'93 LX 5.0 Cat-Back Suggestions

Joe wrote:
> "Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in
> :
>
>
>>Joe wrote:
>>
>>>The LX has started sounding more obnoxious these days, so I decided
>>>to take a look underneath. Alas, nothing but swiss cheese except
>>>for the Flows and the tips. The Flows might last a bit more, but
>>>there are a bunch of soft spots so I figure it's time to do a full
>>>cat-back.
>>>
>>>So what are some of your favorites? Prices? Sound? Drone? TIA.
>>
>>As I get older I like things quieter.
>
>
> Things seem that way to me already. Could be because I'm going
> deaf...
>
>
>>The Dynomax Ultraflows on the
>>car now are good until you put your foot in it. Then they sound
>>like straight pipes.
>
>
> This is a good thing. See comments in my reply to Patrick and dwight.

The Dynomax Ultraflows are really loud at WOT, especially with the
blower making boost. It's so loud that it attracts too much attention.
I like to accelerate without worrying that ever cop within a 1/4 mile
is trying to find me.

>>One of the best sounding systems I had on the
>>car was the Motorsport stainless steel catback. It had no drone but
>>the inlet/outlets on the mufflers necked down to 2.25" while the
>>tubing was 2.5". If you aren't looked to squeeze ever last hp out
>>of the engine it is a very affordable alternative that will give a
>>somewhat unique sound.
>> I got many compliments on the sound of my car when it was
>> installed.
>
>
> Now that's interesting. Is it the same system in the link in the
> reply to Patrick and dwight? As my son will be driving the car
> mostly, I'm not too concerned about squeezing every last bit of power
> out of it. In fact, I'm taking the underdrives off to give it better
> driveability. It's going through a battery a year now.
>
> So far, it looks like the Ford and Dynomax systems are contenders.

That looks like the same system. Its a good deal considering its all
stainless steel. With you being in Florida though I guess that isn't a
big concern.

"Joe" > wrote in message
news
> "dwight" > wrote in
> :
>
>> > wrote in message
>> oups.com...
>>> Joe wrote:
>>>> The LX has started sounding more obnoxious these days, so I
>>>> decided to take a look underneath. Alas, nothing but swiss cheese
>>>> except for the Flows and the tips. The Flows might last a bit
>>>> more, but there are a bunch of soft spots so I figure it's time to
>>>> do a full cat-back.
>>>
>>>> So what are some of your favorites? Prices? Sound? Drone? TIA.
>>>
>>> Joe,
>>>
>>> I had Dynomax on my old LX. They were just a little louder than
>>> stock, but they did drone at about 2,200 rpm. They were a bit
>>> quieter when I added a catted X-pipe.
>>>
>>> My '93 is still running the stock set-up... 103,000 and counting.
>>>
>>> Patrick
>>> '93 Cobra
>
> I did check out some of the more common systems, i.e., Dynomax,
> Flowmaster, Borla, Bassani, etc. Amazingly, one of the least
> expensive systems I found was from Ford Racing:
>
> http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=4903

Thanks. Now I'm looking at the crate 302s again...

> One thing I'm looking for here is a system with mandrel bent pipes.
> I know it's a case of 'you get what you pay for', but that's why I
> asked you guys.

The Dynomax pipes are mandrel bent.

> BTW, The LX pipes were fine way back at 103k miles. But now that
> I'm up to 143k, things have gotten pretty nasty. I'm sure dwight
> knows what I mean...

I remember what a happy day it was, when one of my pipes just broke. That
was some years ago, but it meant that I could go shopping for a new set-up.
I also remember asking just about the same questions you are, and settled on
the UltraFlows, because I wanted a quieter sound for puttering around the
neighborhood, but a somewhat meaner note at acceleration. Where the stock
pipes were definitely a tenor, the UltraFlows would be baritone.

You got me curious, so I just stepped outside to poke around under TFrog.
The pipes are still very healthy, although several inches of pipe just after
the mufflers are showing signs of age. The mufflers, themselves, still look
new.

