[BDaddyK]

Alright, I bought a Bassani X-pipe and am in the process of installing it as we speak. However, I have one slight problem. How in the hell do you get the lower passenger side nut off of the bolt connecting the exhaust mani. to the top of the H-pipe? There is about zero clearance between the nut, the starter and control arm. Is there a special medium deep socket or something? I can barely get my socket, swivel joint, extension and rachet on it as it is. As it stands I have everything undone except for that stupid nut...Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Hank

[97GTstang]

sorry cant help you. But dont forget to update after you install the pipe. I am looking into getting an x pipe soon and I am curious as to how much louder it will make my car, and how it will improve performance.

[BDaddyK]

Can do, if I ever get this friggin' nut off

Hank

[driftpin]

I actually pulled the stud out with a Female Torx and ran a bolt in. Made life much easier.

[BDaddyK]

Wooo-hooo I finally got that friggin' nut off. What a PITA, there is only one way that the stupid socket can directly fit on the nut without stripping it to all hell. At least thats done with and the Bassani catted X-pipe is on It sounds awesome, nice deep and burbly. If I can find my mic I'll take some sound clips of it w/the FRPP cat-back combo for anyone that cares to hear it. It's a real nice combo, IMHO you can't find a better cat-back (price wise and being SS) than the FRPP cat-back. The pairing w/the Bassani X-pipe makes it all that much sweeter.

Hank

[Mana4Real]

I used an assortment of sockets, swivels and extensions get the stock H-pipe off. It was a PITA. It's still a pain to do without cats.

[97GTstang]

how much louder did it make the system?

[BDaddyK]

Originally Posted by 97GTstang

how much louder did it make the system?

It's a good bit louder but, not obnoxiously so. It's also a lot deeper and more burbly now. I don't know if it has a break in period (500-1000 miles?) and if it'll settle in there but, I think it sounds awesome now. There is a definite SOTP difference too, I can't wait to go back to the dyno and see what the FRPP/Bassani/CAI will put down. I think it's one of the better mods to do, not to hard (took me bout three hours start to finish) just make sure to spray the studs/bolts w/PB blaster or equilvalent the nite before.

Hank

[97GTstang]

hmm..... thanks for the info. I am thinking of either going with a bassani catted x or magnaflow catted x in the near future. I have a magnaflow catback and i hear it really wakes the exhaust up. So I am not sure if i wanna go that route yet or not. Dont wanna make my car too loud...

[BDaddyK]

I don't think that you'll go wrong on either the Bassani or Magnaflow X's. There both X-pipes , both have two cats (I believe the Bassani uses a Magna cat anyway) and both 2.5" mandrel bent so it'll prolly just come down to sound...

Hank

[BlueStreak03]

Yeah that one bolt took 30 minutes of my 1 hour mid-pipe install time. I finally wound up buying a 3/8 drive impact wrench and using a universal joint extension with a 6 inch and 4 inch extension on either side of the flex. Definitely a PITA. Hope you enjoy your new mid-pipe.

[BDaddyK]

Word to the wise when installing a Bassani X-pipe. When Bassani says make sure that the flange on the passenger side (exhaust mani--->X-pipe flange) must be perfectly centered when bolting down, make sure it is. I had a nice little exhaust leak when I was done. It wasn't noticeable when idling/partial throttle however, under hard throttle/highway accelerating I could hear it. I checked it after work today and it was a good bit off. It must have moved when I did the final tightening of the nuts. Man I love my Bassani X-pipe

Hank

[BlueStreak03]

I had the same problem with my Mac pieces, I finally got smart after I blew that cheap paper flange gasket. I got that one real good and snug before i even attached the rest of the exhaust up. Once I got the whole thing in place I tightened that one down as far as I could before going back over the rest of them.