• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

o/r h-pipe vs catted x-pipe

  • Thread starter Thread starter usaf_branham
  • Start date Start date Dec 17, 2011

usaf_branham

15 Year Member
Oct 30, 2008
927
134
84
Boston
Dec 17, 2011
#1
  • Dec 17, 2011
  • #1
Part 1 of my christmas present is complete.

I swapped my catted bbk x-pipe for an off road bbk h-pipe. Man, what a difference. Its ridiculously loud, but it sounds really good. I wish I could put it on the dyno to see what the difference is in rwhp from the swap. It had to have picked up at least 15 rwhp.
Next up... Cams.
 

crzyhrse99

Active Member
Mar 30, 2005
259
3
28
Kansas
Dec 17, 2011
#2
  • Dec 17, 2011
  • #2
Did either/both hang really low? Thats the reason I swapped my bbk o/r x, the fitment was crap. This was years ago so maybe the fixed it.
 

usaf_branham

15 Year Member
Oct 30, 2008
927
134
84
Boston
Dec 17, 2011
#3
  • Dec 17, 2011
  • #3
quick run down.

I installed my bbk ceramic coated lt's in 2005 with an off road bbk x-pipe. It sounded very good at WOT and light throttle; I drove it like this for 3 years (with no tune). However, at mid throttle it sounded like chit. It sounded like a super bad exhaust leak (popping and pinging).

Anyway, in 09 when I bought the KB kit, I also bought 2 CATCO universal catylitic converter's and welded them on to my o/r bbk x-pipe. It killed that nasty exhaust leak sound (which I attribute to the sound of the exhaust pulses bouncing around in the bbk chambered x. However, it choked my exhaust system more than just 10 horsepower like everyone says.

The first dyno session with the blower and brand new cats kicked out 360 rwhp. I was pissed. I paid over 6k for the blower + cats, and other minor bs. At that point, I was truly on fire, however I attributed it to clogged cats, because at the time i did not know about the diff between a stock MAF and the new KB 36 lb injectors. So, I ran it about a 1/2 mile to the gas station and back to fill it up with 93 octane, then we put it on a trailer and took it to the dyno.

About a month later, it was pinging on the top end, so I took it back to my tuner. He was kind enough to put it back on the dyno for me for no charge. They had to re-adjust my tune because the A/F was 12.4 with no changes to the setup. After that, it made just shy of 389 rwhp with 435 rwtq. I was happy but still kinda pissed about the fact that Kenne Bell apparently posts uncorrected dyno numbers for their HP ratings.

So, today I put the o/r h-pipe on. It sounds amazing. The thing is, if I were to put it on the dyno... I am actually sorta afraid how much rwhp it makes. I have a set of mhs stage 1 blower cams on their way. Im prolly going to have to buy a larger diameter pulley for the KB, and drop the boost. I want to make stupid HP one day... but not on a stock shortblock.
 

usaf_branham

15 Year Member
Oct 30, 2008
927
134
84
Boston
Dec 17, 2011
#4
  • Dec 17, 2011
  • #4
As for it hanging low; yeah, I had a problem with 'speed humps' in Arizona. However, now that I am back here in Ohio, it hasnt been an issue.

The scary thing is that I had problems with speed humps in AZ with stock suspension. When I re-enlist in July and sell 60 days of leave back to the Air Force, I plan on spending a lil over 1k on suspension at that point (MM LCA's, Eibach Pro-Kit, and MM Caster & Camber plates, and finally some adjustable UCA's). [maybe even some mickey thompson et streets at the time too]
 

Winters98GT

Whoop...whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop...GANGNAM STYLE!!!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,520
1,291
224
H Town
Dec 20, 2011
#5
  • Dec 20, 2011
  • #5
Get that car back on the dyno. Since you live in different elevations, I would have 2 dyno tunes. One for ohio, and one for Arizona with the new pipe.

I agree with you. The BBK X pipe sounds horrible. I've had them before, and always swapped back to the H-pipe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

WTB BBK 1660 Offroad short X-Pipe (for Fox Body)
  • sketman
  • Oct 12, 2025
  • Want to Buy
Replies
0
Views
154
Want to Buy Oct 12, 2025
sketman
Fox BBK X-pipe replacement Cat?
  • TIGGER
  • Aug 26, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
275
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Aug 26, 2025
AeroCoupe
G
Quiet my 2015 GT on the cheap
  • gsrblack
  • Feb 12, 2025
  • 2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk
Replies
6
Views
754
2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk Apr 16, 2025
gkomo
Progress Thread Progress Thread- From6to8's 1994 Cobra Supercharger install
  • from6to8
  • Sep 25, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 20 21 22
Replies
420
Views
9K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 6, 2026
from6to8
SN95 Desktop 363 Engine Combination - Looking for input
  • WhiteCobra95
  • Sep 8, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
11
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 6, 2025
Habu135
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?