Muffler-shop x-pipe

[4.6guru]

Hey guys, can you all tell me if it's worth it for me to get a muffler-shop x-pipe fabbed up? It's an '04 GT with a magnapack system. Right now I have the stock H-pipe. I know this catback would sound better with an x-pipe but here in CA it's hard to go with any aftermarket x-pipe. So I know of a few shops that can put up a little magnaflow x and match it up with their own piping (kink-bent probably) after the stock cats. Lemme know if I'd notice a performace/sound difference. Thanks.

 

[helty]

i think you'll see a difference in sound, but you will still have the restricive cats, so any power gains will be lower than that of a true aftermarket x. just make sure they do a good job of welding the two pieces of tubing together. the kinks in the bends where the two pipes meet up arent going to help any either. but if they are giving you a pretty good deal on it, i say go for it. just keep the original H so you can have it welded back in if you dont like the x.

 

[Red2000GT]

I had one put on by a local shop and I have to say its the biggest regret I have about the exhaust. All they did was take 2 "u" shaped pieces and weld them togather. I'm positive I have no flow benefit from it and they placed it in such a position that it really affected the way the exhaust sounds. Personally I'd just wait and find a good aftermarket one.

 

[xseler8]

Do it right and buy a quality X.

 

[bdcardinal]

unfortunately that is the only legal midpipe modification in CA. its not worth it at all. im planning on having an O/R X pipe and swapping in the stocker come smog time.

 

[03 Black GT]

wait and get a magnaflow x-pipe... don't waste your time or money on the one you were talking about

 

[sgarlic]

If you want power, get the Bassani X or the Dr. Gas. Sound, get the Mac O/R H.

 

[twogts4us]

So they would create an X AFTER the cats, to replace the factory H...why bother?

 

[timeless2]

Buy one; don't let Billy Bob fabricate one, no matter how good a welder he claims to be.

 

[bdcardinal]

because in CA you cant put on aftermarket cats on a 96+ 4.6L stang. the only legal modifications you can do to the exhaust are after the cats (headers have to have an EO number). the last time i researched it, the Magnaflow weld in behind the cats X was the only CARB approved modification.

 

[sgarlic]

 

[timeless2]

Post #9, right?

 

[4.6guru]

Ahhh guys!!! I wish I can put in an aftermarket pipe in...NOT IN CALIFORNIA, I wish I can say different. I can only make modifications behind the stock cats/O2 sensors. So to me, my best option seems to be to buy a little magnaflow "X" and have that fabbed up behind the stock pipe (it would just replace the "H" part).

 

[CaliLifeStyle]

Ahhh guys!!! I wish I can put in an aftermarket pipe in...NOT IN CALIFORNIA, I wish I can say different. I can only make modifications behind the stock cats/O2 sensors. So to me, my best option seems to be to buy a little magnaflow "X" and have that fabbed up behind the stock pipe (it would just replace the "H" part).

I have a Bassani catted X and I live in California.

 

[bdcardinal]

I have a Bassani catted X and I live in California.

haha ya, im gonna be putting on a O/R X when i start modding the exhaust. its just not legal to have anything but OEM cats on 96+ 4.6L stangs.

 

[stng]

When I bought my car at a Ford Dealership a few months back it needed new cats and they put in magnaflows. I dont think that is OEM...

 

[billfisher]

SLP what else to say? take the cats off after the test.

 

[bdcardinal]

When I bought my car at a Ford Dealership a few months back it needed new cats and they put in magnaflows. I dont think that is OEM...

nope, those arent legal. they can actually be fined many thousands of dollars for doing that. they are only allowed to put in OEM cats.

 

[4.6guru]

I have a Bassani catted X and I live in California.

Anything that changes the stock catalytic converter assembly IS ILLEGAL IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ...Because you have it doesn't make it legal. You can call any smog ref and they will tell you what I just said. There are instances when cats will come with a CARB number, but that if for the cats by themselvs...you are going to automatically fail visual going from 4 cats down to 2.

Now, getting back to my question, given the fact that anything BEHIND the cats and O2 sensors is legal, I just need to know if it's worth doing this (see my previous posts).

Oh and btw, I wouldn't drive around with an o/r pipe (and replace come smog time) because you better hope a cop/chp officer doesn't pull out his little mirror...you'll face jail time in this state.

 

[4.6guru]

anyone?