>> Double Dynomax here. The LX has the UltraFlows, really like the
>> sound. For the GT, with the turn-downs, I have the SuperTurbos - a
>> bit louder, but still more "dignified".
>>
>> Besides - I AM an old fart, and I can't be running around with
>> Flowmasters.
>>
>> dwight
>
> Now, froggy, we are both old farts, but the Flows were never that
> bad. Unless, (like Michael is also saying about the UltraFlows)
> you put your foot into it, the old Flowmasters I have (had?) are
> fairly mellow.
>
> I kind of like the idea of staying mellow until you punch it,
> especially because my son will be driving the LX for the most part
> now. Even though the car sticks out on the road because of its
> color (the only other Calypso Green cars out there are a few old
> Rangers, Probes, and Tracers/Escorts), I'd much rather it didn't
> draw attention due to excessive noise.
>
> Joe
> Calypso Green '93 5.0 LX AOD hatch with a few goodies
> Black '03 Dakota 5.9 R/T CC

Hah! I've offered the convertible to my daughter, for the occasional cruise
this summer, but I'd still be sweating it out if she ever took me up on it.
There's no way in this life that I'd let my son drive either Mustang - but
you'd have to know my son to understand. I don't think he'd be all that
interested, anyway.

I don't even like to see a mechanic drive my cars, if only from the parking
spot into the bay. I am one nervous owner...

dwight

"Joe" > wrote in message
. ..
> "IsellJeeps" > wrote in
> :
>
>> I have the bbk offroad with 3 chamber flows and love em no
>> cats...aod 373's gt40 upper/lower gt40 heads (worked) tfs stage 1
>> cam bbk equal length shorties 88 notch with 59K miles LOVE IT!!!!!!
>
> That's a bit over the top for what I'm looking for. Don't want to
> deal with the cats, h-pipe, or headers either. As is dwight, I'm an
> old fart.

Today, I'm an even older fart. 51.

dwight
(as my wife says, now one year closer to god)

Dwight--Old Fart doesn't start until you're atleast 60. You guys have given
me some new ideas for for '90 LX 5.0 HB

Dave (61)


"dwight" > wrote in message
...
> "Joe" > wrote in message
> . ..
> > "IsellJeeps" > wrote in
> > :
> >
> >> I have the bbk offroad with 3 chamber flows and love em no
> >> cats...aod 373's gt40 upper/lower gt40 heads (worked) tfs stage 1
> >> cam bbk equal length shorties 88 notch with 59K miles LOVE IT!!!!!!
> >
> > That's a bit over the top for what I'm looking for. Don't want to
> > deal with the cats, h-pipe, or headers either. As is dwight, I'm an
> > old fart.
>
> Today, I'm an even older fart. 51.
>
> dwight
> (as my wife says, now one year closer to god)
>
>

me two I am on my 9th mustang and almost 34









"Joe" > wrote in message
. ..
> "IsellJeeps" > wrote in
> :
>
> > I have the bbk offroad with 3 chamber flows and love em no
> > cats...aod 373's gt40 upper/lower gt40 heads (worked) tfs stage 1
> > cam bbk equal length shorties 88 notch with 59K miles LOVE IT!!!!!!
>
> That's a bit over the top for what I'm looking for. Don't want to
> deal with the cats, h-pipe, or headers either. As is dwight, I'm an
> old fart.
>
> Joe
> Calypso Green '93 5.0 LX AOD hatch with a few goodies
> Black '03 Dakota 5.9 R/T CC

"Dave Combs" > wrote in message
...
> Dwight--Old Fart doesn't start until you're atleast 60. You guys have
> given
> me some new ideas for for '90 LX 5.0 HB
>
> Dave (61)

Hah. Old Fart starts every morning when I wake up. But as long as I wake up,
I'm happy.

I'm still in maintenance mode, myself - no upgrades in the near future.
Right now, I'm hoping that I have a clogged fuel filter.

At least, that'd be the cheapest diagnosis of TFrog's current problem.

