[King Justice]

Hello.

I have a 2001 Ford Mustang GT (4.6L). I have an exhaust system on it, but I am not sure what kind it is.

First of all, I pose this question: is cat-back the only type of exhaust system available / is cat-back the best type for HP gain for the Ford Mustang?

I have a list from two websites of the exhaust systems I have been looking at:
- from AutoAnything
- from American Muscle

From my choices, I see a few big brand names, but which one is the best?

Monza PaceSetter I have had great experience with my old car, but it doesn't seem as good as the other options I have. A lot of people route for Flowmaster, and I am looking at the difference between the American Thunder and the Force II exhaust systems. Borla is also a big brand name in exhaust systems but is very pricey. I see I can even get a dual cat-back exhaust system.

These choices are overwhelming. The Mustang is a much different car than my old one, and it has a lot more performance parts to choose from. I am really focusing on buying and installing the best one, but which is it, and why?

Sound really doesn't matter all that much...it's power, horsepower.

Or maybe I should just run a straight-pipe? :p

[superbeef1000]

American Muscle is a good place to buy from good luck with your choice they have a lot to choose from

[Doc8224]

All out power? Go with magnaflow magnapack cat-back, or Borla stingers, or SLP loudmouth. The biggest horsepower gain is not gonna come from the cat back but from the mid pipe. For that, if you don't have to worry about emissions then get a Mac O/R Prochamber. and some MIL eliminators

[klindz500]

even so you could get a catted x pipe.....with the right mufflers and maybe some headers if you want your stang would sound killer...an x pipe takes exhaust gases from one side of the engine and when it crosses over the x provides suction for the other side of the engine and visversa..providing premium flow..also remember any more air you get into your intake will improve exhaust note...whether it be cai or throttle body and plenum or hell ever a charger....hope this helps

[GTsetGO]

Complete Exhaust has great prices on magnaflow and flowmaster. you have to call them to get the best deal, but you do what you got to do.

[HMUSN]

Originally Posted by King Justice Hello.First of all, I pose this question: is cat-back the only type of exhaust system available / is cat-back the best type for HP gain for the Ford Mustang?

there are 3 pieces to an exhaust system.

your headers ( you have the choice of short or long tube)






your mid pipe ( also known as H pipe, x pipe, or prochamber)




and your cat back.
there are many different brands of them.

[KingChronic]

there are the 3 exhaust components. the high power gainer, ad simpleist to install is going to be the cat back system.

also, magnaflow typically makes more power than other system out there, not too much more, but does ussually make the most.

[Blk01ponyGT]

to get the most power out of your exhaust you will want longtube headers, an o/r midpipe, and catbacks are mostly for the sound and to finish out the flow. so figure out which one sounds best to you by looking at YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. clips of different ones

[KingChronic]

Originally Posted by Blk01ponyGT to get the most power out of your exhaust you will want longtube headers, an o/r midpipe, and catbacks are mostly for the sound and to finish out the flow. so figure out which one sounds best to you by looking at YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. clips of different ones

you are very wrong, stock cat back systems are VERY restrictive, tey definently gain the most power, followed by a O/R midpipe, which not only flows better than the stock H with 2 cats and 2 resonators, but it also weighs alot less. headers are the last on the list though. no to mention most people cant install them like most can a midpipe, or catback. and cost to install headers is about $500-900.

[King Justice]

Thanks for the info. Wouldn't a dual cat-back exhaust system be the best choice, since it would give more air-flow correct?

[KingChronic]

Originally Posted by King Justice Thanks for the info. Wouldn't a dual cat-back exhaust system be the best choice, since it would give more air-flow correct?

thats how they come.

[mustangmanic]

Originally Posted by KingChronic you are very wrong, stock cat back systems are VERY restrictive, tey definently gain the most power, followed by a O/R midpipe, which not only flows better than the stock H with 2 cats and 2 resonators, but it also weighs alot less. headers are the last on the list though. no to mention most people cant install them like most can a midpipe, or catback. and cost to install headers is about $500-900.

FYI, companies BS you on the hp gain that their catbacks give you. You're not gonna get more than 5hp from just an aftermarket catback over the stock... like stated above, ITS THE MIDPIPE that makes or breaks exhaust.

b/t an X, H, and Prochamber you'll most likely see gains upwards of 8+hp maybe even 12, depends on how the midpipe is constructed

X= more flow than H, but you dont gain much low end TQ, you'll all gain it back again in the high rpms, X's flow the best.
*Raspy in tone, Nascar like sound

H= Great flow, but not as good as x. Provides more backpressure than x, so you'll have more low end TQ, but you wont gain too much HP off it it.
*Deep, classic musclecar tone.

Prochamber= Best of both worlds, has both qualities of X and H
*sounds deep like a H

[King Justice]

I always thought that performance exhaust systems contained the midpipe, but I guess I am wrong? Where can I find individual midpipes at?

And can someone please explain to me the difference between a straight pipe and a midpipe? I always thought that the straightpipe was just an exhaust system with no muffler, but maybe I am wrong...maybe there is an HP gain or something with just straight pipe?

[mustangmanic]

You can find midpipes at literally any performance automotive website.
I'd suggest americanmuscle.com or just ebay.

A straight pipe is when you have a straight through muffler (no chambers) popular brands of straight mufflers (glasspacks) include: Borla Stingers, MAC Boomtubes, SLP LM1, and Magnaflow Magnapacks.

A straight pipe when referring to trucks/other big ass engines is pretty much just a straight pipe w/ no cats or mufflers.

I wouldnt suggest the truck method on stangs... JMO

[40thmustanggt]

Originally Posted by King Justice I always thought that performance exhaust systems contained the midpipe, but I guess I am wrong? Where can I find individual midpipes at? And can someone please explain to me the difference between a straight pipe and a midpipe? I always thought that the straightpipe was just an exhaust system with no muffler, but maybe I am wrong...maybe there is an HP gain or something with just straight pipe?

no theres not and your right thats what straight pipes are..

[40thmustanggt]

Originally Posted by mustangmanic You can find midpipes at literally any performance automotive website. I'd suggest americanmuscle.com or just ebay. A straight pipe is when you have a straight through muffler (no chambers) popular brands of straight mufflers (glasspacks) include: Borla Stingers, MAC Boomtubes, SLP LM1, and Magnaflow Magnapacks. A straight pipe when referring to trucks/other big ass engines is pretty much just a straight pipe w/ no cats or mufflers. I wouldnt suggest the truck method on stangs... JMO

change that he's right.