very confused about midpipes...

gotchopsticks

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Sep 4, 2004
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i kno everyone is probably sick and tired of the "which product is best" threads, but i too need some advise. i was looking for an x-pipe, and i came accross a pro chamber. what are the performance differences between the prochambers, x pipes, and h pipes? i was also looking on MustangTuner.com and came accross a SLP x pipe and then a MustangTuner x pipe. the only difference between the two that i could see was the price. why is the SLP so much more expensive? they are both mandrel bent, and both aluminized steel. any input is greatly appreciated
P.S. i have a 2002 GT (manual) if you needed to know
 
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midpipe basics:
1. hpipe will provide a deeper sound
2. xpipe produces more of a 'racecar' sound
3. xpipes outperform hpipes and prochamber
4. midpipe provides the increase in horsepower, not so much the catback
5. Myth: xpipes sound bad w/ chambered mufflers. FALSE!!!! when paired up with the right xpipes, chambered mufflers sound great. When running chambered mufflers, stick w/ Mustangtuning.com xpipe, Dr. Gas, VRS, UPR, Magnaflow. Unless you like rasp, AVOID BBK, SLP, and Bassani at all costs w/ chambered mufflers.
6. xpipes provide more power at higher RPMs
7. hpipes provide a little more down lower power.



what type of mufflers do you plan to use??? also, check out www.mustangexhaust.com to listen to different exhaust combos to find one that YOU like. everyone has different tastes and will not agree on what sounds the best.
 
I recommend Dr. Gas, Magnaflow, SLP, or Mustangtuning X pipes - they all use the same style X junction and haven't heard any complaints about any of these brands.

SLP is so much more expensive because you can change out the cats for straight pipes or vice versa - they use band clamps to allow for an easier swap incase you need emissions or whatever. If you are going with an O/R X ..no point in getting SLP - The Mustangtuning one is identical - just without cats - therefore less $$$

A prochamber will give a deeper sound, but will be significantly quieter than the X. I like the sound of the X the best out of all midpipes personally. The tone is deep like H pipes at low rpms, but when you get on it, it has a clean, smooth howling sound.
 
streetstang03 said:
Unless you like rasp, AVOID BBK, SLP, and Bassani at all costs w/ chambered mufflers.
I've got a custom Bassani X-pipe with my Mac Flowpaths (which are nearly identical to 2-chamber Flowmasters) and they don't sound raspy at all. They do drone like an SOB, but all chambered mufflers do, regardless of your mid-pipe selection.

And I don't know that any one style X-pipe has an advantage over the other. The placement of the crossover is going to be the determining factor...and even then it's only by a couple of horsepower. Buy them based on their build quality or your budget. Not based on the kind of horsepower gains most people "think" they see.
 
You willl get gains from any off-road (no cats) mid-pipe, but not as much as you see listed or advertised in magazines. An x-pipe will likely give the most gains - it flows more efficiently, but again, in a typical case these will be around 10-15 rwhp. A prochamber has characteristics of both h-pipes and x-pipes. It has a low, deep sound similar to cars from the 60's and flows better than an h-pipe, but will not produce the same gains that an x-pipe will. It is loud, but not as much as the other off-road pipes. For reference, I dyno'd at 240rwhp and 280 torque with a K&N FIPK II kit, flowmaster three-chamber welded in mufflers, and a prochamber.

The difference in rwhp gains between all of these pipes (x-pipe, h-pipe, and prochamber) is not that significant - in most cases. The best thing you can do is listen to other cars and ask what set-up they are running and listen to all of the sound clips on mustangexhaust.com. Go with the set-up that sounds best to you. The gains will be there.
 
Basically, you need to get out and find people in your area or go to your local strip and listen and see what you like the best. I chose the prochamber because it sounds absolutely amazing when paired with flowmasters. The x pipes like UPR, MustangTuning, and Dr Gas would be my second choice because they also sound VERY mean. Listen around but dont choose something because you like how it sounds over the internet, listen in person as well. Good luck
 
The only pipe that I have seen proof of performing the best is the dr. gas x pipe. its crossover point is closer to the manifolds. I saw this after I had purchased mine.

I would let you wallet be your guide. decide weather you want stainless or alumized and then pick the best deal. that is what I did. I wanted stainless narrowed it down to magnaflow x, vrs x, mrt h-pipe. vrs x was $50 cheaper than the other two and I bought it. I noticed more power from it than my borla catback.
 
Gearbanger 101 said:
I've got a custom Bassani X-pipe with my Mac Flowpaths (which are nearly identical to 2-chamber Flowmasters) and they don't sound raspy at all. They do drone like an SOB, but all chambered mufflers do, regardless of your mid-pipe selection.

And I don't know that any one style X-pipe has an advantage over the other. The placement of the crossover is going to be the determining factor...and even then it's only by a couple of horsepower. Buy them based on their build quality or your budget. Not based on the kind of horsepower gains most people "think" they see.

You have a 4.6?

They do sound different with the same exhaust setup...maybe similar but different...totally different engines :)
 
Do you guys think the SLP x-pipe would sound good with the flowmaster american thunder cat back, thats what I have now. I would be willing to pay the big bucks for this just so i can switch the cats out easily for emission testing. That is such a good idea.
 
cjist1 said:
Do you guys think the SLP x-pipe would sound good with the flowmaster american thunder cat back, thats what I have now. I would be willing to pay the big bucks for this just so i can switch the cats out easily for emission testing. That is such a good idea.

i've heard a mustang with an x-pipe and the american thunder catback. i thought it sounded fantastic.
 
I just got my mac prochamber installed and i kept my flowmaster 40 series, sounds pretty good. You're not guna notice a big difference between an x and an h pipe or prochamber, they all add a decent amount of hp over the stock choker pipe. I guess it all depends on what you want for sound, I think the H's and prochambers sound a bit meaner and can still scream like hell at high RPM's, so if you want a more deep tone instead of a kinda raspy i'd go with an H- pipe or prochamber.