MustangForums.com

Ford Mustang 1994-2004: Exhaust Modifications

Opening up the exhaust should be one of the first modifications to consider on your Ford Mustang. But which part of the exhaust do you want to replace? Learn all about it in here.

By Jeffrey Smith - October 6, 2015

This article applies to the Ford Mustang V6 (1994-2004).

You are looking for some kind of exhaust modification, but you aren't sure what you want or need? You are in very good company. Many Stang' owners are in the very same boat. Whether it is a whole new system from headers to tail pipe, or something in the mid-pipe or cat-back range, the choices are nearly endless along with the price points and performance enhancements. Let this guide be your talisman to exhaust modification choices. Are you looking for performance gains, a quieter ride, or a terrifying earth-shaking rumble? Let's break this down and discuss the various components, as well as what they can bring to your life.

Figure 1. The V6 exhaust system can be upgraded as a whole, or just the various components can be enhanced.

Headers

DIY Cost – $400 and up

Professional Cost – At least $700 to change them out

Skill Level – Easy

You have two choices in headers: shorties or long tubes. Shorties are the same length in general as the stock headers, but they do add a little more horsepower. They work well with turbo chargers and they fit right into the existing exhaust system. Long tubes are generally used for racing applications and may in fact be illegal in your state for street driving. Long tubes do not work with turbo chargers and the stock mid-pipe must be swapped out for a shorty mid-pipe for a long tube header to fit. Long tubes give a very noticeable increase in HP over the stock setup.

Mid-Pipes

DIY Cost – $300-$600

Professional Cost – Starting around $500 depending upon brand

Skill Level – Easy

Your V6 Mustang came out of the factory with a Y-type of mid-pipe. Swapping out the mid-pipe is probably the easiest way to make the most performance gains. Paired with the same brand of headers, you can really boost your car's performance. By far, the most popular mid-pipe upgrade on the Mustang is an X-pipe configuration. This is one very loud pipe and will produce the most power later on in the RPM range. The other popular option for mid-pipe conversion is the H-pipe. The H-pipe will give your car that prototypical muscle car growl, producing more power lower in that same RPM range. Both configurations come with or without catalytic converters, but note that the pipes with no cats are for racing applications only and will most likely fail an emissions test in your state.

Cat-Back System

DIY Cost – $800+

Professional Cost– Starting at $1,200 and up

Skill Level – Easy

The cat-back system refers to the length of exhaust from the catalytic converters through the mufflers, tail pipe and out the tips. The tips can make or break the mean look at the rear of your car and the rest of the system is for sound. Changing out the cat-back section of your exhaust will not get you any noticeable performance gains by itself, but you can really change the sound, tone, and pitch of your engine.

Mufflers

DIY Cost – $100+

Professional Cost – $150 or more

Skill Level – Easy

Changing out your muffler is about the fastest, cheapest, and easiest way to get that sound you are craving. An extremely popular choice among Mustang owners is the muffler made by Thrush. It is loud and deep and if you do upgrade your exhaust to a dual system, a pair of them will send waves of panic up the spines of bystanders as you rumble through the streets.

Related Discussions