Do You Know If...???

[Sean2124]

hey everyone... i just got a new magna flow exhaust from Catback. i have nothing else done to my 2000 merc. cougar. when i got the exhaust i made the piping 2.5" instead of the stock 2". is it possible that i Lost power??? because it seems like i did. i was thinking that maybe i just need to get an intake?? cause i was thinking that maybe with the new exhaust that theres too much air coming out and not enough coming in?.

idk ..please help. Thanks.

[BigBalledOX]

Read the 2.5L FAQ. You know, like it was suggested in your OTHER thread.

[ND4SPD]

yeah, you're losing power, but its not because of the exhaust... its because you are missing the all-important third pedal :tongue:

[DanG]

Opening up one side of the engine but not the other is going to be minimally useful. It's like inhaling through a straw but exhaling through your nose.

2.5" piping is the MAXIMUM diameter a 2.5L will use without F/I. You'll lose some low-end torque but gain top end power. Better is 2.25" piping, especially with a pseudo-dual system (i.e. not a true dual, 1 pipe from each side of the engine all the way to the back of the car).

But, as ND4SPD said- That ATX is killing your engine power. 20-25% of the power your engine makes will NEVER see the ground. Bad option if your goal is to "go fast".

[Sean2124]

Opening up one side of the engine but not the other is going to be minimally useful. It's like inhaling through a straw but exhaling through your nose.

2.5" piping is the MAXIMUM diameter a 2.5L will use without F/I. You'll lose some low-end torque but gain top end power. Better is 2.25" piping, especially with a pseudo-dual system (i.e. not a true dual, 1 pipe from each side of the engine all the way to the back of the car).

But, as ND4SPD said- That ATX is killing your engine power. 20-25% of the power your engine makes will NEVER see the ground. Bad option if your goal is to "go fast".

so are you saying i should have gone dual exhaust with 2.25" piping?? and will a intake help me sry guys im new to this whole forum thing....

[ND4SPD]

If you have a 2.5" exhaust already... leave it, you've already spent the money and switching down that 0.25" isn't going to magically give you the power you think you are missing.

And sure, get an intake, its good to have - but what exactly are you expecting from it? Power? An intake probably won't even register 1hp.

Understand this - Having an ATX means you will need lots lots LOTS more than just an exhaust and intake to be 'fast'. There is no single-cheap-solution, and as many people would say if they could be bothered to post - your time and money would be better spent on improving the suspension which is clearly the best feature of the car.

[canadiancougar]

2.5" piping is fine. When I added the trubendz 2.5" cat-back to my car I noticed that I lost a bit of poer down low, but in the upper RPM's the car felt way stronger. Just add an intake the think about getting headers and y-pipe. Pretty much exactly what DanG said

[outlawd]

I have the 2.5" pipe on a dual magnaflow exhaust, but i have the MSDS headers too and when i got them both installed i didnt notice any significant loss of low-end grunt but like everyone before me said its the upper rpm range u feel the "added power"

I'd advise getting a set of headers. Besides the sound of the exhaust i think thats the best mod i've done so far.

[nadthomas]

Also, if you are looking to get a little more power/performance out of your 2.5L ATX get headers and a tune, and then call it a day. As said before suspension mods are going to give you the most grins for the dollar with the car you have.

[Tygerr]

Headers open the car up like no other.

My true borla gained me power in in all the rpm range.