Anyone ever tried Stright pipes on there SHO?

MEANSHO · January 15, 2015, 12:42:30 PM

I was just curious after hearing the new ford GT. How would down pipes with no cats and straight exhaust no muffler or resonators at all would sound. I obviously know it would be loud at WOT but I have been thinking about doing this on my SHO my powerstroke diesel is already straight piped and I love the sound and you can actually keep it reasonably quiet when you want to with a little throttle control. IMO the SHO is way to quiet I like to here that turbo spool.

MDesign Performance · January 15, 2015, 12:46:08 PM

I've tried this, it is loud and actually not that bad. The only bad thing is the drone you will have inside the cabin with the free-flowing system.

If you were interested in a custom setup I would do straight pipes from the down-pipe back and use some a high-flow resonator and chambered mufflers to kill drone. Kind of like the MDesign exhaust system that is currently for sale, though as it sits it is the same thing as practically a straight exhaust since all the components are high flowing. Throw on some chambered mufflers and I believe you could have something nice and unique.

IHeartGroceries · January 16, 2015, 11:56:14 AM

Mind numbing drone to go along with your loudness.

wasinger3000 · January 16, 2015, 02:19:00 PM

Unless you build a j pipe resonator tuned to the drone frequency like I did.

BiGMaC · January 18, 2015, 03:02:49 PM

Agree with all responses, except... Our turbos are not fed equally with air especially if the OEM "saxophone" is still in place.... No matter what you do make sure there is a X-pipe after the DPs to equalize exhaust pressures... the third cat does this on OEM.

802SHO · August 31, 2018, 09:01:14 AM

This post is old but I would like to get a better understanding on the significance of an x-pipe. I have an appt on Sept 10th to remove my 3rd cat and resonator. I have Thunderstorm 2.5" catless downpipes to the factory 2.25" 3rd cat and resonator, mufflers are deleted.

New setup will be 2.5" downpipes to 2.5" straight pipes back with tips. No cats, no resonator, no mufflers.

Do I really need an x-pipe? I understand our turbos don't flow evenly and an x-pipe would help to balance back pressure....but what is the benefit of balancing back pressure if the intital flow is uneven? It seems to me an x-pipe would not help the turbos flow evenly so whats the point of balancing the back pressure?

Would it hurt to let them flow naturally, uneven or not? And I wonder if any type of loss of low end torque would actually help my 60ft due to less traction loss.

Any further insight and information will be well received. If collectively we're not sure I'm not having an x-pipe installed.

geophb · August 31, 2018, 09:23:07 AM

I don't see how our turbo system flow "unevenly". And in any turbocharged system the turbo charger provides all the "backpressure" the motor will ever need. Any sort of piping or restriction after the turbine increases spool time and reduces performance. So straight through all the way back is best. X-pipe wont change anything.

Side note: If your making 15 psi boost going into throttle body, there has to be atleast 15 psi pressure (backpressure) in the exhaust manifold to drive the turbine.

802SHO · August 31, 2018, 09:30:42 AM

Thank you! I thought they didn't flow evenly because of what BiGMac said. So up1 for no x-pipe!! 😃

Jordan · August 31, 2018, 09:32:53 AM

I agree with BigMac. From the factory the third cat balances. Think of it this way. An x pipe can be had for like $20-25 and won't hurt anything if you put it on. Also I have never hear of an instance where an x pipe made something worse or sound worse. It's always been for the better. Currently i have 2.5" catless down pipes to straight 2.5" with an x pipe in the original third cat location back to 2 18" vibrant resonators. It's horrendously loud at times down low, but that's my opinion.

geophb · August 31, 2018, 09:58:14 AM

I don't see how they flow uneven. Both heads, both turbo, both exhaust manifolds have identical dimensions and fed from one throttle inlet. Only thing is one turbo is about 2 foot in front of the other, which means nothing.

Jordan · August 31, 2018, 10:08:23 AM

Quote from: geophb on August 31, 2018, 09:58:14 AM
I don't see how they flow uneven. Both heads, both turbo, both exhaust manifolds have identical dimensions and fed from one throttle inlet. Only thing is one turbo is about 2 foot in front of the other, which means nothing.

There is a lot more than just that. Like the number of bends and at which angle, I don't think it'll make a difference, but putting an x pipe in is not going to have any cons. Only pros if it does do something. I'd rather just pay the $20 for peace of mind that I am optimizing my car to it's fullest.

802SHO · August 31, 2018, 10:18:41 AM

Quote from: Jordan on August 31, 2018, 10:08:23 AM
Quote from: geophb on August 31, 2018, 09:58:14 AM
I don't see how they flow uneven. Both heads, both turbo, both exhaust manifolds have identical dimensions and fed from one throttle inlet. Only thing is one turbo is about 2 foot in front of the other, which means nothing.

There is a lot more than just that. Like the number of bends and at which angle, I don't think it'll make a difference, but putting an x pipe in is not going to have any cons. Only pros if it does do something. I'd rather just pay the $20 for peace of mind that I am optimizing my car to it's fullest.

That's also a good point. I can have the shop make an xpipe easy. If it doesnt hurt but may help..why not?

Xpipe ☝ 1. Need a tie breaker lol

Jordan · August 31, 2018, 10:22:54 AM

Quote from: 802SHO on August 31, 2018, 10:18:41 AM
Quote from: Jordan on August 31, 2018, 10:08:23 AM
Quote from: geophb on August 31, 2018, 09:58:14 AM
I don't see how they flow uneven. Both heads, both turbo, both exhaust manifolds have identical dimensions and fed from one throttle inlet. Only thing is one turbo is about 2 foot in front of the other, which means nothing.

There is a lot more than just that. Like the number of bends and at which angle, I don't think it'll make a difference, but putting an x pipe in is not going to have any cons. Only pros if it does do something. I'd rather just pay the $20 for peace of mind that I am optimizing my car to it's fullest.

That's also a good point. I can have the shop make an xpipe easy. If it doesnt hurt but may help..why not?

Xpipe ☝ 1. Need a tie breaker lol

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/jex-sxp4

This is the one I have on my car. Dirt cheap. And also looks a lot better than the one pictured with more direct flow patterns.

ToMang07 · August 31, 2018, 10:30:13 AM

Quote from: Jordan on August 31, 2018, 10:22:54 AM

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/jex-sxp4

This is the one I have on my car. Dirt cheap. And also looks a lot better than the one pictured with more direct flow patterns.

Find a stainless one. Aluminized SUCKS.

Jordan · August 31, 2018, 10:37:34 AM

Guarantee any exhaust shop he is going to is not going to use stainless anyways so what's the difference in the end lol.. It'll hold up fine for many years. Plus that price difference tho