exhaust question

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Jun 21, 2019 | 06:29 PM

keithl1967

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 421

Likes: 27

From: Harrisburg PA

exhaust question

So...what are the benefits of an "H pipe" or "balance tube" vs a true dual system?

I'm not trying to squeeze every last HP our of the car, or anything crazy.

I have Hooker competition headers, and the Hooker 2.25" header back system into Dynomax Super Turbo Mufflers. Sounds pretty good, and I have also updated with an edelbrock Performer intake and Holley 650DP carb.

MSD ready to run Distributor,with the timing curve dialed in.

Does an H-pipe/balance tube change the sound at all?
Any benefit on a mostly stock motor (except for the aformentioned upgrades?

Jun 21, 2019 | 06:54 PM

HeadsU.P.

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2017

Posts: 8,336

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From: Cool Northern Michigan

Benefits? Over 4.36572 H.P. Sometimes 5 more horse.
Disadvantages? Can interfere with trans pan removal, flywheel cover etc.
Other perks: reduces that drone in the cockpit at certain speeds.
Changes tone of exhaust note.

Is it worth the added cost? Seldom, in my opinion.

Jun 21, 2019 | 08:56 PM

stingr69

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 7,458

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From: Little Rock AR

The exhaust pulses will have 2 paths rather than only 1 so that should help.

In practice it seems to help power below the torque peak.

Sound is altered to be perceived as "smoother" or less raspy.

Jun 21, 2019 | 11:01 PM

cardo0

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2002

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From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.

Plenty of posts on this forum for X and H pipes. I'll try to summarize. Both increase flow in the low pressure pipe between exhaust pulses. X said to be better than H but the trick is to install them as close to to the collector(s) as possible and an H pipe mounts closer to the collectors on a C3 corvette.

Have fun with it.

Jun 22, 2019 | 10:16 AM

keithl1967

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 421

Likes: 27

From: Harrisburg PA

closer to the collector?

Not much room there, routing under the trans mission... Was considering mounting the H pipe under the driveshaft--is that too far back to be effective?

Jun 22, 2019 | 12:32 PM

HeadsU.P.

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2017

Posts: 8,336

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From: Cool Northern Michigan

Not much room indeed. That's why you really need to think this through. The farther back you install, the less rewards if any.

Jun 22, 2019 | 12:47 PM

cardo0

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 7,098

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From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.

Only the dyno or track times can answer that. Theory/published info says the closer to the collector the more effective it is. You can read up for yourself with D. Vizard's "How to build High Performance sbc".
I can only suggest an H pipe under the transmission is my recommendation for a C3 corvette. Summit racing sells their generic H-pipe with a small curve/bend for this. BTW I have one on the shelf but not installed yet.

It ain't rocket science and it contributes a small amount of power for little money so why not? All these small power adders do add up. Functional cold air intake, electric water pump, electric cooling fan give you back the power you where giving away. And those do add up rather than mask or replace each other. 5hp + 5hp + 5hp + 5hp = 20hp and you should feel that.

Good luck.

Last edited by cardo0; Jun 22, 2019 at 12:48 PM. Reason: Stupid auto correct!

Jun 22, 2019 | 09:06 PM

jeffwebley

Racer

Joined: Oct 2017

Posts: 312

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From: Henry county ohio

If I recall correctly from back when... The rule was to put clean bright pipe on at the collector, run the thing hard with just those pipes, (1/4 mile was sufficient) , then cut the added pipe where the piped stopped being blue from the heat, and that was where you put the H pipe.
Ymmv.
Jeff