Poor Fit of Magnaflow X-Pipe? - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

nrmustang · 03-11-2004, 03:02 AM

Hey everyone, I just installed my magnaflow Cat X-pipe and cat back today and on the drivers side where the X-pipe bolts to the exhaust manifold, it didnt seem that the X-pipe was small enough to seal well to the manifold. And now even after cinching it down there is still a little exhaust "tick" from there.

Has anybody ran across this before in your Magnaflow X-pipe? And if so, what have you done to fix it? Is there even a way to fix it? I could definitely tell a big power increase, but I would hate to have to live with that little leak.

Any help would be appreciated.

LUCKYMACH · 03-11-2004, 03:49 AM

Maybe the same thing I ran into with the BBK and a complaint that I have seen on the board before.
The installer was already aware of the issue.
The driver's side pipe on the xpipe is a universal fit that covers earlier manifolds with a different size "ball and socket" (???) fitting.
On the Mach 1, the manifold end is slightly smaller and the end of the xpipe hits before the flange seals.
He fixed this by making a short flared pipe that spaces the xpipe back enough for the flange to seal.
Cinching it tighter and tighter will do nothing.
This small leak will be enough to mess with the O2 sensor and turn on the Check Engine Soon light.
I hope this makes sense and is of some help.

Comp Orange 04 · 03-11-2004, 03:56 AM

This is a post I made over on Stangnet when I put my MRT H pipe on. It did the trick for the drivers side !

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=368370

Now I haven't put it on my Mach yet but I am assuming they still use shouldered studs on the drivers side. The part number is in the picture and I think they cost like $7 from Napa. Make sure you get some liquid wrench.

03mach1 · 03-11-2004, 10:04 AM

On my MRT H-Pipe, I had a problem with putting the gasket in the wrong way, duh, didn't pay attention on how I took it out. Does make a difference.

I took it out and reversed it, and the ticking went away....retightened everything....

Blowngt92 · 03-11-2004, 11:46 AM

I went with the MAC X-pipe. It fit perfect, no leaks, no ticks, no tweeking.

nrmustang · 03-11-2004, 01:27 PM

Thanks alot everyone for your suggestions, I'm getting ready to take it to the muffler shop this morning and have him weld the tips in- and see if he cant make a small flared piece for the manifold to X-pipe on the drivers side. :THUMBSUP:

2k4mk1 · 03-11-2004, 02:41 PM

I will be installing my SLP catted X saturday. I was told that on the D/S you need to remove the shouldered studs and replace um with regular bolts to avoid this problem bcuz a stated above the shoulder bolts do not allow the clamp to seat the connection fully. I will see how it works out saturday.

stangdiablo · 03-12-2004, 03:42 AM

Would this be the case with the Bassani catted X pipe too?

03-11-2004, 03:02 AM	#1
nrmustang "FireCracker" Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 193	Poor Fit of Magnaflow X-Pipe? Hey everyone, I just installed my magnaflow Cat X-pipe and cat back today and on the drivers side where the X-pipe bolts to the exhaust manifold, it didnt seem that the X-pipe was small enough to seal well to the manifold. And now even after cinching it down there is still a little exhaust "tick" from there. Has anybody ran across this before in your Magnaflow X-pipe? And if so, what have you done to fix it? Is there even a way to fix it? I could definitely tell a big power increase, but I would hate to have to live with that little leak. Any help would be appreciated. __________________ 2003 Cobra 10th anniversary Torch Red coupe #83 2003 Cobra Satin Silver Coupe #939 DEAD 6-18-06 (uninsured prison guard blew a red @ 70 mph) 2003 Mach 1 Torch Red IUP AutoSOLD) Magnaflow Cat X-pipe, Magnaflow Catback, AFS 17x9 Machined Mach 1 Wheels, Diablosport Predator 1997 SVT Cobra Conv. Rio red (SOLD) (Still in the family) 1991 5.0 LX Conv. Black 5SPD: List of Mods too long (recently sold) Last edited by nrmustang; 03-12-2004 at 01:53 PM.

03-11-2004, 03:49 AM	#2
LUCKYMACH Be kind of afraid! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rowlett Texas Posts: 784	Maybe the same thing I ran into with the BBK and a complaint that I have seen on the board before. The installer was already aware of the issue. The driver's side pipe on the xpipe is a universal fit that covers earlier manifolds with a different size "ball and socket" (???) fitting. On the Mach 1, the manifold end is slightly smaller and the end of the xpipe hits before the flange seals. He fixed this by making a short flared pipe that spaces the xpipe back enough for the flange to seal. Cinching it tighter and tighter will do nothing. This small leak will be enough to mess with the O2 sensor and turn on the Check Engine Soon light. I hope this makes sense and is of some help. __________________ Bone stock 03 Mach 1. Except for the xpipe and catback. And the CAI and intake spacer and Pro-M whatchamacallit. Oh, forgot the Tri-ax and RAM clutch and the built 4.10 rear. That's about it, except for the chip. Oops, DRs also, and sometimes ET Drags. And the subframes. The linelock and driveshaft loop came standard on the car - I swear. Other than that - bone stock.

