X versus X - what's recommended? - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

drboyd · 12-03-2006, 11:48 PM

OK, so I don't even have the Borla catback system yet, and I'm already drooling on an X-pipe to help it along. Where I live, the smog nazis are pretty strict, so it's gotta be catted. So, I'm guessing my criteria are:

The cats can't break up and blow out the tailpipe.
It's gotta be stainless, 2 1/2"
It's gotta be good weld quality, so there's not big chunks of slag hanging out and blocking the flow.
It's gotta be the best "value" for the money.
I really don't care to mess with the O2 sensor eliminators and the CEL light stuff. I don't see any reason a good set of cats shouldn't work just like the Ford cats...

So, who's got suggestions for catted X-pipes? I'll take both manufacturer and vendor, if you're so inclined! Thanks!!

4a7191a · 12-04-2006, 01:09 AM

hey buddy, well im goin to get the pypes polished stainless kit and get the pipe to a muff shop to be cut and expanded so i can slide the high flow cats in and clamp them,(they dont sell a stainless catted x kit) here before xmas on my womans car, if you dont have one by then ill let you know, ive seen the regular stainless one on a gt and it looked good, and the guy said he was happy with the fitment and quality. whats great about it is that itll be polished stainless with a life time warrenty on the cats and x , plus its cheaper than anyone elses.
if your not worried about money, bassani ss catted, loved mine til i took the cats out.

TR04MACH · 12-04-2006, 12:34 PM

The slp catted x is of excellent quality. Been running it since may with longtubes and haven't had any issues of the cats breaking up. I think any system will if you hit the cats hard on speedbumps, just gotta watch that since they will hang a bit lower. The slp is like 299 shipped at www.americanmuscle.com

jganow · 12-05-2006, 01:06 PM

Well I have the Bassani SS catted x and I love it. It fits well. It looks great too. I have had it on the car for a year and a half and haven't had any complaints at all. It is a little more costly. I think it was right at 500 bucks.

speeddemon · 12-05-2006, 11:18 PM

For sould and quality, I would say the bassani X. But it all depends on the sound that you want. http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...7927b40725.htm
http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...564c9af722.htm
http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...588cadf9e2.htm
I have seen those videos else where but that is a 03 Cobra with Borla cat-back, Bassani catted X, and Bassani headers(just to add more to your shopping list) IMO it sounds real nice. But it is all on personal preference.

Intmd8r32 · 12-06-2006, 01:09 AM

I have Bassani catted X and havent had any problems with it. Plus if you are thinking of lowering it later on you could throw in there some Bassani midlengths to help out any ground clearing issues.

drboyd · 12-09-2006, 12:10 PM

OK, what I'm reading is:

The SLP's hang low and drag.
The Bassani's last about a year and then the MIL comes on.
The Magnaflows are way expensive.

...and Dr. Gas is really the best X-pipe. What I'm thinking about doing is going with the Dr. Gas setup and a pair of cats from Summit or Jegs (about $55 each).

Anybody tried it?

Mach1Marauder · 12-09-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drboyd

OK, what I'm reading is:

The SLP's hang low and drag.
The Bassani's last about a year and then the MIL comes on.
The Magnaflows are way expensive.

...and Dr. Gas is really the best X-pipe. What I'm thinking about doing is going with the Dr. Gas setup and a pair of cats from Summit or Jegs (about $55 each).

Anybody tried it?

Drop da duckets for the Magnaflows !!
Best on the matket!

.....or we're gonna call you COB!

mtm87tx · 12-09-2006, 01:39 PM

i love my setup

bassani catted X pipe with magnaflow cats welded in, cant go wrong with that

drboyd · 12-09-2006, 01:48 PM

Cheap Ol' B@$tard? Yeah, that's me!

Hey, it looks like I can get a Geniune Dr. Gas for about $229, plus two highflow cats from Summit for a total of $110, plus or minus a couple bucks. That's $350, in round numbers.

The Magnaflow setup is like $200 more than that. Someone's gotta tell me why the Magnaflow setup would be $200 better than a genuine Dr. Gas!

