• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Exhaust system

  • Thread starter Thread starter buddyf87
  • Start date Start date Jun 27, 2005

buddyf87

Member
Jun 27, 2005
94
0
6
Clarksville, TN
Jun 27, 2005
#1
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #1
I just got a 94 Cobra and don't know much about about mods except what I've read on here. All it has right now is a CAI, and I've been told to upgrade the exhaust next. I'm wondering whether to go with long or short headers, x or h pipe, and if a new cat-back is necessary. Price is a factor, and any help would be greatly appreciated, on exhaust or anything else that might need to be upgraded first. Thanks for your help.
 

Pokageek

Active Member
Jun 10, 2005
2,767
0
46
MA, USA
Jun 27, 2005
#2
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #2
Quickest way is to use the search. There are several threads on here with sound clips included! Best of luck!
 

DoHcHoLlIdAy01

New Member
May 28, 2005
46
0
0
Los Angeles, CA
Jun 27, 2005
#3
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #3
buddyf87 said:
I just got a 94 Cobra and don't know much about about mods except what I've read on here. All it has right now is a CAI, and I've been told to upgrade the exhaust next. I'm wondering whether to go with long or short headers, x or h pipe, and if a new cat-back is necessary. Price is a factor, and any help would be greatly appreciated, on exhaust or anything else that might need to be upgraded first. Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

If you want to upgrade the exhaust I would look at a few variables first. Do you have to pass smog in TN? If you do not have to pass smog there then I would say Long Tube Headers, off-road H or X pipe, and any cat back depending on what sound you like (dynomax, magnaflow, bassani, flowmaster, Etc.). If you have strict smog there then I would say, Ford Motorsport short tube headers (fit the best), H or X pipe with Cats, and any cat-back. Also is this going to be your daily driver. If it is then you might want to go with a quieter exhaust. The straight through mufflers are usually louder (magnaflow, Dynomax ultra flow) than the chambered kind (flowmaster, Dynomax super turbo). Let me know what you decide on.
 

Pokageek

Active Member
Jun 10, 2005
2,767
0
46
MA, USA
Jun 27, 2005
#4
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #4
Also, check out this link.

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=558280
 

final5-0

Mustang Master
Apr 6, 2003
6,817
12
79
DFW Texas
Jun 27, 2005
#5
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #5
buddyf87 said:
I just got a 94 Cobra and don't know much about about mods except what I've read on here. All it has right now is a CAI, and I've been told to upgrade the exhaust next. I'm wondering whether to go with long or short headers, x or h pipe, and if a new cat-back is necessary. Price is a factor, and any help would be greatly appreciated, on exhaust or anything else that might need to be upgraded first. Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

Post #1 .............................WELOCME TO OUR SITE

To heck with what somebody told you

What do you want from your car the most????????????

1) Mods for Go
2) Mods for Show
3) Mods for goin around corners
4) Mods for Sound

Just tell us and we'll tell you the truth ........................

Were the GOOD GUYS ...................

We won't lay down a line of

Later
Grady
 

94MustangGT5.0

New Member
Apr 30, 2003
288
0
0
Champaign, Illinois
Jun 27, 2005
#6
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #6
Long tubes are the way to go for the absolute most low end torque, however the draw backs are their price and fitment. They could require lifting the engine off of it's mounts to get them in. Good short tubes like BBK or Mac can be had for around $200 and probably are the best bang for the buck. Equal lengths are more expensive, tougher to get in and out if needed, and only are worth maybe 1-2 HP's tops. If Tenn. doesn't have any smog laws, then go with an off road mid-pipe, you won't regret it. It's tons cheaper and the sound is second to none. The H-pipe will generally have a lower tone to it where the X-pipe will have a noticeably higher pitched, raspy tone. And lastly, catbacks are completely based on preference. If you hear someones exhaust you like, ask what it is and check into it. Like said above, there are sound clips that you can listen to. A buddy on mine has stock headers and a stock cat back with a Dr. Gas X-pipe on his '95 Cobra and it sounds pretty good. I like doing exhaust as a mod because its not only gaining in performance, but makes the car so much more fun to drive. Let us know what you decide.
 

WhiteStallionGT

Member
Aug 19, 2004
465
0
17
Northern VA / VT
Jun 27, 2005
#7
  • Jun 27, 2005
  • #7
I would go MAC longtubes, MAC o/r H pipe, and MAC flowpaths. That IMO will give you the best sound for the buck.

You will get compliments left and right. I sure do.

If you want raspy and a little quieter, then go o/r X pipe, if you want deep, throaty, and louder, go with an offroad H.
 

buddyf87

Member
Jun 27, 2005
94
0
6
Clarksville, TN
Jun 28, 2005
#8
  • Jun 28, 2005
  • #8
Thanks for the help. Just to clarify a few things, there are no smog tests in TN (at least where I live), this is going to be a daily driver, although I don't drive a lot (less than 5k/year), and I do want a quieter system. I'm thinking shorty headers both for price and easier installation, offroad h pipe, and I'm still looking into the cat-backs (I have a few friends with different brands, so I'm going to see which I like best). And is it going to compromise some of the horsepower/ torque gained from the headers and midpipe if i keep the stock exhaust for a while?
 

94MustangGT5.0

New Member
Apr 30, 2003
288
0
0
Champaign, Illinois
Jun 28, 2005
#9
  • Jun 28, 2005
  • #9
You are getting the two most restrictive things out of the way by eliminating the stock headers/catted h-pipe. The catback system will only be slightly restrictive because of the stock tubing only being 2 1/4" in diameter vs. nearly every aftermarket one being 2 1/2" or larger. Definitely do the header/mid-pipe sway first, then see what you think. It may be loud enough for you and you won't want to change it. I would recomend the Mac Prochamber for a mid-pipe if you want a rumbling muscle car sound, I absolutely love mine. In my opinion, the mid-pipe is what ultimately makes or breaks the exhaust's sound.
 

final5-0

Mustang Master
Apr 6, 2003
6,817
12
79
DFW Texas
Jun 28, 2005
#10
  • Jun 28, 2005
  • #10
buddyf87 said:
And is it going to compromise some of the horsepower/ torque gained from the headers and midpipe if i keep the stock exhaust for a while?
Click to expand...

For a stock or slightly modded Stang the stock catback is not holding much back, as far as power is concerned.

If you are looking for a mod that will make a real difference in how quick the car will accelerate, gears will make a WAY MUCH MORE difference than an exhaust mod.

If your after the sound......then thats all together a different kind of thing.

Later
Grady
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
4 bank eliminator chip
  • JJ's90fox
  • Feb 17, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
127
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 17, 2026
AeroCoupe
S
New guy- first Stang- I love it !!
  • smid333
  • Mar 22, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
5
Views
136
The Welcome Wagon Mar 23, 2026
smid333
S
C
Exhaust 4 Cats required for smog in California?
  • Codosuarus
  • Sep 28, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
863
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 6, 2025
Scottyding73
S
S
Preparation for Holley Terminator X install – Foxbody 306 (electrical fan, alternator, MSD Ignition, etc)
  • So_Flo
  • Mar 1, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
22
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 4, 2026
General karthief
G
Exhaust
  • GoldenRuleClassics
  • Apr 21, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
219
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 21, 2025
2000xp8
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific 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?