[Shotimes] exhaust question

[Donald Mallinson]

Robert,

If there is one thing that Ford has done well the last 
decade or so is build really long lasting decent exhaust 
systems.  If you don't cut them up to change mufflers or 
other parts prematurely, they can last the lifetime of the 
car. (200,000 miles and beyond.).  Of course, taking lots of 
short trips can cut the life noticably, and if you take all 
long trips, it may never wear out/rust through.

the Y-pipe/cats on the ATX are NOT the restriction problem 
that they are on the MTX cars.  So I would not be in a hurry 
to replace that unless you are just willing to spend money 
to get a few HP.  Unless the cats are plugged, the factory 
ones aren't that much more restrictive than the aftermarket 
ones.

Changing the Cat-back system can get you maybe 6-8 hp, but 
unless you spring for stainless, you can expect a life of 
that new system of from 2-4 years depending on driving style 
as mentioned above.  Some get more life, but "aluminized" 
systems don't last anywhere near as long as the Factory Ford 
system.

If your fuel mileage is still good and hasn't changed 
recently, I think it is safe to say your cats are fine.

Don Mallinson
SHO Club

ROBERT SCHIRMER wrote:
> Guys
> 
> I have a '93 ATX with 125,000 on the original exhaust system. How long do
> these original Ford exhaust systems last? Do you typically have the problems
> first with the Cats, versus the muffler?? Am I living on borrowed time??
> 
> If I want to upgrade the exhaust, should I upgrade the front part first (Y
> pipe and cats), or do the back part first (mufflers). It looks like just the
> front part of the exhaust system is $575 at performance plus (they says its 2
> 1/4 inch mandrel bent T-304 stainless steel, with High flow cats. 33% increase
> over the airflow in the original Y-pipe)
> 
> Thoughts???
> Bob
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