Hi, I found this site awhile ago and have been browsing the parts and forum since and have been so far impressed. I recently got my first mustang, a 2002 v6 so far completely stock 68k miles, and was wondering what I could do to give it a "bit more" without spending too much. I had heard that changing to a dual exhaust increaeses horse power and gas milage and it seemed a good place to start. If anyone could tell me what making it a dual exhaust actually does, how much it would cost, and anything else I might be able to do with about $1500 or less, I realize that this may not be enough to do much but I could use something to do, it would be much appreciated. Man my first post and I'm asking for help heh.

 

dual exhaust opens up the flow of exhaust. the stock pipe is small and restrictive. The dual exhaust allows more flow and is less restrictive.

I suggest You go to youtube.com look up v6 mustang exhaust find what you like
go to your local shop and see what they can do for you
500 bucks is around what your looking at

 

ok, thanks but what does that do to the horse power and gas milage? Does it really increase them? I'm more einterested in the technical applications not so much the look or sound...though those are nice bonuses.

 

Here's a popular magnaflow system... roughly your horsepower increase was implied to be about 8 -13 horsepower increase on a basic dual setup...

Magnaflow 15717 Dual Exhaust 99-04

All MagnaFlow Mustang systems feature fast-flowing mandrel bent stainless steel tubing, straight through stainless steel MagnaFlow Performance Mufflers and polished, fully adjustable stainless steel tips. Features a Smooth, Deep Tone! Includes Polished Stainless Steel Tips! Mirror Finish Mufflers! Direct Bolt-On Replacement! Limited Lifetime Warranty!All Stainless Steel, Mandrel-Bent, Cat-Back Exhaust System With Polished Stainless Steel Tips.

$499.99

This site was found here : http://www.v6mustangstuff.com/exhaust.htm

 

you really won't gain anything from a dual exhaust basically just for looks

 

I would disagree.
As for the ones I described they have been proven to provide a small horsepower increase as I mentioned. Is this small increase enough to justify paying 500.00 extra dollars for a V6? Well that depends on the other benefits. I don't think people update their exhaust much for looks, but more for the better sound and response from less restriction.

 

well what i meant from not gaining anything was more to be taken as your not going to feel it. Put a dual exhaust on and of course its going to sound different but your not going to feel the difference like when getting a tune. As for the looks of course 2 stainless steel pipes are going to look better than the single rusted up one . I see what you mean though

 

+1

Better sound is the only thing you'll probably notice

 

Hmmm..ok then exhaust is still an option. Can any one sugest any other relativly cheap changes? Btw I was hoping to do any of the changes my self if possible and from what I've been reading it seems there is a way to change the exhaust without any welding. Am I reading this right or no matter what I have to weld?

 

depends there are bolt on exhaust systems and then there are exhaust systems that need to be welded.

 

So there is and option where all I have to do is unblot and bolt on the new stuff for a conversion from a stock single exhaust to a dual?

 

find americanmuscle.com, pick up phone, call happy friendly sales associate, speak desires, hear options, make purchase.

comply.

 

I have a 2000 GT and am considering a new exhaust system someday soon.
500.00 is a lot of money though for the benefits...

I'm thinking I can invest that 500.00 in other places that will give far more benefits for the money.

Here is my x-mas list (Saving best for the last)

* Front Chin Spoiler
* cold air intake kit
* Sequential turn signal mod
* indiglow gauge kit
* front grill delete
* Supercharger

I would like to know the differences between all the current exhaust setups though... Like catback, H-pipe, X-pipe, etc... What is the difference between all of those? I haven't researched them yet.

 

Yeah, same here I keep reading all this stuff but don't know what it means. Like offroad exhaust, I mean they aren't really for going off-road in your mustang are they?

 

all off road means is that you cant use it on the street or a pollution controlled car.

 

Maybe R3D can educate us on the new exhaust systems that are available.
It seems that some of the names are just based on the pattern that the pipes form... Like the H pipe forms like an H pattern, and the X Pipe is like an X pattern. But which ones have proven to be more bang for the buck? And what are some of the pros and cons of each? Then you have cat Back?
What's the best setup to go with R3D? Also, are the bolt on setups adviseable? Or are they prone to leaks? My idea is that welded would be the better way to go, but you would be subject to those additional charges for their labor of welding.

 

h makes more torque sounds deeper and meaner like older muscle cars.
X makes top end power and sounds more European. Me i only use H-pipes as there is a 2-3rwhp hp difference and i would rather have more torque.

However the v6 is even firing so an x or h-pipe doesn't really matter. Just go with what is cheaper to get or sounds better.

