[Kappi187]

Alright, I have a 2006 Mustang GT Coupe, manual trans. I was wondering if any of the 2005 Mustang GT owners had any advice on exhaust set-ups. I want full Header-NoCat-Xpipe and Mufflers. I am leaning towards Hooker headers x-pipe and flowmaster mufflers. The questions I have are...

First, How do I make my car sound like the car from "Gone in 60 Seconds"(Eleanor).

Second. If I replace the original H-pipe with an Off road X-pipe with No cats, will it set off some light because of 02 Sensors??? If they do how do I fix that???

Third. I am new this sorry. What the hell is the difference from Shorty Headers compared to long tube headers... Do shorty headers give you more low end to mid range power and long tube headers give you more mid range to top end power? Because I used to race motocross and that is what happened when you did it to bikes... the shorter the tube the more low end power and the longer the tube the more top end power...

Fourth, why are there no straight dual exhaust??? Do they have to merge into an X or an H? Can it not be straight dual? If it can how? Does any manufacture make it?

So if someone with some advice could help me in this area it would be greatly appreciated.... Please shed some light on this. I couldnt find anything on here about it, yet I did look hard either...

[stlwagon]

If you want that old-school sound you probably don't want an X-pipe (IMO). Go with an aftermarket H. LT headers are guaranteed to set a CEL. You can eliminate with O2 simulators and a good tune. Shorty headers come in two types (equal/tuned length or unequal). Shorty headers can generally be installed on the stock midpipe without any additional mods. Don't expect much a HP gain from shortys (~10 RWHP). Equal length shortys can also be a ***** to install. Unequals aren't too bad. LTs will give you the most gain across all bands. You don't want a straight dual exhaust. The H or X balances the exhaust gasses from both manifolds. Hope this helps... And, Welcome!

[pikapp]

Kappi: You can't go wrong with the Flowmasters. I've got the American Thunders and love the sound, very throaty and not a lot of interior resonance. On WOT, it's awsome. I've had similar questions about the headers with x or h pipes. As you know the mustangs stock pipes are H and from all the experts, including Ford Tech's, the H pipe won't give you the same breathability as the X-pipes. Not sure why, that's beyond my technical knowledge, which is very limited with these new cars today. Anyway, I've been asking and researching for months now and I've made the decision to go with the Kooks 3V long Tube Headers and X-Pipe with Cats. From all those who have tried and tested the long tubes and the shorty's, the consensus is, the long tubes give you better hp gains all around. After debating over the JBA's and the Kooks, I've logically decided to go with the Kooks. The speed shop that did my CAI and performance tune has a heck of a deal for the Kooks and the X-pipe combined, can't find any better deals elsewhere and the Kooks are top notch headers. By no means am I technically proficient when it comes to exhaust systems, but from what I've learned on this site, if you install pipes with no cats, yes, you'll have to have the O2 sensors turned off, which I understand can be done with a professional tune. I'm sure you'll get some replies that will be more technical as to the specifics....there's lots of very knowledgable folks on this thread and your head will hurt after a short while due to all the info. that is shared.

[Kyle F]

I got JBA LTs and a Catted H-pipe with Flowmasters. definately Muscle Mustang, but not old school IMO. If you want that sound you will need to do a cam Swap to somethign with more lift and Lobe Sep.

I am thinking about changing to a non ChmaberedMuffler, as much as I like the flowmaster sound and tips it almost sounds like it rattles at about 3500RPMs. I didnt get that sound before the LTs were installed.

Also my CEL is not on becuase of my LTs

[Kappi187]

Alright that is all good, thank you so much guys. Kyle F, I hear alot of that from alot of muscle car owners... that when they replace the stock manifolds with aftermarket ones, they get alot of rattle and the car drives differently. I dont know why or understand that but it just does.

Yea I also heard you have to change the cams. I was just wondering if I could get it as close to and old muscle car sound without changing cams, because thats why too difficult to me.

And also... what the heck is IMO? No abbreviations dammit... lol

I really dont care about performance, Im mainly doing my car for show, therefore the sound is mainly what I am going for...

