X or H?

98'MustangGT · 11-26-2000, 06:04 PM

Well, its almost Christmas, in 3 weeks, so, I am gonna get something for my Mustang! Well, my question is, which is better? An H-pipe or an X-pipe? Are H-pipes much louder? I want a little louder but not to loud, I do live in a small section of Minnesota with cops that hate loud cars so any help would be appreciated!

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1998 Mustang GT with a 4.6 liter V8, Black

91LX2Bfast · 11-26-2000, 08:03 PM

If you are going to be running a high flow pipe w/ cats, I would get the H-pipe. But if you are going w/ an offroad set-up, I say step up to the X-pipe. Also, it depends on what mufflers you are running. A X-pipe was derived from race cars, so it will work at its full potential w/ a straight through muffler like a Magnaflow or something similar. H-pipe will have a deeper sound, but I loved the sound of my X-pipe.

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1997 Thunderbird 4.6L: Black w/ grey leather Modified mustang MAC Cold air into ram air, Motorsport 9mm wires, Soon: custom exhaust, chip, built Trans,. yadda yadda yadda

Recently totaled (tear): 91 LX 5.0L 5 spd Red w/ black interior
2 chamber flowmasters, Bassani off-road X-pipe, MAC cold air induction, Kirban short throw, Heavy duty 3 core radiator, FMS 3:73's, Timing bump to 14 degrees, SRP billet racing pedals, Kenwood sound system

98'MustangGT · 11-26-2000, 09:03 PM

Thanks man, I do want the deeper growl of a H-pipe, but, I have heard people had to take off their H-pipe cause it was too loud? Also, I have heard once you install an H-pipe sometimes a light will go off? Thats what I am primarily worried about! Thanks for the input so far!

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1998 Mustang GT with a 4.6 liter V8, Black

King Snake · 11-26-2000, 09:48 PM

Offroad H-pipes (no cats) are pretty loud, even with stock mufflers, but if you get a pipe with the high-flow cats (like I plan on doing) it will not be nearly as loud. Plus you will still gain about 20 hp. As far as the check engine light coming on, running an offroad pipe WILL cause the light to come on (speaking from experience). I have heard that the high-flow cat versions will not set the light. H-pipes also work well with Flowmasters. I will probably get the MAC high-flow cat H-pipe and 3-chamber flows. That combination should sound/perform pretty sweet!

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'97 Cobra, MAC Cold Air Kit, 3.73s, Rio Red

[This message has been edited by King Snake (edited 11-26-2000).]

98'MustangGT · 11-27-2000, 12:15 AM

Is there anyway to fix the light problem? I have stock exhaust and just want an H-pipe! Are all H-pipe's considered off-road? Thanks again!

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1998 Mustang GT with a 4.6 liter V8, Black

97snakedriver · 11-27-2000, 01:40 AM

Off-road generally means w/o catalytic converters. Running with out cats thoughs the oxigen sensors off. Fortantly its easy enough to fix with MIL eliminators. Houston Performance makes a good set of them.

But most (if not all) exhaulst makers have both off-road and catalytic versions available. The versions with cats should not though off you're computer (IE, no light).

91LX2Bfast · 11-27-2000, 03:16 PM

97snakedriver is right on. The reason you heard of a light coming on in other 4.6L stangs is because they are running the offroad H-pipe (w/o cats). And thats where also you are worried about it being too loud. The offroad is a lot louder (sounds mean in my opinion) then stock, and the catalytic H-pipe will sound slightly louder, but nothing that will get you in trouble.
The offroad H-pipe seems cheaper, but by the time you buy the MIL eliminators, it will be almost as much as a high flow (catalytic) H-pipe. The offroad pipe is also illegal in most states, so you will have to swap pipes come emissions time. My advice is to get a High Flow catalytic H-pipe, and enjoy the power and sound the legal way.

98'MustangGT · 11-27-2000, 08:24 PM

Cool, thanks for allll the advice! Is there a certain brand any of you would prefer? Do they have a web site? Thanks!

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1998 Mustang GT with a 4.6 liter V8, Black

91LX2Bfast · 11-27-2000, 10:12 PM

There are so many brands at all different price ranges. Your best bet would be to go out and buy either magizine: Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords or 5.0 Mustang. There are tons of adds, and you will be able to compare prices.
But some of the brands that come to mind are MAC (they have 2 types, regular H-pipe and pro-chamber H-pipe),Pacesetter, Catco, BBK, etc.
Some brands that make X-pipes are Bassani, Flowtech, Dr. gas.
Have fun choosing!!!

