C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Exhaust sizing question

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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 04:18 PM
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Default Exhaust sizing question

At what point does one go from a 2.5" dual exhaust to a 2.75" or a 3"?

Is there an equation? Hp requirements?
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 08:07 PM
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2.5" true duals?

Too many competitive (damn fast actually) that are only running 3" with the single middle...then back to 2.25 or 2.5 (Y pipe) duals to the muffler.

I wouldn't worry about too much. There is a header formula that can be had with a web search....that should give you an idea of a sufficient diameter for 4 cyl...sounds like you;re there.
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 08:27 PM
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I think 2.5 inch would handle all the HP (SBC) you could throw at it on the street. Keep in mind the noise level goes way up with exhaust diameter. And I mean way up.
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 08:35 PM
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http://www.popularhotrodding.com/eng...h/viewall.html
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 08:45 PM
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Stock exhaust on the 92-96 LT1 is 2.75".
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 09:02 PM
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Originally Posted by TorchTarga94
Stock exhaust on the 92-96 LT1 is 2.75".

I put LT1 exhaust on my 91.. It was cheap and effective.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...te-videos.html
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 11:17 PM
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Question,what you using car for and how many hp.Question,have you tested,how much back pressure,your producing with system you have now?john
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Old Feb 27, 2013 | 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by powerpigz-51
I think 2.5 inch would handle all the HP (SBC) you could throw at it on the street. Keep in mind the noise level goes way up with exhaust diameter. And I mean way up.

Very hard if impossible to make a 3" system quiet. Even with an X and 20" case mufflers mines still loud.

Keep the 2.5 unless you have one hell of a stout motor and running very high rpms/track only motor you simply dont need 3".
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 12:47 AM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette

Very hard if impossible to make a 3" system quiet.
But...but...but....the stock LT1 exhausts are 2.75" and are quiet as a mouse!
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 12:57 AM
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I digress....I was unaware that the LT1 is 2-3/4
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 07:50 AM
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..... The what-you-need formula is always overuled by the what-you-want list ............. I have mandrel bent 3" tubes through an X-pipe with 24" glasspacks and 50 series Flowmasters ..... I think it sounds bad-a@@ .........

Last edited by C409; Feb 28, 2013 at 07:53 AM.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette

Very hard if impossible to make a 3" system quiet. Even with an X and 20" case mufflers mines still loud.

Keep the 2.5 unless you have one hell of a stout motor and running very high rpms/track only motor you simply dont need 3".
Cuisinartvette:

Have to disagree with you on that one about being hard or impossible to keep a 3" system tame and liveable!

On my 415 car, have 2" Jeal's going into a 3" X pipe, 3" all the way back to Dynamax 3" Stainless VT mufflers and I can assure you this thing is very tame until you let it loose then it gets loud as chit.

Even all the way up to 80 mph or better, as long as you don't twist up the R's, it doesn't get loud. I can listen to the radio at normal levels or talk on the cell phone with no XS noise issues.

And the VT mufflers are guaranteed for life if they ever fail. Got the mufflers through Summit Racing for $160 bux shipped (they price matched AMAZON).

I went from a 2.5 Flowmaster to this system and it woke up the motor and now is seems to breath much better especially having the Siamease Plenum.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 10:06 AM
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I had a big system with eliminators at the end and it was unbearable to cruise in...

the constant roar...droaning, made it more work than fun to take long drives. When I had to drive from Portland Ore to Phx...I stopped at a local muffler shop and had then hack the back end off and replace with something more civilized so I could get to my destination with some sanity...
Did that mod en-route it was so bad.
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by vette 15x
Question,what you using car for and how many hp.Question,have you tested,how much back pressure,your producing with system you have now?john
Testing the stock system for plugged CATS means that the system at the collector or manifold is holding up to 3 psi back pressure. THAT indicates a plugged system....So, that amount of back pressure being virtually nothing, means a well flowing system is near 0-1 psi or a very efficient system with headers that work, might even be negative pressure at the collector IF scavenging is working right with a "tuned" exhaust.

few systems are actually "tuned" to the engine...most are just bolt on guessing or buying whatever sounded ok when there were funds available..
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 11:49 AM
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I AGREE with you,which means 3" with a 4oo hp sb,not so bad,but with 600 hp sb,very bad for noise,even with x pipe.He needs a res.or high flow cat. where the x would be.or stick with 2 1\2 and sligth restriction.john
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 12:18 PM
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http://www.exhaustvideos.com/faq/how...pipe-diameter/
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by ZRWHAT
Cuisinartvette:

Have to disagree with you on that one about being hard or impossible to keep a 3" system tame and liveable!

On my 415 car, have 2" Jeal's going into a 3" X pipe, 3" all the way back to Dynamax 3" Stainless VT mufflers and I can assure you this thing is very tame until you let it loose then it gets loud as chit.

Even all the way up to 80 mph or better, as long as you don't twist up the R's, it doesn't get loud. I can listen to the radio at normal levels or talk on the cell phone with no XS noise issues.

And the VT mufflers are guaranteed for life if they ever fail. Got the mufflers through Summit Racing for $160 bux shipped (they price matched AMAZON).

I went from a 2.5 Flowmaster to this system and it woke up the motor and now is seems to breath much better especially having the Siamease Plenum.
2" primary tube headers are just insane.

you sure you need that? what kind of power / rpm you have?
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 01:38 PM
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Originally Posted by dizwiz24
2" primary tube headers are just insane.

you sure you need that? what kind of power / rpm you have?
2" primary on a stroked (415) LT-5 with 7700 plus rpm capability and you call that insane, I call it just about right!

You need room to move a lot of air volume at those kind of rpm's.

HP: Good question! Enough to violently spin a set of soft/sticky 335 30 18 R888's between shifts granny shifting.

Gibby
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 08:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ZRWHAT
2" primary on a stroked (415) LT-5 with 7700 plus rpm capability and you call that insane, I call it just about right!

Gibby
Totally...freaking...awesome...
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Old Feb 28, 2013 | 09:22 PM
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Think some depends on power output and cam profile.
Know mine will never be quiet no matter what. Tolerable..just thats about it. lol Cant have it all!
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