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  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

X-pipe VS. H-Pipe

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jekyl
  • Start date Start date Apr 14, 2005
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Jekyl

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
93
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Calgary AB
Apr 14, 2005
#1
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #1
So im reading inalot of adds in 5.0 magazine and MM&FF and they all say that H-pipes are a thing of the past and to go with x-pipes.

Assumming both are Offroad with no cats or resonators... What one has better performance and sound and what is the difference that makes it better..?

Discuss.....

P.S. Im trying to decide between o/r X and o/r H
 

Stang8URMPRT

Active Member
Dec 28, 2003
1,100
1
38
Daytona Beach, FL
Apr 14, 2005
#2
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #2
Prochamber
 

_jb_

New Member
Mar 4, 2004
808
0
0
Michigan, Berrien County
Apr 14, 2005
#3
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #3
Search.

But since I'm in a good mood, I'll explain it.

H=+Low end torque, - HP deep rumbble.
X=-Low end torque, + HP, exotic sound.

This is comparing the two. Which one it better? It's a toss up.
 

Stang8URMPRT

Active Member
Dec 28, 2003
1,100
1
38
Daytona Beach, FL
Apr 14, 2005
#4
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #4
So you're saying putting an offroad H pipe, you're gunna lose HP, or are you saying compared to an X?
 
Q

Quijibow_69

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Apr 17, 2004
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Mechanicsburg, PA
Apr 14, 2005
#5
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #5
When you say that O/R X makes an "exotic" sound, what do you mean by that? Ricer sound?
 
S

shootme5150

New Member
Jul 12, 2003
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Denver
Apr 14, 2005
#6
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #6
I've never heard an X that I like. I'm partial to the low rumble
 
D

dwhiskie

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Sep 18, 2004
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Apr 14, 2005
#7
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #7
Not a ricer fart pipe sound just higher pitched then the H.Ive had both and its mostly personal preference and I like the X better
 

vristang

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
4,933
101
124
Seattle
Apr 14, 2005
#8
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #8
I have heard several x-pipes, and all seemed to have a louder, more unruly sound than my prochamber. Even when comparing an X 302 with my prochamber 408. Funny thing is that in a rather extensive dyno test several years back the prochamber actually produced better torque and hp, especially in windsor strokers. I don't remember any of the numbers but I do remember that there was no one pipe that was the best for all motor combos. I found the article in one of the Mustang mags at least 2yrs ago.

If you have back issues the best thing you can do is go back and look for answers to your Q's.
 

302GT

New Member
Mar 30, 2005
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Carson City,Nv.
Apr 14, 2005
#9
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #9
Here is a clip of my X pipe.http://s6.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=378IGNFWBCPBZ1YKKVZ3EVOM6W
 

Jekyl

New Member
Mar 31, 2005
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Calgary AB
Apr 14, 2005
#10
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #10
Ok I am looking to keep my low end torque... but i also want a loud mean sounding exhaust..... am i better to go with H-pipe?
 

94GT40

New Member
Mar 30, 2005
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Apr 14, 2005
#11
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #11
Quijibow_69 said:
When you say that O/R X makes an "exotic" sound, what do you mean by that? Ricer sound?
Click to expand...

I have an off-road "X" pipe with the stock catback system. I like it much better. The best analogy I can come up with is this:

Idle/cruise/WOT

"H" pipe = Rumble/drone/roar
"X" pipe = Burble/growl/howl

An "H" pipe makes your Mustang sound like a 1964 Pontiac GTO...
An "X" pipe makes your Mustang sound like a 1964 Ferrari GTO...
 

vristang

15 Year Member
Mar 31, 2005
4,933
101
124
Seattle
Apr 14, 2005
#12
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #12
Jekyl said:
Ok I am looking to keep my low end torque... but i also want a loud mean sounding exhaust..... am i better to go with H-pipe?
Click to expand...

You won't lose enough of the low end to miss it. To get any mentionable power out of the 302 you need to let it breath. You will be happier revving the engine, than having gobs of torque... Unless you plan on towing something.

It seems like your pretty concerned with the loss of torque. Trust me it won't be as bad as you may have heard.
 

mustangramair

Member
Feb 24, 2004
326
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17
Iowa
Apr 14, 2005
#13
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #13
I had an H-pipe on before my X-pipe and didn't notice any difference in power between the 2. It's basically all in your preference of sound. I love the way my X sounds, not taking anything away from the H-pipe because i liked it too.
 

droptopford 5 0

Member
Mar 31, 2005
427
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17
Apr 14, 2005
#14
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #14
ive got a 5.0, and i bought an o/r h, mainly because of the price, but also because i didnt want to lose my torque, and lose my rumble...ive noticed that at a distance, you'll still hear the underlying sound of the 5.0 from both pipes, but up close, the h has a meaner growl, and the x pipe sounds like it "screams" or almost "echoes within itself" above 2100 rpms... or atleast from a few comparisons of my friends' 5.0s, if you want any type of noticeable difference, buy the x, but im just looking for that "classic" sound.... also i think the x sounds ok with flowmasters, but crappy w/ mac flowpaths<-what i have, so i havnt installed it yet until i get a sticker in a month, but we'll see, maybe x for the power? dunno...
 

8-7ttop

New Member
Apr 1, 2005
12
0
2
Houston, Tx
Apr 14, 2005
#15
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #15
go with the x it sounds bad ass i personally like it better, but i've heard that the x is for torque and the h is for horsepower not sure but my car sounds way better than alot of my friend's cars. They always say "Man i wish i had an x pipe!"

h pipe
x pipe
 

Nutzy19

Member
Mar 30, 2005
120
0
16
Flemington NJ
Apr 14, 2005
#16
  • Apr 14, 2005
  • #16
that was a weird clip....
couldnt hear the exhaust over the fan noise.......time for electric...
 

5.0fox

Member
Feb 10, 2003
410
0
17
buckley/enumclaw wa
Apr 15, 2005
#17
  • Apr 15, 2005
  • #17
i recntly switched to an x-pipe and i love it. it screams at high rpm's
 
M

mfewtrail

Member
Sep 3, 2003
82
0
6
North GA
Apr 15, 2005
#18
  • Apr 15, 2005
  • #18
Here's a little blurb of info on this subject from the main part of the site.

http://www.stangnet.com/Tech-Articles/Exhaust-Headers-and-Mid-Pipe-Breakdown-5.html

I would take the "less hp, more torque" comments with a grain of salt, both will likely be affected more by other modifications rather than your mid pipe alone(afterall, there are Stangs out there with both flavors of mid pipes putting down some insane numbers).
 

deadlast

New Member
Mar 30, 2005
495
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Belmont, MA
Apr 15, 2005
#19
  • Apr 15, 2005
  • #19
i have been deabating this for a while. i feel that with an h pipe, its got a choppier sound to it, like the old muscle cars. whereas the x pipe kind of blends it together, but still roars. i think an x on our 5.0 engines would sound more like a 4.6 L but hella loud. after alot of thinking, i want my car to sound like a modern muscle, it will also go better with my car. the only question is, i dumped my stock system right after the mufflers, i plan on keeping it like this so how do you think it would sound with a o/r x on there?
 

Scones

Member
Sep 9, 2004
62
0
6
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Apr 15, 2005
#20
  • Apr 15, 2005
  • #20
Personally I like the sound of my uncapped stock H-pipe over anything else I've ever heard...but I'm weird. All the x-pipes I've heard sound like motorcycles or Indy cars...my buddy ran his uncapped for a bit and you'd swear you were sitting in an F1 car by the sound lol
 
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