Exhaust system

I just got a 94 Cobra and don't know much about about mods except what I've read on here. All it has right now is a CAI, and I've been told to upgrade the exhaust next. I'm wondering whether to go with long or short headers, x or h pipe, and if a new cat-back is necessary. Price is a factor, and any help would be greatly appreciated, on exhaust or anything else that might need to be upgraded first. Thanks for your help.
 
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buddyf87 said:
I just got a 94 Cobra and don't know much about about mods except what I've read on here. All it has right now is a CAI, and I've been told to upgrade the exhaust next. I'm wondering whether to go with long or short headers, x or h pipe, and if a new cat-back is necessary. Price is a factor, and any help would be greatly appreciated, on exhaust or anything else that might need to be upgraded first. Thanks for your help.

If you want to upgrade the exhaust I would look at a few variables first. Do you have to pass smog in TN? If you do not have to pass smog there then I would say Long Tube Headers, off-road H or X pipe, and any cat back depending on what sound you like (dynomax, magnaflow, bassani, flowmaster, Etc.). If you have strict smog there then I would say, Ford Motorsport short tube headers (fit the best), H or X pipe with Cats, and any cat-back. Also is this going to be your daily driver. If it is then you might want to go with a quieter exhaust. The straight through mufflers are usually louder (magnaflow, Dynomax ultra flow) than the chambered kind (flowmaster, Dynomax super turbo). Let me know what you decide on.
 
buddyf87 said:
I just got a 94 Cobra and don't know much about about mods except what I've read on here. All it has right now is a CAI, and I've been told to upgrade the exhaust next. I'm wondering whether to go with long or short headers, x or h pipe, and if a new cat-back is necessary. Price is a factor, and any help would be greatly appreciated, on exhaust or anything else that might need to be upgraded first. Thanks for your help.

Post #1 .............................WELOCME TO OUR SITE :banana:

To heck with what somebody told you :nono:

What do you want from your car the most????????????

1) Mods for Go
2) Mods for Show
3) Mods for goin around corners
4) Mods for Sound

Just tell us and we'll tell you the truth :D ........................

Were the GOOD GUYS :nice: ...................

We won't lay down a line of :bs:

Later
Grady
 
Long tubes are the way to go for the absolute most low end torque, however the draw backs are their price and fitment. They could require lifting the engine off of it's mounts to get them in. Good short tubes like BBK or Mac can be had for around $200 and probably are the best bang for the buck. Equal lengths are more expensive, tougher to get in and out if needed, and only are worth maybe 1-2 HP's tops. If Tenn. doesn't have any smog laws, then go with an off road mid-pipe, you won't regret it. It's tons cheaper and the sound is second to none. The H-pipe will generally have a lower tone to it where the X-pipe will have a noticeably higher pitched, raspy tone. And lastly, catbacks are completely based on preference. If you hear someones exhaust you like, ask what it is and check into it. Like said above, there are sound clips that you can listen to. A buddy on mine has stock headers and a stock cat back with a Dr. Gas X-pipe on his '95 Cobra and it sounds pretty good. I like doing exhaust as a mod because its not only gaining in performance, but makes the car so much more fun to drive. Let us know what you decide.
 
I would go MAC longtubes, MAC o/r H pipe, and MAC flowpaths. That IMO will give you the best sound for the buck.

You will get compliments left and right. I sure do. :flag:

If you want raspy and a little quieter, then go o/r X pipe, if you want deep, throaty, and louder, go with an offroad H.
 
Thanks for the help. Just to clarify a few things, there are no smog tests in TN (at least where I live), this is going to be a daily driver, although I don't drive a lot (less than 5k/year), and I do want a quieter system. I'm thinking shorty headers both for price and easier installation, offroad h pipe, and I'm still looking into the cat-backs (I have a few friends with different brands, so I'm going to see which I like best). And is it going to compromise some of the horsepower/ torque gained from the headers and midpipe if i keep the stock exhaust for a while?
 
You are getting the two most restrictive things out of the way by eliminating the stock headers/catted h-pipe. The catback system will only be slightly restrictive because of the stock tubing only being 2 1/4" in diameter vs. nearly every aftermarket one being 2 1/2" or larger. Definitely do the header/mid-pipe sway first, then see what you think. It may be loud enough for you and you won't want to change it. I would recomend the Mac Prochamber for a mid-pipe if you want a rumbling muscle car sound, I absolutely love mine. In my opinion, the mid-pipe is what ultimately makes or breaks the exhaust's sound.
 
buddyf87 said:
And is it going to compromise some of the horsepower/ torque gained from the headers and midpipe if i keep the stock exhaust for a while?

For a stock or slightly modded Stang the stock catback is not holding much back, as far as power is concerned.

If you are looking for a mod that will make a real difference in how quick the car will accelerate, gears will make a WAY MUCH MORE difference than an exhaust mod.

If your after the sound......then thats all together a different kind of thing.

Later
Grady