• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Stright Pipe

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deek
  • Start date Start date Jun 3, 2013
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

Deek

Member
May 28, 2013
41
3
9
Jun 3, 2013
#1
  • Jun 3, 2013
  • #1
I have a 97 GT and was wondering if i should do a straight pipe or just leave the catalytic alone..

What are your guys thoughts on it?
 
B

bdcardinal

tree hugger
Jun 10, 2003
3,612
16
69
santa barbara, CA
Jun 3, 2013
#2
  • Jun 3, 2013
  • #2
What are your goals? Do you live anywhere where they do emission testing? I personally prefer an offroad X pipe with Borla Stinger type mufflers on a mod motor.
 
Reactions: Deek and fordx316

Deek

Member
May 28, 2013
41
3
9
Jun 3, 2013
#3
  • Jun 3, 2013
  • #3
bdcardinal said:
What are your goals? Do you live anywhere where they do emission testing? I personally prefer an offroad X pipe with Borla Stinger type mufflers on a mod motor.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah that's what i forgot to say yeah no smog here, i just want it to be louder i guess is the easiest way to put it, i already put on a set of flowmaster super 44s not wanting to put loads of money in it...
 

Modular2v

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2002
3,222
23
99
oklahoma
Jun 3, 2013
#4
  • Jun 3, 2013
  • #4
Removing the cats will cause you to lose a little low end but gain in the mid and upper range. Well worth it. Get a set of gears to make up fir the low end loss
 
Reactions: Deek

vertigasen

Active Member
Apr 28, 2004
366
18
29
Falcon, CO
Jun 4, 2013
#5
  • Jun 4, 2013
  • #5
I had a friend tell me something similar once....and he came back with straight pipes from the manifolds back, no H or X pipe, and no mufflers. It sounded so bad, I thought I needed to end up in the ER from laughing too hard.

With that said......if you are going to get an off-road x or h pipe, I think you will be fine with the 44s. I have had several exhaust setups, some good, some bad. The biggest thing is finding the sound YOU want. You can search the web and find 1000's of exhaust clips. None sound the same, but eventually, you will find what you like and go with it. Every slight change, changes the entire tone of your exhaust.

It is up to you, and your taste! Be your own.....
 
Reactions: Deek

Modular2v

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2002
3,222
23
99
oklahoma
Jun 4, 2013
#6
  • Jun 4, 2013
  • #6
When you say straight pipes I assume you mean keeping the mufflers and removing the cats just to clarify
 
Reactions: Deek

Deek

Member
May 28, 2013
41
3
9
Jun 4, 2013
#7
  • Jun 4, 2013
  • #7
Modular2v said:
When you say straight pipes I assume you mean keeping the mufflers and removing the cats just to clarify
Click to expand...
Correct, also whats the difference between the x or h pipe and does that go after the cats?
 

Modular2v

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2002
3,222
23
99
oklahoma
Jun 4, 2013
#8
  • Jun 4, 2013
  • #8
Deek said:
Correct, also whats the difference between the x or h pipe and does that go after the cats?
Click to expand...
The crossing comes after the cats. I strongly recommend a upr x pipe or vrs x pipe. The difference between the two is miniscule. The h pipe helps more with low to mid range power and gives u more of a muscle car sound where the x helps mid to high range and gives a slightly more exotic sound. This is all speculation as far as sound goes as I have never been able to hear much of a difference between the two. Back when I was stock-ish I ran the upr pipe. It fits like a glove and everyone swore my car had longtubes at the time when in fact they were stock manifolds.
 
Reactions: Deek
D

Deleted member 38176

Jun 4, 2013
#9
  • Jun 4, 2013
  • #9
Definitely get rid of the cats. X-pipes scream at WOT but H-pipes give a lower rumble muscle car tone. There is no performance difference between the two, just sound.

Here's my car (old setup) with MAC catless H pipe and MAC mufflers

View: http://youtu.be/Joj6BJJqoZ8
 
Reactions: Deek

Modular2v

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2002
3,222
23
99
oklahoma
Jun 4, 2013
#10
  • Jun 4, 2013
  • #10
Nightfire said:
Definitely get rid of the cats. X-pipes scream at WOT but H-pipes give a lower rumble muscle car tone. There is no performance difference between the two, just sound.

