Off road H-Pipe or High Flow Cats

I know i want to get rid of my cats. I'm pretty sure they are stock. So i either want an o/r h-pipe or high flow cats. Now my mechanic said don't bother with the o/r pipe because it would mess the computer up, or something like that. The high flow cats are more expensive than the o/r h, so i was just wondering what is better to get. Also would i be able to put high flow cats on my h-pipe in place of the stock ones or would i have to get another h-pipe with the high flow cats on them.? Thanks.

If emissions is not an issue, I'd definately go without cats. It's not going to screw up anything, just swap over the o2 sensors. Besides emissions testing, the only drawback to not having cats is loudness (if you don't like that) and the more gaseous smell (if you don't like that either). It's less restrictive, better sounding (in my opinion), and way less expensive. Also, I wouldn't chop up your stock h-pipe for high flow cats; that's pretty ghetto.

Don't get the high flow cats unless you really need them for emissions testing. I do have to have cats, so I got the bassani catted X and I love it. If you do decide to keep cats, definitely go bassani, and even if you don't need cats, the bassani catless X is arguably the best on the market. It costs more, sure, but the bassani no-cat X will probably be less expensive than any other brand's catted X.

next i pipe i get will be offroad with heat shields welded on so that it looks like it has cats on it. Cops asked me on my last car if there were cats and got on his stomach to see if there were, which there weren't

Emissions won't be a problem until next time it has to get inspected in 2006. Only problem is finding someone who could put the off road pipe on, and take it off cause i don't know how. I knew the off road pipe would be loud, and that is good. As long as the off road pipe won't mess anything up, then that's what i'll go with.

It depends,is your motor stock? If yes,get the highflow cats! I bought a BBK off rd h-pipe,put about 5-7000 miles on it,then put the stock one back on!! It runs better (and quicker) with the cats! I wish I didnt change the stock headers because I lost alot of bottom end torque.If you just want a better sound,get a good cat back system!! But taking the cats off shouldnt screw up your comp.Just my 2 cents

if you dont want cats get a mac prochamber

I have the stock 5.0 on there, i was thinking about getting the edelbrock performer 5.0, but that wouldn't be for a while, if at all. So get the high flow cats... what are the best ones to get? Do they sound as good as say a MAC o/r h? thanks.

I think there are quite a few high flow cats out there,but IMO,Bassani makes the best ,,,,"all metal high flow cats".Theres no ceramic to melt,but they are a little pricey!

foxbodyrules - If your motor is stock you want to stay away from x-pipes and go for an H-pipe. On mildly moded motors X-pipes loose low end tourqe in exchange for maximum high end power. Once you are making big horsepower an x is better.

I agree!

i know.. i wanted the h anyway, mainly for sound. I love the deep throaty flowmaster sound. The car sounds great when it's moving, just at idle, it's kind of quiet. What's the best way to improve the quieter idle?

Heads and cam,,LOL,,kidding,,,,well its a little give and take,especially with a stock motor!! I have a Bassani cat back,and it sounds pretty good at idle,,Again,,its hard to have a loud idle with a stock motor.I had dynomax race bullets for a while,and they werent real loud at idle,give it some gas and that changed real quick!!

If I were you I'd go catless. Don't get a Flowtech X-pipe like I did though, I had to get it custom welded to fit. Very poor quality and it ended up costing more than if I had just bought a decent X-pipe to begin with. Many say the Mac Prochamber is the best of the h- and x-pipe put together. Either way you go, you'll notice a great improvement in sound and a little more in the SOTP meter. I know just having my car sound aggressive means I drive it faster.

Like Habiv said,stay away from x-pipes,,(until you get more power) mac pro chamber?? Never used one,I hear they are pretty loud! If they have back pressure,"dont know" But,,I would check into it,this mite be your answer!!

I had to go with a hi-flow cat system for emission testing this year, I decided on the Catco stainless hi-flow, was reasonably priced. Another option is buying a used o/r hpipe and buying the new magnaflow cats, about six months ago they came out with a fox body specific, supposed to be really good and are proper shape for our pipe. I had the o/r on for a couple of years and with the F303 really miss the sound of the cam!

would you recommend getting an e303 cam?

So removing the cats doesn't throw a code? Sometimes doesn't throw a code?

I know with the newer stangs you need mil eliminators... searched and not sure about the older rust poopie stangs

Not True. My car picked up power all the way across the board and made 6 more HP than my old MAC O/R H-pipe. Bigger headers hurt me when I tried them but the x-pipe helped me a lot! Look at my MPH with stock motor, stock heads, stock headers, stock injectors, stock rockers, etc.... and that wasn't even a good run. I sure I could go 107 under the right conditions with a few more tricks.
Try VRS x-pipes.

would you need some type of mil eliminators to eliminate the check engine light? I haven't seen any for 87-93.
also.. i know i asked before but no one answered. Would the e303 cam be good for me? I've got the stock 5.0 motor, shorty headers, ford racing valve covers, dunno if all that has to do with the cam but just thought i'd get it out there. I drove a 91 LX 5.0 with the e303 cam, bbk o/r h-pipe, shorty headers, and stock motor and the idle was sweet. It was great while it was going too. Is the cam a big part of that? Would this improve the performance of mine? thanks.