Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
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From: OKC Oklahoma
Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power?
I've been running 2.5" duals and Flowmasters, but am possibly considering side exhaust. I've heard that they rob power. Any thoughts?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Lake Norman NC
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (79VetteMike)
depends on the setup..if you go with Hookers, it shouldn't be a problem, just run them straight flow...if you go with 69 style factory setup...might be a problem, unless you spend mucho $$$ for bigger diameter pipes to fit under the covers.
Team Owner
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From: Hotlanta GA
Cruise-In 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08, '15
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (79VetteMike)
You can pretty much expect to lose power anytime there is a 90 degree bend in an exhaust system.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Maple
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (theanswriz42)
You can pretty much expect to lose power anytime there is a 90 degree bend in an exhaust system.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Hotlanta GA
Cruise-In 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08, '15
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (1bad69)
You can pretty much expect to lose power anytime there is a 90 degree bend in an exhaust system.
even when it collects to a 4" pipe?
even when it collects to a 4" pipe?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,804
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From: OKC Oklahoma
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (79VetteMike)
By the way, I already have the Dynomax Ceramic coated headers, so if I get side pipes, they will have to hook up to the headers I already have. Thanks again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
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From: Carmichael CA
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (79VetteMike)
I've been running 2.5" duals and Flowmasters, but am possibly considering side exhaust. I've heard that they rob power. Any thoughts?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
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From: San Jose California
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (79VetteMike)
Just like an under car system, it depends on what you have. I only lost 6hp from my high of 483rwhp using the JCL spiral baffles. If I had spent any time adjusting the a/f ratio change from open to JCLs, I honestly believe I would have gotten all 6hp back.
The JCLs do a very good job keeping the car reasonably quiet, but they also let the engine breathe. Ground clearance is my biggest reason for going to the Hooker sidepipes.
Chuck
The JCLs do a very good job keeping the car reasonably quiet, but they also let the engine breathe. Ground clearance is my biggest reason for going to the Hooker sidepipes.
Chuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Wichita, KS
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (79VetteMike)
I don't know of any sidepipes that will connect up to long tube headers without having to make a U turn in the exhaust system. If you have the shorty style of header then you can connect the factory style sidepipes up without too much fabrication.
Any sidepipe is going to at least seem louder than an under car exhaust simply due to the fact that the exit for the pipes is directly under your ear by about 4 feet.
Any sidepipe is going to at least seem louder than an under car exhaust simply due to the fact that the exit for the pipes is directly under your ear by about 4 feet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Carmichael CA
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (1979toy)
the exit for the pipes is directly under your ear by about 4 feet.
Senior Member since 1492
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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: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (Rockn-Roll)
My L48 came out of the factory with 165HP at the flywheel. Now it has 200HP at the rear wheels...only change is sidepipes. You do the math.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Quebec
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (79VetteMike)
Keeping your headers will complicate the tubing and you'll probably lose some flow capacities from the 90 degrees. The best way to go are the Hookers sidepipe with JCL baffle. Otherwise, a dual system with a X or H-pipe will surpass any sidepipe system...unless you run an X-pipe with sidepipe as the Nascar does. They are awesome. :eek: :D
Stephan
Stephan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Vancouver BC, Canada
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (Rockn-Roll)
I've been running 2.5" duals and Flowmasters, but am possibly considering side exhaust. I've heard that they rob power. Any thoughts?
My L48 came out of the factory with 165HP at the flywheel. Now it has 200HP at the rear wheels...only change is sidepipes. You do the math.
My L48 came out of the factory with 165HP at the flywheel. Now it has 200HP at the rear wheels...only change is sidepipes. You do the math.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
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Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (79VetteMike)
I'm taking my 79 to chassis dyno as soon as the snow melts and I can actually drive the car again. I will try what kinda power difference is between open headers vs open sidepipes vs sidepipes with baffles.
I also highly recommend baffles so far, relatively quiet but yet not too restrictive. :cheers:
I also highly recommend baffles so far, relatively quiet but yet not too restrictive. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,637
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From: Norwalk Ct
Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (79VetteMike)
I've nearly finished fabricating a 3" stainless system that fits under the stock factory sidepipes. (connecting to headman factory sidepipe headers)
The headers need a bend of 50 degrees to flare out to the side pipe tubes, and the tube is all 3".
I have to believe that the factory pipes at 2" down to 1-3/4" in the muffler where restrictive.
I will have to wait and see if the difference is "seat of the pants" noticeable
or wether its just dyno numbers.
Nick
The headers need a bend of 50 degrees to flare out to the side pipe tubes, and the tube is all 3".
I have to believe that the factory pipes at 2" down to 1-3/4" in the muffler where restrictive.
I will have to wait and see if the difference is "seat of the pants" noticeable
or wether its just dyno numbers.
Nick
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
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Re: Does side exhaust restrict flow and kill power? (lvrpool32)
I haven't posted here in about six months, but this seems to be the question that never dies, because it has never been proven either way. When I rebuilt my '76 I went with chambered pipes (same set up as sidepipes but exit out the rear. The sound was awesome! My ONLY beef about side pipes is the burnin' leg issue.....but they do sound great! Last question: When do we just start enjoying our cars instead of wondering about that 1/4 of a horsepower we lost/gained by our selection of a certain component? ENJOY!! :D :cheers:
