NPI Catted H-Pipe ??s

[sneaky98gt]

I got a few questions about catted h-pipes. And before y'all even say it, off road mid pipes are outta the question (passing emissions, too loud, smell, etc.)

1. Will a catted h-pipe for a 99-04 GT fit a 98 GT? How much work would it take to make if fit if it wont? And also, anyone know how strict the laws are in NC and if I could easily pass w/ a catted h? I've been told that I can, but I'm not sure just how much I believe them.

2. How will a catted h-pipe w/ chambered Flows sound vs. the stock midpipe and chambered Flows? Not that this matters too much, I wouldn't mind to know. If anyone has a video or sound clip of this set-up, preferably on an NPI Stang, it would be greatly appreciated.

3. How will a catted h affect performance vs. stock midpipe? Will I get much out of it, or is the catted pipe a waste of time and money? I hear some of the 99-04 crowd saying it isn't worth it, but they sometimes forget they only have 4 cats stock, I have 6....Talk about restrictive.... I would think I'd get a nice gain, but hey, I really don't know.

4. Would the catted h need to be tuned for? I'm getting custom tuned sometime soon. Would it be better to get it on before the tune? Or can I wait till afterwards and tune for it using the user-adjustable features of the X3 programmer? Or would it even matter?

Summary: Is a catted h pipe worth it? And if it is, would it matter if I put it on before or after a custom tune?

Thanks for the help.

-Will

 

[squeak93]

1: yes a 96-98 uses the same mid pipe as the 99+ cars. Don't forget to buy the FORD oem pass side flange gasket. Smog logs vary by state, if the car is in good working condition then most times sniffer test can be passed with hi flow cats.

2/3: It will be a bit louder and perform better. Way less restriction. MustangExhaust.com - Find the Perfect Rumble! for sounds

4: No tune needed although mils are needed at times depending on the car and type of cats used.

 

[sneaky98gt]

Thanks, Squeak. Questions 1,2, and 3 are now fully resolved for me. However, concerning the tune, lets say I get a custom tune next week (a very good possibility) and then put on a catted h-pipe sometime after, probably sometime later this month. Would this change the air/fuel or something that it would be better if it was tuned for? If it does change something, could I edit it using the user adjustable options on the programmer? Or, as you said, it makes no difference and I don't need to worry about it.

I ask this only because I didn't think I needed a tune for PI cams and intake, but apparently I do. I don't want to put it on after the tune and then not get any power out of it.

I'm pretty much done modding my car as far as power goes (minus the catted h pipe) and I just want to be damn sure everything is right before I get a tune (my final mod). Thanks for the help guys.

-Will

 

[squeak93]

A: You don't NEED a tune, I have a full pi MOTOR in my car and no tune, runs better than most 99+ cars with more bolt ons. A tune will help your set up but your talking minimal power (10hp maybe).

B: If your set on getting a tune wait till your COMPLETELY done with the car unless you want to take it back for another tune. You can try to adjust yourself but odds are that your not going to be able to do as good as the professional tuner can.

Get the h pipe then the tune. Give your car/tune every chance to make as much power as possible. I think you'll find the 98's stock tune is pretty forgiving, the 98 did make 15 or so more hp over the 96-97.... only thing changed was the tune/computer.

 

[sneaky98gt]

Thanks a bunch.

-Will

 

[sneaky98gt]

Hey, sorry to resurrect this thread, but I figure its better than making a whole new one. Does anyone know of anywhere to buy a catted h-pipe (for my car, a 98 GT) made for shorty/stock headers other than MRT or JBA? I'm not going to pay $500 plus for a mid pipe. Or is there some other option? I really would like a catted h, but I can't seem to find anything other than catted x or off road.

Thanks!

-Will

 

[sneaky98gt]

Anyone?

-Will

 

[Twista]

question 2
Flowmasters and ANY catted pipe will be quiet as hell. Doesnt matter if its stock or a aftermarket catted pipe. I had this setup with flows and mac .. and both was quiet.

If you wanna wake up flowmasters than youll need an o/r pipe.
Maybe you can get SLP lm1's+catted pipe and itll sounds okay..

 

[sneaky98gt]

Alright, thanks for the advice, Twista. I'm honestly not as worried about loudness as I am power. Flows with an off-road H is too loud for me for a daily driver, so that doesn't matter much. And about the cats, I would certainly think that only 2 cats would be a good bit louder than the 6 I currently have. My granddad's 01 completely stock (with 4 cats) was about the same as my car with the stock mid pipe and 2 chamber flows. But now it has an offroad H and 2 chamber Flows and it is LOUD. So my thinking is that a catted H with 2 cats would be close to halfway between what I have now and what my granddad has now. Which would make me very happy. But I can't find any catted H pipes...

-Will