Question on X pipe
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 332
Likes: 41
From: Mesa, AZ
Question on X pipe
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
Thank you.
Chas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 5
From: Loveland CO
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
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
From: Fresno California
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
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.)
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 65
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 6,028
Likes: 84
From: Palm Coast, FL
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
Thank you.
Chas
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!
