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AmericanMuscle4.6GT -> The Official S197 exhaust sound thread (7/19/2007 10:47:37 AM)
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yep, its done. sort of. this is just the basic version, without pics, just to show how all the exhaust types sound. i am open to suggestions/changes and i would really like your suggestions for improving this.
The S197 Mustang GT changed all the rules on getting an exhaust to sound good. The location of the gas tank was moved from the rear of the car towards the middle to better protect it, therefore Ford was forced to put the mufflers at the rear of the car in an “axle back” system. This makes choosing an exhaust more difficult. So I’m here to write out a description of the brands.
There are 3 main parts to our exhaust system when considering replacement. Headers, midpipe, and axle back/catback. The headers channel and collect the exhaust as it comes out of the exhaust ports, the midpipe controls the scavenging effect (see other sticky), and the catback/axle back usually contains the mufflers, which attenuate engine noise.
There are 2 basic types of muffler: Chambered and flow through (also referred to as bullet, resonator, etc). They will both enhance the sound of your car when paired with an otherwise stock setup, however, it is important when replacing the midpipe/headers to choose a combo that will sound nice.
There are some general rules to remember when looking for the right sound:
X pipe always goes with a bullet style muffler, especially without cats. It will work with a chambered muffler. But never put an offroad x pipe with a chambered muffler. Catted x, chambered muffler, and long tube headers is reccomended if you need an x and have your heart set on a brand of chambered muffs.
H pipe/prochamber generally goes with chambered mufflers; same rules apply but inversely.
STOCK MUFFLER SETUPS:
For those who would like a toned down, not so loud inside the cabin sound, the stock mufflers work quite well. However, they are very sensitive to offroad x pipes, meaning they will make rattling noises very easily and I would only suggest h pipes/prochambers for this setup.
Stock mufflers with gutted cats (basically an offroad h pipe, for purposes of sound):
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ntTGT2wyy8U
Offroad Prochamber with stock mufflers:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qAsl4TC2nrI
BBK Longtube Headers, BBK offroad x pipe, stock mufflers (THANKS White07!!)
http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z109/stangn_bcs/?action=view¤t=Picture045.flv
Longtube headers, offroad h pipe, stock mufflers (second set of clips in video)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rdxxuGE4elw
Longtube headers, offroad x pipe, stock mufflers:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2CMZRMXqjtw
Stock Headers, offroad x pipe, stock mufflers:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pClp0l-aN2E
First, let’s go through the different brands/types of mufflers and how they sound.
An axle back system will offer little to no performance advantage, and the motivation for going aftermarket is usually purely based in aesthetics. Dyno numbers might show 2-3 additional HP but a loss of torque of about the same. It is not considered a performance modification to replace the axle back system.
GLASSPACKS:
Basically tubes with fiberglass in them. Act as resonators, produce a deep but powerful sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EgvOGKi7do&NR=1
Bassani:
Always a good choice, Bassani’s axle back mufflers will give the car a deeper and louder sound, while keeping the volume under control.
Here are Bassani’s “Race Axle Backs”
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZlokhZMfeuI
Kooks Longtube Headers, Kooks offroad x pipe, Saleen Supercharger (THANKS SEVENLEAF!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U0Ng_Yu8zU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN_vClnw2tM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swG0UyBuYPo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TB9_UVpZ2E
With a catted x pipe:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jD65ZC8ib5c&mode=related&search=
With a catted x pipe and long tube headers:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NldHzFrHujs&mode=related&search=
I recommend that this exhaust be combined with either a catted x pipe, or a catted h pipe or offroad h pipe. The drone is there, but is minimal and bearable.
Borla:
Also sold under the FRPP and Steeda exhaust guises, and I believe Roush, there are 3 types of Borla exhaust: The less aggressive chambered version, which is standard fare on the Shelby GT, (referred to as the FRPP GTA’s) the more aggressive “S” type, and the catback, which is the S type (bullet muffler) along with replacement over-axle pipes up to the midpipe. This catback system offers pretty much no performance/sound advantage.
The GTA’s are a subtle increase in volume over stock, as well as being deeper. They can be paired with a catted x pipe, or a catted or offroad h pipe. An offroad x pipe is not recommended, as these are a chambered style muffler and could get crackly. Drone is minimal. The aggressive style (also referred to as the Borla “stinger,” although not the official designation) are a substantial increase in volume over stock, and the sound is very low and very deep. They tend to dampen the tone a bit; they are not as throaty, and the sound is well under control. The best way to describe it is that the sound is toned down, not as aggressive, but very very deep. Drone is moderate, but is load-dependent and bearable. Not an exhaust for those who can’t stand drone. These mufflers are complimented excellently by a catted or offroad x pipe. An offroad h pipe will work well, however there are some “trumpeting” issues. In addition, it will not scream on the higher RPM’s like an x pipe will. However, an offroad h pipe is still a very viable option to consider.
Borla aggressive types are always a good choice; you really can’t go wrong with this muffler.
GTA’s on otherwise stock car:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2dPYdfOuAk
Stock exhaust vs. catted x and GTA’s:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUSCOgffMZI
Borla Stinger Axleback:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7lIPOlCrMMI
Borla Stinger Axleback:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=px8RWdk5Q5s
Borla Stinger Catback outside car:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=LcqU1KoSDwQ
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/61c998fd-c9f0-4821-b38f-3a4dd3648af0.htm
Borla Stinger Catback flyby:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=dTOJebdq-kM
Borla stinger catback inside car:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=i_YL9NruWQQ
Borla Stingers and Borla stingers with offroad h pipe comparison: (THANKS TACOBILL!)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=L0Pzr09JRPg
Borla Stingers and offroad H pipe in car (with
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