Has anyone had any experience with X or H pipes (crossover or balance pipes) on trucks similar to the Titan. Read my earlier post here: Flowmaster Install I'm thinking a balance pipe (probably an X-pipe) will smooth out the exaust note and possibly give some more HP and torque gains. The factory used various pipe sizes to help maintain constant exhaust velocity through the system till the left and right meet at the Y-pipe. My custom install only uses 2.25 straight back from the cats into the dual inlet muffler. Obviously the left bank's exhaust gases must travel a further distance to the muffler than the right sides. An X or H pipe could help balance this difference out before they reach the muffler. I've seen this set-up on other trucks on the internet, but was wondering if anyone had any advice here.
x's work across the whole rpm range and h's only work at low engine rpm. that's the rule. I'd put in a x as I have done on other vehicles. but, its not gonna snap your neck if you do it...we are only talking 5-10 hp here at the most and you may not be able to feel it in a heavy vehicle like the titan. given the rpm ranges we can operate or are most likely to operate in, most people are gonna add too much exhaust size. 2.25 inch duals back to the muffs 2 inches for tailpipes would be as big as you really need and on the verge of being too much. I'm gonna get a walker hemi superturbo 2.5 inch muffler, keep it a single exhaust, and have a side exit exhaust. That will about max out what you can get out of the exhaust with a stock cam engine. the walker muff is about the same noise as stock.
Thanks for the info Juma. I'm mainly interested installing an X-pipe to smooth out the exhaust system. Right now the pipes rumble and vibrate just enough to notice some of the time. I've read elsewhere that a balance pipe will help make dual pipes run smoother and possibly reduce resonance. Do you, or anyone else know of good place to get an X-pipe for parallel in/out? I've only seen the one's made by Magnaflow and Dr. Gas. The Magnaflow is nearly $80, seems a bit steep for just a pipe. Do ordinary exhaust shops normally carry these items?
the x's do quieten the exhaust a decibel or two. Usually, a real performance exhaust place can make you one. Otherwise, they cost a bit. If they haven't done it before and don't know the cost, you might get it cheaper from a shop. juma
Alright, I finally ordered a X-pipe today from Husker High Performance. They had a mandrel bent stainless steel pipe for $45. Far cheeper than the $80 Magnaflow or the even more expensive Dr. Gas. The Magnaflow's center section is made from stamped steel, which doesn't seem like a good idea to me. But I'll be sure to post results once I get it installed and do some test runs.
what effect does this have? I am new to exhaust systems--better than the banks system??
I couldn't tell you whether or not it is better than the Banks system, as I haven't seen or driven a truck with it. The reason for the X-pipe or H-pipe is to help equalize the pressure or exhaust pulses. A 90* V-8 has two exhaust strokes at the same time on one bank of the engine. This means two pulses of exhaust must occupy the same pipe, versus them going down the pipe sequentially. The x-pipe allows that extra gas to jet over to the other bank's pipe, thus getting rid of extra back pressure. In a normall Y-pipe set up, each pulse from one bank helps scavenge the gases from the opposite bank. When you have a dual set up like mine or even more importantly with a true dual you lose the scavenging effect, as the banks are seperated. An H-pipe does the same thing, but the gases have to take a 90* bend to the other pipe. Where a X-pipe, theoretically, allows the gases to flow more smoothly without slowing down.
Last edited by sammy sandbag : 05-06-2004 at 04:39 PM.
I couldn't tell you whether or not it is better than the banks system, as I haven't seen or driven a truck with it. The reason for the X-pipe or H-pipe is to help equalize the pressure or exhaust pulses. A 90* V-8 has two exhaust strokes at the same time on one bank of the engine. This means two pulses of exhaust must occupy the same pipe, versus them going down the pipe sequentially. The x-pipe allows that extra gas to jet over to the other bank's pipe, thus getting rid of extra back pressure. In a normall Y-pipe set up, each pulse from one bank helps scavenge the gases from the opposite bank. When you have a dual set up like mine or even more importantly with a true dual you lose the scavenging effect, as the banks are seperated. An H-pipe does the same thing, but the gases have to take a 90* bend to the other pipe. Where a X-pipe, theoretically, allows the gases to flow more smoothly without slowing down.
Sammy,
The Banks are joined at a "Y", so they aren't separated if I understand your post correctly.
__________________
2004 Titan Smoke LE CC
Born 11/18/03
Bed Extender, Overhead Racks
Hood Protector, Banks Monster Exhaust, Volant CAI, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Bilstein shocks
Never argue with idiots. They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.
-Gambit
X pipes in theory will make more power over an H. It depends on design though. Too bad they don't make a universal Mac Prochamber. It's ideal because the collecting point from both sides merges into a box that has baffles inside that guide it to the outlets. It's a straight in and straight out design and the collecting point is much bigger than X's. If you look inside most X's the cross over hole isn't very big so it's essentially an H pipe with a shorter distance to get to the other side.
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04-17-2004, 02:18 AM
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