H-Pipe Opinions

[GoFas7]

Hi 6G,

Loving the '18 GT! My first mod was the addition of a Ford Trunk Mat!

The second mod I'd like to pursue is the resonator/briefcase delete in the form of an X-Pipe or an H-Pipe.

My car does have Active Exhaust, which I would like to retain that functionality.

I have been researching the two options and it seems the X-Pipe is more aggressive and raspy with upper end torque, while the H-Pipe is a deeper, "traditional muscle car," tone with lower end torque.

Based on that, I am interested in the H-Pipe.

Next, I studied 304 Stainless might be better than 409 stainless or aluminized. The 304 being less likely to rust.

I noticed there are a lot more X-Pipe options than H-Pipe. Why do you suppose that is?

The two most interesting 304SS H-Pipes I've found are at Steeda and Mishimoto.

https://www.steeda.com/steeda-s550-h-pipe-555-3611

https://www.mishimoto.com/ford-mustang-gt-h-pipe-15.html

The Steeda is listed at $230 on sale for $160, while the Mishimoto is listed at $280.

I'm leaning towards Steeda based on the sale price and the 30 years experience working on Mustangs that they have.

Any feedback on my logic and choice? Experiences with X-Pipes vs. H-Pipes? Various Brands?

Thank you for your input!

Sponsored

 

[msweet]

Like you said, X is more high pitched and makes a bees dick more power, which will honestly be so immeasurable by seat of the pants that I wouldn't even factor it in.

304SS is best, the steeda will work perfectly fine so I'd go with that.

If you want to hear the active exhaust with X and H, American Muscle have a couple great videos on YouTube that show and measure the difference.

 

[Mazman]

I have the Steeda H-pipe (#nr 555-3611)installed.

Will be posting a video as soon as I get my computer (which should arrive today) with some comparisons (unfortunately my mic was trash when I shot the before videos).

The sound is just perfect! Cold start in the quite is a bit higher, in normal much louder. Start in quite mode when the engine is warm not that much higher.

During driving in constant speed around 60mph there is no difference between modes more or less ( I have so many other noises in the car). Driving on to the highway with normal acceleration there is quite alot of noise in the cabin(drone), in quite not so much.

The sound is just fantastic now with the active exhaust on the 18/19s

 

[GT Pony]

$160 for the Steeda stainless H-pipe is a good deal.

 

[Mike's Mustang]

I have the Mishimoto H-Pipe which sounds great. I would say go with Steeda though. It's cheaper and they include way better sleeve clamps than what you get with the Mishimoto H.

 

[stevegt]

Definitely Steeda!

 

[tom_sprecher]

About a year and a half ago we installed an FRPP x-pipe which was found on Ebay for $189 shipped. Before and after dyno runs showed there was no change to the curve whatsoever, so the OEM resonator does a damn good job at what it was designed to do. The weight difference was about 9 pounds and the x-pipe sounded better, but it was still too quiet.

Yesterday we added Borla S-type axle backs. The sound is incredible; less muscle car and more race car, which is the sound I like coming from a road racing background.

They are not much louder than the stock mufflers until you lean into it. At cruising RPM there is no drone. Easy on the neighbors, but it will make you smile and turn heads when you push it.

 

[RIBS]

I have the Mishimoto on my 15 GT. It is constructed very good and has a great deeper slightly louder sound.

I did have some issues. either the clamps are junk, or the pipe diameter is slightly off. I was unable to tighten it up enough to keep the muffler assembly's from rotating. Their customer support was friendly but slow, it took 8 weeks to get a second set of clamps, which still did not work. I finally bought a cheap set at SUMMIT Racing and they clamp better, but still not tight enough.

 

[88lx50]

I used the Summit H pipe. It was reasonably priced and I liked it better then the Steeda because the ends were flared and it slipped over the cut portion, providing a stronger joint then the butt joint clamps.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-640722-ss

 

[jimmerheck]

I know mine is a 16, not an 18, but my Steeda H pipe with my stock mufflers sounds perfect to me. Their directions were not very good for installing though. They say to put their pipe up next to your pipe, mark and cut, but their inlet pipe is not the same length as the pipe on the car, I had to cut twice.

 

[dogiebitt]

[ame]


The video is of the CJ Pony Parts aluminum h-pipe ($83) and the 2011 GT500 axle backs. No rust and it's been over a year. Yes the clamps leak a little, but no sign of tips twisting like bjstang had.

https://www.cjponyparts.com/resonator-delete-h-pipe-aluminized-steel-gt-2015-2018/p/RDHP1/

 

[UHOH5-OH]

I’m still on my stock ‘18 exhaust and have only been back in the Mustang world for about two months so take anything I say with a grain of salt.

I have been reading up quite a bit on the X-H pipe thing and have yet to see anybody post any real gains.

I certainly would not replace factory stainless for aluminum. I was close to pulling the trigger on the Steeda one due to their reputation and price but recently have started looking at the MagnaFlow resonated unit.

I am pretty happy with my stock exhaust but want just a hint more sound without any rasp. The MagnaFlow seems to fit that need but still not sure I will even change anything.

 

[WildHorse]

H pipe with my stock mufflers sounds perfect to me.

I agree 100%. Nice deep musclecar tone. Go cat delete and you'll be saying corsa who?

 

[clevernickname]

A lot of people recommended just going to a exhaust shop. They can do it for much cheaper and mine hasn't had any issues so far. Not much "magic" involved in an h pipe so its a pretty easy job.

 

[analogman]

I have the Mishimoto H pipe on my 2015 GT. I love the sound, it's exactly what I was hoping for. As others have said, it's deeper, more old-school 'muscle car' like, maybe 25% 'louder' (definitely not obnoxiously so). No raspiness at all.

I don't have access to a lift, so I had a speed shop install both the H-pipe and the Blowfish Racing shifter bracket. They only took about a half hour for the H-pipe and one hour for the Blowfish bracket. So far no leaks or any other problems.

The Steeda looks just as good, and for $100 less, if I was doing it again, I'd save the money and go with the Steeda (though I'm perfectly happy with the Mishimoto, no complaints at all).

Sponsored