X pipes or Flowmasters

[Ash's07]

I know that people don't like repeat thread, I searched and did not really find any but I do have a low attention span so I am sorry if this is a repeat.

I am new to the fixing up my car. I had a '98 mustang when I was 15 and it was not legally mine and my dad would not let me do any thing. Now that I am older I just bought an '07 GT a few months ago. The sound is okay, but I want a louder more aggressive sound. I have asked around with my friends who owned mustangs before and there is a split vote on the X pipes and FlowMasters. I don't know what to put on my car, but I know I want something on there. She sounds good now but she needs to sound more aggressive.

Plus I've heard that flowmasters make a popping sound? And what is the difference in sound with an xpipe and an off-road x-pipe? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[SpectorV]

the new stangs dont make as much noise with just axle backs~ if you want it loud you will need to change out the stock H pipe and such.

[maximus]

well i dont know much about the 05+, but i had just a flowmaster cb n my 04 gt and it sounded ok. Then I put on a set of bbk lt's and a bbk x-pipe and i absolutly love the sound. Very exotic,mean and rumbly, exactly how a mustang should sound.

[SpectorV]

Ive heard catbacks on 05+'s and they make about half the sound difference a pre 05 has with a catback.

[sledgehammer]

just run headers.... it will get you what you want - loud!!!

[Thomas91169]

i guess what you are asking is what pieces you should change first, be it your catback or your midpipe.

IMO id say grab a catback first and install that, though i wouldnt go flowmasters unless you like your mustang sounding like everyone else.

if after the catback isnt enough, swap out the midpipe. there are two types, X or H. Xpipes usually give more exotic and defined exhaust tone and more top end power with less low end torque (generally), whereas Hpipes will give you that rumbley muscle-car tone (almost the tone you feel with the stock H) and generally give you more low end power increase than top end.

going catless or high-flow cats also has a big difference in tone, loudness and performance. Catless gives you more power and loudness, exhaust velocity is increased due to the lack of backpressure, you gain more power but lose low end torque when removing catalytics, and you will also need some sort of device to turn off the rear 02 sensors as to not throw CEL's, this can be done in the tune (via dyno or handhelds) or with 02 Eliminators, which in my experience, are pretty hit and miss. High-Flow cats are the best of both worlds, give you better flow while still being legal, and most times you wont need to worry about the 02 Sensors.

your best bet is to find exhaust clips of various mustangs and their setups, and go with what you like best; everyone has their own idea of what a mustang should sound like, which is why mustang exhaust is the biggest aftermarket part selection available for our cars, and why its the hardest part(s) you will ever have to choose.

[Darkhorse_MD]

I too am in this same confusing stage. I personally think that the new pypes mid-muffler CB sounds awesome, but I'm torn btw it and a full 3" Bassani x-pipe/CB. Everything that I hear about flowmasters is they don't sound like flowmasters on the new stangs. I haven't personally hear it, but the clips don't sound too promising (got that tin-can sound)

[Y2E0L0L5OGWT]

The best sounding cat-back system on 05+'s is the Borla/Ford Racing system...It goes for a nice low purr at idle and has that perfect throating roar up in the RPM...

if you are looking for an even louder sound, my suggestion would be long-tubes and an X-pipe...either catted or non-catted...I have found that Stainless Works makes probably the best looking/sounding full exhaust setup for the 05+'s IMO...so I would probably suggest going with a Borla/Ford Racing cat-back along with a full stainless works long tube/high-flow catted x-pipe setup...IF you have the money for it...you are looking at about $1500-2000 worth of parts there...

but as most people will attest to in the car world, you really do get what you pay for...

[hottcobra]

I have Flows on my car and I like them a lot. I have an X-pipe welded to the factory cats. and it dosen't pop at all I'm getting ready to cut open the cats and bore them out I'll let u know what they sound like then

[sledgehammer]

^ save the scrap and sell it for platinum!! $$$$$





okay there is so little its not worth it.

[Darkhorse_MD]

Quote: Originally Posted by hottcobra I have Flows on my car and I like them a lot. I have an X-pipe welded to the factory cats. and it dosen't pop at all I'm getting ready to cut open the cats and bore them out I'll let u know what they sound like then

What size tube do you have? I can't really rely on what "computer clips" sound like, but original exhaust map was a bassani 3" xpipe welded to the factory cats, and running 3" all the way back to a set of 40 series. You said that yours don't have that horrible metal sound that the clips do? If so, gives me new hope for my original plan.

[hottcobra]

I have the factory mid pipes and American Thunder mufflers for the 05+ GT and I don't get and popping. but when I remove the cats I don't know what it will sound like

[jwhite]

I also have flowmasters on my '05 GT. It sounds very nice, is noticably louder, and definitely has the characteristic flowmaster sound. I disagree with going with the ford racing axle back system. A friend of mine has it, in addition to BBK shorties, and the ford x replacement and mine is still louder and better sounding with just the flowmaster axle back. I personally think that the ford racing axle back sounds a bit like glass packs, but not as extreme. I do agree that you probably couldn't go wrong if you use borla xr-1s, they make almost anything sound awesome.

[karrnutt]

I have the ford racing x-pipe and gta mufflers. If its good enough for Shelby , its good enough for me !!

[rocknbronco]

I would run some X pipes to equalize the exhaust pressure, also headers will help with power and the decible level as well. If thats not enought then add some flowmasters all in all you will have one louder car, better hp and tq plus added fuel economy, if you drive it right......
I have used flowmaster for years and have em on all of my V8's no poping they sound great.

[05bluestang]

I run the magnaflow "true X" x-pipe with cats and the Magnapack exhaust on my 05. They sound great, not too overbearingly loud and no popping........
MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust - For American Muscle Cars
MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust - For American Muscle Cars

[fear1]

I have the polished stainless Pypes Violator Axle back, and they look and sound great. I decided to go with polished mufflers since they are visible from the rear of the car. And they were cheap at around $240 for the pair shipped.

[braumab]

x-pipes....

[Gibbyzracing]

The new line of flowmasters they are making cackle when you put tail pipes on them.

I vote off road X pipe and a older style 40 series or so flowmaster

[rocknbronco]

The 40's make some sweet notes.

[rtracer408]

Headers and Xpipes