)

"dwight" > wrote in
:

> "Joe" > wrote in message
> news
>> "dwight" > wrote in
>> :
>>
>>> > wrote in message
>>> oups.com...
>>>> Joe wrote:
>>>>> The LX has started sounding more obnoxious these days, so I
>>>>> decided to take a look underneath. Alas, nothing but swiss
>>>>> cheese except for the Flows and the tips. The Flows might last
>>>>> a bit more, but there are a bunch of soft spots so I figure it's
>>>>> time to do a full cat-back.
>>>>
>>>>> So what are some of your favorites? Prices? Sound? Drone?
>>>>> TIA.
>>>>
>>>> Joe,
>>>>
>>>> I had Dynomax on my old LX. They were just a little louder than
>>>> stock, but they did drone at about 2,200 rpm. They were a bit
>>>> quieter when I added a catted X-pipe.
>>>>
>>>> My '93 is still running the stock set-up... 103,000 and counting.
>>>>
>>>> Patrick
>>>> '93 Cobra
>>
>> I did check out some of the more common systems, i.e., Dynomax,
>> Flowmaster, Borla, Bassani, etc. Amazingly, one of the least
>> expensive systems I found was from Ford Racing:
>>
>> http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...?PartKeyField=
4
>> 903
>
> Thanks. Now I'm looking at the crate 302s again...

Yeah, they're pretty cool. Not too streetable, but neat
nonetheless...

>> One thing I'm looking for here is a system with mandrel bent pipes.
>> I know it's a case of 'you get what you pay for', but that's why I
>> asked you guys.
>
> The Dynomax pipes are mandrel bent.

Nice.

>> BTW, The LX pipes were fine way back at 103k miles. But now that
>> I'm up to 143k, things have gotten pretty nasty. I'm sure dwight
>> knows what I mean...
>
> I remember what a happy day it was, when one of my pipes just broke.
> That was some years ago, but it meant that I could go shopping for a
> new set-up. I also remember asking just about the same questions you
> are, and settled on the UltraFlows, because I wanted a quieter sound
> for puttering around the neighborhood, but a somewhat meaner note at
> acceleration. Where the stock pipes were definitely a tenor, the
> UltraFlows would be baritone.

Good way of describing them. I think I'd like the deeper tone.

> You got me curious, so I just stepped outside to poke around under
> TFrog. The pipes are still very healthy, although several inches of
> pipe just after the mufflers are showing signs of age. The mufflers,
> themselves, still look new.

Did you poke at them for soft spots? The LX's Flows looked ok, but
there were a bunch of soft spots that will probably give way after a
few more months or so.

>>> Double Dynomax here. The LX has the UltraFlows, really like the
>>> sound. For the GT, with the turn-downs, I have the SuperTurbos - a
>>> bit louder, but still more "dignified".
>>>
>>> Besides - I AM an old fart, and I can't be running around with
>>> Flowmasters.
>>>
>>> dwight
>>
>> Now, froggy, we are both old farts, but the Flows were never that
>> bad. Unless, (like Michael is also saying about the UltraFlows)
>> you put your foot into it, the old Flowmasters I have (had?) are
>> fairly mellow.
>>
>> I kind of like the idea of staying mellow until you punch it,
>> especially because my son will be driving the LX for the most part
>> now. Even though the car sticks out on the road because of its
>> color (the only other Calypso Green cars out there are a few old
>> Rangers, Probes, and Tracers/Escorts), I'd much rather it didn't
>> draw attention due to excessive noise.
>>
>> Joe
>> Calypso Green '93 5.0 LX AOD hatch with a few goodies
>> Black '03 Dakota 5.9 R/T CC
>
> Hah! I've offered the convertible to my daughter, for the occasional
> cruise this summer, but I'd still be sweating it out if she ever
> took me up on it. There's no way in this life that I'd let my son
> drive either Mustang - but you'd have to know my son to understand.
> I don't think he'd be all that interested, anyway.

You're referring to The Boy I assume..

> I don't even like to see a mechanic drive my cars, if only from the
> parking spot into the bay. I am one nervous owner...
>
> dwight

I know what you mean, as I'm sort of the same way. But I force myself
to just let it go and deal with it. At our age there are more
important things to sweat over, eh?

