X pipe, H pipe or neither?

[2013 Geee T]

Im moving to WA next month and I don't think they have the same ridiculous smog rules as CA does. Is there any real benefit to getting an X pipe or offroad H pipe performance wise? I'm not concerned about sound since I like the way it sounds now. What kind of gains am I looking at?

 

[kylebgt]

A uncatted X or H pipe will yield you more hp than a cat-back. Of course combining the two is best. Realistically you should be able to get an extra 10-15hp at the crank with a X or H pipe.

 

[2013 Geee T]

Anyone know what the WA smog laws are when it comes to cats?

Will an X or H make about the same HP? I kind of like the H pipe sound better.

 

[mustanggt3685]

I believe the X makes a bit more horsepower, but is a bit "raspier" sounding, while the H will make a better sound, but not as much horsepower- maybe a bit more torque as well.

 

[red98rmgt]

Honestly, I have tried both and i like the h-pipe better. I recently took off my bassani catted x-pipe with 40 series flowmasters. The problem that i have faced with an aftermarket pipes are fitting. Becuase a factory exhaust i believe is more well fitted to the stock h where most after market pipes are 2.5". So i guess unless you plan on going with a full system. Lets say bassani headers, mid pipe, and a catback all the same brand, you may have fitting =issues. I;m not saying that's the case with all brands. But i know with bassani catted x-pipe, stock manifolds, stock flow tubes, with dumped flowmaster 40's didnt work for me. Also i retightened many times and it just wouldnt seal properly and i used a impact air gun and would always find a way to work lose. Also i noticed i lost alot of backpressure with adding the x-pipe maybe due to a leak somewhere in the system. I added my stock h-pipe with again with the same flowmaster mufflers, and tightened with impact gun and the results are amazing. Not as loud but sounds just as deep and controlled. I had horrible results with the x-pipe. And my bottom end power is definately 100 times better, pulls much better off the line and through all gears just driving normal. Hope this helps a little

 

[03ghoststang]

get a prochamber has the benefits of both the X and H pipe, it also has a unique sound which is cool

 

[Crzyhrse]

I moved here in '03 and have'nt had to go through an emissions test yet. I bought my Mach in '04 and my '05 Focus in '05, and I guess you are'nt supposed to get emissions checked for 5 years after you buy your car. If you just move here, maybe it might be 5 years after you move here also. Their trying to get Kommifornia laws in place here, but a guy awhile back posted in the NW section forum that he worked for the emissions dept. and he said the emissions law will never take effect and they have no money to implement anything. He seemed to think the emissions testing here would be scrapped all together in the near future. Their's no sniffer test here. They do check your computer through your OBD II so if you show no codes being thrown you should be golden. From what I've heard some places are jerks about exhaust decibel levels. They might bust you for that if it's too loud. That's really about all I know about the testing until I go through it myself, but not for another 2 years.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

A friend on mine just ditched is BBK H pipe for a Prochamber. He loves it. He insists his car has more power. And the sound is just incredible. We will know of any gains when we go to the track this Sept/October. His car is a 2003 GT vert 5 speed.

 

[BlackGT4.6]

the x will give you more power but minimal with no sotp feel. I would purchase more by what you want your car to sound like then power gains.

 

[03ghoststang]

the x will give you more power but minimal with no sotp feel. I would purchase more by what you want your car to sound like then power gains.

not entirely true i had a X pipe and went to a Prochamber got good gains thru the entire dyno pull specially in the mid to top end where the graph just seprates itself overall i got 14 ft.lbs of TQ and a 9 HP gain

 

[67GTA-FB429]

I am in eastern washington and we have NO smog laws here. Mainly in the Seattle area.

 

[BlackGT4.6]

not entirely true i had a X pipe and went to a Prochamber got good gains thru the entire dyno pull specially in the mid to top end where the graph just seprates itself overall i got 14 ft.lbs of TQ and a 9 HP gain

I was refering to x pipe and off road h.

 

[COramprat]

I've had both H and Prochamber. The H has a deep tone whereas the Prochamber is a little higher pitch but a bit quieter. I should get a clip of just idle but this is a Prochamber with Comp 262 cams. Give you an idea of WOT though.

Advanced Assclown

 

[03ghoststang]

here is mine with a prochamber and bassani cat-back

View attachment 363655

 

[BlackenedSVT]

Any pipe with NO cats will net you the most horsepower gains...but if you're looking to use cats on it to keep it smog legal, an X-pipe will give more horsepower (not much, like maybe 2hp more) than an H-pipe will.

X-pipes are generally more "raspy" or sharp sounding

While H-pipes are more deep and throaty sounding.

Good Xpipes: Magnaflow and SLP (make the best flowing Xs), then try Bassani, BBK, etc

Good H-pipes: MAC Prochamber (which is really an H and an X combine), or try MRT

 

[Rusty67]

Any X or any H pipe will not neccissarily out perform each other. Exhaust systems perform as a unit and have missmatched exhaust parts will inevidably screw you out of HP and torque. H and X pipes will typically perform within 2 to 3 HP of each other in dyno test (as far as I've seen). Some times one will give slightly better torque and the other slightly better HP. What really matters is the size of the pipe, proper installation, geting a mandril bent setup instead of that crush bent crap and for the love of GOD ditch the flowmasters. The car just doesn't need the extra back pressure those POSs generate.

The main difference that I've seen between H and X pipes is the sounds. An X pipe is typically a little more mellow and the H pipes have more of that classic muscle car sound appeal (espeically with some slowmaster delta 40s...).

My personal preference is the X pipe, I prefer the slightly more mellow sound.