2006 GT - BBK Long Tubes + Catted X Resonance — Anyone Convert to H-Pipe or Add Resonators?

[MustangMark]

Hi guys, second post. Thanks for all the help on my dyno questions! I think I’m going to give Lito a try see if he can improve the tune, why not!

Looking for some advice from anyone who has run BBK long tubes on a 3V, especially with the BBK catted x pipe.

Car is a 2006 GT manual convertible. Current setup is:

• BBK long-tube headers
• BBK high-flow catted X-pipe
• JLT Series 3 intake
• Steeda underdrive pulleys
• Stock mufflers
• 94 octane dyno tune

The car runs well and made 309 whp / 330 wtq, but I'm trying to sort out the exhaust tone. Under load at lower/mid RPM, I'm getting a weird resonance/warble from around the mid-pipe/trans tunnel area and raspy exhaust note. Took it to an exhaust shop and owner came for a drive with me and called it "Chewbacca" sound, which is honestly pretty accurate lol.

BBK doesn’t make an H pipe for the long tubes and I decided to go with it because it was a couple grand cheaper than kooks. I thought I wanted H for that classic sound, but I saw Four Eyes (YouTube) and many others go X so I figured I’d give them a go. Honestly the X does sound pretty good WOT at high rpm.

Has anyone here:

1. Converted a BBK long-tube X-pipe setup to an H-pipe?
2. Added resonators to a BBK catted X setup?

I'm trying to figure out whether an H-pipe would likely solve the resonance, or whether resonators are the better first move. Exhaust shop said resonators will help. Also curious if people prefer X or H on the 3v in general. Seems like X is common when you start modding, but H is traditional.

Any real-world experience with BBK long tubes + H-pipe/custom H/resonators would be appreciated.

 

[StockishS197]

An X pipe with chambered mufflers like the stock ones does often create a rasp that most don’t like.

An H will help. Any competent exhaust shop could make you an H pipe instead.

The H pipe will tend to be louder and more motor boat sounding whereas the X will smoothen the pulses but also generally make it generally quieter.

 

[MustangMark]

An X pipe with chambered mufflers like the stock ones does often create a rasp that most don’t like.

An H will help. Any competent exhaust shop could make you an H pipe instead.

The H pipe will tend to be louder and more motor boat sounding whereas the X will smoothen the pulses but also generally make it generally quieter.

That makes sense probably a back pressure under certain load thing. So a straight through muffler would solve this. Not sure if I’m ready to commit to that volume level, the daycare ladies will throw rocks at me when I drop off my toddler lol.

Did you go X or H?

I was looking into the valvetronic mufflers, would be cool for highway pulls and setting of car alarms.

 

[StockishS197]

That makes sense probably a back pressure under certain load thing. So a straight through muffler would solve this. Not sure if I’m ready to commit to that volume level, the daycare ladies will throw rocks at me when I drop off my toddler lol.

Did you go X or H?

I was looking into the valvetronic mufflers, would be cool for highway pulls and setting of car alarms.

I have done both.

I currently have an X with my LTs and Corsa Sports. Sounds really good. Also tried an H with this setup and it sounded too “clappy” and was obnoxiously loud. The x tames it down enough at lower RPM and low/mid load, but screams at WOT.

Current setup

H pipe sounds best with old school chambered mufflers (Flowmaster style) or straight through like Borla. I ran an H pipe with Borla S Types and it sounded fantastic - very deep and muscle car sounding. For whatever reason, to me an H pipe doesn’t agree with the Corsas.

Valvetronics will probably sound good either way.

 

[MustangMark]

I have done both.

I currently have an X with my LTs and Corsa Sports. Sounds really good. Also tried an H with this setup and it sounded too “clappy” and was obnoxiously loud. The x tames it down enough at lower RPM and low/mid load, but screams at WOT.

Current setup

H pipe sounds best with old school chambered mufflers (Flowmaster style) or straight through like Borla. I ran an H pipe with Borla S Types and it sounded fantastic - very deep and muscle car sounding. For whatever reason, to me an H pipe doesn’t agree with the Corsas.

Valvetronics will probably sound good either way.

That sounds fantastic! I wouldn’t mind that sound.

I actually love the new sharper exhaust sounds I got with the long tubes and catted X. I don’t want to get rid of that, just don’t love that “chewbacca” rasp/warble in the 2-4K rpm range under load. I’d also like some more volume (louder the better at WOT), but prefer to not have drone cruising or make all the kids cry when start the car at daycare lol. Am I looking for the magic muffler?

Do the corsa’s drone? Are they obnoxious at idle/parking lot speeds? Any other options you’d recommend? Appreciate the help.

 

[StockishS197]

That sounds fantastic! I wouldn’t mind that sound.

I actually love the new sharper exhaust sounds I got with the long tubes and catted X. I don’t want to get rid of that, just don’t love that “chewbacca” rasp/warble in the 2-4K rpm range under load. I’d also like some more volume (louder the better at WOT), but prefer to not have drone cruising or make all the kids cry when start the car at daycare lol. Am I looking for the magic muffler?

Do the corsa’s drone? Are they obnoxious at idle/parking lot speeds? Any other options you’d recommend? Appreciate the help.

The Corsas are bar none the best axleback you can get on these cars, but they are also extremely expensive. Zero drone, probably quieter than stock inside the car. Their RSC technology is like magic.

Idle and normal driving the sports aren’t obnoxious at all, but when you get on it they are very loud (on the outside) with LTs and high flow cats. I was surprised how loud the sports were given they aren’t the loudest option. The cam chop is also very crisp with the Corsas.