------------------
1997 Thunderbird 4.6L: Black w/ grey leather Modified mustang MAC Cold air into ram air, Motorsport 9mm wires, Soon: custom exhaust, chip, built Trans,. yadda yadda yadda

Recently totaled (tear): 91 LX 5.0L 5 spd Red w/ black interior
2 chamber flowmasters, Bassani off-road X-pipe, MAC cold air induction, Kirban short throw, Heavy duty 3 core radiator, FMS 3:73's, Timing bump to 14 degrees, SRP billet racing pedals, Kenwood sound system

11-26-2000, 06:04 PM	#1
98'MustangGT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Raymond, MN Posts: 240	X or H? Well, its almost Christmas, in 3 weeks, so, I am gonna get something for my Mustang! Well, my question is, which is better? An H-pipe or an X-pipe? Are H-pipes much louder? I want a little louder but not to loud, I do live in a small section of Minnesota with cops that hate loud cars so any help would be appreciated! ------------------ 1998 Mustang GT with a 4.6 liter V8, Black

11-26-2000, 08:03 PM	#2
91LX2Bfast Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 694	If you are going to be running a high flow pipe w/ cats, I would get the H-pipe. But if you are going w/ an offroad set-up, I say step up to the X-pipe. Also, it depends on what mufflers you are running. A X-pipe was derived from race cars, so it will work at its full potential w/ a straight through muffler like a Magnaflow or something similar. H-pipe will have a deeper sound, but I loved the sound of my X-pipe. ------------------ 1997 Thunderbird 4.6L: Black w/ grey leather Modified mustang MAC Cold air into ram air, Motorsport 9mm wires, Soon: custom exhaust, chip, built Trans,. yadda yadda yadda Recently totaled (tear): 91 LX 5.0L 5 spd Red w/ black interior 2 chamber flowmasters, Bassani off-road X-pipe, MAC cold air induction, Kirban short throw, Heavy duty 3 core radiator, FMS 3:73's, Timing bump to 14 degrees, SRP billet racing pedals, Kenwood sound system

11-26-2000, 09:03 PM	#3
98'MustangGT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Raymond, MN Posts: 240	Thanks man, I do want the deeper growl of a H-pipe, but, I have heard people had to take off their H-pipe cause it was too loud? Also, I have heard once you install an H-pipe sometimes a light will go off? Thats what I am primarily worried about! Thanks for the input so far! ------------------ 1998 Mustang GT with a 4.6 liter V8, Black

11-26-2000, 09:48 PM	#4
King Snake Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Warner Robins, GA, USA Posts: 210	Offroad H-pipes (no cats) are pretty loud, even with stock mufflers, but if you get a pipe with the high-flow cats (like I plan on doing) it will not be nearly as loud. Plus you will still gain about 20 hp. As far as the check engine light coming on, running an offroad pipe WILL cause the light to come on (speaking from experience). I have heard that the high-flow cat versions will not set the light. H-pipes also work well with Flowmasters. I will probably get the MAC high-flow cat H-pipe and 3-chamber flows. That combination should sound/perform pretty sweet! ------------------ '97 Cobra, MAC Cold Air Kit, 3.73s, Rio Red [This message has been edited by King Snake (edited 11-26-2000).]

11-27-2000, 12:15 AM	#5
98'MustangGT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Raymond, MN Posts: 240	Is there anyway to fix the light problem? I have stock exhaust and just want an H-pipe! Are all H-pipe's considered off-road? Thanks again! ------------------ 1998 Mustang GT with a 4.6 liter V8, Black

11-27-2000, 01:40 AM	#6
97snakedriver Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 1,526	Off-road generally means w/o catalytic converters. Running with out cats thoughs the oxigen sensors off. Fortantly its easy enough to fix with MIL eliminators. Houston Performance makes a good set of them. But most (if not all) exhaulst makers have both off-road and catalytic versions available. The versions with cats should not though off you're computer (IE, no light).

11-27-2000, 03:16 PM	#7
91LX2Bfast Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 694	97snakedriver is right on. The reason you heard of a light coming on in other 4.6L stangs is because they are running the offroad H-pipe (w/o cats). And thats where also you are worried about it being too loud. The offroad is a lot louder (sounds mean in my opinion) then stock, and the catalytic H-pipe will sound slightly louder, but nothing that will get you in trouble. The offroad H-pipe seems cheaper, but by the time you buy the MIL eliminators, it will be almost as much as a high flow (catalytic) H-pipe. The offroad pipe is also illegal in most states, so you will have to swap pipes come emissions time. My advice is to get a High Flow catalytic H-pipe, and enjoy the power and sound the legal way.

11-27-2000, 08:24 PM	#8
98'MustangGT Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Raymond, MN Posts: 240	Cool, thanks for allll the advice! Is there a certain brand any of you would prefer? Do they have a web site? Thanks! ------------------ 1998 Mustang GT with a 4.6 liter V8, Black

11-27-2000, 10:12 PM	#9
91LX2Bfast Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 694	There are so many brands at all different price ranges. Your best bet would be to go out and buy either magizine: Muscle Mustangs & Fast Fords or 5.0 Mustang. There are tons of adds, and you will be able to compare prices. But some of the brands that come to mind are MAC (they have 2 types, regular H-pipe and pro-chamber H-pipe),Pacesetter, Catco, BBK, etc. Some brands that make X-pipes are Bassani, Flowtech, Dr. gas. Have fun choosing!!! ------------------ 1997 Thunderbird 4.6L: Black w/ grey leather Modified mustang MAC Cold air into ram air, Motorsport 9mm wires, Soon: custom exhaust, chip, built Trans,. yadda yadda yadda Recently totaled (tear): 91 LX 5.0L 5 spd Red w/ black interior 2 chamber flowmasters, Bassani off-road X-pipe, MAC cold air induction, Kirban short throw, Heavy duty 3 core radiator, FMS 3:73's, Timing bump to 14 degrees, SRP billet racing pedals, Kenwood sound system