Okay I need to start with some facts and then install and results.
I have a 2002 GT convertible, current mods
K&N Fipk
Accufab 70mm TB and Plenum
Steeda underdrive pullies
superchips tuner
MAC cat back - new one with the black pipes (ebay)
Steeda triax shifter
some visual mods
I installed the TB/Plenum, underdrive pullies, superchips tuner and the cat back last thursday and friday. Very inpressed with the results. seat of the pants feel was great. car was loud and a little gurgly but nice. I worried that the x-pipe would make it too loud. I was not looking for a single chamber flowmaster and pro chamber sound. I leave for work early and need to leave the neighbors sleeping.
So the x pipe showed up yesterday and I installed it today after work.
Install took me 2 hours by myself. the kit is straight forward and the directions are a bit lacking, but this was not the first mid pipe I installed, so I had no issues with it.
The pipe is a 2 piece design. drivers side head pipe and cat in one piece and the passenger side head pipe, cat, x section and the connection to the cat-back in the other. this made the install very easy.
1. I installed the O2 sensors in the new pipes.
2. I installed the drivers side first and left it loose. there is loose section of pipe (about 1.5 inches long) in the kit that fits inside the passenger side head pipe to shim the pipe away from the header so you do not have to get new studs, make sure you do not forget that or it will leak or you will have to get new studs. It really seemed that the pipe was 1/4" too big and this made it fit perfect.
3. Then I installed the passenger side and left it loose. then I put the jack under the x portion to level it out.
4. then i got all the bolts snuged so it could move a bit
5. then after making sure everything was in place I tightened it all up.
6. I may have to adjust the tips on the cat back just a bit but that will wait for another day, i'm very picky about those.
7. then I connected up all the O2 wires (the front 2 are a whore)
So I started it up and checked for leaks and it was good with out any leaks.
Well all I can say about the sound is it is great. the free flow of the x-pipe made idle just a touch quieter and crusing speeds are a little louder than the stock H pipe and the stock mufflers, but a little quiter than the stock H and the MAC cat-back.
under load it is loud but after making crusing speed it quiets down nicely.
And Wide open - holy crap what a difference. LOUD and more pull all the way to 6000 and smooth too. not much gurgle except for when you let off in a down shift, almost un-noticable unless you are looking for it.
All in all I am very happy with the sound for the money I spent. not too loud and a little different all at the same time. I have no way of cutting a sound clip or I would.
Other guys have been running this pipe fro a few months and not needed the mils. Mine are on back order otherwise I would have installed then today. I would guess that sooner or later they will be needed. But they are easy to get at in the back so when they come in it should be a quick 10 minute job with the plug and play ones I ordered.
I have a 2002 GT convertible, current mods
K&N Fipk
Accufab 70mm TB and Plenum
Steeda underdrive pullies
superchips tuner
MAC cat back - new one with the black pipes (ebay)
Steeda triax shifter
some visual mods
I installed the TB/Plenum, underdrive pullies, superchips tuner and the cat back last thursday and friday. Very inpressed with the results. seat of the pants feel was great. car was loud and a little gurgly but nice. I worried that the x-pipe would make it too loud. I was not looking for a single chamber flowmaster and pro chamber sound. I leave for work early and need to leave the neighbors sleeping.
So the x pipe showed up yesterday and I installed it today after work.
Install took me 2 hours by myself. the kit is straight forward and the directions are a bit lacking, but this was not the first mid pipe I installed, so I had no issues with it.
The pipe is a 2 piece design. drivers side head pipe and cat in one piece and the passenger side head pipe, cat, x section and the connection to the cat-back in the other. this made the install very easy.
1. I installed the O2 sensors in the new pipes.
2. I installed the drivers side first and left it loose. there is loose section of pipe (about 1.5 inches long) in the kit that fits inside the passenger side head pipe to shim the pipe away from the header so you do not have to get new studs, make sure you do not forget that or it will leak or you will have to get new studs. It really seemed that the pipe was 1/4" too big and this made it fit perfect.
3. Then I installed the passenger side and left it loose. then I put the jack under the x portion to level it out.
4. then i got all the bolts snuged so it could move a bit
5. then after making sure everything was in place I tightened it all up.
6. I may have to adjust the tips on the cat back just a bit but that will wait for another day, i'm very picky about those.
7. then I connected up all the O2 wires (the front 2 are a whore)
So I started it up and checked for leaks and it was good with out any leaks.
Well all I can say about the sound is it is great. the free flow of the x-pipe made idle just a touch quieter and crusing speeds are a little louder than the stock H pipe and the stock mufflers, but a little quiter than the stock H and the MAC cat-back.
under load it is loud but after making crusing speed it quiets down nicely.
And Wide open - holy crap what a difference. LOUD and more pull all the way to 6000 and smooth too. not much gurgle except for when you let off in a down shift, almost un-noticable unless you are looking for it.
All in all I am very happy with the sound for the money I spent. not too loud and a little different all at the same time. I have no way of cutting a sound clip or I would.
Other guys have been running this pipe fro a few months and not needed the mils. Mine are on back order otherwise I would have installed then today. I would guess that sooner or later they will be needed. But they are easy to get at in the back so when they come in it should be a quick 10 minute job with the plug and play ones I ordered.