Mach1Marauder · 12-09-2006, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drboyd

Cheap Ol' B@$tard? Yeah, that's me!

Hey, it looks like I can get a Geniune Dr. Gas for about $229, plus two highflow cats from Summit for a total of $110, plus or minus a couple bucks. That's $350, in round numbers.

The Magnaflow setup is like $200 more than that. Someone's gotta tell me why the Magnaflow setup would be $200 better than a genuine Dr. Gas!

Bahahahaha!
The Dr. Gas won't tuck quite as well, UNLESS you have a QUALITY exhaust installer that can do MANDREL BENDS.
You'll spend $$$ getting the Dr. Gas installed and you can install the Magnaflow yourself.

machman8 · 12-09-2006, 05:00 PM

unless you got a lift its pretty hard to install the magnaflow midpipe,gotta angle it to get the front end in which needs atleast 2-3feet clearance (just put mine on yesterday)

Scott McClure · 12-09-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mach1Marauder

Bahahahaha!
The Dr. Gas won't tuck quite as well, UNLESS you have a QUALITY exhaust installer that can do MANDREL BENDS.
You'll spend $$$ getting the Dr. Gas installed and you can install the Magnaflow yourself.

Exactly. When all is said and done you will have put more money into the Dr. Gas than the Magnaflow to get it right. The Magnaflow is a quality piece.

99mustang0 · 12-10-2006, 02:00 PM

well ive used a bassani catted x and just switched over to a bassani o/r x and havent had any problems. I like bassani, good quality and sound. Although my CEL came on right away even when i had the catted version and now with the o/r x and MILS i still cant keep it off. Other than that bassani is one of the best IMO.

Jester · 12-10-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drboyd

OK, what I'm reading is:

The Bassani's last about a year and then the MIL comes on.

My CEL came on within a week of the catted Bassani x install. This was before the longtubes...

Mach 1 · 12-10-2006, 08:08 PM

Pay the extra $ for a better product, you only cry once (when you're paying the bill) as opposed to regretting it (and crying) later. Look at it this way, you paid the extra bucks for a Mach, when you could have had a GT for less, right? Just my HO.
I've got the Magnaflow catted x with Magnapacks on my car and I get compliments on the sound and tone all the time. Good luck.

CY-Mach1 · 12-11-2006, 02:05 PM

I thought this would be a discussion on x module or mid-pipe designs. So far I've seen three basic types of x designs: 2 curved pipes welded together with the touching surface area removed (Dr. Gas style); a tru-x module (magnaflow style); and a chambered x module (Bassani style). I prefer the tru-x design, although I have no real-world data showing a performance advantage.

Normally the stainless magnaflow and bassani midpipes are comparable in price. If you're going to change to mid-length headers the bassini mid-pipe design has advantages.

drboyd · 12-17-2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CY-Mach1

<snip>.... I have no real-world data showing a performance advantage.

Has anybody seen a hp/tq comparison between the Magnaflow "Tru-x" and the Dr. Gas style? In reading the Dr. Gas web page, it looks like his design is quite the smokin' deal (naturally). Is the Magnaflow design just a way around the DG patent, or is there actually a difference?

12-03-2006, 11:48 PM	#1
drboyd Official Old Phart Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: phoenix, az Posts: 176	X versus X - what's recommended? OK, so I don't even have the Borla catback system yet, and I'm already drooling on an X-pipe to help it along. Where I live, the smog nazis are pretty strict, so it's gotta be catted. So, I'm guessing my criteria are: The cats can't break up and blow out the tailpipe. It's gotta be stainless, 2 1/2" It's gotta be good weld quality, so there's not big chunks of slag hanging out and blocking the flow. It's gotta be the best "value" for the money. I really don't care to mess with the O2 sensor eliminators and the CEL light stuff. I don't see any reason a good set of cats shouldn't work just like the Ford cats... So, who's got suggestions for catted X-pipes? I'll take both manufacturer and vendor, if you're so inclined! Thanks!! __________________ 2004 DSG 5 Speed - IUP Gauge Trim Rings Sequential Turn Signals Tri-Ax Shifter Trunk Lid Mat K&N Filter in stock housing with silencer removed Valentine 1 Blinder M20 Borla Stinger Catback Compass - Temperature Mirror Bi-Xenon Headlamps Embroidered Headrests Navalert!! Last edited by drboyd; 12-04-2006 at 12:16 AM.

