[Archy88]

What's going on...
I've been dying to put dual exhausts on the car, and hopefully by spring i'll have the money to do so.

I've got an 02 3.8

I would certainly like to keep everything has inexpensive as possible, the car is my daily driver and I don't want anything unnecessary. I also have plans for a visual theme as well, with the most expensive being wheels & tires. So I don't want to go nuts on the exhaust if I don't have to.

I'm looking for a deep, clean, even sound. I don't anything raspy, or crazy loud. Just enough to make it sound like a muscle car

My original idea was Magnaflow cat-back...period.

But for some reason, headers sounded like a great idea...

So, the second option would be;
Headers(So far, Long Tube Mac)
X Pipe(W/ or w/o cats, depending on price)
High Flow Cats
Magnaflow mufflers


I'm not the most experienced with this subject, so I'm even having trouble finding JUST catalytic converters...lol. Sorry if the thread is long & kind of vague...but I'd love for some input to guide me in the right direction.

Take care all

[mustangmanic]

MAC FTW!!! the only exhaust on a v6 mustang that wont sound ricy is MAC.

MAC catted x and Catback will do wonders man. MAC LT's will top it all off

[Murderjetz]

I thought an X pipe was more raspy than an H pipe?

[Archy88]

lol. that's I like opinions. I had originally been looking for x-pipe because of performance. But if the raspyness is more noticeable than the performance gain, ill go with an h pipe.

I've heard that mac rusts through quick. I live in New England, so the salt & such would eat at it even faster if that were the case.

With a mac mid pipe & cat back, would you keep stock cats?

[mustangmanic]

Originally Posted by Murderjetz I thought an X pipe was more raspy than an H pipe?

Thats why i said a "catted" x pipe. The catalytic converter will get rid of that raspyness and will still sound great

[Archy88]

thlat woud make my life a lot easier. sorry I didn't notice you saying it. I was having a hard time finding just cats, so a catted pipe would be great.

[mustangmanic]

idk if MAC actually makes a catted x, but i know pypes does, and their shit is pretty good also

[travis_afx]

i have an off-road x-pipe and MAC catback. Your right without the cats it will seem a litle raspy, but i really like how mine sounds so its all personal taste. But def. get cats if your worried about the raspiness

[mustangmanic]

Originally Posted by travis_afx i have an off-road x-pipe and MAC catback. Your right without the cats it will seem a litle raspy, but i really like how mine sounds so its all personal taste. But def. get cats if your worried about the raspiness

He has a v6 so... i think the cats will help contain the "ricy" tone they sometimes tend to get with a catback.

[Archy88]

I'm actually surprised that the cats help with the tone of the sound. But either way, I live in RI and we have to pass emissions...bummer

Would you recommend long tube headers, mid length, or shorties??

I think I found a magnaflow catted H, or it was mac...

And then it seems the overall impression is MAC catback...

I've only had real success finding long tube headers...which I found for $310.

Any estimate on this whole system?



I really appreciate the replies, any little bit helps!

[mustangmanic]

LT's are the way to go... a much better hp gain (you'll actually feel it).

I'm guessing (now this is just an estimate)
$400 for headers
$230 for midpipe
$230 for catback

I really have no idea on v6 mustang exhaust pricing, but that seems locical to me.

and you're damn right about MAC lol

[Archy88]

I wish I had 3 grand sitting in my pocket to go out & do this right now!!!

This turned into an affordable project, to...gotta start cashing in the overtime!

I'm scared as hell to see what the labor costs would be for this

Thanks again for the replies!, now I just have to get exact prices on mac's products.

[tjames]

you will fail emmissions with l/t headers. and without cats. you need to at least have high flow cats and shorty headers if any at all. but i think that the shorties are a waste so stick with the stock manifolds and get a catted X or H and i prefer the sound of flowmaster original 40s. but mac sounds good too.

[mustangmanic]

archy... dont pay to have exhaust installed.

Get some jack stands and have a buddy help you out.. It'll save you $200 easy probably alot more.

If you screw up, like getting an exhaust leak, then take it to the shop and just have them fix it for you for like $75 or so

It always feels amazing to save money and learn about cars all in one.

[Stang187]

in the next 2 weeks er so when my mil eliminators are shipped in, im goin with mac longtubes (ceramac coated), mac offroad h, and mac catback can't wait.

[Archy88]

Beliiiieveeee me. I would love to install my own exhaust. My biggest mod was installing subs...and that felt AMAZING.

Not to sound like the noob that I am, but wouldn't the parts have to be welded on to be fully secured? Not to mention what would be involved to take the old one off.

Hell, if I can do it, and I find the how-to's...I might take a crack at it. Worse comes to worse, I pay the $200 anyway and have it done over. lol



Btw, has anyone ever heard dynomax?

[mustangmanic]

dynomax sounds good on the v8's... i wouldnt suggest it for any v6 though... its more mellow than a lot of exhausts out there. I wouldnt stray too far from flowmaster original 40's, u might try the new 44's, or MAC

[Archy88]

Thanks for the tip man. I'm gonna have to go scrounge up some sound clips & see if that helps with a decision.

[mustangmanic]

yup no problem...

[Stang187]

i just got my mils today... so anytime in the next week or so im gonna have my exhaust put on: mac lt ceramac, mac h pipe, mac catback ill get a soundclip and post it on here I cant wait..been waitin for ever....and I also got a gt bumper put on and painted since some girl hit my stock bumper... its gona look nice with the duals.... for now I got a gt bumper and my stock exhaust... looks kinda funky and empty lol