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SVT COBRA MUSTANG CLUB™
Here is a job you can do in your garage in under 4 hrs with all the right tools and equipment. This particular mod will net you a few ponies and will continuously provide you horsepower as you add other modifications. Opening your exhaust is essential for improved airflow and performance. X-pipes and H-pipes are available with catalytic converters to allow you to pass emissions and without for uh..hem..off road use. For this installation I installed the Bassani X-pipe for use with factory or shorty headers. Other high flow cats are available for full length headers but are not covered in this application note. Q:
Does the x-pipe work with factory headers, mufflers and cat back? A:
You bet! The x-pipe will fit factory and probably most any
after-market cat -back available. It lined up perfectly with the Mac
True-fit cat-back exhaust I have, and before that it previously fit
perfect with the stock cats. It was much easier to install than to
remove the old h-pipe since there are no cats at the front of the bassani
x-pipe (more room for your hands and tools). For the money conscious,
other vendors provide high flow X and H pipes and provide similar
performance and sound. I have often heard the fit and finish is most
important and the Bassani X-pipe was a great fit. The
hi-flow cats are a great mod for the money. They will increase
airflow, have a nice sound, and you can do them yourself! Be careful
buying used stuff, you can always clean up the outside of parts, but the
inside may be junk! Q:
Where can I get a new or used set? A: New high flow catalytics can be purchases at most any aftermarket speed shop. For club members, see our Vendors page and check for discounts at some dealers. As
for used X/H pipes, it's tough but be patient and you may find a deal.
I bought a bassani x-pipe with only a thousand miles on it for only $300.
Look for other brands too. I got mine because the previous owner
wanted full length headers. That's another very viable option, but
headers are very tough to get at in the modular mustang. I will let
someone else do that someday. Here
are a few good websites with lots of used parts for sale. Install
Tips It
is not hard to install the x-pipe or an h-pipe. You need certain
tools however and a load of patience. For
those who have not done work under their car like this, you will absolutely
need the following. Others can skip this part.
Okay-
here we go with the rest. Once
the car is in the air, and you have all the tools, get under there with a
flash light and just look around if you have never seen it under there
very much before. Hose down all the nuts and bolts you will remove
with liquid wrench or an equivalent lubricating product. Leave
the o2 sensors in the pipe, but disconnect the wires coming out of it at
the blue plastic connections. The
front passenger side is a project to put it nicely with our any nasty
words. I found it easier to go from the side, close to (but not
in) the wheel well. The best bet is to get at it the best
you can keeping the u-joint as straight as possible. Remove all the nuts
that connect your h-pipe to the headers, and to the cat back exhaust pipes
which lead to the mufflers. The
last nuts to remove are the hanger nuts in the middle holding it up in the
air. After this, you should be able to shake a little and pull the
h-pipe to the ground. Careful, its heavy and you don't want to get squashed
like a grape. Getting the old pipe down is the hardest part, I found
cursing the old h-pipe and those who installed it helped, but what ever
works for you. With
the h-pipe out from under the car. Loosen all the o2 sensors but
leave them in their holes. They each go directly into the same
matching spots on your new x-pipe. I chose to put them in before I
put up the x-pipe but its your choice, just don't forget where they go. With
the Bassani x-pipe, you will need to remove the bolts at the muffler end
of your factory h-pipe and transfer them to the new x-pipe (mine was used
so new hardware may come with yours and you may be able to skip this, I don't
know). This is a pain, but elbow grease and lubrication will
get them off. These go on the same exact way onto the x-pipe.
You should do this before getting the x-pipe under the car. Once
you get everything prepped for installing the x-pipe you will most likely
know what's next. Its pretty easy at this point. The x-pipe is
lighter, gives more room to work, and should line up nicely. Check
for the metal gasket on the passenger front side. It should still be
on the header, but if it came off with you cats, you will need to put in
on the new set. If it breaks, wash your hands and walk to the auto
parts store and pretend you are buying a new gasket before you started the
project, this way no one will laugh at you when you leave. As long
as its in one piece you should be okay since these gaskets are re-useable. Hang
the x-pipe on the hanger and loosely attach the nuts so it will be off the
ground and easy to work with. Tighten the front nuts first at the
headers as they are more important to fit early to ensure a good seal.
Then connect your muffler pipes. You should always tighten the nuts
a little at one end and switch back and forth until tight to bring each
side of your connections together for a good seal. Make sure
everything is tight and feel around each seal to make sure there are
no gaps. You wont want to climb back under there when its on the
ground and hot. Reconnect
all your o2 sensor clips and you should be all set. Clean up your
mess and fire it up! You will love the sound. If I have confused you
(sometimes I don't make sense) feel free to email me with any questions
and I will try to answer them. Good luck and enjoy!
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