X-Pipe

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Jan 1, 2022 | 07:56 PM

meh92

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Instructor

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 114

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From: NE Ohio

X-Pipe

My '96 LT4 coupe's exhaust exhaust resonator broke free inside the pipe. I don't want a new exhaust system so I think the best solution is installing an X-pipe. There are some available in the aftermarket and I could also ask my local shop to build one for me. The drivetrain is stock.

1. What is an affordable aftermarket piece that has a good reputation?

2. If I go the shop-made route, is there anything I should ask to be included in the design? Does the crossover section have to be a certain size?

Thanks

Jan 2, 2022 | 08:56 AM

jmeyer58

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Joined: Mar 2007

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From: Mt Prospect IL

2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

If you don't mind I would like to piggyback and ask how it affects the exhaust sound? I tried the Flowmaster cat back system, sounded great around town but I didn't like the highway noise. Looking for just a slight bump in sound, thought the xpipe would do the job.

Jan 2, 2022 | 09:20 AM

Phobos84

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Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 2,874

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From: Sligo PA

I have Flowmasters that have been modified to accept 2 1/2" pipe. Also I have no cats and it's true dual except for the X pipe. The X pipe gives the exhaust a more raspy tone. I love it but it's not what everyone is looking for. An H pipe will give you more of a muscle car sound. I used one of the $40 X pipes from ebay. I couldn't be happier with it. I can't imagine that a shop could make you one for less than that.

Jan 2, 2022 | 10:14 AM

meh92

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Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 114

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From: NE Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmeyer58

Last night I did a little searching and found a post comparing stock vs stock with x-pipe. It made a little difference. Deeper and a little throater. The poster also said there was no increased cabin drone.

Jan 2, 2022 | 12:58 PM

cv67

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Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 81,241

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From: altered state

St. Jude Donor '05

X pipe didnt make mine any difference except the high pitch frequencices tamed down a little
Didnt change overall volume, drone or anything else. Sounded meanest with no crossover at all...H 2nd place

Lots on the web will "but nascar uses"...:extra scavening"..meh.

Jan 2, 2022 | 01:05 PM

Tom400CFI

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Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 21,543

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From: Park City Utah

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmeyer58

...how it affects the exhaust sound? ..... Looking for just a slight bump in sound, thought the xpipe would do the job.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cv67

Sounded meanest with no crossover at all

X2. The crossover, "H pipe", or X pipe won't ADD sound. If anything, it will mellow the sound slightly. I had true dual on my Kart...it sounded awesome, but LOUD, with no cats and only two small "bullet" style muffs. I added a cross over and it reduced the db significantly, mellowed the "bark" quite a lot and actually made it sound much more like a later 'Vette (C6/C7) with an exhaust. Not quite what I was going for but the reduction in volume was good.

Jan 2, 2022 | 01:16 PM

FostersPerformance

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Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 3,486

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From: Saratoga Springs NY

2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified

Built 383 carbed engine. Fairly large cam. Long tube headers, dual 3" exhaust, Melrose exhaust with x pipe, no cats, and Borla s type mufflers. Not an LT1, but concerning the exhaust, i was surprised at how mellow and deep the tone is at idle. After about 2k or so it really sounds great. But i did think it would sound 'meaner' at idle. It dosent. Ive had other cars with similar setups (sans the x pipe) and less cam sound meaner at idle. Is this because of the x pipe? No clue. But i guess i cant complain as it sounds great when it needs to. But if you heard it idle, you wouldnt think it has the engine that it does.
Me personnaly if i decided to change anything, i think id maybe try it without the x pipe. But i fully welded everything and not going back now lol. Just my .02

Jan 2, 2022 | 04:14 PM

84 4+3

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2017

Posts: 6,930

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From: New Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by FostersPerformance

I originally had the melrose headers dumped at the collector just using the pipes that bring it into the tunnel and that sounded nuts. You know... obligatory break in the top end and first drive with no exhaust. But that literally hurt driving around. Then last spring I had the full exhaust to the X pipe and it was quieter around idle... but nailing it and running up into the mid 6k range it was very sb2 sounding. Really made a distinct noise. Again too loud. Now it's got chambered glass packs and it's quiet enough to be tolerable. The X-pipe made part throttle sound more distinct than wide open in my testing. You can really hear how tipped in the throttle is (on mine) with it. Without it it would just get louder not change tone as much.

2k sounds great. 3k sounds like WTF is that... its... rowdy. and being around a lot of modded vehicles it is very distinct sounding. You know... not just another cammed LS or small block sound.