exhaust X Pipe

[kglowacky]

Been wondering how important an X-pipe set up is on a LS swap. I have a LS1 swap out of a 02 Trans am and am running dual exhaust with no x pipe. Seems to run fine. What are the advantages or disadvantages of installing an X-pipe or is there any.

[87chevy.com]

Originally Posted by kglowacky

Been wondering how important an X-pipe set up is on a LS swap. I have a LS1 swap out of a 02 Trans am and am running dual exhaust with no x pipe. Seems to run fine. What are the advantages or disadvantages of installing an X-pipe or is there any.

I wouldn't use the word important, its about sound and fitment. the X pipe sounds different than H pipe and the true dual with no connection between each bank has a different sound aswell. Best bet youtube sound clips, but X pipes sounds more cleaner to me, H pipe has more popping tones to it, true dual pass..

if you are have the capability of welding it in yourself, buy both options and try it out.

[kglowacky]

not really going after any sound. I like the way it sounds right now. I was just wondering if these higher hp motors need the x pipe to balance the pressures. I want to make sure I am not damaging my motor long term.

[WorldsCrappiestTruck]

Not damaging anything. Send it.

I ran true dual on my swap because I knew getting the x or H to fit with my 4L60E (when I knew I’d be going to a T56) was going to be temporary. I also added 8” long Flowmaster cats right off the header to help with exhaust fumes.

Maybe someday I’ll try an x or H but for the time being, no.

[Joyridin]

The H pipe always made sense to me, but the X pipe doesn't in some applications. I was a 3" dual exhaust on a truck with an X pipe where the center of the X was roughly 3". If you are going to take 2 3" pipes and narrow them down to 1 3" pipe, why even bother going back to the dual 3" pipes after that point?

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Joyridin

The H pipe always made sense to me, but the X pipe doesn't in some applications. I was a 3" dual exhaust on a truck with an X pipe where the center of the X was roughly 3". If you are going to take 2 3" pipes and narrow them down to 1 3" pipe, why even bother going back to the dual 3" pipes after that point?

I tend to think of an x pipe kind of like the venturi's in a carb. The throat in the carb necks down to speed up the air. If it goes back to a single pipe diameter "true X" personally I would not use.

[A1971Blazer]

My understanding is that an H pipe serves as a balance tube to even out the exhaust pulses from one bank to the other.
I'm not sure what effect it actually has but I did put one on my LS1 swap.

Since I used the QA1 coilover suspension, I have the exhaust dumping under the bed right in front of the axle.
It's a little tight trying to get it over the rear axle and in between the track bar and the rear mounted fuel tank.

I was worried that it would drone at cruising speed but it doesn't. It's actually fairly quiet until I step on the throttle.

I'm using the Borla stainless mufflers with 2½" stainless exhaust pipe and factory 2010 Camaro manifolds, with V-band clamps on all joints for easy removal.