C63s catback question
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Joined: Jul 2020
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From: Arizona
c450
C63s catback question
Hey guys I was looking into getting a catback and was wondering if it makes a big difference? I am already catless but want it a bit louder. Does anyone here have the vr performance catback? It has an x pipe so was wondering if it made a difference. There was a long thread about this but can’t seem to find it.
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Joined: Jan 2024
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From: Colorado
2018 C63S AMG Coupe, 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR
I have a full cat-back exhaust from Zac Motorsports. (With ModalWorks single-cat downpipes). The Zac exhaust is "straight through" when the valves are open... Meaning... the exhaust isn't routed through the muffler whatsoever. I have both the X-pipe and the H-pipe center section and I like the sound of the H-pipe better. The x-pipe seems a little muted to me, even at WOT. And I don't feel any difference in power between the X and the H. If you do go with an x-pipe don't forget to get an AWE exhaust valve simulator for the third valve actuator in your stock center section to keep codes and any CEL from popping up.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 181
Likes: 21
From: Arizona
c450
I have a full cat-back exhaust from Zac Motorsports. (With ModalWorks single-cat downpipes). The Zac exhaust is "straight through" when the valves are open... Meaning... the exhaust isn't routed through the muffler whatsoever. I have both the X-pipe and the H-pipe center section and I like the sound of the H-pipe better. The x-pipe seems a little muted to me, even at WOT. And I don't feel any difference in power between the X and the H. If you do go with an x-pipe don't forget to get an AWE exhaust valve simulator for the third valve actuator in your stock center section to keep codes and any CEL from popping up.
Member
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 201
Likes: 60
From: Colorado
2018 C63S AMG Coupe, 2019 Jaguar F-Pace SVR
As for the "tone", I would say "Kind of".... the H-pipe is a little more muscle car sounding that I think is deeper and has more rumble, the x-pipe seems to have less rumble and pop, and not as much bass to the tone. Below is a short video of my car's H-Pipe exhaust.... the first couple revs are with the valves closed... the second set is with valves open. Unfortunately I don't have a video with the X-pipe on it.
As for the Zac parts.... ummm... I guess I don't mind recommending them, especially for the price and that you get a complete cat-back exhaust, not just axle-back. The fitment was "okay", but when I contacted Zac about the fitment issues I experienced they made it right and sent me replacement parts (hence the reason I have both an H and X center section)... so they seemed to stand by their product.
If you go with the Zac exhaust, you will have to extend the wires for both of the rear exhaust valves (something that isn't mentioned on their website), and the rear muffler hangars took some modification and re-welding to fit like the factory ones. Lastly the ball and socket flares at the joint where they mate with the Modal Works downpipes were a little off on the first set I got (Zac flare was bigger than the Modal Works socket - so the clamp wouldn't hold / seal)... but that is probably because of the different manufacturers. I was able to modify the flare and make it work, and the second center section Zac sent me didn't have the same issue.
As for the Zac parts.... ummm... I guess I don't mind recommending them, especially for the price and that you get a complete cat-back exhaust, not just axle-back. The fitment was "okay", but when I contacted Zac about the fitment issues I experienced they made it right and sent me replacement parts (hence the reason I have both an H and X center section)... so they seemed to stand by their product.
If you go with the Zac exhaust, you will have to extend the wires for both of the rear exhaust valves (something that isn't mentioned on their website), and the rear muffler hangars took some modification and re-welding to fit like the factory ones. Lastly the ball and socket flares at the joint where they mate with the Modal Works downpipes were a little off on the first set I got (Zac flare was bigger than the Modal Works socket - so the clamp wouldn't hold / seal)... but that is probably because of the different manufacturers. I was able to modify the flare and make it work, and the second center section Zac sent me didn't have the same issue.
Last edited by Roysup; Dec 1, 2025 at 05:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 181
Likes: 21
From: Arizona
c450
As for the "tone", I would say "Kind of".... the H-pipe is a little more muscle car sounding that I think is deeper and has more rumble, the x-pipe seems to have less rumble and pop, and not as much bass to the tone. Below is a short video of my car's H-Pipe exhaust.... the first couple revs are with the valves closed... the second set is with valves open. Unfortunately I don't have a video with the X-pipe on it.
Here's a Link
As for the Zac parts.... ummm... I guess I don't mind recommending them, especially for the price and that you get a complete cat-back exhaust, not just axle-back. The fitment was "okay", but when I contacted Zac about the fitment issues I experienced they made it right and sent me replacement parts (hence the reason I have both an H and X center section)... so they seemed to stand by their product.
If you go with the Zac exhaust, you will have to extend the wires for both of the rear exhaust valves (something that isn't mentioned on their website), and the rear muffler hangars took some modification and re-welding to fit like the factory ones. Lastly the ball and socket flares at the joint where they mate with the Modal Works downpipes were a little off on the first set I got (Zac flare was bigger than the Modal Works socket - so the clamp wouldn't hold / seal)... but that is probably because of the different manufacturers. I was able to modify the flare and make it work, and the second center section Zac sent me didn't have the same issue.
Here's a Link
As for the Zac parts.... ummm... I guess I don't mind recommending them, especially for the price and that you get a complete cat-back exhaust, not just axle-back. The fitment was "okay", but when I contacted Zac about the fitment issues I experienced they made it right and sent me replacement parts (hence the reason I have both an H and X center section)... so they seemed to stand by their product.
If you go with the Zac exhaust, you will have to extend the wires for both of the rear exhaust valves (something that isn't mentioned on their website), and the rear muffler hangars took some modification and re-welding to fit like the factory ones. Lastly the ball and socket flares at the joint where they mate with the Modal Works downpipes were a little off on the first set I got (Zac flare was bigger than the Modal Works socket - so the clamp wouldn't hold / seal)... but that is probably because of the different manufacturers. I was able to modify the flare and make it work, and the second center section Zac sent me didn't have the same issue.
Thank you for the detailed response! Your car sounds great! This has definitely got me thinking as I originally wanted the x pipe to change up the sound, but now I may stick with the H pipe.
