H-Pipe Pics

[crouse]

I'm tired of the sound of my X-Pipe, so I've decided to change to an H-Pipe. I have a custom 2.5" system into two Magnaflow cats into an X then into Magnaflow mufflers.

I know what the stock exhaust looks like. Those of you with a custom system with an H-Pipe, can you post some pics?

I've heard that the H pipe should be one size smaller than the size of the system, so in my case it would be 2.25".

[red]

See my pictures here (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=42639).

[Black_Noise]

can i have your X pipe? i want to go to x instead of H

[crouse]

See my pictures here (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=42639).

Very nice. Thank you. Looks like you've got Borla's. How is the sound with this setup compared to a Magnaflow or Flowmaster? Did you have the stock system before this?

[crouse]

can i have your X pipe? i want to go to x instead of H

I'm going to ask my installer to remove the X so it can be re-used. I'll let you know if I decide to not keep it.

[Georges93LX]

My X pipe sounds like tin can rattling on my Crown Vic. H-pipe is suppose to give more low end torque.

[red]

Very nice. Thank you. Looks like you've got Borla's. How is the sound with this setup compared to a Magnaflow or Flowmaster? Did you have the stock system before this?
Thanks. I have two sounds clips on that thread... have a listen. The stock mufflers were on for a while, and it was great because it sounded like NASCAR--people would flag me down to tell me. The Borla mufflers definitely changed it, thankfully making the note more tolerable for long trips. This style (ProXS) is a straight-through design, not turbo. It's loud, but not too deep. I've been told it sounds a bit like a truck (under light acceleration), but not as obnoxious. At idle and WOT, the sounds are wonderful (judge for yourself via the clips).

[crouse]

I'm going to do some video taping of before and after to document any differences between the X and H pipes.

[ctrlraven]

My X pipe sounds like tin can rattling on my Crown Vic. H-pipe is suppose to give more low end torque.

That's one reason why I have never liked the X-pipe. People always say X-pipe flows better numbers, which is true but that is with high powered vehicles. I'd rather have the low end grunt and sound than a bunch of exhaust rattle at the top end and a few more ponies.

[crouse]

Would anyone have any pics of the stock exhaust? I think I'll have my installer locate the H in the same place as the stock h pipe.

[ctrlraven]

Have the installer place the crossover tube as close to the engine as possible. The closer the crossover tube (H or X) is to the engine it will scavenge the exhaust better and help equal out exhaust pressure.

At least that's what I was always told by the old time hot rod guys.

[crouse]

I've decided to have the H-pipe located in the same position as the stock exhaust.

[Embassy]

I might be changing the oil on the Marauder today.

I'll take snap some pics of the custom H-pipe while she's up on the ramps.

[ctrlraven]

http://images.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/p111914_large+2003_mercury_mar auder_sedan+underside.jpg

[Tony Rouviere]

I went w/ a Flowmaster D-port. 2.5 Flow-tec Raptors,Magnaflows s/steel tips. I think it sounds pretty good. Had Flowmasters on it and the drone was murder. The D-port is for torque, so I still got bottom end.

[Tony Rouviere]

P.S. Paint a line down the side of the exhaust pipe, from cat back. Where the paint stops burning, thats were the h-pipe goes.

[ts-pa]

What kind of paint? High temp?

[Tony Rouviere]

I would use cheap rattle can paint.

[Georges93LX]

http://images.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/p111914_large+2003_mercury_mar auder_sedan+underside.jpg

You need to get that oil pan waxed before Embassy sees it. He'll chastise you.:D

[ctrlraven]

You need to get that oil pan waxed before Embassy sees it. He'll chastise you.:D

That's not even my car lol.

[safado]

Has anyone ever seen a gain by chopping off the rear cats and running 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 to the mufflers?

[MarauderMark]

Has anyone ever seen a gain by chopping off the rear cats and running 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 to the mufflers?

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/487000-487999/487512_65_full.jpg
these goto magnflows 18" then 2 1/2 to 4" meg tips.