Also? still doesnt answer my question about th 02 sensors... do I plug them straight into a off road x pipe with no cats? Will it set off any sensors? Any check engine lights? maybe i just didnt read?....

[Kyle F]

IMO = In My Opinion.

Rear 02 Sensors are turned off as they would set the CEL do to operating out of their parameters. They are just a check for proper emissions function. The fronts are feed back to the computer for A/F ratio.

Yes the sound vastly improves and sound much meaner and louder and the Titanium Cermaic coating on the manifolds look very nice.

If you do not plug them into your offroad pipes, you will need to get 02 sims to plug into them. At start up the computer does a check for emission function. If nothign is there the CEL will come on, but you can have them tuned for the computer not to use them for the emissions fucntions.

I just went ahead and put them in my H-pipe as there was provisions for them and used 02 extensions to plug them into the factory harness.

[kj_cinci]

The Kooks headers are awesome (quality, fit and power)! But they have an X which will be more NASCAR and less old school, more of a rapid, tingy sound...??

The most old school I've heard is the Pro Chamber (without changing to larger cams), no idea how that hooks up to headers? I think MAC have headers that hook up to the ProChamber now...??

Or; MagnaFlow and FlowMasters for the muffs, or wide open if you deer... a'la SLP.

Without cats you'll have to have a tuner and turn off the aft oxy sensors. You'll still need them plugged in though and some systems require extenders to do that (inkluded with the Kooks.)

These are not cheap pieces so you might as well get the power and longlivity out of them as well... for that I'd go Kooks to MagnaFlows... lotsa power, awesome sound and long lasting! (You're around $2,000 with the tuner... then install would be another 500 or so...)

I have Kooks OR LTs to stock muffs (had JBA) and it sounds awesome!! I know you want muffs for looks and a deeper tone though...

[Kappi187]

Alright, so I will have to get a custom tune in order for my CEL(WTF is CEL) to stay off. What if it turns on? Will it slow the motor? Use more gas? And is it just like taking it to the dealer and telling them to turn it off or when a performace shop intalls everything.... can they turn it off? Or do I have to get a programmer like SCT Flash Tuner or Diablo Sport.

[kj_cinci]

CEL = Check Engine Light

The CEL will not turn on if you tune the aft oxygen sensors off.

Car will run perfectly, no problems other than that one or both sensor/s think something is wrong with a cat. Note: I know of one grenaded engine do to a blocked cat (very high power)... they continued even though they had error indications. Without cats, of course, this cannot happen!

You need a $375 tuner (SCT or Diablo, most (professionals) prefer SCT) and a tuner-person (not Ford) to turn it off in the tune.

You'll probably want to get a CAI for looks, sound and power at the same time... I'd go to a reputable SCT tuner/shop and have it ll done...

[colljo]

So will the JBA's or the Kooks sound more old school? I like the sound of the IMCO Xtreme Axle-back's. Should I go with JBA or Kooks regarding LTH's and catted X/H?

[Kappi187]

Dam, you guys really do use alot abbreviations.... LOL CAI? Got the other two...

So tonight I was experimenting and all I did was take off the stock mufflers and wow what a difference. I life them there so it would look like I have mufflers. But jeeeeezzzzzuuussss christ my car is loud and it sounds awesome. I think I may have lost a couple horse power but its ok for the sound that I got. Wow...

[kj_cinci]

JBA for old school sound. Especially if catted.

Kooks for value, fit and power, if off-road.

You can get any cat backs you want. Or axlebacks and use Fords over axle pipes...

[kj_cinci]

CAI = Cold Air Intake

Cone filter often with larger diameter intake tube, for more and colder intake air. Adds mid-to-high 20s HP with a tune.

Do a search!

[CinciForse]

Originally Posted by kj_cinci

CAI = Cold Air Intake

Cone filter often with larger diameter intake tube, for more and colder intake air. Adds mid-to-high 20s HP with a tune.

Do a search!

KJ,

I see you changed you signature...Does this mean you're back up and running? Details Please!

[colljo]

KJ, will I get more HP without the CATS? Is it legal to run w/o CATS in Ohio? I want the increase in HP with the old school sound.