Is bigger always better..?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 377
Likes: 1
From: Anchorage Alaska
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
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
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.... 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
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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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Originally Posted by 73 Vet
Jason, looks good. Did you keep the spare tire?
Originally Posted by danboback
Jason, that is one awesome Vette you have there!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,987
Likes: 3
From: Manchester, Dead Center in the Middle of TN 25 miles to Jack Daniels,10 miles to Geo Dickle, and .8 mile from the Liquor Store at I-24 Exit 114
St. Jude Donor '05
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. .
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Originally Posted by Al77Vette
Jason Looks good. Do you have an dyno numbers on your setup?
Last edited by Jason Staley; Mar 26, 2005 at 09:51 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Originally Posted by patsnitrovette
Nice work jason thats a sweet setup.
. 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?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
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.
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.