What is the most restrict part of the exhaust? The piping or the headers? I was contemplating doing a couple of those straight through canister mufflers but I don't want it to look cheesy or like I'm trying to make it look faster than it is, so I think I would go with the more traditional magnaflow type mufflers with a more conservative tip. Then again the whole idea of chopping off perfectly fine Jaguar mufflers and putting in something to "make it louder" almost seems like a waste of time. But then again it's my car and I would like it to sound cool, just money being the primary limiting factor right now.

 

04xtype04, while I don't have any true numbers to back this up, thinking about it, most of your restriction is going to happen inside the cat or the piping right at the Y-pipe.

If you are looking to get a power gain, you would be best served by running true duals with say 2.25" piping and an X-pipe where the Y-pipe is now. Should have room to run the piping from there.

 

I'm also convinced that the key to make more power in the X-type is headers to replace the stock exhaust manifold/cat gimmicks they have.


And I am actually planning on doing the true dual exhaust you're talking about, but with headers (I have a set made for a contour that should work) and an x pipe, but with 2 inch pipe back to the mina gallery mufflers I have. I am going with dual 2 inch pipe because that's how big the merge pipes are on the headers I have, and the mina mufflers are made to go on 2 inch pipe. That's still twice the size over what there is stock, but not too big.

 

Would high flow cats trigger a check engine light? In California you're not actually supposed to be able to upgrade your cat. converter unless it's bad. We have really strict and sometimes lame and pointless emissions rules. Also for a muffler option I was thinking of maybe going with two small magnaflow glasspacks in place of the rear boxes with some chrome tips. Not sure how the sound would be though.

 

Excellent knowledge.