Exhaust Debate: Gas'N Pipes vs. Boig Quiet Pipes

[FirstFactoryFive]

Hi Everyone,

Pulling the trigger shortly on an MK4 and trying to finalize my plans. Knowing this is for family cruising rather than the track, I'm thinking of ordering my kit without the FF standard side pipes and opting for one of these options. I've been sorting through all the various threads on alternative exhausts to quiet down the exhaust system. Lots of great videos and comments on individual types. The most popular mod it seems was at one point the Flowmaster Slimline ---however they stopped production about a year+ ago. This leaves the next two most popular options as (1) Gas N' Pipes and (2) Boig (formerly sold by Breeze) Quiet Pipes, aside from baffles etc which dont' seem to get great reviews. There's a particularly good write up in this thread here.

People seem to be incredibly happy with both in terms of mellowing out the noise in the right way (quieter on low RPM and highway but still plenty of bark when you give it gas). But I haven't seem much of a "shootout" in the forum on these head to head. And they each appear to have very different pros/cons, from appearance, to HP, to noice level, to temperature.

Here's a summary of the contrast from (best I can tell) from prior comments. I'm curious if others have any additional or contrasting observations:

• Gas'N Pipes: $1295. When it comes to fit and finish, owners say they are a work of art. Beautiful. Available in polished stainless steel or brushed. They are promoted as being able to reduce the temperature of the sidepipe as well, but there are still comments out there on it being plenty hot enough for the inevitable "cobra bite" so it is unclear if this is a real product benefit. Said to not lower the volume as much as change the tone to a deeper rumble. A number of people have combined this with the use of a cat instead of J-pipes.
• Boig Quiet Pipes: $1900 + $ for ceramic coating. People seem to say they're the most quiet of the options. However they must be painted / ceramic coated post-purchase. And if you're looking for a stainless steel look you're not going to get it. The best you can do is a gray or black etc.

There seem to be varying opinions as to how much horsepower is (or is not) reduced. Any thoughts/comments invited!

Jeff
- Targeting MK4 build #1 spring 2020

[edwardb]

Like everything on these builds, just depends on what you want. For street driving, the HP difference (if there is any) shouldn't be high on the list of importance IMO. I doubt you wouldn't notice any difference. Temperature also is maybe not a decision point. I agree the SS pipes seem to cool off a little more quickly. But absolute temp once you stop and are climbing out won't be all that different. Either are going to hurt you. The Boig pipes are a bit quieter. But the Gas-N's aren't bad. Also depends a lot of what engine you're planning. Not every engine setup sounds the same. Some are harsher (or not) than others. Regardless of what pipes you choose, I personally strongly recommend ear plugs of some type all the time. Not just because of the side pipes, but wind noise, traffic, etc. all combine to make a very loud and damaging environment. Don't underestimate that for yourself and your passengers. Appearance again depends on what you want. The Gas-N's are stunning. But not everyone wants the high polished shiny look. I personally would avoid J-pipes. Everyone I know that has them has problems with them. Stick with 4-into-4 headers. Again IMO. Finally, not sure your price is comparable. The Boig price includes headers, right? He typically sells them as a package. Gas-N sells headers too, but that price is only for side pipes.

Full disclosure, I'm a huge Gas-N fan and user. Four builds, all Gas-N. You can see them on my 20th Anniversary Roadster in this video produced a year or so for our local club. Also enough drive-bys you can hear what they sound like. In this case with a Coyote and straight tube 4-into-4 headers. https://youtu.be/gCBLH-mr7ME

[michael everson]

Bob Boig is a good friend of mine but I keep telling him people want stainless. No point in not getting Georgie's pipes. Work of art.
Mike

[Boig Motorsports]

Thank you Edwardb for your correction on pricing of these two excellent side pipe choices. FirstFactoryFive, The Boig Quiet pipes are $ 1095 for FFR roadster sidepipes, and $1900 for sidepipes and headers with smooth transition from header to sidepipe for the GEN III coupe, with either Coyote or small block engines. Pictures, prices, and info are available @ www.boigmotorsports.com. Also, Boig Quietpipes are baffled, with no filler to burn out or blow out over time.

[FirstFactoryFive]

Thanks for your replies here! Great video edwardb - and great build! A beautiful car. Yes, that's is an important distinction with the inclusion of the headers with the Boig version. So the pricing above is not yet apples to apples. And Mike, yes ideally I'd like to go with a stainless finish out of the gate, in my case. So that would have been a clear nod in Boig's direction if that was available in stainless. But now leaning toward the Gas'Ns but still on the fence.

As for the set up, I am thinking of a 306 or 347 for the engine from Mike Forte. Then the Gas'N or Boig for exhaust. Not sure on the 4-into-4 yet... trying to figure that out. Considering adding a cat to quiet a notch further. Thanks again for your replies. Any further thoughts are welcomed!