Here's my car (old setup) with MAC catless H pipe and MAC mufflers

View: http://youtu.be/Joj6BJJqoZ8
Click to expand...
Cant hear $hit over that blower LOL jk!
 
D

Deleted member 38176

Jun 4, 2013
#11
  • Jun 4, 2013
  • #11
Modular2v said:
Cant hear $hit over that blower LOL jk!
Click to expand...

LOL that vid is pretty old. No blower yet
 

Modular2v

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2002
3,222
23
99
oklahoma
Jun 5, 2013
#12
  • Jun 5, 2013
  • #12
Nightfire said:
LOL that vid is pretty old. No blower yet
Click to expand...
Sounded like I could hear a little whine? Hmmm, maybe its just your $hitty audio JK
 
D

Deleted member 38176

Jun 5, 2013
#13
  • Jun 5, 2013
  • #13
Modular2v said:
Sounded like I could hear a little whine? Hmmm, maybe its just your $hitty audio JK
Click to expand...

LOL could be. It was shot with a pretty ty cam
 

Modular2v

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2002
3,222
23
99
oklahoma
Jun 7, 2013
#14
  • Jun 7, 2013
  • #14
What lowering springs are u running nightfire?
 

Deek

Member
May 28, 2013
41
3
9
Sep 30, 2013
#15
  • Sep 30, 2013
  • #15
Still haven't gotten around to doing it, But putting it next on my list, so whats a good brand that you recommend? I want to go with the H pipe..

Only found BBK so far, also someone told me may be cheaper to just have a custom one built?


Pic i took under the car:
 

Nick D

Member
Jan 13, 2013
38
2
19
New York, NY
Sep 30, 2013
#16
  • Sep 30, 2013
  • #16
removing the catalytic will not make a huge difference in sound but weither or not you have a stock pipe. what matters is if you have an H pipe (stock with mustang) or X pipe. i personally like the X pipes because of the loudness. super 44's arn't so great in my opinion. go for the loudmouth 2's or the cherry bomb extremes.
 

Deek

Member
May 28, 2013
41
3
9
Oct 3, 2013
#17
  • Oct 3, 2013
  • #17
When you do a Offroad mid-pipe on the 94-98 will you get any lights on your cluster, check engine light etc? If so is there anything you can do with the o2 sensors, to turn the light off?
 
D

Deleted member 38176

Oct 3, 2013
#18
  • Oct 3, 2013
  • #18
Modular2v said:
What lowering springs are u running nightfire?
Click to expand...

Damn how did I not see this lol

H&R SS no iso's
 
D

Deleted member 38176

Oct 3, 2013
#19
  • Oct 3, 2013
  • #19
Deek said:
When you do a Offroad mid-pipe on the 94-98 will you get any lights on your cluster, check engine light etc? If so is there anything you can do with the o2 sensors, to turn the light off?
Click to expand...

Yes, you will throw a code. You have 2 options......get MIL eliminators to plug into the 02 ports or use a tuner (like SCT) to turn off the codes.
 
Reactions: Deek
D

Deleted member 38176

Oct 3, 2013
#20
  • Oct 3, 2013
  • #20
Nick D said:
removing the catalytic will not make a huge difference in sound but weither or not you have a stock pipe. what matters is if you have an H pipe (stock with mustang) or X pipe. i personally like the X pipes because of the loudness. super 44's arn't so great in my opinion. go for the loudmouth 2's or the cherry bomb extremes.
Click to expand...

Cats make all the difference in the world when it comes to sound volume, especially on the 96-98 cars which came with 6 cats
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Engine Cleaning Intake valves with lower intake off
  • R82148V
  • Mar 4, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
13
Views
335
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Mar 11, 2026
limp
B
Airaid reduction sleeve?
  • BriansNSane
  • Dec 20, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
131
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 20, 2025
BriansNSane
B
M
Help! 2003 GT misfire when hot
  • Modular03
  • Feb 10, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
310
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Feb 13, 2026
Mustang5L5
M
2001 v6 heater return pipe leak question
  • mnky99
  • Nov 11, 2025
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
201
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Nov 11, 2025
mnky99
M
R
bbk shorty header to mid pipe gasket
  • randyyy
  • Sep 29, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
294
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Sep 29, 2025
randyyy
R
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
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?