which is better
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
Not sure, but I think you're asking about a system that is two separate pipes all the way to the back of the car versus a system that has an extra pipe somewhere near the transmission or that general area that is connected to the two pipes. It's usually referred to as an H pipe or an X pipe, depending on how it's configured.
To my knowledge, an H or X pipe doesn't make any difference in power, it helps to smooth out the power pulses and give a more mellow tone to the exhaust. I'm sure somebody here will correct me if I've got it wrong.
To my knowledge, an H or X pipe doesn't make any difference in power, it helps to smooth out the power pulses and give a more mellow tone to the exhaust. I'm sure somebody here will correct me if I've got it wrong.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Muscatine Iowa
When I bought my 78, the PO had installed a true duel exhaust which does sound good, but it does not have the "H" pipe. The car sounds great, but when I am driving it I can hear what "LB66383" is referring to. If I were going to have it done, I would include the "H: pipe next time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 914
Likes: 14
From: Aberdeen, Scotland
H / X Pipe
Seems to me that an H or better still some of the X pipes where proven to add some, a few ponies? They help to reduce back pressure. X pipes are to provide a smoother flow, but I doubt this is an advantage as the crossover part of the H really does not carry much flow but merely equalises the pressure between both sides. The X system depending on design could maybe cost a few HP. There are tests online for reference. So, really you should have an H pipe.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
A true dual exhaust system has a noticeably different tone than a single system or a dual system with a crossover.
The true dual system sounds, well, nastier, edgier, more rowdy. When you install a crossover, it mellows the tone quite a bit. Also, the crossover system definitely seems to be quieter on the highway.
The true dual system sounds, well, nastier, edgier, more rowdy. When you install a crossover, it mellows the tone quite a bit. Also, the crossover system definitely seems to be quieter on the highway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
If you like the sound of the true duals, there's really no need to change it. I've heard it argued that the crossover pipe adds a few horsepower, but I've never seen a test that proves this, and its probably not much anyway. The only thing the crossover does for sure is quiet the sound down a bit. Think of it like this: with true duals, you have two four cylinder engines and you know how obnoxious those are. With the crossover pipe it effectively doubles the frequency of the sound from your exhaust. I prefer it to the true duals, but that's me. If you like what you have...enjoy.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
A true dual exhaust system has a noticeably different tone than a single system or a dual system with a crossover.
The true dual system sounds, well, nastier, edgier, more rowdy. When you install a crossover, it mellows the tone quite a bit. Also, the crossover system definitely seems to be quieter on the highway.
The true dual system sounds, well, nastier, edgier, more rowdy. When you install a crossover, it mellows the tone quite a bit. Also, the crossover system definitely seems to be quieter on the highway.
I have Shorty headers and 2.5 duals with Monza turbos on my 78 L-82 with no X/H pipe and the description above is accurate. One of the reasons, I run Monza Turbo mufflers is that I don't like the nastier, edgier sound with straight through mufflers on C3 dual exhaust systems. Just me, but I prefer a smoother mellower tone than more of the motor boat type sound that comes with a duals with no crossover.
With that said and on a different engine, my 94 Mustang GT 5.0 V8 has shorty headers, a magna flow X pipe with cats, and a magna flow cat back mufflers and pipes. This system sounds really sweet at higher RPM. The difference is very dramatic. I would get this system in a second if they offered it for my C3! You can listen to different types of magna flow exhausts here:
http://www.magnaflow.com/04sound/04american.asp