Exhaust Question -H pipe, Y pipe, what??

I have a 98 V6 that I am wanting to do minor mods to, CAI, underdrive pulley, and exhaust. Just a little more pep because it's only the 150 HP model and I would like to come close to 200 HP. We have a custom exhaust shop here that does tons of work for everyone...dirt track racers, dragsters...everyone. They make headers..everything. Very good reputation.

I went up there to get an estimate for my car and what he wanted to do for me was take out the Y pipe and straight pipe it from the cats back with 40 series Flowmasters. He wants to stay 2" pipe to the mufflers and then 2.25" on back. He says I don't need 2.5 exhaust on a V6 like everyone and everything you see goes on about.

I don't know much about exhaust. I really just hope to get a little more umph on the highway, improve the sound, and hopefully increase my feul efficiency.
I hear all this stuff about Y pipe, h pipe, and all that but I don't really understand the benefits of each and even if it is necessary. Does it sound reasonable what this guy is wanting to do? Do I need a Y pipe or H pipe? Should I insist on the 2.5 exhaust?

Hi, I'm actauly thinking of doing the same thing to my car. I had a Mustang V6 before but someone T-boned me and its now history. What I have now is a Crown Vic, which I've found is very similar to a Mustang but with more body added.

Anyways, I've gone to those shops and they've offered to take out the "Y-pipe" (which is the stock) and make both staight pipes. But it wasn't cheap. But I hear that the "H" is better, But what is best is the "X". What the heck is Y, H and X?

The Y is what you have right now. Its not so good because the flow coming from the engine combines and has less room for the exaust fumes to expand and exit. (Top one)

Then there's the H. A dual exaust or pipes coming out of the engine. Adding more room for the fumes to exit. Giving you more power. (Bottom one)

http://www.moddedmustangs.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/Exhaust-FAQ-v6v8.jpg

Then there's the Legendary X-pipe. Which gives you the best flow of exaust fumes and performance.
http://www.need-4-speed.com/bassani-4.jpg

Hope that that helped in understanding. Believe me, I've been in your shoes already and no one could tell me a straight answer. Take care.

Mid pipes(X,Y, and H pipes) won't change the performance, they're just for sound with even firing engines. Get 2.25" all the way back, and a split port swap(99-04 heads/intakes) with exhaust should give you a little over 200 hp.

I have a 98 V6 that I am wanting to do minor mods to, CAI, underdrive pulley, and exhaust. Just a little more pep because it's only the 150 HP model and I would like to come close to 200 HP. We have a custom exhaust shop here that does tons of work for everyone...dirt track racers, dragsters...everyone. They make headers..everything. Very good reputation.

I went up there to get an estimate for my car and what he wanted to do for me was take out the Y pipe and straight pipe it from the cats back with 40 series Flowmasters. He wants to stay 2" pipe to the mufflers and then 2.25" on back. He says I don't need 2.5 exhaust on a V6 like everyone and everything you see goes on about.

I don't know much about exhaust. I really just hope to get a little more umph on the highway, improve the sound, and hopefully increase my feul efficiency.
I hear all this stuff about Y pipe, h pipe, and all that but I don't really understand the benefits of each and even if it is necessary. Does it sound reasonable what this guy is wanting to do? Do I need a Y pipe or H pipe? Should I insist on the 2.5 exhaust?

H pipe will keep your torque/hp low in the RPM band while the X will give you torque/HP a little higher in RPM band. Check with Mac exhaust--they have an H pipe and exhaust for your V6 for true duals if you want to put it on yourself.

You don't want 2.5" on a stock v6, you will loose bottom end performance. Other than that everyone else has it covered.