[fastblackmerc]

Has anyone ever seen a gain by chopping off the rear cats and running 2 1/4 or 2 1/2 to the mufflers?

IMHO... you'll see more of a gain by eliminating all four factory cats and going with two hi-flow cats, one per side.

[ctrlraven]

When I removed my 2nd set of cats I knocked off a tenth in the 1/4, better sound and could feel better throttle in mid-range rpm.

[hdwrenchtx]

What kind of paint? High temp?

paint? lol.

i can ceramic coat em for u 2000 degree satin black

[red]

paint? lol.

I think you missed what Tony was saying. He was recommending the paint trick for determining placement of the crossover. He was not suggesting to coat the pipes this way.

[Embassy]

While changing the engine oil and the supercharger oil, I took some pics of the undercarriage.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/627288/fullsize/img_2851.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/627277/fullsize/img_2845.jpg

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/627296/fullsize/img_2858.jpg

Anyone who has been around this car will agree the exhaust note is incredible. I am sure a good portion of that comes from the H-pipe.

Click here (http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/18556/63810) for the rest of the pics.

[HwyCruiser]

Steve, I always enjoy looking at your pics. Did you put SS Inserts or Bob White decals on the rear fascia? I can't tell.

The h-pipe was done locally after giving up on the dream of having headers installed. I actually had SW headers in hand but sold them off to another member for pretty close to what I had into them. I think just to have the h-pipe fab'ed up in SS was around $350 (cats to mufflers), whereas the total on the headers and install was going to be at least another $1500. After dropping a grand on the "cobra exhaust" a couple years prior I just didn't have it in me to have that much tied up in the exhaust. The only parts left from the first go-round are the cobra manifolds and lead pipes (the cats had already been replaced). The tail pipes and resonators are still stock though.

I really disliked how low the x-pipe hung and the ball & socket couplers were a real eyesore looking at the car on profile, so I asked them to tuck everything up as well as they could - thus all the bends. Just not having to look at it anymore was worth the money IMO. As soon as they fired it up I had one of those "now that's what I'm talking about" moments and decided I was finally happy with the tone. To me, the x-pipe and magnaflows were way too zippy for a big domestic car and the h-pipe mellowed it right out. I'm glad you're enjoying the final result.

[crouse]

Thanks for all of the info & pics. I had the H-Pipe installed on Friday and what a difference.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/4/6/8/3/IMG_2307a.JPG

It sounds like I've got a big block under the hood. I can't stop grinning when I drive it. I hated the sound the X-Pipe made but never thought there would be that much difference between the two.

I'll try and post some video clips of before with the X-Pipe and after with the H-Pipe.

[Embassy]

It sounds like I've got a big block under the hood. I can't stop grinning when I drive it. I hated the sound the X-Pipe made but never thought there would be that much difference between the two.

Believe me, I know the feeling. :D

Congrats. It looks great.


JD, thanks for the compliments on the pics. Having the car on the rack provided a rare opportunity to explore her underside and take photos for later reference. To say I'm impressed with the way you "tucked up" the intercooler is an understatement.

The car drew plenty of attention and high praise from the salesmen and managers at the Benz dealer where my friend works and where we changed the oils.

Yes, I installed Bob White reflective black letters on the bumper for some subtle "bling".

Thanks for taking the time to give me more background on the Merc and it's exhaust system. I'm subscribing to this thread for future reference.

Furthermore, I'm definately enjoying the research and time you put into this exhaust.

The exhaust note turns heads everywhere I go and they all see a driver smiling ear to ear.

[HwyCruiser]

More time and money than research I'm afraid. If I had to do it all over again I would have went with SW headers flanged to a set of high flow cats welded to the stock h-pipe and left the rest alone. Oh well, your money pit now. :D

[crouse]

More time and money than research I'm afraid. If I had to do it all over again I would have went with SW headers flanged to a set of high flow cats welded to the stock h-pipe and left the rest alone. Oh well, your money pit now. :D

I know what you mean.

Unfortunately there was no one to copy in my area, so if any of you Twin Cities Marauders is thinking about modifying your exhaust, see me first.