2 stupid questions
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
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2 stupid questions
1. why are exhuast pipes round opposed to square, or rounded corners with a square shape?
I am going to guess it would have to deal with flow and corners slowing it obviously. anyone care to tell me why square pipe is a bad idea?
The reason I ask, I saw square shaped headers on ebay for a turbo set up. It made me think of a problem I am having with a down pipe and fitting the largest pipe possible. a square pipe would have more area in it, but I guess the flow of a square pipe is a huge issue?
2. were there ever a set of standard SBC heads built with the spark plug on top of the head, like a hemi head? (leaving out the 4 valve designs)
I know the valves are in the way, just wondering if any time in history someone played around with it and pulled it off?
I am going to guess it would have to deal with flow and corners slowing it obviously. anyone care to tell me why square pipe is a bad idea?
The reason I ask, I saw square shaped headers on ebay for a turbo set up. It made me think of a problem I am having with a down pipe and fitting the largest pipe possible. a square pipe would have more area in it, but I guess the flow of a square pipe is a huge issue?
2. were there ever a set of standard SBC heads built with the spark plug on top of the head, like a hemi head? (leaving out the 4 valve designs)
I know the valves are in the way, just wondering if any time in history someone played around with it and pulled it off?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
1.) Have you ever tried square tubing in a tube bender? A circular profile gives the greatest area for the external diminsions. The flow in the corners may be screwy, but if it solves a problem, go for it.
2.) No production, small block, Chevy head, looked significantly different than all you've ever seen.
RACE ON!!!
2.) No production, small block, Chevy head, looked significantly different than all you've ever seen.
RACE ON!!!
Last edited by CFI-EFI; Dec 6, 2004 at 07:01 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,270
A round cross section has the least surface area to flow area ratio. Since most friction is at/near the wall, a round pipe will flow with less friction than any other section geometry of equivalent area.
Duke
Duke
on both 
