Mark VIII straight pipe suggestions

[98markviii]

Hi, I have a 98 Mark VIII LSC (so it already has true duels) and I was wanting to straight pipe it, and I was wondering what this process actually entails? Cutting the mufflers off obviously, and maybe adding an xpipe?? I just need some suggestions. Hopefully from some people who've done the same thing! If possible, I need price estimates too because I'm on a tight budget and want to make my car sound good and more aggressive for fairly cheap (hence the straight piping instead of performance mufflers)

 

[Lownslowlsc]

The third cat acts as the x pipe, many like to replace it with an aftermarket x pipe though rather it be due to age (smelly) or just a little more flow. I'd start by chopping the mufflers off leaving enough room for them to be welded back up if you don't like the sound. Drive around for a while, If you end up liking the tone go ahead and extend the pipe to the bumper.


http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mark+viii+straight+pipe

 

[thaywood]

It also depends on your inspection rules. Where I am, you have to have a muffler or it won't pass inspection. When I had my '96, I just cut the mufflers off and ran straight pipes to the bumper and used the stock tips. It had a resonator aft of the third cat and that was enough to pass. If you don't have to have mufflers, cut the third cat off and replace with an X- or H-pipe and then cut the mufflers off and run pipes to the bumper. Straight pipes sound pretty good on these cars. There can be a drone, but it's tolerable (to me anyway ).

 

[97MarkJA]

If you drive the car often this will get old quick. My opinion anyway.
I rank it right up there with glass packs on the mark.
I think Sapp put it best as "Satan screaming in your ear hole"

 

[thaywood]

If you drive the car often this will get old quick. My opinion anyway.
I rank it right up there with glass packs on the mark.
I think Sapp put it best as "Satan screaming in your ear hole"

:lol: I've got cherry bombs and an H-pipe on mine. There is a drone, but I have installed extra sound insulation in the trunk floor and behind the back seat that helps. The drone isn't that bad. But I just love the sound of a V-8 with glasspacks. That's just me.

 

[Lownslowlsc]

If you drive the car often this will get old quick. My opinion anyway.
I rank it right up there with glass packs on the mark.
I think Sapp put it best as "Satan screaming in your ear hole"

I agree, though I did leave mine off for about 2 years. As soon as it became my dd back in early 11' I had the mufflers welded back on. It was cool in the beginning, then the sound/drone just made it "look" like a pile o' dookie. Not what I was going for.

 

[Markviiiedrea]

I removed my mufflers a while ago, it sounds OK but I wouldn't do it again.

 

[98markviii]

Does anyone have any idea how much an exhaust shop might charge to just cut off the mufflers and 3rd cat and add an xpipe? I'll probably supply the xpipe

 

[dnsherrill]

on base models, the majority of shops won't cut the 3rd CAT....even though it doesn't truly affect emissions, it's still called a cat, unless you tell them it's a resonator...maybe an LSC is viewed differently...I'd think you could get out for less than 150 you provide the mats....they charge $75-100 just to pick up a tool

 

[thaywood]

on base models, the majority of shops won't cut the 3rd CAT....even though it doesn't truly affect emissions, it's still called a cat, unless you tell them it's a resonator...maybe an LSC is viewed differently...I'd think you could get out for less than 150 you provide the mats....they charge $75-100 just to pick up a tool

It is actually a catalytic converter. Open one up and you will see the same ceramic honeycomb structure as any other catalytic converter. It does affect emissions. That's why some higher-mileage Marks get that sulfur/rotten egg smell at WOT when the 3rd cat gets clogged. Cut that thing off and get rid of it. On base models, there is an actual resonator behind the third cat. On LSC's there is no resonator, just the 2-in 2-out 3rd cat. My muffler shop had no problem cutting out the 3rd cat and welding in an H-pipe because there are no O2 sensors downstream of the 3rd cat. You can try telling them it's a resonator, but most shops know better.

P.S. - If you have your muffler shop cut the 3rd cat off, be sure to keep it. I sold mine to the local scrap metal yard for $85 bucks because of the amount of platinum and palladium in those things. And I got $50 each for the two smaller cats at the manifolds.

 

[opalescent 96]

MY suggestion is to replace the mufflers with Dynomax bullet resonators. It will be nice and loud but not extreme. I doubt you would want it much louder. The mufflers are 100 bux for 2 and probably 100 bux for install.