Joe
Calypso Green '93 5.0 LX AOD hatch with a few goodies
Black '03 Dakota 5.9 R/T CC

"Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in
:

> Joe wrote:
>> "Michael Johnson, PE" > wrote in
>> :
>>
>>
>>>Joe wrote:
>>>
>>>>The LX has started sounding more obnoxious these days, so I
>>>>decided to take a look underneath. Alas, nothing but swiss cheese
>>>>except for the Flows and the tips. The Flows might last a bit
>>>>more, but there are a bunch of soft spots so I figure it's time to
>>>>do a full cat-back.
>>>>
>>>>So what are some of your favorites? Prices? Sound? Drone? TIA.
>>>
>>>As I get older I like things quieter.
>>
>>
>> Things seem that way to me already. Could be because I'm going
>> deaf...
>>
>>
>>>The Dynomax Ultraflows on the
>>>car now are good until you put your foot in it. Then they sound
>>>like straight pipes.
>>
>>
>> This is a good thing. See comments in my reply to Patrick and
>> dwight.
>
> The Dynomax Ultraflows are really loud at WOT, especially with the
> blower making boost. It's so loud that it attracts too much
> attention.
> I like to accelerate without worrying that ever cop within a 1/4
> mile
> is trying to find me.

I'm sure the blower doesn't help with the noise at WOT. I don't have
that problem, as the LX is fairly mild.

>>>One of the best sounding systems I had on the
>>>car was the Motorsport stainless steel catback. It had no drone
>>>but the inlet/outlets on the mufflers necked down to 2.25" while
>>>the tubing was 2.5". If you aren't looked to squeeze ever last hp
>>>out of the engine it is a very affordable alternative that will
>>>give a somewhat unique sound.
>>> I got many compliments on the sound of my car when it was
>>> installed.
>>
>>
>> Now that's interesting. Is it the same system in the link in the
>> reply to Patrick and dwight? As my son will be driving the car
>> mostly, I'm not too concerned about squeezing every last bit of
>> power out of it. In fact, I'm taking the underdrives off to give
>> it better driveability. It's going through a battery a year now.
>>
>> So far, it looks like the Ford and Dynomax systems are contenders.
>
> That looks like the same system. Its a good deal considering its
> all stainless steel. With you being in Florida though I guess that
> isn't a big concern.

No snow, but plenty of humidity. The rust may not be as bad, but the
"rot factor" is pretty high. The environment down here is murder on
rubber and plastic.

Joe
Calypso Green '93 5.0 LX AOD hatch with a few goodies
Black '03 Dakota 5.9 R/T CC

LOL! At 34, you're just a pup. Hell, I've got 6 months on dwight.

Joe
Calypso Green '93 5.0 LX AOD hatch with a few goodies
Black '03 Dakota 5.9 R/T CC


"IsellJeeps" > wrote in news:UFYpe.2057
:

> me two I am on my 9th mustang and almost 34
>
> "Joe" > wrote in message
> . ..
>> "IsellJeeps" > wrote in
>> :
>>
>> > I have the bbk offroad with 3 chamber flows and love em no
>> > cats...aod 373's gt40 upper/lower gt40 heads (worked) tfs stage 1
>> > cam bbk equal length shorties 88 notch with 59K miles LOVE
IT!!!!!!
>>
>> That's a bit over the top for what I'm looking for. Don't want to
>> deal with the cats, h-pipe, or headers either. As is dwight, I'm
an
>> old fart.
>>
>> Joe
>> Calypso Green '93 5.0 LX AOD hatch with a few goodies
>> Black '03 Dakota 5.9 R/T CC
>
>

"Joe" > wrote in message
news
> "dwight" > wrote in
> :
>
>> "Joe" > wrote in message
>> news
>>> "dwight" > wrote in
>>> :
>>>
>>>> > wrote in message
>>>> oups.com...
>>>>> Joe wrote:
>>>>>> The LX has started sounding more obnoxious these days, so I
>>>>>> decided to take a look underneath. Alas, nothing but swiss
>>>>>> cheese except for the Flows and the tips. The Flows might last
>>>>>> a bit more, but there are a bunch of soft spots so I figure it's
>>>>>> time to do a full cat-back.
>>>>>
>>>>>> So what are some of your favorites? Prices? Sound? Drone?
>>>>>> TIA.
>>>>>
>>>>> Joe,
>>>>>
>>>>> I had Dynomax on my old LX. They were just a little louder than
>>>>> stock, but they did drone at about 2,200 rpm. They were a bit
>>>>> quieter when I added a catted X-pipe.
>>>>>
>>>>> My '93 is still running the stock set-up... 103,000 and counting.
>>>>>
>>>>> Patrick
>>>>> '93 Cobra
>>>
>>> I did check out some of the more common systems, i.e., Dynomax,
>>> Flowmaster, Borla, Bassani, etc. Amazingly, one of the least
>>> expensive systems I found was from Ford Racing:
>>>
>>> http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...?PartKeyField=
> 4
>>> 903
>>
>> Thanks. Now I'm looking at the crate 302s again...
>
> Yeah, they're pretty cool. Not too streetable, but neat
> nonetheless...

