Longtubes or Catted X??

[gtvertsoon]

I'm not sure what I want my next mod to be but I'd like a bit more power and better sound. I have a 03 GT with what I think are welded in 40 series flowmasters (just bought the car a week ago). Car sounds great but I've been thinking about these 2 mods for a bit louder sound. I would get catless but have to get emissions checked every 2 years (stupid MD). I've heard good things about MAC and BBK headers as well as Magnaflow, BBX and Bassani X-pipes, I was wondering what would give me more power and a better tone? If I left out any good brands, please fill me in as I am a mustang newbie.

Also, how is the install on longtubes? I can handle the X-pipe install but I hear headers are a ****** to put in. Just looked at a tutorial on BBK shorties and it looked a bit too involved with removing tons of engine and suspension parts.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I think it is best to upgrade exhaust starting from the back and working forward. Do the headers last...

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

I dont know that I agree with kilgore but you could do it that way.

You will get more power from an X pipe even with a stock cat-back than just from an aftermarket cat-back.

If I were you I would get an SLP catted X pipe because you can upgrade to their long tubes later on and they are a three piece design so you do not have to get another mid-pipe. If you do not want to do long tubes later there are tons of choices such as Bassani, Magnaflow, MRT, MAC, etc.

With some of the other brands if you decided to do LTs later you will need a different mid-pipe so you might want to buy headers and mid-pipe at once.

 

[gtvertsoon]

Oh, so if I get longtubes, Ill need a shorter X-pipe then? Hmmmm. Yeah the SLP X looks nice but kinda pricey. Might be worth it in the long run. Anyone know how it sounds? Hope its nothing like the SLP loudmouths because I think they sound awful on a mustang.