Are they really worth it?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 680
Likes: 24
From: Durham North Carolina
Are they really worth it?
Aftermarket x-pipes compared to the stock h pipe on our cars? Other than sound improvement? For example if i went with on of the sponsors in this site and bolted to headers to my Stock h pipe, would it hamper performance to a noticeable degree on a bolt on car?
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: North Mankato Minnesota
I did a lot of research on exhaust systems before buying my cat back system with X pipe.
My opinion is, while they certainly don't hurt performance, they are not the best bang for the buck in performance upgrades. Most people mention the improvement in sound before mentioning the improvement in performance.
Just my 2 cents.
Doug
My opinion is, while they certainly don't hurt performance, they are not the best bang for the buck in performance upgrades. Most people mention the improvement in sound before mentioning the improvement in performance.
Just my 2 cents.
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,575
Likes: 961
From: Communist Colorado
An X pipe is one of many pieces of the performance package. If youre looking for every possible drop of hp, then an X pipe is a good part of the exhaust system to upgrade just as the headers themselves and the rest of the exhaust system.
I feel like a good way to approach hot rodding is sytem by system. If it were me, I would research the headers, catalytic converters, X pipe and the cat back system also. Why not upgrade all the parts of the system to take full advantage of all the pieces you buy and install?
I always seem to regret when I skip a part of a system when I had the chance to upgrade but didnt for whatever reason..... usually that amounts to $$$
I feel like a good way to approach hot rodding is sytem by system. If it were me, I would research the headers, catalytic converters, X pipe and the cat back system also. Why not upgrade all the parts of the system to take full advantage of all the pieces you buy and install?
I always seem to regret when I skip a part of a system when I had the chance to upgrade but didnt for whatever reason..... usually that amounts to $$$
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
Aftermarket x-pipes compared to the stock h pipe on our cars? Other than sound improvement? For example if i went with on of the sponsors in this site and bolted to headers to my Stock h pipe, would it hamper performance to a noticeable degree on a bolt on car?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 99
From: Arlington Texas
Wouldn't make much sense to do a headers install without doing x-pipe and hi-flow cats as part of the install. Also do a tune at the same time. Have not seen a back to back dyno test to compare the 2 configurations as I would suspect that very few people leave the stock h-pipe and cats on the car with headers.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
In my case, I had to get rid of my stock H-pipe to eliminate the annoying exhaust jingle. I installed a Corsa XO pipe and have never looked back. Problem solved.
I sliced the stock H-pipe in half to get a look inside and there was only a dime sized hole in each pipe which looked like it was made with a plasma torch. GM has never been known to sweat the details much........eh?
I sliced the stock H-pipe in half to get a look inside and there was only a dime sized hole in each pipe which looked like it was made with a plasma torch. GM has never been known to sweat the details much........eh?
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 12,198
Likes: 15
From: Columbia MD
Since an engine is nothing more than a big air pump, anything that reduces turbulence and improves flow at the exhaust end is a plus. Go with the x-pipe. The elimination of the "motorboat" sound is just gravy.