[2001gt]

What is the difference in installing a cat back exhaust system and getting an x-pipe or h-pipe system? Does one provide more power or sound than the other. Also what is a quality exhaust system for a 2001 gt that does not have an extreme amount of cabin noise? My daughter loves to sleep in the car.

[Vortex]

An X or H pipe connects to the exhaust manifold/headers on one end and to the front of a cat back on the other. In sequence you have headers, x-pipe, cat back. Basically it takes place of the pipe that the cats are on. A cat-back gets you quite a few more horsepower over what it is now, but for optimal effects, freeing (is that a word?) up the rest of the exhaust will get you where you want. An X/H with a good straight thru cat back like bassani, will get you quite a bit of G-force power. People ive talked with recommend Bassani, Dynomax, borla, Flowmasters, and Gibson (for the truck guys) You can ask anyone about their exhaust and usually get to hear a good sound in the process, but the final decision lies with you... do ask around tho. the members on this board for starters.

[2001gt]

Thanks for the advice. I know that Flowmaster has come out with the Delta Series that supposedly reduces cabin noise. Do you know if Borla or Bassani have this option. Also, I know that systems like Borla cost more. Are they worth the extra money?

[DaleBrown]

Well most any system is pretty good. Most prefer the cat-back to be Flowmaster 2 chamber but if you use those and an off-road h-pipe (no cats) the cabin noise will be MUCH louder. You will hear folks talk about the "2K rpm drone" and believe me it will put you to sleep if you are prone to that. I don't think you will find an aftermarket (performance) exhaust that will "reduce" the cabin noise. It's more of a trade off more power equal more noise for the most part. There are some nice systems out there just stay away from the MAC systems all together especially the cat-backs as they are prone to rusting very quickly.

[2001gt]

Thanks for the warning.

I personally have the Mac system on my 2001 GT now. It has been on for over a year now with no signs of rust. I put a coat of wax on it shortly after it was installed. You do have to take care of it. As for cabin noise, it definately has the 2K drone. and so far I have installed about 60 pounds of dynamat extreme, which is equal to 108 sf and have not been able to get rid of the noise in the cabin. It is a definite trade off, the sound is great, nice and deep. Once you get to about 2300 rpm the sound drops dramatically. I find that it isn't so much loud as annoying, definately try and take a ride with someone who has the system installed before you install it on your ride. I'm looking at picking up an everyday car now otherwise I would debate about taking the pipes back off.

[2001gt]

Thanks, I need to consider that. I don't know if the added power is worth the noise.

[acaterpillarGT]

Hey all,
Dumb question here, but where are the mufflers? It seems like there are too many parts in this system. I am confused on the whole set up

[Brew]

They are last in line before the tail pipe, the ones before are the cats and from what I hear there are about 6 of them (three on each side).

[StalkerStang]

There are 6 on most of the 96-99's, but the 00's and up, I'm pretty sure they only have 4.

[jonastang4.6GT]

I am new to this board but the best exhaus system out their is the Bassani O/R X pipe and Borla cat back. Believe me I know I went through eight exhaust systems on my car to find the right one.


Jonas
1997 4.6 GT
O/R X w/Borla
Ram Air5 speed Hurst

[jtweathers]

Just took off my Bassani X pipes, it is night and day on the sound differance. I Cruise 20+ miles to work and the x pipes sound would be nausating to the stomach. With the stock system (6 Cats on the 2001 GT). It's alot quiter but you have concider the trade off. HP or low interior sound. I chose a lost in HP. If your Daughter like to sleep in the car I would stay stock. X pipes will not pass emmisions if you have them where you live, I know Fort Worth/ Dallas TX will fail you in a heartbeat for running x pipes. If you install the X keep you stock just in case you wanna change back at a later date. Lots of luck.

[jasons99gt]

Just have a couple points...


First, I could swear that my stock hpipe had 4 cats. (99gt) I could be wrong...I'll have to look again tonight.


Secondly, I love my Mac Hpipe and Catback. No signs of rust after 6 months. I keep the pipes clean so I dont expect it to rust. However, I dont think waxing would help a whole lot. Wouldnt that wax burn off when those pipes heat up? Just a thought.

I love the different possibilities that mustangs have for sound. Love pulling up at a light and hearing mustangs "greet" each other!

Anyway, www.mustangexhaust.com is a great resource for different sound combinations.

Later,

Jason

[2001gt]

If I decided to go with the x pipe with the high flow cats how much sound would it add over my stock system.

[randy964.6]

2001GT, go to www.mustangexhaust.com , they have a sound room that has a couple of GT's with stock mufflers but an X pipe. Great site!