My only gripe with the Corsas is the cold start bark - they are loud on cold starts. If my car was a daily and I had early cold starts, I would have to take them off otherwise I would annoy the neighbors.

I have had just about every exhaust combination between the two GTs I have owned (FR500s, FRPP GTAs, Borla S Types, Borla Tourings, Flowmaster Outlaws, Corsas, Vibrant mid mufflers, Macs), and the Corsas are the best all around. The very close second contender are the FR500s. Very on par with the Corsa sports. Third place are Borla S Types, but they drone badly.

Exhaust threads are always subjective so I would listen to a few of the options that are still available above and see what checks your boxes.

 

[MustangMark]

The Corsas are bar none the best axleback you can get on these cars, but they are also extremely expensive. Zero drone, probably quieter than stock inside the car. Their RSC technology is like magic.

Idle and normal driving the sports aren’t obnoxious at all, but when you get on it they are very loud (on the outside) with LTs and high flow cats. I was surprised how loud the sports were given they aren’t the loudest option. The cam chop is also very crisp with the Corsas.

My only gripe with the Corsas is the cold start bark - they are loud on cold starts. If my car was a daily and I had early cold starts, I would have to take them off otherwise I would annoy the neighbors.

I have had just about every exhaust combination between the two GTs I have owned (FR500s, FRPP GTAs, Borla S Types, Borla Tourings, Flowmaster Outlaws, Corsas, Vibrant mid mufflers, Macs), and the Corsas are the best all around. The very close second contender are the FR500s. Very on par with the Corsa sports. Third place are Borla S Types, but they drone badly.

Exhaust threads are always subjective so I would listen to a few of the options that are still available above and see what checks your boxes.

They are very pricey, but I was contemplating valvetronic which is $2,300 installed and I’m thinking they might be two extremes vs goldilocks.

Fortunately I live in the country so cold start being loud is ok, as long as they can be civilized when they need to be. I’ll look into FR500 too. Drone rules out the Borlas.

Very good info man, better than 100 hours of googling lol, appreciate it.

 

[Squirrely]

I had Lidio do the work that you described. I didn’t want the X pipe. Didn’t care for the raspy sound, but Lidio said not necessarily. Anyway BBK Long tube, X pipe, resonators and American Thunder (moderate/aggressive)+tune. No drone and plenty of complements
StockishS197 She sounds fantastic!!!

 

[JC SSP]

Exhaust note is a subject topic… some people like their cars loud and other like them stock quite.

I personally like a low rumble and then when I punch it all hell breaks loose… I have BBK shorties, H-pipe and stock mufflers on my 05’ GT. I get compliments every time I start it and thumbs up while cruising. I will try to post an audio clip.

I personally would not spend $2,300 on a pair of mufflers but it’s your money.

 

[StockishS197]

@JC SSP, I would love an audio clip of your setup. I found a set of FRPP GTBs/Bullitts for sale locally I might pick up and try with the H pipe to tame down the exhaust a bit.

 

[MustangMark]

Exhaust note is a subject topic… some people like their cars loud and other like them stock quite.

I personally like a low rumble and then when I punch it all hell breaks loose… I have BBK shorties, H-pipe and stock mufflers on my 05’ GT. I get compliments every time I start it and thumbs up while cruising. I will try to post an audio clip.

I personally would not spend $2,300 on a pair of mufflers but it’s your money.

OEM cats and H? Would be very curious to hear a clip.

Exhaust note is a subject topic… some people like their cars loud and other like them stock quite.

I personally like a low rumble and then when I punch it all hell breaks loose… I have BBK shorties, H-pipe and stock mufflers on my 05’ GT. I get compliments every time I start it and thumbs up while cruising. I will try to post an audio clip.

I personally would not spend $2,300 on a pair of mufflers but it’s your money.

$2,300 Canadian, so more like $1,600 USD, but still spicy.

Very curious if you headers are matched with OEM midpipe and cats or aftermarket

 

[JC SSP]

I have custom made 2.5" mandrel-bent off-road H-pipe. BBK shorty headers and stock 05' GT mufflers. I normally would go with LT but got the shorty's new in box for $100.00. Car has been running this system for over 10 years and zero issues, but I am also in the FREE STATE of Florida! I will try to get a clip of the, but don't have a YouTube account to host...

FYI I had OEM Ford Bullitt's on my 06' GT Convt but that car had cats and stock exhaust manifolds, it just gave it a nicer sound.

 

[MustangMark]

I have custom made 2.5" mandrel-bent off-road H-pipe. BBK shorty headers and stock 05' GT mufflers. I normally would go with LT but got the shorty's new in box for $100.00. Car has been running this system for over 10 years and zero issues, but I am also in the FREE STATE of Florida! I will try to get a clip of the, but don't have a YouTube account to host...

FYI I had OEM Ford Bullitt's on my 06' GT Convt but that car had cats and stock exhaust manifolds, it just gave it a nicer sound. View attachment 117014View attachment 117017View attachment 117019
View attachment 117020

Very nice!
Yeah I’m having an exhaust shop fab an H pipe from the catted bbk x pipe I have, I think I prefer that classic muscle car tone the h gives. I’m in Canada, lots of guys go catless, but it’s a big fine, don’t want to worry about it. Canada is increasingly less free in more ways than this!

 

[JC SSP]

I have two exhaust audio clips... if someone can host, let me know and I will email them to you...