Mac Exhaust, Convt, Questions

[ZiggyStang]

Hi There!

I wanted to start off by saying thanks to everyone for putting up the wealth of information on these boards. I recently purchased my first car, which luckily for me, ended up being a 2002 6 Convertible Mustang. I really never knew much about cars in detail. It wasnt until i stumbled across these forums that I realized how many things could be done to improve your ride. Some of the stuff you guys do is awe inspiring

I've litterally been reading for a week about everything I possibly could, and I've decided to start out by upgrading my exhaust to a Mac Dual exhaust system. I do have some questions regarding this that I was hoping you could help get answered before I go ahead and order it.
Keep in mind that my V6 Convertible is 100% stock

First off, is the sound/performance difference good enough to spend and extra $100-150 to have a shop put it on by cutting off the Y-Pipe? If I opt'd with the Y-pipe kit/fit, I would be able to have a friend help me put it on. If i went the other way, I'd need the shop to do it, upp'ing the cost considerably.
Also, as far as the chrome tips rusting, some people mentioned that Mac is releasing a Stainless Steel version soon? Living in Florida, would this even be a problem? Not much salting going on here
Last, with me having a Convertible, will the Mac exhaust be so loud that it'll be headache inducing with the top down?

Last, to make sure I have everything right, If I was to order either the V6 kit or the True Dual Exhaust, all I'd need would be the hangers and bolts, correct?
http://www.extremeeffect.com/38Exhaust.html

I did look into getting a GT take off, but by the time you order the GT take off, plus shipping, plus a aftermarket Muffler, you're paying the same if not more from my research and its a lot more hassle.

Thanks in advance!

- Brian

 

[Captain_Ron]

Hey what's up man, I personally think that the Mac kit is awesome!

First of all if you opt for the Y-pipe cut off and adapter H-pipe, you should really have the H-pipe welded together. I bought my h-pipe adapter from steeda and it comes with really weak looking clamps to hold it together. I highly suggest taking to a shop to have it welded! As far as the installation goes, that is the hardest part. The cat back kit just bolts on after the h-pipe. One problen you will run into with the H-pipe adapter is one tail pipe will stick out just a little more than the other.

What I did just for simplicity sake is have the shop put the whole kit together. My installation only cost me $125 for everything. Cutting, welding and labor. I didn't think that that was to bad myself. Plus the shop is the one who informed me about the difference in tail pipe length and they fixed it on the spot.

I do have a problem with my tip rusting, but I also went threw 3 bad winters of ice and snow with them. I figure, what the hell, they look good and I feel like I got my money worth. The sound out put is excellent and will in no way give you a headache while driving down the road. I love my kit and would recamend it to anyone. If you have anymore questions about the kit, feel free to ask me.

Oh yeah, I just bought my hangers threw my local ford dealer. not expensive at all. Watch out for cheap aftermarket hangers, they don't hold up at all.

One more thing I bought my kit 3 years ago so I have no idea about macs stailess steel version. Sorry about that.

Talk to you later

Ron

 

[ChrisYellowV6]

Hey man welcome to the forums!

I'm a lot like you...still learning about the cars. I have the MAC Straight Flowpath series on my car, god do they sound good, and increased fuel efficcency also! . I would highly, HIGHLY reccomend you get the Y cut off, but have them do an X pipe, it will give you slightly more power, and a deeper growl to it.

Also go to EBAY and get yourself a $50 cold air intake, that will give you another 10 hp or so, and I think it's nearly unanimously agreed upon that when you do an exhaust (the right way), you need a CAI.

Now, if you want to still do a true h pipe, but don't want the autoshop work, you CAN do this, and I DO NOT RECCOMEND IT, BECAUSE IT VIOLATES FEDERAL EMISSIONS RULES!!! (but it sure as hell sounds nice ) http://www.onestopexhaust.com/detail.cfm?menu_id=8879

Call them, they can get it for you. YOu actually remove your Cats (again, not legal and not condoned by me or anybody on this website), and bolt this pipe on where they were. I'm just letting you know of the options.

Where in FL do you live? I'm up here in Pensacola, and I have no problem with my chrome tips rusting. I got this exhaust setup off my friends 96 v6 that he totaled (got a 95 5.0 to replace it and it had duals so he sold me his) and he had it on there for 2 years, so they've had some time in this salty atmosphere, but they aren't rusting I dont think chrome does rust....

The only thing I have to say is for the first 100 or so miles on this new system, you don't have the buildup of crap in your pipes, so i'ts going to give you a slightly higher sound (which really hurt my ears) but i'ts gotten a lot better now.

Let us know what happens with your stang and again, welcome to the board!