X-pipe vs Axle Back power gains?

[DKO]

Alright, I know this sounds retarded, but this is my first S197 and I'm trying to make sure I do it right. I'm a big form follows function kinda guy. So from what I understand the Axle-Back kits are essentially just for sound, right? So if I have an intake and a bama tune, will I benefit more performance wise to just add an X-pipe as opposed to an axle back? Do S197s benefit at all from an Axle back or is it purely a sound kind of mod?

Thanks for all your help.

Also, what's the typical horsepower numbers for a Bama Tuned car with a JLT and an X-pipe?

 

[don_w]

The vast majority will likely agree that axlebacks are basically only good for sound.

 

[Bingo]

The vast majority will likely agree that axlebacks are basically only good for sound.

And weight reduction.

 

[DKO]

Alright so the consensus is that if I'm just looking for a performance gain I should do the X-pipe first then?

Also, won't just adding an X-pipe do something for my exhaust sound? A little louder you think?

 

[Charlie Sheen]

...won't just adding an X-pipe do something for my exhaust sound? A little louder you think?

It'll change the sound but it won't make it louder.

 

[kleistang]

i had my custom slp a/b for a while slp's are basicly nothing but tips in the rear of your bumper. after i putted my motor together i bought an x pipe. i ran on the stock pipe for 2 weeks on the new motor. and everything is fine. the cams sound just great. last saturday i installed the x-pipe. when i started the car i can tell it scared the S$%t out of me. and i shut it off inmidiatly. my family was around and you couldn't even talk close to the car, i was shocked. it sounds really amazing but im concern it would be to loud for the streets. i dont know if the cams made it even louder. i would say that x-pipe with stock mufflers would be just fine.

 

[stkjock]

the only proof I've seen for axle backs is a vid from Livernois.. back to back dyno pulls on GT500 that picked up 14rwhp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faWG_ADExao

 

[SPAWN]

I got a mild gain from a offroad X pipe. I offset it with a magnaflow cat back.

here is the thing you can toss alot of little bolt ons for small gains that in the end get you started for the larger power adders.

I do alot of car shows... I also run the drag strip. but as of lately I got tired of a 12 sec trip and am getting into the scca style road courses now.

if you want get a set of pulleys and a CM Delete plates. slap on a offroad H pipe for sound and a little performance. Get some lower control arms and relocation brackets.

Play with that for awhile.

think about a large power adder SC Turbo Nitrous and save up for that. Gears, convertor or a clutch...Keep in mind those cool looking 19-20's dont hook worth a crap at the track.

Speed is relative to how fat your wallet is. As long as you can toss cash at it, it will get faster.

Man this is fun....

 

[gmantheman]

X-pipes may add a little more tq in the upper RPM ranges while h-pipes, which are stock on the Mustang GTs, supposedly add tq in the lower ranges. I think h-pipes are the better choice. Some set-ups with the X-pipe sound awesome, but some sound like crap. O/R x-pipe with chambered mufflers is an example of a bad (not in a good way) sounding set-up. Every combination with h-pipes sound good.

 

[SteveP]

a full header back exhaust may gain you like 20hp N/A. A boosted car may get alittle more since it has more flow.


A axle back is good for sound. I swapped mine from the Flowmaster to the Pypes axle back. I didn't noticed a damn thing besides it sounded so much better.

 

[don_w]

Every combination with h-pipes sound good.

I can tell you a couple that don't... LTs, no cats, H-pipe and SLP LMs/Bassanis. Sounded like crap.

 

[95PGTech]

a full header back exhaust may gain you like 20hp N/A. A boosted car may get alittle more since it has more flow.

Agreed. The stock midpipe, the stock A/B, the stock over-axle pipes, and even the stock headers are very decent factory pieces, there is very little to be had by replacing any one of them with a similar piece.

The only significant gains to be had are deleting cats, which I recommend against, or swapping to a long tube style set of primaries. Costly, yes, but as you said, you are a form/function guy. You can spend $1493 on a set of LTs and catted X and actually pick up some noticeable horsepower, or you can spend $500 or so on a midpipe and $300 or so on A/Bs and gain absolutely nothing.

 

[2kanchoo]

Agreed. The stock midpipe, the stock A/B, the stock over-axle pipes, and even the stock headers are very decent factory pieces, there is very little to be had by replacing any one of them with a similar piece.

The only significant gains to be had are deleting cats, which I recommend against, or swapping to a long tube style set of primaries. Costly, yes, but as you said, you are a form/function guy. You can spend $1493 on a set of LTs and catted X and actually pick up some noticeable horsepower, or you can spend $500 or so on a midpipe and $300 or so on A/Bs and gain absolutely nothing.

What he said. It depends on what kind of x-pipe we are talking aboot. There are ones like the frpp x-pipe which is just a direct swap of the stock H design. Or there are others that replace the cats or remove the cats. The only ones that will give any decent kind of gains are the offroad type that remove the cats. Your best bet for exhaust related hp increase is from a good set of longtube headers.

 

[DKO]

Agreed. The stock midpipe, the stock A/B, the stock over-axle pipes, and even the stock headers are very decent factory pieces, there is very little to be had by replacing any one of them with a similar piece.

The only significant gains to be had are deleting cats, which I recommend against, or swapping to a long tube style set of primaries. Costly, yes, but as you said, you are a form/function guy. You can spend $1493 on a set of LTs and catted X and actually pick up some noticeable horsepower, or you can spend $500 or so on a midpipe and $300 or so on A/Bs and gain absolutely nothing.

These s197s are really different from my SN95s I'm used to. Used to be you'd bolt on an H-pipe and a catback and gain 15-20whp. Didn't need a tune either! That's alright though, it's a more refined vehicle. Things are bound to change as technology does. I'll probably end up doing longtubes and a shorty mid pipe eventually. Might do an axleback here soon just for that classic mustang sound. I know I said I was function follows form type.. but I'm so used to it. Gotta have it I guess.

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[gmantheman]

I can tell you a couple that don't... LTs, no cats, H-pipe and SLP LMs/Bassanis. Sounded like crap.

I was thought that h-pipe w/SLP LMs and Bassanis sounded good online. I will take your word that in person the sound like crap.

 

[don_w]

I was thought that h-pipe w/SLP LMs and Bassanis sounded good online. I will take your word that in person the sound like crap.

I hated it... in fact, the X actually sounded a little better with the SLPs than the H did. But, I couldn't handle the trumpeting with either one.

 

[95PGTech]

These s197s are really different from my SN95s I'm used to. Used to be you'd bolt on an H-pipe and a catback and gain 15-20whp. Didn't need a tune either! That's alright though, it's a more refined vehicle. Things are bound to change as technology does. I'll probably end up doing longtubes and a shorty mid pipe eventually. Might do an axleback here soon just for that classic mustang sound. I know I said I was function follows form type.. but I'm so used to it. Gotta have it I guess.

Thanks for the input everyone.

word. from a catted X and borla side exits my 98 picked up almost 20whp. then again, when I went to catted X and LT even still with the restrictive side exhaust, it picked up 10 more whp.