From ‘daily’ Mustang to muscle car
Exhaust systems are typically one of the first things to be upgraded on a Mustang. The sound of an exhaust system can transform the image of a car from a quiet and simple daily driver to a mean muscle car that sets off car alarms as it drives down the street.
For most Mustang owners, the optimal exhaust system lies somewhere between the two. The performance aspect of replacing the stock exhaust system is also enticing, as a free-flowing exhaust can mean more horsepower and torque. Gibson, manufacturer of performance exhaust system based in Corona, California, recently launched a line of muscle car exhaust systems including one for the S197 Mustang GT.
Gibson performance exhaust was recently put to test opposite a 2007 Mustang GT test car. The GT was fitted with a set of Gibson shorty headers, x-pipe crossover pipe without catalytic converters, tailpipes, and dual mufflers. The system is built from T-304 stainless steel and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Each component is completely bolt-on and requires no welding and includes all hardware necessary for installation. The headers and mufflers are 50 state smog legal, although the x-pipe is for “off road use only”. One will need to keep the stock crossover pipe with catalytic converters if passing an emissions test is a consideration.
Gibson put particular effort into developing their Superflow CFT Performance mufflers. The design utilizes chambers, baffles, and louvers to provide for optimal air flow, particularly in the low and mid range where it is most usable. Gibson’s tests show approximately a twenty percent increase in air flow, improving from 300 cfm to over 360 cfm. The system also provides a more aggressive exhaust tone.
“On a V8 everybody wants that deep, throaty sound,” said Shawn Seidelman, Gibson’s head of research and development department. “That’s what we strive for here—that perfect sound. We did tests on the Mustang for a month and a half trying to get the right sound and the right power out of it.”
Gibson’s system does indeed improve exhaust efficiency. The dyno tests done on the test car before and after the installation showed a significant increase in both horsepower and torque across the entire rpm range. With the shorty headers, x-pipe, and mufflers installed, our Mustang GT netted an additional 20.9 horsepower and 26.1 lb-ft torque.
As for the sound, the system proved a much deeper and more aggressive tone, but stayed relatively quiet and unobtrusive at idle. The system’s high points include the quiet Mustang cabin while cruising and the aggressive sound during acceleration.
Overall, the Gibson system provided an excellent improvement in both power and sound. Pricing has yet to be announced, but Gibson officials said it will be competitively priced like other Gibson performance exhaust systems. Installation does not effect vehicle warranty. Exact specifications assure the installer and purchaser that all systems fit properly and yield programmed benefits.
Gibson has been in the aftermarket performance parts industry for close to 30 years. It offers one of the the most cost-effective performance-grade exhaust systems in the market and each Gibson assembly is emission legal in all 50 states.