cat-back exhaust question

[hemihotrod402]

has anyone ever used the H-pipe from rock auto (you can get at other places too), bolted it onto the cats, slapped on some flowmasters, and ran the tail pipes? I know its still 2 inches, but money is a problem. Im basically trying to get a set-up I can enjoy for now, and then really get the upgrade when I have the time and money.

[HotRodLincoln]

Most shops carry x-pipes, just have them bend you new pipes and install it, you can pick whatever size you want usually, and run them out the side right before the tires. It should only cost around $200, and it'll sound awesome. An added benefit is when you want to do the rest of the exhaust, they only have to chop it behind your muffling devices (if you choose to use any) and run the tails. You just have to find a shop that doesn't mind doing slightly illegal mods.

[Smokestacklightnin]

I'm using a bolt up H-pipe but not sure of the brand (matco?), has been on the car for almost 7yrs now. Using glasspacks and using 2 1/4in tailpipes. The muffler shop that installed the H-pipe. Has a decent sound to it and the glasspacks dont have that blatty sound to them. Has a nice low rumble at idle, and at cruising speeds. Glasspacks are inexpensive and get louder the older they get. Not sure how the flowmasters would sound though.

[Enigma]

Yep, that's how I went from singles to duals on mine, except I used thrush glasspacks. I've used flowmasters twice previously, and was not happy with them either time, plus they just cost too damn much. It's still pretty quiet with the cats on there, but at least I can hear them now. All my vehicles will get thrush glasspacks till the day I die.

[85crownHPP]

You can definitely do it, but what it costs will vary a lot... shop around.... you will be surprised at the differences. Some shops think doing anything but installing bolt-up OEM replacement stuff is 'custom' work and charge twice as much.
Usually a dedicated exhaust shop will be cheaper, and may even be able you bend you larger diameter tail pipes for a similar price as the stock tails.
Any performance muffler will sound good but mellow with cats and small pipes, 'turbo' mufflers may even be near quiet. Going with larger tailpipes should make either a little louder.

[hemihotrod402]

ok thanks for the help! I contacted the local exhaust shop that did my dad's street rods exhaust, and the can bend me an illegal set of pipes (from the exhaust manifolds) with an H pipe for $200. And thats 2.5" exhaust!!!!!! I just have to add the mufflers, which I might just go with thrush super turbos. No i just need to find a pair of headers i like

[1987cp]

You need my old Dynomax catback system. :evil: I have an H pipe I *might* be convinced to part with as well .....

From what I've been hearing, buying a stock replacement H pipe really isn't particularly cost-effective .... you'd be way better off financially finding a used stock Mustang H pipe for very cheap and running your 2.25"-mids-into-2"-tails system from there ....

What's your current engine combo? If it's mild, you may not be particularly happy with 2.5" pipes ...

[Enigma]

you can get stock Maremont replacement pipes from Autozone. When you can't find Walker pipes for an application, Maremont usually has them. Those are usually the 2 manufacturers that most of the muffler shops around here use.
H pipe - 441955 = $73
L tail - 360465 = $35
R tail - 360553 = $27

total $135, then just add mufflers of your choice.

This will be just like factory, and you can bolt them up in your garage/driveway. On a stock lo-po 5.0 that we run, it's plenty good.

On my tired lo-po with over 80k on the engine, I barely noticed a difference going from single to duals. The biggest difference I got is when I replaced the stock restrictive clogged up muffler with a glasspack. Huge difference there.

then down the road you can get the shorty headers, mustang offroad H or X pipe, mufflers of choice, and impala tails when money allows.

[hemihotrod402]

you can get stock Maremont replacement pipes from Autozone. When you can't find Walker pipes for an application, Maremont usually has them. Those are usually the 2 manufacturers that most of the muffler shops around here use.
H pipe - 441955 = $73
L tail - 360465 = $35
R tail - 360553 = $27

total $135, then just add mufflers of your choice.

This will be just like factory, and you can bolt them up in your garage/driveway. On a stock lo-po 5.0 that we run, it's plenty good.

On my tired lo-po with over 80k on the engine, I barely noticed a difference going from single to duals. The biggest difference I got is when I replaced the stock restrictive clogged up muffler with a glasspack. Huge difference there.

then down the road you can get the shorty headers, mustang offroad H or X pipe, mufflers of choice, and impala tails when money allows.

this is exactly what I need! How did it sound with the glasspack? They are a lot cheaper than some other mufflers. Yes, Im running as of now a stock lopo engine, Im just trying to get the exhaust to have more bite to go along with the wheels coming next spring.

[Smokestacklightnin]

If its going to be a stock motor and pipe diameters, i would go with the glasspacks. The shorter the glasspack the louder it will be, but it will get even louder after break-in and with age. When i nail the throttle on mine it turns heads!

[Enigma]

as long as you have functioning cats, it is not going to be really loud, or turn heads. But you will definately be able to hear them. And you won't have to worry about the cops pulling you over for being too loud.

[P72Ford]

There is a local garage that will bend a complete 2.25" true dual cat back, with 2 Flowmaster 40s for $325.

I'd go for that. My car was $400, and the work was shit. From what I have seen, though, the $325 cat backs are pretty nice, bending and weld wise.

[HotRodLincoln]

as long as you have functioning cats, it is not going to be really loud, or turn heads.

Not to contradict you, but my TC has functioning cats, is VERY loud, and turns heads everywhere I go.

[1987cp]

Quite probable, as my stock lowpo was intolerable when the original Y pipe rotted out and I had to drive home (and around town for a week or so) with open cats. Remind us what the rest of your system is composed of?

[P72Ford]

My burnout car ('88 5.0 P72) was pretty quiet with nothing but converters. Some noise when you revved it. Hell, the car is quiet at idle with nothing aft of the manifolds. Pretty loud revved up, though.

My 4.7 Dodge is louder through the cats then the entirely open LO 5.0, though.