Exhaust System Questions

[Josh97GT]

Ok, here's the deal. MY car: 97 4.6 GT Automatic

I'm thinking of buying an exhaust sys, probably some flowmasters (40 delta maybe?). BUt I'm kinda new to this whole deal. It's stock, so what exactly would I need to purchase, Like I've heard about X and H pipes and stuff besides the exhaust system, what do I need, which is better. Also which flowmasters do you reccommend, I want something lowder but mostly going for performance. I was also Thinking about some EIBACH Lowering spring to help traction, but I rather stay on the topic of what everything I need with the exhaust, and what it is.

I hope someone can help me, and thanks for your patience with a newbie.

 

[02_2VStang]

Ok, here's the deal. MY car: 97 4.6 GT Automatic

I'm thinking of buying an exhaust sys, probably some flowmasters (40 delta maybe?). BUt I'm kinda new to this whole deal. It's stock, so what exactly would I need to purchase, Like I've heard about X and H pipes and stuff besides the exhaust system, what do I need, which is better. Also which flowmasters do you reccommend, I want something lowder but mostly going for performance. I was also Thinking about some EIBACH Lowering spring to help traction, but I rather stay on the topic of what everything I need with the exhaust, and what it is.

I hope someone can help me, and thanks for your patience with a newbie.

i guess it depends on the amount of money you are willing to spend. IMO i would save up and go w/ some longtube headers off road x or h-pipe and then the 40 seires flows. it'll be loud! id say you probly lookin at round $1200 or so w/ that though, not including install. my install on all that was $340.

 

[Josh97GT]

So would the X or H pipe come with the exhaust system or do I need to get that seperatly? Also which should I get/whats the difference?

Also headers are a bit too expensive I think, would it be bad to add them later on after the exhaust?

 

[02_2VStang]

So would the X or H pipe come with the exhaust system or do I need to get that seperatly? Also which should I get/whats the difference?

Also headers are a bit too expensive I think, would it be bad to add them later on after the exhaust?

x-pipe is alittle more raspy than an h-pipe, h-pipe is kind of a traditional v8 muscle car sound in my opinion, i personally like my bbk off road x-pipe, w/ an off road pipe you could run into emission problems, bc you do not have catalytic converters. im not sure how your area does emissions tests so i dont konw how this will apply to you. also w/ an off road pipe you will need to get some MIL eleminators to keep your check engine light on.

if you did full length headers later on you will have to invest in another x or h-pipe (mid pipe) bc the headers come down alot further than your stock manifold. or you could always go shorty headers later on, im just a bigger fan of longtubes.

hope this was of some help to you..

 

[02_2VStang]

im sorry i meant to say you will need MIL eleminators to keep your check engine light OFF

 

[Josh97GT]

So would the X or H pipe come with the exhaust system or do I need to get that seperatly?

 

[kboy262]

To be honest with you, I would not do the full length headers until you can get the motor to breath (nonPI motor). If you want to save money get an o/r h-pipe and weld in some Original Flows or MAC flowpath mufflers. You can have all that done for under $300. I would invest money in gears, PI intake, and some cams. Or do a head swap. I have Comp Cams in my 98 and that made a world of difference. Hope this helps. Anyway I have done all different types of exhaust systems, ranging from Bassani, Dr. Gas, MAC, and flowmaster. In my opinion the h sounds the best, with some chambered mufflers.

 

[02_2VStang]

x or h pipe would be seperate, i think my mid pipe was abotu $180 and my catback system was $350, im not sure what the install on that is, like i said i got headers mid pipe and catback installed for 340, thats pretty cheap.

 

[02_2VStang]

To be honest with you, I would not do the full length headers until you can get the motor to breath (nonPI motor).

this is true, i wasnt even thinking about an early model 4.6, gears would really wake your car up bro

 

[Josh97GT]

Yeah, I'm already looking into gears 4.10 or 4.30, and then the flowmaster 40 delta with an H pipe, and the Eibach springs. How does that sound for my first few mods?

Also someone explain the whole PI thing to me please...

 

[kboy262]

The PI is the type of motor that came in the 99 and newer mustangs. i.e. a better intake and cams. Those motors can breath and make more power than ours factory. 96 thru 98 GT have what is known as non-PI motors. A popular mod is to to the headswap. I do not like this because it raises your compression to around 10 to 1. Which requires premium fuel. I just put some cams in my car a couple of weeks ago and will be changing the intake out next month. With these mods I should be able to pull on the 99 and newer mustangs a lot better. Right now my 1/4 mile times hover in the 13.7 area. This can pretty much give me an edge over the PI cars. When the intake is on and some 4.10 gears who knows how good it will run.