12-04-2006, 01:09 AM	#2
4a7191a Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: beaumont texas Posts: 481	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? hey buddy, well im goin to get the pypes polished stainless kit and get the pipe to a muff shop to be cut and expanded so i can slide the high flow cats in and clamp them,(they dont sell a stainless catted x kit) here before xmas on my womans car, if you dont have one by then ill let you know, ive seen the regular stainless one on a gt and it looked good, and the guy said he was happy with the fitment and quality. whats great about it is that itll be polished stainless with a life time warrenty on the cats and x , plus its cheaper than anyone elses. if your not worried about money, bassani ss catted, loved mine til i took the cats out. __________________ 2004 white mach1 everything under the sun 1999 black cobra magnflow catback, php spacer, k&n fipk, pypes catted X,accell coils, granatelli hard core wires 2001 svt lightning magnaflow catback,K&N intake, 4lb lower, accufab t.b. , lfp e fan , cobraR waterpump

12-04-2006, 12:34 PM	#3
TR04MACH Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 542	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? The slp catted x is of excellent quality. Been running it since may with longtubes and haven't had any issues of the cats breaking up. I think any system will if you hit the cats hard on speedbumps, just gotta watch that since they will hang a bit lower. The slp is like 299 shipped at www.americanmuscle.com __________________ 2004 Torch Red Mach 1! Eaton Swapped 8psi SLP Longtube Headers SLP Catted Shorty X SLP Powerflo Catback JLT RAI Intake SCT Tune on 4bank chip Nitto DR 275/40/17 MM Lower Control Arms MM Urethane Rack Bushings Hawk HPS Pads w/ MM brake lines MM Full Length Subframes Steeda Tri-ax Sirius For Sale!

12-05-2006, 01:06 PM	#4
jganow Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 226	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? Well I have the Bassani SS catted x and I love it. It fits well. It looks great too. I have had it on the car for a year and a half and haven't had any complaints at all. It is a little more costly. I think it was right at 500 bucks. __________________ 2003 Azure Blue Mach Kenne Bell 2.1 - 9 lbs Bassani catted x MRT Maxthunder Catback MGW Shifter 17x8/17x9 black bullitts

12-05-2006, 11:18 PM	#5
speeddemon Can you hear me now? Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 660	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? For sould and quality, I would say the bassani X. But it all depends on the sound that you want. http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...7927b40725.htm http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...564c9af722.htm http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...588cadf9e2.htm I have seen those videos else where but that is a 03 Cobra with Borla cat-back, Bassani catted X, and Bassani headers(just to add more to your shopping list) IMO it sounds real nice. But it is all on personal preference. __________________ EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED 2003 Red Mach 6 Speed w/ IUP K&N Air Filter SLP LoudMouth2 Cat-Back Bassani Off Road X Pipe MGW Orange shifter Moroso Line Lock SPEC Stage 2 w/ steel flywheel Bassani Mid-Length Headers FRPP 4.10 HPM MegaBite LCA T-56 Trans

12-06-2006, 01:09 AM	#6
Intmd8r32 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: TEXAS Posts: 277	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? I have Bassani catted X and havent had any problems with it. Plus if you are thinking of lowering it later on you could throw in there some Bassani midlengths to help out any ground clearing issues.

12-09-2006, 12:10 PM	#7
drboyd Official Old Phart Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: phoenix, az Posts: 176	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? OK, what I'm reading is: The SLP's hang low and drag. The Bassani's last about a year and then the MIL comes on. The Magnaflows are way expensive. ...and Dr. Gas is really the best X-pipe. What I'm thinking about doing is going with the Dr. Gas setup and a pair of cats from Summit or Jegs (about $55 each). Anybody tried it? __________________ 2004 DSG 5 Speed - IUP Gauge Trim Rings Sequential Turn Signals Tri-Ax Shifter Trunk Lid Mat K&N Filter in stock housing with silencer removed Valentine 1 Blinder M20 Borla Stinger Catback Compass - Temperature Mirror Bi-Xenon Headlamps Embroidered Headrests Navalert!!

