X pipe or H pipe?

ok so, if I get a catted x pipe, will the magnapacks sound alright or will it be raspy? NOt sure if I should get the regular flows or the packs. I was looking at the packs because its louder but I am worried about raspyness because its a straight through design.

I like it loud and deep and lots of rumble. I hate hollow and raspy :) For example, I hate the stock exhaust because it sounds real weak and hollow.
 
Ahh! Confusion in mass amounts!

Eh. Hard to tell if I'm more confused or helped out at this point! :D

I do appreciate all the replies though. I am looking for more low end power, so I may go with an H. That being the case, should I even swap from the stock H? Does an aftermarket H have a lot more flow to it than the stock one?

I don't want a raspy sound. I saw someone said that the X pipes give off more of a "euro" sound. ~sigh~. Man, I like deep and throaty, but euro cars have a nice purr, too. Whaddya do, ya know? :shrug:

Someone let me know about the stock H vs. aftermarket H and their flow differences. That'll help me out with a decision, I think. Unless someone can give a convincing argument for an X.... :rlaugh:

TIA.
 
Red03Mustang said:
Eh. Hard to tell if I'm more confused or helped out at this point! :D

I do appreciate all the replies though. I am looking for more low end power, so I may go with an H. That being the case, should I even swap from the stock H? Does an aftermarket H have a lot more flow to it than the stock one?

I don't want a raspy sound. I saw someone said that the X pipes give off more of a "euro" sound. ~sigh~. Man, I like deep and throaty, but euro cars have a nice purr, too. Whaddya do, ya know? :shrug:

Someone let me know about the stock H vs. aftermarket H and their flow differences. That'll help me out with a decision, I think. Unless someone can give a convincing argument for an X.... :rlaugh:

TIA.


The H pipe (really old concept, by the way) is not for equalizing flow , so to speak, but rather for equalizing the systemic pressure between the two banks of cylinders. In doing so, the exhaust pressure is maintained throughout the system, eliminating pressure pulses in each individual pipe run. This gives the smoother, more even sound through the mufflers on both banks. It also adds some lower end torque due to this stable backpressure condition.

The X pipe (both H and X are in fact 'crossover' pipes) provides the pressure equalization along with more flow through the crossover from one side to the other. At high rpms, this will add small HP gains by the simple fact that the velocity pressure is higher in the pipes with this system.

These are the factual, 'simplified' differences. This is why the difference in sound. This is why the difference in performance gains, tq vs hp.

All v8s really should have a crossover of one style or the other...not necessary, but cheap way to optimize your exhaust system.

I personally believe that ALL small-block street driven cars benefit from any and all attempts at increasing torque figures...THIS is what makes your car fun to drive!

Clear as mud?

I did airflow for 25 years.
 
Oh...stock H vs aftermarket H...I would have to guess...mimimal at a stretch. With a normally aspirated 281 you really can't do any better (I can hear the flaming already) than a 2-1/4" system with a simple, hand made at your muffler shop, 2-1/4" crossover pipe connecting 2 1-1/2" holes (one in each banks midpipe(?)).

But a system like that that doesn't cost much really, so may not be attractive to many who think if it doesn't cost it doesn't work.

Of course, 2-1/2" is fine and very popular for n.a. cars. (I'll bet the tq drops off a tiny bit though)
 
vidmaster said:
ok so, if I get a catted x pipe, will the magnapacks sound alright or will it be raspy? NOt sure if I should get the regular flows or the packs. I was looking at the packs because its louder but I am worried about raspyness because its a straight through design.

I like it loud and deep and lots of rumble. I hate hollow and raspy :) For example, I hate the stock exhaust because it sounds real weak and hollow.

To be honest with you go with the prochamber and the packs. This combo seems to be a very popular setup. I heard a couple of them like this and they are deep. The x-pipe will give you more rasp with the packs. My opinion is the prochamber or the h-pipe.
 
You will be better off making your final choice based on sound as the hp gains are pretty close to the same no matter what you choose. As a rule, though, the more straight through designs give the most hp and are the loudest. Different configurations sound differently to different people. Listening to sound clips is one thing, but hearing them in person is all together different.

Best bet is go to a few mustang shows and hear other cars. Ask guys what they are using even if you don't like the sound and take notes.
 
Go HoTO! said:
You will be better off making your final choice based on sound as the hp gains are pretty close to the same no matter what you choose. As a rule, though, the more straight through designs give the most hp and are the loudest. Different configurations sound differently to different people. Listening to sound clips is one thing, but hearing them in person is all together different.

Best bet is go to a few mustang shows and hear other cars. Ask guys what they are using even if you don't like the sound and take notes.

I'm showing my ignorance here, but which pipe offers the more straight through setup? I am assuming an x pipe, but I really don't know. :shrug: I don't know a whole lot about cars!