Need help on X pipe/cat back decision please!

[the98stang]

Hey guys...

I want to order my exhaust real soon and I like the Bassani cat back/ catted X, although I have never heard it in person (just on mustangexhaust.com) . What other brand names/ combo's would you recommend?

What is the difference between the Bassani BX series and the others? Will the BX series be sufficient?

These catbacks and X pipes are just bolt on right? I don't have a welder .

One last stupid question...is there a difference between an "Aft-cat" system and a "cat-back system" ? ...I'm pretty sure they are the same.

Thanks for any help/suggestions!

Tanner

 

[DocG]

Now opening the can of worms.

I'm not sure about the BX system, but the Bassani seems like its a good setup. I'm going with Mac and a Prochamber, but I like the deep, muscle sound, and its a bit cheaper. Not sure what the Bassani sounds like. Most, if not all, systems should be bolt-on, no welder needed. Aft-cat and cat-back should be the same.

 

[menasci]

There is no difference between the Stainless and BX systems.
They do not have to be welded, just clamped.

 

[helty]

the only difference in BX and regular Bassani cat-back is the material its made of. The normal C/B is stainless steel, so of course its pricey. the BX series uses the EXACT same mufflers, but the tubing is aluminized steel so its cheaper, and has an 18 month warranty instead of lifetime, or however long the SS is.

I wouldnt get Bassani's X-pipe. I dont like the sound/tone it produces bc its not a true X. look at VRS, SLP, UPR, mustangtuning or Pypes. Dr. Gas is a good one, but needs to be welded.

aft-cat and cat-back are just different terms, they're the same thing.

 

[Crzyhrse]

For Bassani, the BX is aluminized stainless steel, where the SS is high grade 304 stainless steel, thus the price difference between the two. I paid the extra coin and got my Catback and X-pipe in Stainless Steel. I've had my exhaust for 1 year and it still looks like new. Some people are saying the aluminized version tends to rust. Not sure if that's just in cold weather states with snow or any state.

I luv my Bassani X, it makes my exhaust sound kick ass I think.

 

[the98stang]

the only difference in BX and regular Bassani cat-back is the material its made of. The normal C/B is stainless steel, so of course its pricey. the BX series uses the EXACT same mufflers, but the tubing is aluminized steel so its cheaper, and has an 18 month warranty instead of lifetime, or however long the SS is.

I wouldnt get Bassani's X-pipe. I dont like the sound/tone it produces bc its not a true X. look at VRS, SLP, UPR, mustangtuning or Pypes. Dr. Gas is a good one, but needs to be welded.

aft-cat and cat-back are just different terms, they're the same thing.

What defines a true X? Thanks for all the replies guys!

 

[helty]

What defines a true X? Thanks for all the replies guys!

I'll post some pics, its easier to see it than explain it. give me a minute.

Here, this is a true-x. Look at the crossover (X). Where the pipes meet, the crossover is cut and the pipes are then welded together. The Bassani and BBK X are "stamped". Its more of a small chamber than a crossover. Bassani makes great stuff, I just dont like the sound their X produces.

View attachment 486795

View attachment 486796

Now, look at this Bassani X-pipe. See the difference? The pipes themselves dont create the crossover. Its more of a small chamber.

View attachment 486797

 

[bdcardinal]

just be ready to pull that x pipe out every time you smog it.

 

[ragu1585]

try lookin at the link below, there are some sound clips of my old mach 1.. along with some other clips and combos you could consider .. every1 thinks VERY different so in the end its still up to you!!!

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=616288

for loudest = slp with any aftermarket mid pipe WITH CATS!

deepest sounds = bassani flows, mac with a tru X or H

HELTY, would that happen to be the slp x.. just a guess

 

[helty]

HELTY, would that happen to be the slp x.. just a guess

ding ding ding, we have a winner

jk, yeah man, its an SLP X. now Ive got O/R pipes on it. this seems like an appropriate time to whore out the underside of my car.

 

[the98stang]

I'll post some pics, its easier to see it than explain it. give me a minute.

Here, this is a true-x. Look at the crossover (X). Where the pipes meet, the crossover is cut and the pipes are then welded together. The Bassani and BBK X are "stamped". Its more of a small chamber than a crossover. Bassani makes great stuff, I just dont like the sound their X produces.

View attachment 486742

View attachment 486744

Now, look at this Bassani X-pipe. See the difference? The pipes themselves dont create the crossover. Its more of a small chamber.

View attachment 486746

Hey thanks for clearing that up. I can see why a true X might produce more HP/TQ .