12-09-2006, 01:39 PM	#9
mtm87tx Guest Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Katy, Texas Posts: 1,836	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? i love my setup bassani catted X pipe with magnaflow cats welded in, cant go wrong with that

12-09-2006, 01:48 PM	#10
drboyd Official Old Phart Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: phoenix, az Posts: 176	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? Cheap Ol' B@$tard? Yeah, that's me! Hey, it looks like I can get a Geniune Dr. Gas for about $229, plus two highflow cats from Summit for a total of $110, plus or minus a couple bucks. That's $350, in round numbers. The Magnaflow setup is like $200 more than that. Someone's gotta tell me why the Magnaflow setup would be $200 better than a genuine Dr. Gas! __________________ 2004 DSG 5 Speed - IUP Gauge Trim Rings Sequential Turn Signals Tri-Ax Shifter Trunk Lid Mat K&N Filter in stock housing with silencer removed Valentine 1 Blinder M20 Borla Stinger Catback Compass - Temperature Mirror Bi-Xenon Headlamps Embroidered Headrests Navalert!!

12-09-2006, 05:00 PM	#12
machman8 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: miami Posts: 322	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? unless you got a lift its pretty hard to install the magnaflow midpipe,gotta angle it to get the front end in which needs atleast 2-3feet clearance (just put mine on yesterday) __________________ 2003 MACH 1 -magnaflow o/r xpipe

12-10-2006, 02:00 PM	#14
99mustang0 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: kansas city, ks Posts: 132	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? well ive used a bassani catted x and just switched over to a bassani o/r x and havent had any problems. I like bassani, good quality and sound. Although my CEL came on right away even when i had the catted version and now with the o/r x and MILS i still cant keep it off. Other than that bassani is one of the best IMO.

12-10-2006, 08:08 PM	#16
Mach 1 DSG guarded by a GSD Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: No. Easton, MA Posts: 1,790	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? Pay the extra $ for a better product, you only cry once (when you're paying the bill) as opposed to regretting it (and crying) later. Look at it this way, you paid the extra bucks for a Mach, when you could have had a GT for less, right? Just my HO. I've got the Magnaflow catted x with Magnapacks on my car and I get compliments on the sound and tone all the time. Good luck. __________________ Procharged P-1SC Intercooled, 9 psi, 42 lb injectors, 80 mm Lightning MAF w/MAF.ia, 255 lph GT pump, NGK TR-6 plugs, Water/Methanol injection, SCT X cal 2 tuned by DEZ Racing, 10.5" AFS Rear wheels w/Nitto DR's, AutoMeter fuel/boost guages, MGW orange handle shifter, Sequential taillights, Visus louvers, Magnaflow catted x-pipe w/Magnapacks. 429 rwhp, 365 rwtq Dyno pic Engine bay pic

12-11-2006, 02:05 PM	#17
CY-Mach1 Driving Mach 1 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 308	Re: X versus X - what's recommended? I thought this would be a discussion on x module or mid-pipe designs. So far I've seen three basic types of x designs: 2 curved pipes welded together with the touching surface area removed (Dr. Gas style); a tru-x module (magnaflow style); and a chambered x module (Bassani style). I prefer the tru-x design, although I have no real-world data showing a performance advantage. Normally the stainless magnaflow and bassani midpipes are comparable in price. If you're going to change to mid-length headers the bassini mid-pipe design has advantages. __________________ John Mar 04 SAE: 277rwhp/299rwtq w/ flows welded in 13.361 @ 104.73 Oct 04 SAE: 287rwhp/307rwtq w/ weld-in flows, K&N, and Predator Feb 05 SAE: 306rwhp/328rwtq w/ catted x, weld-in flows, K&N, and RWTD Tune

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: