Wanting some input from you guys about an exhaust for the Mach. I'm gonna post over at the Mach1Registry too, but I still like getting tips from here.

Thinking about Borla Stingers, but not sure what to do about the mid-pipe. Should I leave it stock and see how I like the sound after just a catback change? or should I go for the o/r x, and get some extra power?

My only concern would be that it might sound too loud and raspy. My friend had longtubes on his GT, and I loved how loud it was... so I'm not against loud cars, just loud cars that aren't done right. Don't want to ruin the mach with a bad exhaust choice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_GcwbkjxPA
(let me know if the link doesn't work... but this is what got me wanting the o/r x)

 

Its hard to get an accurate sound from a video but at 2.38 or thereabouts on that youtube link it sounded like a truck.

 

Agreed. You have to take exhaust videos with a grain of salt because every microphone is different and more likely than not the shitty microphone on one's phone is not doing the trick.

Regardless, I have Stingers on my 2v with stock manifolds and mid-pipe. Sounds great. Fit, finish and sound quality of Borla is second to none. A mid-pipe is next on the list for me so maybe I can help you out. Looking at mid-pipes the only ones I really care for are Bassani and Hooker. VRS, UPR, Pacesetter, SLP, and Pypes are complete **** in my book. I was told VRS is made my UPR or vica versa and we all know UPR products aren't too hot. Magnaflow X-pipes aren't too shabby but for that coin I'd rather have a Bassani piece. Regardless...

I know your 4v is different than my 2v but Stingers + Bassani O/R X is going to be quite loud and quite raspy. I'm going with the Hi-flow version of Bassani's X-pipe; it'll be just a tad louder than stock and have a different tone but still be within reason. All in all I don't think you will find a good O/R X-pipe to match the Stingers. A straight through resonator combined with no cats seems to be much much to far in the LM1/LM2 direction.

And I know others will chime in, but I would get cats. Not a big tree hugger kind of person but just do your part? Hi-flow cats are a big step up from stock and not very far behind O/R anyways but you probably already knew that.

Longtubes are going to give a lower tone I believe and tame the fact that you don't have no cats, if you decide to go that route. Here's an example of Hooker longtubes, a Hooker O/R X and Borla Stingers (on a 2v keep in mind): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd_G-...eature=related. Seems to maintain the deep growl of the Stingers but just a little higher pitched due to the X-pipe.

Here's another example. Bassani O/R X and Borla Stingers, also on a 2v. Yes, I know the 4v's sound different but it is a good starting point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekDuD...eature=related. That is why I'm not going O/R on the pipe.

And one last one. Borla Stingers again and with a Pacesetter O/R X-pipe. Sounds a lot better actually than the previous link but I'm willing to bet it's louder than it seems through the video. Doesn't seem too raspy though. May be a the microphone? Again, have to take these videos with a grain of salt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIvvk...eature=related.

I've heard an O/R X on a Terminator and it is respectfully loud. I can't remember what mufflers he was running and that would be key but I'm going the route of keeping the car sane. Something I can take my girl out in but still not be obnoxious. If I wanted that I would have gone with LM1's as a muffler choice. Just my two cents.

 

Well quick update, I've finally got the car and drove it home. All stock, but has a nice rumble to it, so I may just change the catback and see how that suits me for a while.

Thanks for your reply man, lots of good info there. I finally drove the car home today, and I think the Machs are pretty loud from the factory. I'm definetly doing the Borla Stingers, and keeping the stock mid-pipe, for now that is... I will probably upgrade the mid, depending on how much I like the catback change. I think a catted X is what I'm leaning towards, since X is what most people run on Machs, and they're good with the mustangs natural sound.

I know a catted X won't give me much power gain, but it would be a mod mainly for the sound difference. Now.... think Ima go order that JLT ram air intake.

(ps... would I need a tune or anything extra for a catted X pipe? to keep a check engine light off? or is it just a bolt and go)