Tim2005

if an h pipe is far less effective than an x pipe why would a company like jba only have a long tube header back system that comes with an h pipe (05 application)..ive looked at alot of the other companies and they all offer x pipes, any ideas?..is it a pain to install long tube headers with the car not on a lift? does anyone have a kooks system? how is 304l stainless compared to ceramic coated? i see alot of the ceramic coated systems are either 409l ss or mild steel..any ideas for a cat back set up? im thinking flowmaster not sure..any input will help thanks

808muscle

First of all longtube headers are a total PITA to install but worth it IMO. It took me all weekend with help from friends. You must have a 13 mm flexhead racheting tool. Only about $15 and it will save you hours of frustation. Another must is gloves or your hands will bleed. The job isnt hard, just nuts and bolts, but getting to everything is a long process. We did it on jackstands, carpet on the floor so our backs wouldnt be totally ruined.
H pipe sounds better than a X imo. X is very raspy. Your exhaust tone will increase a whole lot with LTs. If you have loud mufflers now, you may need to quiet it down after LTs. Look at peoples sig and youtube for sound ideas.

Kooks are very popular, just pricey. Pypes are exact copies of kooks at half the cost. Made in china if thats an issue for you. Do your research before buying anything. My Pypes have been on my car for 18 months. They look as good now as they did after installing them.

Tim2005

808 thanks! ive narrowed it down to either buying jba complete kit or kooks header w/catted x and flowmaster back

Diabolical!

h vs. x is purely sound preference. there is no performance difference.

onederful100

x pipe with flows?

Tim2005

when i had my 2000 v6 ryan kerr at ryker racing in petrolia ontario sold me cat backs and gt bumper from a 2002 gt for $200 when he installed it he made an h pipe ..he installed a full mac exhaut system on a 97 v6 3.8l one of his many cars..we started both cars and ran them a bit..my car with the h pipe sounded soo much better..it had a rumble the other was alittle whiny you could tell it was a 6 at around 3500

Diabolical!

I agree that H-pipes sound better. I run an X-pipe because it's what my tuner had in stock when I melted a cat. Performance difference is nil.

jz

Which is exactly why I will be staying with an H when I go long tubes. I like the sound so much better.