H-pipe mod?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: NJ
H-pipe mod?
I was inspired by the C5 exhaust mod to make this post. No expert on exhaust system here, but in my reading about all the upgrades, many have mentioned that the crossover in the stock system is so small that it is more or less meaningless to exhaust flow.
For those who arent neccessarily looking to upgrade to long tube headers, X-pipe, etc, would there be any benefit to opening up the crossover to the full diameter of the pipe? I would propose doing this in one of two ways:
1) cut a hole in the side of the exhaust pipe to give access to the crossover, then cut to open the crossover fully. Then patch the hole. Repeat on the other side if you cant cut out both from one side.
2) cut in a new crossover, either in place of or in addition to the factory one.
Would either of these provide any meaningful effect, either to sound quality or to power output? It seems to me that either of these could be done relatively cheaply (especially compared to buying a new X-pipe) at any exhaust shop.
For those who arent neccessarily looking to upgrade to long tube headers, X-pipe, etc, would there be any benefit to opening up the crossover to the full diameter of the pipe? I would propose doing this in one of two ways:
1) cut a hole in the side of the exhaust pipe to give access to the crossover, then cut to open the crossover fully. Then patch the hole. Repeat on the other side if you cant cut out both from one side.
2) cut in a new crossover, either in place of or in addition to the factory one.
Would either of these provide any meaningful effect, either to sound quality or to power output? It seems to me that either of these could be done relatively cheaply (especially compared to buying a new X-pipe) at any exhaust shop.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 5
From: Denver, North Carolina
Sounds like alot of work even you have your own welder, cutter, grinder, etc. I picked up a Corsa X pipe for a couple hundred bucks, no muss, no fuss and it got rid of the popping on decel too. But, hey if you like to tinker I say go for it and post pics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
If you are going to do that,,cut the H cross pipe then you can open both sides up with 1 cut, Slip a 2 1/2" connector over and clamp it or weld it!! Still a lot of work for little results. I got a Corsa X,,barely used for $150 !!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 140
Likes: 1
From: Whitesboro Texas
Bought an x off of the auction site for about 30 bucks, cut the factory H pipe section out and welded in the x. Easy and cheap. If you're going to the trouble of the mod on the H pipe get the x pipe on there. It sounds better too....
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
I know someone that cut the halves apart using a hacksaw. He cut the "H" in half and with a torch he was able to blast out the little holes to full size. Then he welded the two pipes back together on the "h"
It's a pointless move since the location of the h is so far away from the manifold collectors. The point is to equalize flow from side to side. There is a point where too far back doesn't really help.
It's a pointless move since the location of the h is so far away from the manifold collectors. The point is to equalize flow from side to side. There is a point where too far back doesn't really help.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Some history
The 97 and 98 H pipe was actually a decent scavaging system even with the half dollar sized crossover.. But in 99 a line change in manufacturing cause the opening to be downsized to the size of a dime. The Cross over X pipes that are offered today are a better design but that application in manufacturing was outside of the cost budget for the exhaust system... If you have the money the X pipes are the better way to go, but if you dont have the money, any one who has a plasma cutter can cut the h pipe in half and burn out the opening in each pipe in les than ten minutes.. then reweld the crossover.. its simple and effective.. if you have to pay someone a hundred dollars to do this , you might want to consider buying an Xpipe...if someone will do this for free.. you may want to consider it.. it will do the job...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 831
Likes: 2
From: Houston Texas
I have a Magnaflow X-pipe on my 2002 Z06 ( installed 2 years ago).
IMO- the car sounded much more aggressive (better) with the oem H-Pipe. Actually- bodacious.
Had to install a Corsa Extreme Cat-Back to regain the right sound balance.
Just another view from someone who's had both.
IMO- the car sounded much more aggressive (better) with the oem H-Pipe. Actually- bodacious.
Had to install a Corsa Extreme Cat-Back to regain the right sound balance.
Just another view from someone who's had both.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
I have a Magnaflow X-pipe on my 2002 Z06 ( installed 2 years ago).
IMO- the car sounded much more aggressive (better) with the oem H-Pipe. Actually- bodacious.
Had to install a Corsa Extreme Cat-Back to regain the right sound balance.
Just another view from someone who's had both.
IMO- the car sounded much more aggressive (better) with the oem H-Pipe. Actually- bodacious.
Had to install a Corsa Extreme Cat-Back to regain the right sound balance.
Just another view from someone who's had both.
When I see some people ask " How does this cam sound" rather than how much power and torque does this cam make. Its not a performance mod... its a profiling mod.
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Feb 22, 2010 at 10:33 PM.
