chasb4570

We purchased an '04 coupe last October with 11,700 on the clock. Full option with six speed. Car has TI exhaust installed and I just installed a Callaway Honker CAI so the car can enjoy some of the cool Phoenix air. I do not plan on racing, just nice road trips that might include some "spirited" sequences. Is removing the H pipe something to really consider? I stopped yesterday at a local exhaust shop. The owner said they could cut out the H pipe and install, (weld), a pre-manufactured X pipe for $130.00. Price doesn't sound bad. Is the overall outcome worth the investment or is there a better alternative other than the one I found yesterday. I don't plan on going the header route at this time.
Thank you.
Chas

RedZMonte

it should smooth out some of the burbling/motor boat sound on deceleration, but you wont notice a difference in power. If you are running LT headers or aftermarket exhaust you will hear a smoother cleaner sound but no really any power to gain. $130 installed is not a bad price... about what i would expect to pay, I have thought about doing it on my car but just cant justify it for no gains... i like the sound as it is already. I would say spend the money elsewere.... ECS has mail order tunes that will be a better investment in my pinion.

S

onlyavette

What are you looking to gain by adding an X pipe? It won't add any power to a stock engine. I have an 04 with a TI and a true X pipe and I know that all it did was make my exhaust quieter. I actually don't like the sound of it. I have several 1/4 mile time slips with the X and without it and the X made no difference.

NukeC5

Like stated. Not necessary for a stock car. But it is good for smoothing out the decel noises once you change to a louder axle back set. X-pipes do help in scavenging. So it is good to have if doing a cam or something that starts moving a lot more air through the system. You will want an exhaust that pulls the gasses out to aid in bringing in a fresh a/f mix. But you wont hear a difference in sound or anything if your hoping for that by just swapping the H out. (In my experience anyway.)

jrose7004

It will stop the motor boat sound at idle and the popping on deceleration.

tentuna

Agreed, changed my stock axle back to a Ti exhaust, shorty headers ( to get some more weight out) and put an "X" pipe in much better sound, no more motor boating, maybe a little better acceleration with all parts in.

Rob Petyo

sounds like a beauty! 11K miles on an 04 -
IMHO the TI exhaust is the best application. IF you ever decide to go with the headers ( heads / cam) then I would go with a nice header, X-pipe and keep the TI's. A tune is not a bad idea.
Best of luck & enjoy!