Straight Pipes on a 2000 GT?

Have a 2000 GT 5 Speed w/ FRPP shorty headers.

Was thinking Magnaflow catback system.

However, when I was at my trusted auto/tuner shop the owner said go with straight pipes from the cat on back. Evidently he has done quite a few and said the header / straight pipe combo sounds awesome on the 4.6 2v.

Anyone done this?
Any thoughts?

-or- is it just to damn loud and stick with the Magnaflows?


Thx. much!
 
I have got straight pipes with factory cats on. I love the sound. It won't annoy you when crusing around ... but stang ROARS when rpms are higher than 3000. I don't care about other peoples opinions about loosing power or so (You'll probalbly gain HP) ... i love mine and i am keeping my stang like that.
 
I decided to go with straight pipes on my car right after I bought it, cause it was a cheap way to make it louder. It served its purpose, but after about a week I wanted to drive my car off a mountain. It is way too damn loud and it sounds like @ss compared to my current setup.

Cliff notes: Get the Magnaflow cat-back coupled to a good mid-pipe.
 
I doubt you would like it for too long. I have an o/r mac h-pipe with the 40 series flowmasters, and It's loud. I couldn't imagine having to drive around with just straight pipes. An o/r midpipe is a good choice, but you really need somekind of muffler, to tame it down just a little.
 
Basically with straight pipes (yes, I did it) you are looking at it sounding like an F150 pickup. You lose enough torque off the line that you can possibly be beat by a stock Honda. However, horsepower above 75-80 is unimaginable. To put it into perspective:

Raced 5.0 with stock mufflers.
Outcome: Beat me by 2 car lengths

Raced same 5.0 with Dynomax mufflers. Outcome: Dead even

Raced same 5.0 with straights.
Outcome: He won by 8 cars and shut it down before I hit 60.

If you PM me you're email I'll send you a clip I have when I had them off. Don't get me wrong, I think they sound pretty good. Much louder than Flow 40's that the 5.0 had with no cats and stock H-pipe. I liked the sound but I want a more refined sound (flowmasters) than that. It can get annoying on long trips because the drone is so deep that it will vibrate your insides and make you sick. Also after doing that I started getting a rotten egg smell.
 
T Factor... Do what you want... it is your car. Don't let other people tell you what to do. Mustang owners are big into expressing and building a car unique that represents themselves. If you don't want to use straight pipes... I would get the magnapacks. I think you would be quite pleased with the results.
 
I have the MAC dumps, they sound mean, but the other day I was fooling around and ran two pipes, one from each side of my h-pipe and angled them out. They exit just infront of the rear wheels and let's just say that they sound wicked. I never fail to get a comment on how nice it sounds. Def. less drone than the dumps. I'm looking to maybe throw some cobra R type tips on there or something later one but for now I like it. ps. I have an o/r h-pipe as well..
 
01LaserRedCobra said:
T Factor... Do what you want... it is your car. Don't let other people tell you what to do. Mustang owners are big into expressing and building a car unique that represents themselves. If you don't want to use straight pipes... I would get the magnapacks. I think you would be quite pleased with the results.

HIGDON said:
I have the MAC dumps, they sound mean, but the other day I was fooling around and ran two pipes, one from each side of my h-pipe and angled them out. They exit just infront of the rear wheels and let's just say that they sound wicked. I never fail to get a comment on how nice it sounds. Def. less drone than the dumps. I'm looking to maybe throw some cobra R type tips on there or something later one but for now I like it. ps. I have an o/r h-pipe as well..

Thanks for your input and advice 01LaserRedCobra and Higdon - appreciate it. I just wanted to gather some folks opions as I am a bit new to the V8 upgrade game. In the early/mid 90's, I am in my 30's, I was into rice and living single on the beach in FLA where tuned 400+ HP 300Z Twins Turbos and Supras weren't uncommon. Well, that whole game stopped after the first child.

Earlier this year, my buddy picked up an SVT and has it modded pretty well via engine upgrades and suspension - 552 HP at the wheels (no juice) - and this thing will take a corner with the best of them. Anyway, to make a long story short, I have the "go faster" bug which doesn't sit well with an addictive personality. My wife, decided she wants a low end Benz or Audi A4, thus, letting me do whatever with her GT. Next year, after the place is finished being built, I am going to concentrate more on making this a sleeper GT, go the Mach 1 route (turbo) or going the SVT route (Whipple Charger). While I am on the subject of go faster anyone familiar with the work of www.inductionconcepts.com on the Mustang?

Again, many thanks!
 
Induction Concepts makes an outstanding kit. I am from Oklahoma and know who they are and wish my budget allowed for the kit they produce (only have 5K for the blower) Yeah, they are pricey. . .but they really know how to make some power.