If I go with a true X, it should bolt up to the bassani catback, right?

I'm trying to stick with the same brand...

 

[helty]

Hey thanks for clearing that up. I can see why a true X might produce more HP/TQ .

If I go with a true X, it should bolt up to the bassani catback, right?

I'm trying to stick with the same brand...

yes, any cat-back will match up with any mid-pipe, as long as they are meant for the same make/model/year. see, when a company fabs a mid-pipe, they fab it to match up to the stock cat-back. and when they fab a cat-back, they design it to match with the stock H-pipe. So you see, going with different brands wont make a difference. the ball/socket joints will be right where they were with the stock exhaust components.

as far as power goes, there probably is a slight difference, but in a stock or mildly modded car its probably not noticeable. maybe* a 1-2hp difference, if any. Its more the sound factor that pushes me away.

If you decide to go the true x route, I'd recommend VRS, or SLP if you want cat/off-road pipe interchangeability (only SLP).

 

[the98stang]

yes, any cat-back will match up with any mid-pipe, as long as they are meant for the same make/model/year. see, when a company fabs a mid-pipe, they fab it to match up to the stock cat-back. and when they fab a cat-back, they design it to match with the stock H-pipe. So you see, going with different brands wont make a difference. the ball/socket joints will be right where they were with the stock exhaust components.

as far as power goes, there probably is a slight difference, but in a stock or mildly modded car its probably not noticeable. maybe* a 1-2hp difference, if any. Its more the sound factor that pushes me away.

If you decide to go the true x route, I'd recommend VRS, or SLP if you want cat/off-road pipe interchangeability (only SLP).

another thing..when would I need o2 sensor exensions?

Would a X & catback cause my CEL to go off?

 

[helty]

another thing..when would I need o2 sensor exensions?

Would a X & catback cause my CEL to go off?

I dont think* you need O2 extensions with a '00 gt, only 03/04. i didnt need them with my 02. Actually, you may* need them for your rear O2 sensors, depending on where the sensor bung is located on your aftermarket mid-pipe. My rears were a little bit of a stretch, but we made it work.

If you get an O/R X, (or H for that matter) yes, your CEL will go off. If you get one with cats, it shouldnt. There are 2 ways around this: 1) MIL eliminators 2) a handheld tuner (SCT, Diablosport) to clear the code.

 

[the98stang]

I dont think* you need O2 extensions with a '00 gt, only 03/04. i didnt need them with my 02. Actually, you may* need them for your rear O2 sensors, depending on where the sensor bung is located on your aftermarket mid-pipe. My rears were a little bit of a stretch, but we made it work.

If you get an O/R X, (or H for that matter) yes, your CEL will go off. If you get one with cats, it shouldnt. There are 2 ways around this: 1) MIL eliminators 2) a handheld tuner (SCT, Diablosport) to clear the code.

Yea I'm going with a catted midpipe because I don't want it hella loud. I guess I'll have to hook it up and see if ill need the extensions. My GT is a 00 so I should be fine...

Helty, do you have a clip of your set up? I can't find any on mustangexhaust that have bassani catback with a SLP/VRS midpipe. Thanks for the fast help!

 

[helty]

Yea I'm going with a catted midpipe because I don't want it hella loud. I guess I'll have to hook it up and see if ill need the extensions. My GT is a 00 so I should be fine...

Helty, do you have a clip of your set up? I can't find any on mustangexhaust that have bassani catback with a SLP/VRS midpipe. Thanks for the fast help!

yes, I have a clip of my old set-up: SLP catted X and SLP LMI's

and my new set-up: SLP O/R X and SLP LMII's. I'll PM you a link to them here in a minute.

 

[ragu1585]

i got what your lookin for the98stang .. on my mach i had basssani cb with o/r slp x.. not much if any diff. then my 98 i had with bassani cb and bassani x pipe

http://videos.streetfire.net/player.aspx?fileid=F0734940-E591-4257-A206-C317588B3889

 

[helty]

i got what your lookin for the98stang .. on my mach i had basssani cb with o/r slp x.. not much if any diff. then my 98 i had with bassani cb and bassani x pipe

http://videos.streetfire.net/player.aspx?fileid=F0734940-E591-4257-A206-C317588B3889

man that sounds so sick just wish I could here it on a 2V

 

[ProCharger GT]

I'm looking to get an X pipe w/o cats - I got BBK LT's and I am somewhat on the fence to go with a BBK X pipe or an SLP X pipe, as both are designed for LT headers. Suggestions/ideas/turkleysammichesonyourfacewithnopants?