What H/X pipe should I go with?

Legien · 09-05-2002

I have a borla cat back on my 1996 GT and I'm going to buy an x/h pipe as soon as I make a decision as to which one to get. I was going to go with a bassani x, but I've heard a couple ppl say that was a bad idea and that they didn't like bassani. Is there a certain brand most of you would recommend or something that would go best with the borla??

I also plan on getting equal length headers in the near future, so any manufacturer recommendations on that would be appreciated as well. Would this factor into my x/h pipe decision at all??

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide

GTRaptor · 09-05-2002

My brother has the bassani in his 2kGT and sounds awesome, and great quality too.
It is the first time i hear of complaint about the BAssani X, it is probably the best you can get.

jonastang4.6GT · 09-06-2002

You need to go with the Bassani O/R X pipe with Borla. That is what i am running on my right now. Believe me you won't be dissapointed. Everybody with a mustang that sees me on the street follow me to hear my sound fron the car, they then ask me to pull over to see what i am running, and we end talking about my exhaust for an 1 hour or so. My friends that have TA's and Camaros say that i have the best sounding Mustang that they have ever heard.

_________________________
~1997 Mustang GT~
Bassani O/R X Pipe w/Borla Mufflers
5 speed HURST
3.73 FMS
Home Made Ram Air/Cold Air
K & N
Removed Air Silencer
Removed MAF Post
NITTO EXTREME ZR 555- 245/45/ZR17
Center Force II Clutch

onegundoc · 09-06-2002

I would recomend going with an x-pipe with a flow thru design muffler such as borla. They are supposed to complement eachother well.

To my knowlege there is no equal length shorty headers for a 96 gt. Most companies only make long tube, which is were the most power lies. Keep that in mind before you buy headers.

jonastang4.6GT · 09-06-2002

what headers would anyone on this forum recomend? I have heard that you should go with long tube headers if i am correct? But why can't you go with equal length? also what is the difference between the two. and another stupid question. what exaclty is the purpose of headers? Also would headers contribute more sound coming form the exhasut? so here is my set up below. How much horse would i gain from headers and again sound.

___________________
~1997 Mustang GT~
Bassani O/R X Pipe w/Borla Mufflers
5 speed HURST
3.73 FMS
Home Made Ram Air/Cold Air
K & N
Removed Air Silencer
Removed MAF Post
NITTO EXTREME ZR 555- 245/45/ZR17
Center Force II Clutch

Legien · 09-06-2002

I'm pretty sure equal length and shorty headers are two different things, could just be dumb tho. Does anyone else have info on what headers are available for a 96 GT and what they'd recommend?

As for long tube headers, I hear you can only get certain h/x pipes with these because of their length. Anyone else know more about this?

Jon: Headers are just another component of the exhaust system right before the h pipe and add hp sound to your stang just like the pipe and catback system do.

gtrag94 · 09-07-2002

There are basically three lengths of headers. First off is shorty unequal length. You have exhaust manifolds now. They are log type casting, whereas unequal lengths have primaries that are unequal but these are better than exhaust manifolds. Next is equal length shorties. There are none available for your car because they wont fit. These generally produce more HP less torque. Lastly is the full length (long tube) headers. In order to put these on, you must have a long tube compatible H or X pipe. Which means it must be shorter than what you have now because the collectors (end of the headers where they meet the hpipe) are farther down and back (near the transmission). Long tubes are generally recommended if youre gonna go wild or have a blower or the 99+ package. If you just want sound and a little more power go with the unequal shorties. FRPP makes good ones from what ive heard and theyre cheap, also with shorties you wont have to buy a new hpipe but since youre gonna, i'd go with the Bassani X, and make sure its off-road (no catalytic converters) if thats legal where youre at.

willan · 09-07-2002

Well legien, what I could tell you is this, X-pipe or H pipe. They both have there pros and cons. one is high end torque and the other low end. Check ou tthis web site http://www.mustangexhaust.com./
You will learn what you need there, remember they are 2 differnet sounds also. oh yea, short header are only good up to 350 hp naturally aspirated or 475 supercharged another good website is
http://seanhylandmotorsport.com/

Legien · 09-07-2002

So if i were to go with the bassani x, i could fit long tube headers on as well or no?? What kind of pipes would be compatible with long tubes?

Anyone happen to know if o/r pipes are legal in CA? I don't think they are, but ya never know....

thanks for all the info so far btw

Brew · 09-07-2002

I dont't think the bassani's would work with the long tube headers, you would need to go with a short H pipe w/o cats most likely.

California without cats!!! You could get life for that!!!

Vortex · 09-07-2002

Most companies that sell Long Tube headers sell a short X-pipe as well...
Bassani has a Short X-pipe that MUST be used with long tubes.. like all LT's. A regular X-pipe is about 3 feet long... a short X is about 1 foot... so you can see, you have to use one for the right application.

Legien · 09-07-2002

would it be bad to go with shorties if i'm planning on a 99+ PI swap in the future? From what everyone's saying i'd prolly rather just go with unequal shorties, but i don't wanna screw things up if i plan on doing the swap sometime later

Vortex · 09-07-2002

its never bad to go with shorties.... they flow better than your stock manifold.. you will gain less with un-equal length as far as horsepower, but its a struggle to fit equal length in... its a trade-off

Legien · 09-07-2002

ok, thanks everyone

Think I'll just go with the shorties and bassani x. That way i can do it all myself too