I would like to purchase some new exhaust but clueless about the difference between a cat-back, x-pipe, and the 100 other options.

Priorities are:
- More HP/TRQ
- Meaner sound

Thanks all,
Jon

bump. thx.

I like the Solo Performance mach 3, it is a cat back system. Zoomers seems to be popular as well. Both are known for deep aggresive sound. I put long tube headers on months after the cat back, there was no noticable improvement from the headers. There is lots to gain just with the cat back. Most after market systems come with an "X" pipe that connects the two exhaust pipes and that is good. If you have to pass an emission test best to leave the cats alone. There are good after market high flow cats but for the expense I'm not sure they are worth it on an SRT. They come with excellant factory headers and larger cats than the R/T already.

I would like to purchase some new exhaust but clueless about the difference between a cat-back, x-pipe, and the 100 other options.

Priorities are:
- More HP/TRQ
- Meaner sound

Thanks all,
Jon

Are you wanting to know what all of those components are or opinions on which ones you should get?

Are you wanting to know what all of those components are or opinions on which ones you should get?

Both really. I would like to learn what it all means as well as what's good to buy.

From what I've read it's either a cat-back system or a muffler system?

Was looking at the flowmaster american thunder system, that's what Leno has on his and sounds good from what I can tell.

Sorry it took me so long to reply. Stupid job.....

Oh, and all of this could be found by doing a search. I hate it when others say that, but these are common terms that can be searched on every car forum. However, I hate it even more when people do not answer the darn question after saying that!!!!!!

A cat back system is basically a new exhaust from the catalytic converters back. They are very popular as the add some performance and change the sound. Performance is added from having a straighter path for the exhaust to flow through, as well as possibly having a larger pipe diameter.

The x-pipe or h-pipe comes after the cats, and is part of the cat-back system. This is the exhaust will come together, and then split again. It has an affect on power and sound. X-pipes are said to make more power and have a raspy, race car like sound to them. H-pipes are said to make less power, but have a more muscle car sound. Most cat back systems sold for our cars come with an x-pipe, but there are a few that come with h-pipes.

Prices and materials can very on cat-back systems. The most expensive systems will use high quality stainless steel that will last a long time. The least expensive systems will use aluminized steel.

It sounds like the most popular systems on this forum are zoomers and solos, but others will probably pop up in this thread. I personally opted for the Jegs exhaust system. It is cheap, has an h-pipe (no rasp), has a great sound, and I feel like it has given me some good gains. On the crappy side, it is in a bunch of pieces, and it is made from aluminized steel. This doesn't bother me that much as I bought it for a temporary system until I can hear other systems in person.

I have also heard good things about the Flowmaster system. I would have gotten that one if I could have only have heard it in person.

I hope this helps!

After much research and humming and hawing I finally pulled the trigger on the Solo Mach-X for my 6 Sp. R/T. The horse power gain was immediately noticeable, I was skeptical but my butt dyno doesn't lie. It is indeed more responsive.

The sound on hard acceleration is exactly what I was looking for (having previously owned several muscle cars including a '71 Challenger with a balanced/blueprinted '70 340 with dumps). There is however some cabin drone with my mods between 1600-2000 rpm on light acceleration and on deceleration. I have modified my driving habits (gear selection) to compensate for this, second nature now. More importantly, my wife even likes the new exhaust tone. If I were to do it again (or drove a lot in the city) I would probably order the ones with the J-Pipes but I have no regrets, only a big-ass grin.

HTH

After much research and humming and hawing I finally pulled the trigger on the Solo Mach-X for my 6 Sp. R/T. The horse power gain was immediately noticeable, I was skeptical but my butt dyno doesn't lie. It is indeed more responsive.

The sound on hard acceleration is exactly what I was looking for (having previously owned several muscle cars including a '71 Challenger with a balanced/blueprinted '70 340 with dumps). There is however some cabin drone with my mods between 1600-2000 rpm on light acceleration and on deceleration. I have modified my driving habits (gear selection) to compensate for this, second nature now. More importantly, my wife even likes the new exhaust tone. If I were to do it again (or drove a lot in the city) I would probably order the ones with the J-Pipes but I have no regrets, only a big-ass grin.

HTH

Thanks for the great info Dave.

Quick question, do the J pipes reduce drone compared to the X pipe?

Quick question, do the J pipes reduce drone compared to the X pipe?

The J-pipes are used to help tune out the drone at certain RPM's by lengthening or shortening them. The x-pipe is closer to the exhaust manifolds and helps to balance the exhaust flow and equalize the it's pulses. A search should turn up more scientific explanations.