[edwardb]

As for the set up, I am thinking of a 306 or 347 for the engine from Mike Forte. Then the Gas'N or Boig for exhaust. Not sure on the 4-into-4 yet... trying to figure that out. Considering adding a cat to quiet a notch further. Thanks again for your replies. Any further thoughts are welcomed!

Just will say (again) that every person I've known with J-pipes wished they had done 4-into-4's. Issues with welds breaking, pipes sagging/not staying in alignment, etc. They were more common in the past where cars were more donor builds. But now 4-into-4's are far more common. For several reasons. An open top car with side pipes is going to be a loud environment no matter what you do. Maybe need to come to terms with that. Not saying cats are a bad idea. But might not make the difference you think. Another thing to put on your list of considerations. If you go EFI, which many are doing now even with SBF's, you will need O2 sensors on your headers. 4-into-4's with collectors solves that perfectly.

BTW, all you guys that are happy with your J-pipe setups, don't flame me. Just reporting what I've seen and heard.

[KDubU]

I can only speak for Gas-N’s. Stunning pipes with a deeper sound and less bark than the FF pipes. Don’t have experience with the Boig pipes. As for a quieter ride, unfortunately you’re considering the wrong ride IMHO. Roadsters are not quiet albeit I have notified a difference between the two I mention. Also go four into four.

[David Hodgkins]

Just will say (again) that every person I've known with J-pipes wished they had done 4-into-4's. Issues with welds breaking, pipes sagging/not staying in alignment, etc. They were more common in the past where cars were more donor builds. But now 4-into-4's are far more common. For several reasons. An open top car with side pipes is going to be a loud environment no matter what you do. Maybe need to come to terms with that. Not saying cats are a bad idea. But might not make the difference you think. Another thing to put on your list of considerations. If you go EFI, which many are doing now even with SBF's, you will need O2 sensors on your headers. 4-into-4's with collectors solves that perfectly.

BTW, all you guys that are happy with your J-pipe setups, don't flame me. Just reporting what I've seen and heard.

I run (ceramic coated) j-pipes with cats with my EFI and they do alter the sound a bit. I like 'em. In my experience 4 into 4s are louder. So yes, you will get variations in your answers.

Paul, guess you have to make that every person minus 1.

[mmklaxer]

Anyone have a picture of the 4 into 4 with CATs? It's listed as an option for the roadster, but curious how they pull that off. maybe helps on both fronts?

[bobm488]

Anyone have a picture of the 4 into 4 with CATs? It's listed as an option for the roadster, but curious how they pull that off. maybe helps on both fronts?

These SS header have CAT's, I got them from Forte.
SidepipeD.jpg

[initiator]

I think you can get 4 into 4s with either cats or the ball end for easier adjustment. I got the ball end style.

[TBull]

I've had both j-pipes and ffr's old style 4 into 4 headers on my old MK2 cobra. I was running a supercharged 308 pushing well over 400 hp and the j-pipes were definitely more mellow than the 4into4. Part of that was because the shorty headers combined the exhaust pulses earlier in the exhaust system prior to the side pipe. When I when to new sidepipes and 4into4. Each exhaust tube went all the way into the side pipe before combining and the sound was definitely louder and more sharp. On my new build I have FFR's new ball style headers with the double collector. This should be a nice medium between the two and join the exhaust pulses earlier than the old 4 into 4. Just my 2 cents.

[Papa]

I have no experience with the side pipes from Boig, but his Cool Tubes are fantastic and I'd expect nothing less from his other products. I can say that the difference between the FFR pipes and the Gas-N pipes is significant. The FFR pipes are race-car harsh whereas the Gas-N pipes have a deep mellow muscle car tone that I prefer. As Paul said, ear plugs are a must for any one driving or riding in these cars. I keep a dozen in the glove box and a pair in a canister on my key chain.

[FirstFactoryFive]

These look great. Just met with Mike today and discussed the exact same set-up. How do you like the sound?

[GTBradley]

These SS header have CAT's, I got them from Forte.
SidepipeD.jpg

How does your setup sound? Have you compared it to someone else’s without the cats?

thanks, Bradley

[FirstFactoryFive]

These SS header have CAT's, I got them from Forte.
SidepipeD.jpg

@bobm488 Those look great. How do you like the sound (e.g. tone, volume, etc)?

[bobm488]

@bobm488 Those look great. How do you like the sound (e.g. tone, volume, etc)?

I really like the sound kind of mellow. My wife says it’s not too loud when I do a drive by.
I have not driven it since I got it back from Da bat last week. I put wedges on both sides today
Pipes.jpg