I have an exhaust question for you guys. I’ve been eyeing cat-back exhausts but can’t decide if I should go with an x-pipe or not.

Is there even a point to 50 state legal x-pipes?

And, if I do go with an x-pipe, should I choose hi-flow cats or no cats? I like loud but not garbage loud. My 85 5.0 has no cats and sounded like garbage before I added race mufflers but the 2011 will be a daily driver.

I would like to get the system with the most power gains but since I chose Grabber Blue for my 5.0, I don’t need the extra attention of an overtly loud exhaust.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

there's a thread with the corsas on the stock h pipe and a modded x pipe. i prefer the sound of the h pipe, makes it deeper and throatier IMO.

i don't see why an x pipe would not be 50 state legal, the x pipe comes on after the cats. if you did something to the cats, then it could affect the legal issue. since these cars are still new, you're going to have to tinker since there's not much out there to base opinions on.

 

I should phrase my question like this, is it worth it to bolt on an x-pipe withoout either hiflow cats or none at all?

 

I think it depends on your states emissions regulations... seeing that you're in CA, I recommend something that is CARB certified unless you know a shop that will pass it anyway

 

x-pipe's a waste of money and it sounds better with the h-pipe. the cats that come on cars now have been hi-flo for years, sure they sell higher flo ones but won't make a significant difference..