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Is bigger always better..?

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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 01:57 PM
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Default Is bigger always better..?

when it comes to exhaust that is. I'm finishing up my BB complete with 8-71 blower, and am thinking 3". My "Muffler Guy" says that w/o mandrel bends, there's no improvement over 2 1/5"....I know some of you have run 3" (I modified my crossmember so I can run them "under" it). Have you got pics?

Thanks
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 02:02 PM
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you can get mandrel bent X pipe and 45's from Summit, only thing you'll need are some straight pipes.....fit them, weld them and you have a killer 3" system on the cheap....
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 02:09 PM
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In exhaust,you can never have too big,especially with a huffer on it. To put it in perspective a pro stocker in a 7 second run expels enuff exhaust gas to fill 5 goodyear blimps.
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by big632
To put it in perspective a pro stocker in a 7 second run expels enuff exhaust gas to fill 5 goodyear blimps.
That is a lot of hot air. Gives my mother in law some competition.
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 02:31 PM
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I don't understand how you guys install these huge sewer pipe exhausts under the car without spewing sparks down the road when you hit bumps or just dips in the road.
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 02:34 PM
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What is the largest exhaust that can be run through the crossmember? The holes measure 3-1/2 inches on mine.
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 02:50 PM
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I just installed a 3" mandrel bent exhaust on my 76 with a modified ZZ4 engine (GM's Hot Cam, ported heads, Manley valves, ...). I managed to get the exhaust thru the factory trans x-member w/o cutting it at all. The exhaust fits tighter than my old 2.5" exhaust and with the X-pipe its even quiter too. Better flow, less noise, more ground clearance,....can't beat that .









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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 03:44 PM
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Jason, looks good. Did you keep the spare tire?
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
That is a lot of hot air. Gives my mother in law some competition.

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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 03:59 PM
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Jason, that is one awesome Vette you have there!
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 73 Vet
Jason, looks good. Did you keep the spare tire?
Yeah, kept the stock spare tire carrier. However, I forgot to mention that after the X-pipe the system goes to 2.5" for about 2 feet to connect to the Borla mufflers.

Originally Posted by danboback
Jason, that is one awesome Vette you have there!
Thanks ... I'm still working on a few projects. Right now I'm fabricating a cold air induction setup to the carb.
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 07:01 PM
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Great pictures Jason! Thanks -
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 07:41 PM
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Very nice work Jason.

Neal
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
That is a lot of hot air. Gives my mother in law some competition.
Good thing she's not on the Forum, you'd be painting her house...
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 10:50 PM
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Jason Looks good. Do you have an dyno numbers on your setup?
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Old Mar 25, 2005 | 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Jason Staley
Yeah, kept the stock spare tire carrier. However, I forgot to mention that after the X-pipe the system goes to 2.5" for about 2 feet to connect to the Borla mufflers. .
Mine is a little different from yours. I have Sanderson shorties to go on the ZZ430 dumping into 2 1/2" main pipes to the Bassani X pipe that I am locating in the same place as you under the rear carrier.

I bought a 3 1/2" Borla muffler to go on the end of my system. I have a SS main supply pipe diameter of 2.5" running to a SS 2.5" X-pipe flowing into a system of transitions from the 2.5 up to a 3" pipe and then another transition from the 3" to 3.5" just before entry to the muffler. I have also eliminated the spare tire carrier enhancing the path to the rear exit.

The 2.5" pipes with the incremental transitioning of pipe sizes up to the 3.5" Round track Borlas should flow about 560 cfm each and with the pipe size transitioning up into the 3.5" Borlas I should maintain that amount of flow out.

There is a good article on exhaust in May '05 Popular Hot Rodding that also follows this idea.
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Old Mar 26, 2005 | 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Al77Vette
Jason Looks good. Do you have an dyno numbers on your setup?
Not yet, just got it installed this winter. I replaced the old system because it leaked ... making it rather noisy (which was pieced together 2.5" duals with non-mandrel bends). I've had the car out a few times and it is significantly quiter and the engine rev's better than before.

Last edited by Jason Staley; Mar 26, 2005 at 09:51 AM.
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Old Mar 26, 2005 | 10:00 AM
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Nice work jason thats a sweet setup.
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Old Mar 26, 2005 | 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by patsnitrovette
Nice work jason thats a sweet setup.
Thanks, your is pretty nice too . You have any better pics of your C5 air bridge? Thats a pretty cool idea for cold air induction. Did it fit well or need modification?
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Old Mar 26, 2005 | 11:10 AM
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With the blower I would go as big as you can. Do not worry about torque, the blower will provide that even with massive heads.
I have a full 3 inch stainless, I did modify the crossmember and move it out to keep the exhaust away from the transmission.
I used pieces and pieced it together. I also run cats. The fine is automatic $450 with out them and I am taking no chances on a spot check, I can argue most things but not the absence of cats.

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