Need help with H-pipe install
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Need help with H-pipe install
I have an H-pipe kit from Summit. They call it a balance tube. It is just two T-type fittings with a pipe that connects them. The T-type fittings get spliced into your exhaust pipes. One problem is I need a straight length of pipe about a foot long to splice the T's into, and the only place I can find one foot of straight pipe is about halfway back on the rear pipes. I would prefer to put the balance tube in the front pipes, but they bend too much. Any thoughts or ideas? Might be easier to have a muffler shop do it. MJ
Pro
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 735
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR.
Re: Need help with H-pipe install (MNJack)
Hi Jack,
I don't have the equipment to deal with exhaust pipes either so I always take it to the shop. Are your existing exhaust pipes in good shape? The shop could easily install an H-pipe in to the stock set up.
Everyone seems to put it just after the X-member but I am unfamiliar with your set up. The closer to the X-member the better I suppose.
Good Luck
I don't have the equipment to deal with exhaust pipes either so I always take it to the shop. Are your existing exhaust pipes in good shape? The shop could easily install an H-pipe in to the stock set up.
Everyone seems to put it just after the X-member but I am unfamiliar with your set up. The closer to the X-member the better I suppose.
Good Luck
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Re: Need help with H-pipe install (MNJack)
Guys correct me if I'm wrong but I saw a sidebar in Super Chevy or Chevy HiPerformance about placement of h-pipes. What they did was spray paint a stripe doen the pipes and take the car for a run. After that, they looked at the paint stripe and placed the h-pipe at the point where the spray paint was bubbled. I guess the reasoning was to place the h-pipe at the hottest point in the exhaust pipe . Now as to why I don't know, they didn't say.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,987
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Need help with H-pipe install (MNJack)
Hi Mark.
I have the same kit from Summit, it's sitting in a pile with all the other things I have to sell some day. There was no room to install these on my car plus I'm running chambered pipes too.
I had a good muffler shop fab the offset pipes to connect my headers and install a 2" H pipe right behind the bellhousing.
Gary
I have the same kit from Summit, it's sitting in a pile with all the other things I have to sell some day. There was no room to install these on my car plus I'm running chambered pipes too.
I had a good muffler shop fab the offset pipes to connect my headers and install a 2" H pipe right behind the bellhousing.
Gary
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,721
Likes: 108
From: Canada
Re: Need help with H-pipe install (MNJack)
I'd send them back to Summit, go to good exhaust shop and due what Brett had suggested. If you're running 2.5" tubes a 2" H-pipe will suffice.
[Modified by gdh, 9:40 PM 9/2/2002]
[Modified by gdh, 9:40 PM 9/2/2002]
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Need help with H-pipe install (gdh)
good advice! Thanks, I do appreciate it, but I am too dumb to follow advice... I will go to the local Midas and ask them what they can do and how much it would cost, but i have an extra set of rear pipes and I will probably chop them up and try to install the balance tube to see if it changes anything. :) MJ
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,854
Likes: 3
From: HONOLULU HAWAII
Re: Need help with H-pipe install (gdh)
gdh,
This what they did to mine....I have 2 1/2" pipes and they installed 2" cross piece just after the trans crossmember......works great. :seeya Cappy
This what they did to mine....I have 2 1/2" pipes and they installed 2" cross piece just after the trans crossmember......works great. :seeya Cappy
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,930
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Need help with H-pipe install (MNJack)
Mark, if and when you got to that point, how were you going to attach the pipes together? Are you holding out on us? Do you have a torch to weld the pieces together? :confused:
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 9,206
Likes: 17
From: Sewell NJ
Re: Need help with H-pipe install (MNJack)
Here's a recent post of mine that shows how the H pipe was hooked up.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=374638
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=374638
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: Need help with H-pipe install (vettfixr)
nice pic, vettfixr! :) When I put my headers in I will get a chance to put an H-pipe accross the front pipes. The gizmo I have now would clamp on - 3 clamps on each T - no welding. The entire exhaust system including the mufflers (and elbows) is clamped right now. Holding together pretty well so far. MJ
