which pipe for a stock car?

[95.0Stang]

I am getting ready to put a Magnaflow Cat-back on my 2003 GT, the car is bone stock in the power area. I was wondering which pipe would be the most beneficial for me?

I have heard the X-pipe frees up more power as the scavenging effect of the exhaust helps with back pressure. Is this significant enough to choose the X over the H?

Which pipe will give a smoother sound at idle and around town driving? One of my friends said the Hpipe was going to be very raspy with the Magnaflows.

Any advice is appreciated, I am listening to clips on youtube, but I dont think they are super reliable since the sound changes with camera, and other mods slightly.

 

[Rife96GTconv]

I have a 96 GT with a magnaflow cat back (not magnapacks) and a VRS o/r x-pipe. I am very satisfied with the sound. The x-pipes are typically more raspy, but paired with the regular magnaflow it really smooths out the sound. I've heard that an h-pipe sounds good with the magnaflow as well. Just my .02.

 

[stangGT97]

Well I'm in a similar situation - bone stock car, needs exhaust. I picked the SLP catted X for a couple reasons.

1. It costs less than the Magnaflow catted X and is priced close to the Bassani aluminized pipe
2. True-X is supposed to be less raspy than the Bassani design
3. It's modular, and since I plan on doing SLP longtubes somewhere down the road, I'll save on not having to buy a shorty X pipe.

So... for me, it was a combo of price, sound, and most importantly - future plans. Good luck man!

 

[VEE EIGHT]

Power differences is minimal between the two designs (1-3HP). H-pipes offer more of a low rumble while X's usually offer a higher-tone scream.

 

[0Trueblue2GT]

A friend of mine has a 2004 GT with similar mods as you and he has a magnaflow catback (not sure which series) with a MAC Pro-chamber and it sounds really good. I say go with a pro-chamber.

 

[99nightmare]

I have a Dr. Gas -pipe and I freaking LOVE IT! People comment on how much better mine sounds than theirs with the same exhaust (flowmasters) so I suggest a Dr. Gas X

 

[VEE EIGHT]

I have a Dr. Gas -pipe and I freaking LOVE IT! People comment on how much better mine sounds than theirs with the same exhaust (flowmasters) so I suggest a Dr. Gas X

Out of curiosity, where did you purchase the X pipe? Do you happen to have any videos of the exhaust?

 

[007]

Get the magnaflows with the magnaflow catted X. God do I love it!!!!! SMOOOOOTH.... not raspy.
I've had em 7 years. They get steadily louder over time. Mine are pretty darn loud now. Thank god I didnt buy the packs.

This clip is quite a few years old when they were new and MUCH quieter than they are now. I had stock headers back then too, maybe thats part of it. They don't rasp at all when the motor is under load.

YouTube - Daves Mustang Revving

 

[95.0Stang]

I appreciate all your comments and suggestions. I have decided to go with a MAC O/R H-pipe.

I listened to several clips on different sites and the H-pipe just seems to have the deep mellow tone I am looking for. I will miss those 2 precious HP...but I dont think they will matter much in the long run.

Once it's all installed I will try to post a sound clip or video for you guys to hear if you choose to.

Thanks again.