
Dec 7, 2004
#13
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #13
flashstang04 said:
I dont know about you guys but when I had my o\r H every time I had to drive more than a few miles I would be able to smell exhaust fumes on my clothes. Something to think about if you are going to be on a date!!
Click to expand...
I'm glad you pointed this out. My car is my daily driver. Thanks.
 

Blk01gt_

Founding Member
Sep 1, 2001
422
0
0
winnipeg, canada
Dec 7, 2004
#14
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #14
flashstang04 said:
I dont know about you guys but when I had my o\r H every time I had to drive more than a few miles I would be able to smell exhaust fumes on my clothes. Something to think about if you are going to be on a date!!
Click to expand...

Is the smell really that bad? It's coming out of the back of the car anyway, so why would you smell it so much? Especially if you are moving forward. My car is a daily driver too, so i dont want it to be unbearable.
 

04azuremach

New Member
Dec 1, 2004
29
0
0
Hollywood, Maryland
Dec 7, 2004
#15
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #15
It doesn't smell that bad... I feel no loss of low end torque.. in fact the car seems to spin tires more easily now. My 60' has gotten better if anything after getting the X pipe... probably due to me learning to drive.. not the x pipe

I gained 4.5 mph in the 1/4 with it
 

Blk01gt_

Founding Member
Sep 1, 2001
422
0
0
winnipeg, canada
Dec 7, 2004
#16
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #16
Hmm...this seems all too familiar to the classic 3.73 vs. 4.10 debate, lol.

You have the guys with 3.73's saying 4.10's aren't drivable, and the guys with 4.10's saying they wouldnt want anything else. I figured "hey, you only live once!" and went with the 4.10's. Boy am I glad I didn't fear the gear!

I think I'm gonna have to use that same philosophy here, and "not fear the no cats"...hah.
 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.
10 Year Member
May 23, 2004
692
10
89
East Moline, IL
Dec 7, 2004
#17
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #17
i love the smell of no cats

i can almost guarantee that if you're sitting on the fence about which to get, you'll regret getting the catted version.
 

Bill9000

Member
Oct 15, 2004
182
0
16
Dec 7, 2004
#18
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #18
Blk01gt_ said:
whoops, didn't notice this thread before i made mine, basicly the exact same question!

So is the catted H-pipe a better option, or is the O/R better? I want LOUD, but i dont want to lose a ton of performance.
Click to expand...

Well here;s my 2 cents...

I had a '00 GT and I left the Cats in and put 2-chamber flowmasters which are supposed to be loud, and it had a really healthy, deep tone, but was far from loud... it was barely louder than stock.

I am currently installing my new 1-chamber flowmasters on my '97 GT and hopefully it will be lots louder, and still deep sounding.

hopefully this helps!
 

boomshack

New Member
Jun 4, 2004
274
0
0
Southern Cali
Dec 7, 2004
#19
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #19
Well the aftermarket catted pipes will wake up your exhaust plenty compared to the stock ones. The aftermarket ones have 2 high flow cats compared to 4 or 6 regular cats, so you will hear and feel the difference. I too am on the fence but passing emissions (non visual) without having to put the stocker back on is a plus if you have emissions in your area. if no emissions, then I would consider keeping your car somewhat civilized around town...in other words, keep your cats......aaaaaah damnit, now I'm on the the O/R side of the fence again...I think I'm just gonna get the O/R myself and be done with it...it's ssssoooo cheap compared to the catted ones you know.
 

propellerhead

New Member
Apr 13, 2004
1,541
0
0
"but what's with the but shots?"
Dec 7, 2004
#20
  • Dec 7, 2004
  • #20
This is me on the fence again... argh!

I think a catted-H will be lots of improvement over the stock H, especially with my Mac 2.5 in catback.

Pro: A little more power gain + a little more loudness for a non-cat... is it worth the emissions trouble?

Con: Smelly exhaust + emissions testing hassles for a non-cat... is it worth the extra power/loudness gain?

Right now, I'm leaning towards the catted mid-pipe.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Engine Cleaning Intake valves with lower intake off
  • R82148V
  • Mar 4, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
13
Views
453
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 11, 2026
limp
L
Is catback worth it over axle backs?
  • Lorencarson
  • May 15, 2025
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
700
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- May 15, 2025
89ripper
B
Saying Hi
  • BriansNSane
  • Dec 20, 2025
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
5
Views
306
The Welcome Wagon Dec 21, 2025
BriansNSane
B
J
For Sale 2003 mustang GT
  • jimted79
  • Mar 22, 2025
  • SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04)
Replies
0
Views
595
SN95 Mustangs For Sale (1994-04) Mar 22, 2025
jimted79
J
A
Rough idle - cylinder 1 and 6 misfire HELP
  • austindavies935
  • Jul 24, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
758
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jul 24, 2025
gkomo
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?