 

Ok... here's your science of exhaust lesson for today:

True dual: 1 pipe dedicated for each bank of cylinders in a v motor. These are good for rednecks looking for blatty sounding exhaust and v6 cars that need to maintain a little back pressure to keep their tq numbers up.

H-pipe: Basically a true dual with a single balance tube between the pipes. Placed in the right location and made in the right size the balance tube will help tune sound output and it helps a bit with scavenging. The h-pipe design sounds much more like traditional 70's era muscle with the deep rumble sound we all like. Power improvements come from additional flow capacity and scavenging.

X-pipe: kinda like an H-pipe but the X shape causes the gasses to cross tubes much more efficiently which creates a much improved scavenging effect and better (by a very small amount for most street cars) power. The x causes the sound to lose low rpm rumble but it gains high rpm scream. If the X isn't placed at the right spot in the pipe you lose much of the power returning potential. I prefer x pipes personally but H-pipes are MUCH easier to work with in almost all circumstances where other mods come into play.

Cat-back: all the pipes from the catalytic converters back including any mufflers in the system.

Mid-pipe: in our cars this is the pipe that contains the catalytic converters. It's called the x-pipe or h-pipe depending on its design for probably obvious reasons by now.

Headers is a whole different discussion. Long tubes rule, mid-length are nice, shorties usually aren't worth **** and stock manifolds are less than optimal. If you're thinking shorties... you probably shouldn't bother.

Off-road: This means the pipes aren't smog legal. They usually don't have any catalytic converters on them and they really suck azz IMHO. Cats cost you maybe a couple hp but they really do help the environment. I hate enviro-freaks preaching to me about saving the planet and even I refuse to use an offroad pipe because it's so easy and cheap to do the right thing in a way that will actually help. Use catted pipes.

As for branding... Bassani, SLP, Borla, Magnaflow all make premium kits. I don't like flowmaster mufflers but the rest of their stuff is US made and top quality in its price range. You do get what you pay for.

Weld vs. bolt on: a properly manufactured bolt-on exhaust is a beautiful thing. Welding is done after you've fitted it with the bolt up route but is an optional step. I normally weld all my stuff but for 99% of the cars out there bolt-on is actually a better idea. It's easy to do and quick to adjust the fitment.

 

Ok thanks that last post was a big help, answered alot of my questions.
So I have to do some welding to set up my car for a bolt on? I see the word optional does that mean welding the bolt on section shut after bolting it on? Uggg..I feel so noobish.

 

Man that was an awsome Job R3D....
Thanks for taking the time to break down the fundamentals of the latest exhaust setups.
Honestly I had no clue as to how these worked and your write-up here really broke it down nicely. This should be made into a sticky for the forum.. Thumbs up for R3D.

I know you really helped me out with my suspension project, and wanted to thank you for that as well... I'm really happy with the car now.

 

he was saying you have to choices. you can buy one that bolts up or one that welds on. its your choice here is a good kit if you just want to blot on
http://www.americanmuscle.com/magnaf...t-9904-v6.html

 

this is another one i found http://www.stangmods.com/MAC-Cat-Bac...476-tk3848.htm

 

For 99.9% of us, bolt on exhaust is ideal. People that are really serious about their cars will weld exhaust as most of it is custom made. If you are like most of us, you will want to stay away from welding. Nice thing about bolt on exhaust is they go on and off easy.

BTW, as far as sound goes, while generally speaking, an x-pipe makes a bit of a higher pitch, if you use the right "catback" you will lower the note a bit. For example, I have a catted X-pipe, but have an SLP Loudmouth. This exhaust users resonators rather then mufflers. Sounds like an old hot rod, but use it with an H pipe and they sound REALLY deep and burbly.

Best thing is to listen to different combos in person.

 

Is there a bolt on option to use an x or h pipe?

 

Yes, american muscle sells bolt on H and x-pipes for the v6 cars.

 

Man you guys have been a great help. So it goes on as -headers-h or x pipe/converter- exhaust system
is this everything I need for a bolt on? Right order?

 

yep u got it: headers, h or x, cattback

 

Forgot to ask this in my last question. Is it nesecary for me to have everything catted? Or will haveing either h/x pipe or the exhaust system be enough? example off road exhaust with catted h pipes

 

Well your catback exhaust which comes after the X or H pipe will be catted. However if you get the off road midpipe you probably won't be emissions legal however you can always get hiflow cats welded on if you go the off road route. Otherwise if you get a catted h or x (there are more catted X pipe options) you will be ok and won't have to get any extra work done other than order and bolt up

 

if its off road there are no cats