?? The "beginner's model" 302, rated at 315HP/305ft.-lbs... why not
streetable? I'm not taking TFrog to the track every week, but a replacement
5.0 that makes 100HP more than I have now? And almost a direct drop-in... I
could learn to live with it.

>>> One thing I'm looking for here is a system with mandrel bent pipes.
>>> I know it's a case of 'you get what you pay for', but that's why I
>>> asked you guys.
>>
>> The Dynomax pipes are mandrel bent.
>
> Nice.
>
>>> BTW, The LX pipes were fine way back at 103k miles. But now that
>>> I'm up to 143k, things have gotten pretty nasty. I'm sure dwight
>>> knows what I mean...
>>
>> I remember what a happy day it was, when one of my pipes just broke.
>> That was some years ago, but it meant that I could go shopping for a
>> new set-up. I also remember asking just about the same questions you
>> are, and settled on the UltraFlows, because I wanted a quieter sound
>> for puttering around the neighborhood, but a somewhat meaner note at
>> acceleration. Where the stock pipes were definitely a tenor, the
>> UltraFlows would be baritone.
>
> Good way of describing them. I think I'd like the deeper tone.

If I had the equipment, I'd send you sound files of both cars. I really like
the "note".

>> You got me curious, so I just stepped outside to poke around under
>> TFrog. The pipes are still very healthy, although several inches of
>> pipe just after the mufflers are showing signs of age. The mufflers,
>> themselves, still look new.
>
> Did you poke at them for soft spots? The LX's Flows looked ok, but
> there were a bunch of soft spots that will probably give way after a
> few more months or so.

Yeah, sure, I'll poke at 'em with a stick. No way! They're corroded, but I
don't want to force the issue by poking holes in the pipes. Okay, okay, I'll
look for "soft spots" - but if I DO make holes, I'm just going to have to
get ME a new exhaust...

Okay, I'm back. Yes, some slight corrosion, but mostly just dirty (sue me).
The metal is still very sound. If I hadn't just moved, I'd pull out the
records and tell you how old they are - I think at least 5 years.

>>>> Double Dynomax here. The LX has the UltraFlows, really like the
>>>> sound. For the GT, with the turn-downs, I have the SuperTurbos - a
>>>> bit louder, but still more "dignified".
>>>>
>>>> Besides - I AM an old fart, and I can't be running around with
>>>> Flowmasters.
>>>>
>>>> dwight
>>>
>>> Now, froggy, we are both old farts, but the Flows were never that
>>> bad. Unless, (like Michael is also saying about the UltraFlows)
>>> you put your foot into it, the old Flowmasters I have (had?) are
>>> fairly mellow.
>>>
>>> I kind of like the idea of staying mellow until you punch it,
>>> especially because my son will be driving the LX for the most part
>>> now. Even though the car sticks out on the road because of its
>>> color (the only other Calypso Green cars out there are a few old
>>> Rangers, Probes, and Tracers/Escorts), I'd much rather it didn't
>>> draw attention due to excessive noise.
>>>
>>> Joe
>>> Calypso Green '93 5.0 LX AOD hatch with a few goodies
>>> Black '03 Dakota 5.9 R/T CC
>>
>> Hah! I've offered the convertible to my daughter, for the occasional
>> cruise this summer, but I'd still be sweating it out if she ever
>> took me up on it. There's no way in this life that I'd let my son
>> drive either Mustang - but you'd have to know my son to understand.
>> I don't think he'd be all that interested, anyway.
>
> You're referring to The Boy I assume..

The Boy - who lives out of state and seems to have forgotten my birthday.

>> I don't even like to see a mechanic drive my cars, if only from the
>> parking spot into the bay. I am one nervous owner...
>>
>> dwight
>
> I know what you mean, as I'm sort of the same way. But I force myself
> to just let it go and deal with it. At our age there are more
> important things to sweat over, eh?

.... Can't think of any. I have to go fill up the John Deere now.

dwight