03-11-2004, 03:56 AM	#3
Comp Orange 04 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Normal, Illinois Posts: 461	This is a post I made over on Stangnet when I put my MRT H pipe on. It did the trick for the drivers side ! http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=368370 Now I haven't put it on my Mach yet but I am assuming they still use shouldered studs on the drivers side. The part number is in the picture and I think they cost like $7 from Napa. Make sure you get some liquid wrench. __________________ 2004 Competition Orange Build Date 11/04/03 277.1 RWHP 301.2 RWTQ 1/28/04 SAE Stock 294.2 RWHP 314.0 RWTQ 1/25/05 SAE. 12.61@108MPH 04/16/06 Magnaflow Magnapaks,MRT Catted H pipe SCT Xcalibrator tune,Ported/Polished lower intake with PHP spacer,S&B 8" Powerstack filter on Lowes CAI, MGW Shifter, Strange 31 spline axles, FRPP 31 spline diff with carbon fiber clutches, FRPP 4.10 gears,17x9 and 17x10.5 Black FR500 rims, BFG drag radials

03-11-2004, 10:04 AM	#4
03mach1 Admin/Founder Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cuba, NY Posts: 6,805	On my MRT H-Pipe, I had a problem with putting the gasket in the wrong way, duh, didn't pay attention on how I took it out. Does make a difference. I took it out and reversed it, and the ticking went away....retightened everything.... __________________ David J. Wagner Founder/Admin Member #0001 http://www.Mach1Registry.com http://www.Mach1Performance.org Amsoil T-1 Certified Independant Dealer Member, MCA '03 Mach 1, '08 V6 WIP, 76 Cobra II VIN#301788

03-11-2004, 11:46 AM	#5
Blowngt92 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 369	I went with the MAC X-pipe. It fit perfect, no leaks, no ticks, no tweeking. __________________ www.RPSracing.com www.Midweststangs.com 2003 Oxford White Cobra-- For Sale 2003 Azure Blue Mach1 Auto: Built 11-19-2002-- SOLD! 1992 GT: Procharged 358W-- Drag Car

03-11-2004, 01:27 PM	#6
nrmustang "FireCracker" Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Fresno, Ca. Posts: 193	Thanks alot everyone for your suggestions, I'm getting ready to take it to the muffler shop this morning and have him weld the tips in- and see if he cant make a small flared piece for the manifold to X-pipe on the drivers side. :THUMBSUP: __________________ 2003 Cobra 10th anniversary Torch Red coupe #83 2003 Cobra Satin Silver Coupe #939 DEAD 6-18-06 (uninsured prison guard blew a red @ 70 mph) 2003 Mach 1 Torch Red IUP AutoSOLD) Magnaflow Cat X-pipe, Magnaflow Catback, AFS 17x9 Machined Mach 1 Wheels, Diablosport Predator 1997 SVT Cobra Conv. Rio red (SOLD) (Still in the family) 1991 5.0 LX Conv. Black 5SPD: List of Mods too long (recently sold)

03-11-2004, 02:41 PM	#7
2k4mk1 Lakers beat our butts Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio TX Posts: 2,889	I will be installing my SLP catted X saturday. I was told that on the D/S you need to remove the shouldered studs and replace um with regular bolts to avoid this problem bcuz a stated above the shoulder bolts do not allow the clamp to seat the connection fully. I will see how it works out saturday. __________________ SPURS ARE NBA 07 CHAMPS!!!,but we wont be in 08 04 Oxford White 5 Spd with IUP K&N Aircharger Borla Stingers SLP Catted X Steeda Tri-Ax SCT flash tune. Drilled/Slotted rotors all 4 corners. 283rwhp (Mustang Dyno) 306rwhp (sae on Dynojet) D/O/B 12-05-03 Del. 01-21-04

03-12-2004, 03:42 AM	#8
stangdiablo Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Riverside, CA Posts: 346	Would this be the case with the Bassani catted X pipe too? __________________ 2003 Black Mach 1 5 Speed, IUP, 04 Engine Mods: Steeda TRI-AX K&N Aircharger Bassani X-Pipe Bassani Catback PHP Intake Spacer Diablo Predator More To Come

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