The 3 Parts to the Mustang Exhaust System

When you want to make your Ford Mustang perform better, the first step for most people would be modifying the exhaust system. It’s usually an inexpensive and simple process to get more horsepower out of your pony car. One of many great things about the Ford Mustang is that the exhaust system consist of only three parts, regardless of the generation of the car.

The people over on the American Muscle site have a great understanding of the inner-workings of the Mustang exhaust system, so let’s get started:

1. Manifolds – The manifolds are connected to the exhaust ports of the engine. They funnel the exhaust gases from the cylinders into a single exhaust passage (the mid-pipe).You will hear manifolds referred to as headers. While they perform the same function, they are not exactly the same.
   • Manifolds (the factory headers) usually have several holes that merge into a common chamber.
   • Headers (the aftermarket manifolds) generally have tubes that curve to join the exhaust ports to the pipe. Shorty headers are designed to bolt into the factory manifold location. Long-tube headers are usually made for racing applications. Equal Length Headers can be either shorty or long-tube, they have tubes of equal length allowing for slightly better exhaust flow.

   It is the curves that make headers a popular modification. This allows the gases to gently slide into the pipe, rather than slamming through the ports.

   Shorty Headers are equivalent in size to stock exhaust manifolds. They work with stock mid-pipes, as well as standard length aftermarket mid-pipes.

   Long-Tube Headers are longer than stock exhaust manifolds. They do not work with stock mid-pipes, because they are too long to bolt up to the factory mid-pipe. Long-Tube Headers require a “shorty” mid-pipe to maintain a consistent exhaust length. Long-Tube headers and Full-Length Headers are the same thing.

   

   Simplicity never looked so good.

2. Mid-Pipe – All Mustang exhausts have a mid-pipe. This is where gases go when they leave the manifold. GT mid-pipes are different than V6 mid-pipes.
   • GT Mustangs: Come stock with a pipe that has an H-formation (H-Pipe)
   • V6 Mustangs: Come stock with a pipe that has a Y-formation (Y-pipe).
   • Some Aftermarket mid-pipes come in an X-formation and are called X-pipes.

   All stock mid-pipes come with catalytic converters, or “cats”. Cats remove the contaminants from the exhaust, making them emissions friendly.

   Aftermarket mid-pipes that are meant to be used off-road or for racing don’t have catalytic converters, and are called “off-road H- or X-pipes”. Off-road mid-pipes aren’t meant for street use and, depending on your state’s emissions laws, may not pass inspection.

   Almost every mid-pipe AmericanMuscle.com carries are standard length. They will work with stock exhaust set ups, as well as aftermarket headers and catbacks.

   We also carry several shorty mid-pipes, which are used most often in racing applications. These pipes will only work with aftermarket long-tube headers. When buying aftermarket long-tube headers and short mid-pipes, it is recommended that you stay with the same brand for both parts.

3. Cat-back – The cat-back bolts on behind the catalytic converters. The assembly contains the mufflers and the tailpipes. This is the final destination of the nasty gases from your engine.

If you need any help with your Ford Mustang exhaust or any other performance upgrade, Check out my Reed Speed site to talk to a performance and accessory specialist.