Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Why are crossover pipes so expensive?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 161
From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '08
Why are crossover pipes so expensive?
I have a Corsa Indy cat back system with the usual popping on deceleration. So I thought about getting a crossover pipe but was shocked to see it is $250 or more, for a F__king pipe. 
I heard that the OEM crossover pipes have a hole about the size of a quarter between pipes. How does this sound: Go to a muffler shop and remove the OEM crossover pipe. Drill a hole through the side of the pipe and the crossover section about the size of a half dollar or more. Weld a piece of scrap pipe to cover the outer hole. Does this sound like BS or would it work?
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
I heard that the OEM crossover pipes have a hole about the size of a quarter between pipes. How does this sound: Go to a muffler shop and remove the OEM crossover pipe. Drill a hole through the side of the pipe and the crossover section about the size of a half dollar or more. Weld a piece of scrap pipe to cover the outer hole. Does this sound like BS or would it work?Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 10,336
Likes: 14
From: Bellville OH
St. Jude Donor '06
I have a Corsa Indy cat back system with the usual popping on deceleration. So I thought about getting a crossover pipe but was shocked to see it is $250 or more, for a F__king pipe. I heard that the OEM crossover pipes have a hole about the size of a quarter between pipes. How does this sound: Go to a muffler shop and remove the OEM crossover pipe. Drill a hole through the side of the pipe and the crossover section about the size of a half dollar or more. Weld a piece of scrap pipe to cover the outer hole. Does this sound like BS or would it work?
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
I heard that the OEM crossover pipes have a hole about the size of a quarter between pipes. How does this sound: Go to a muffler shop and remove the OEM crossover pipe. Drill a hole through the side of the pipe and the crossover section about the size of a half dollar or more. Weld a piece of scrap pipe to cover the outer hole. Does this sound like BS or would it work?Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '08
Drifting
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From: 1000 Oaks CA
St. Jude Donor '08
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Why don't you just look for a used pipe on the C5 Parts for Sale section - might find one for a more reasonable price.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
I think I paid about $180 for a used one but another option is to buy an X pipe off Ebay and have a muffler shop weld it in on your existing system. The X pipe section is only 12" or so long.
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Safety Car
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From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Bellville OH
St. Jude Donor '06
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
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From: Las Vegas Nevada
St. Jude Donor '08
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Communist Colorado
I don’t like to get into arguments, but I feel I must respond to this. I believe you are comparing apples to oranges. The badges are a low volume item that needs a custom made mold or some other similar process. These are not the plastic ones; they are made of aluminum and are very detailed in their design. The crossover pipes are, well pipes. They are mass-produced and although they “fit” on ones exhaust, they don’t require molds or anything similar. Yes, I realize the use some sort of jig to make, but the skill level between the two isn’t even close. This is how I look at it, but you obviously view it differently. Also, not to start another disagreement, some people spend thousands of dollars on a sound system in their cars. If they think it is worth the money, that’s great for them. To me, it is a radio, and inside the relatively small confines of a Corvette, I can’t believe the acoustics are all that good. Besides, with some of the exhaust system out there, how can you even hear the sound system that well? Another is wheels, $5,000 for wheels? I just get that one. So “to each his own” as one would say. Now back to the original post, your opinions please.
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
I understand the theory here on the craftsmanship issue...however, the badge does nothing for performance. The X-pipes that are well made balance the exhaust back pressure & can add a couple of hp. The other thing they do is cancel out the popping sound on decelleration. In essence, the X-pipe completes a quality exhaust system. You paid alot for your badges because you appreciate the work that went into them & are happy with the outcome.....hopefully now you can appreciate the X-pipe and if you get one, enjoy that outcome as well.
***in addition*** as far as wheels go. The wheels on my car cost around $5,800. (though I did not pay that for them)......They are light weight forged 3 pc aluminum HRE's. They are an extremely well made wheel & very strong. I bought them mostly for looks. I also, in the past have purchased Chineese made wheels. I could never get them to balance properly even with new tires. Needless to say, I sold them. The used HRE's I have are better than the new Chineese wheels could ever have been. Its kinda like buying a Rolex....yes, a Timex will do the job, but if you are fortunate enough to buy a Rolex, you'll see the difference is night & day.
Last edited by 81c3; Jul 20, 2007 at 01:37 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: plant city florida
I understand the theory here on the craftsmanship issue...however, the badge does nothing for performance. The X-pipes that are well made balance the exhaust back pressure & can add a couple of hp. The other thing they do is cancel out the popping sound on decelleration. In essence, the X-pipe completes a quality exhaust system. You paid alot for your badges because you appreciate the work that went into them & are happy with the outcome.....hopefully now you can appreciate the X-pipe and if you get one, enjoy that outcome as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
I don’t like to get into arguments, but I feel I must respond to this. I believe you are comparing apples to oranges. The badges are a low volume item that needs a custom made mold or some other similar process. These are not the plastic ones; they are made of aluminum and are very detailed in their design. The crossover pipes are, well pipes. They are mass-produced and although they “fit” on ones exhaust, they don’t require molds or anything similar. Yes, I realize the use some sort of jig to make, but the skill level between the two isn’t even close. This is how I look at it, but you obviously view it differently. Also, not to start another disagreement, some people spend thousands of dollars on a sound system in their cars. If they think it is worth the money, that’s great for them. To me, it is a radio, and inside the relatively small confines of a Corvette, I can’t believe the acoustics are all that good. Besides, with some of the exhaust system out there, how can you even hear the sound system that well? Another is wheels, $5,000 for wheels? I just get that one. So “to each his own” as one would say. Now back to the original post, your opinions please.
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Its all good that you say. And personally, I have NO answer WHY its so. But I'm on your side, and totally agree with the fact that Corvette exhaust systems are way too expensive. Then again, every little thing on this car IS..... So, what am I gonna do? Nothin' just live with it. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,735
Likes: 14
From: Visalia CA
I don't care if the X-pipe makes your exhaust smell like Chanel #5! It's not worth $250! It's just a piece of pipe, damn it!
Until us idiots stop paying that kind of money for 'Vette parts, the "Corvette Tax" will always be with us!
Until us idiots stop paying that kind of money for 'Vette parts, the "Corvette Tax" will always be with us!
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 697
Likes: 50
From: Up North Wisconsin
The x pipe pricing is high but all aftermarket stainless exhaust is. I picked up a hardly used Bassani x pipe from a forum member for $125 shipped. The Bassani is a quality product. If you want to eliminate the popping (which I despise) a x pipe won't do it. I have popping and drone with my B&B PRT's. The x pipe reduced the popping some and altered the drone, so it is better. A tip for cutting the original H pipe out: If you get the car up high enough to get a sawsall straight up and down, cut about about 1/2" inch off the end of a 5" fine tooth metal blade, it will slice through it like butter and not hit the bottom of the floor. (picture) Be prepared for some binding. A friend with a pry bar is helpfull. Stainless band clamps work better than the original clamps that come with the pipe. 
By the way, your logic on the badges is correct. They are a machined product. They are costly to produce.
By the way, your logic on the badges is correct. They are a machined product. They are costly to produce.