Explain Various Exhaust Systems To Me..... - Diesel Forum

F-250 Hoss · 03-27-2002, 02:55 PM

For the guys that know, I really don't like my stock exhaust and I want to eventually get something new on it. I don't want something too terribly expensive or the wife will never approve it, but something better than stock that will give me a nice, subtle rumble and maybe even increase my fuel mileage a bit.

My question is, what are all of the different type of exhaust systems and what is actually legal. Obviously, I know what dual is versus single....and I know what headers do......but for instance, what is a "cat-back" exhaust?? X-Pipe vs. Y-Pipe?? Etc., etc., etc.....

I thought about getting a dual set-up Dyno-Max exhaust system, but I think this only replaces from the muffler back. There's still that pesky catalytic converter to deal with...which I don't know if there's any way to get around that or not. Anyway, all you exhaust professionals.....please explain some of this stuff to me.

Thanks.

Manx · 03-27-2002, 03:34 PM

Ok Hoss,
I saw you where reamed in the other form
Oh well, some of those people have there heads up there @ss
I'll try and explain it
"cat back" is from the converter to the back
Don't know about "x" pipe
"Y" pipe is from the manifolds to a single exhaust system
"H" pipe is if your running true dual exhaust, it's a tube connecting them for balance
Here's my thoughts on it
If you go for the full blown headers and true dual system your only going to notice it at the top end (high rpm's) you might even loose some at the bottom end.
just upgrade the muffler and call it a day (cat back) they do show a slight gain,it's affordable and it gives you the rumble
as far as having one or two tail pipes it doesn't matter becuse it's coming from one pipe (cat back), it's what ever look your going for
Check out Gibson also, they make a nice system

CBSUPERDUTY · 03-27-2002, 03:43 PM

Manx is right get what you want... What engine do you have? If it is a V10 than go checkout Abendx's thread on Flowmaster Sound Clip. I think that this sounds as good as any that I have heard. I am just waiting for the $$$$$$.

Rick Skaggs · 03-27-2002, 03:58 PM

Shane, did you sell your V10? If so, what do you have now?

As for exhaust mods, I have a Flowmaster Delta Series 40 (I think) on my, ahem, Dodge 5.2L. Just an after-cat side exit setup. It sounds great.

abendx · 03-27-2002, 05:11 PM

you said you had the v8...

the reason i bougt my flow for my v10 was for the plain and simple reason that every other truck i have owned in teh past has been an eight and i have put two chamber flow on every one of them... was NEVER disappointed!

imo, flowmaster is the KING of exhaust, period. there maybe some that give you a slight (and i mean slight) performance boost, but NONE sound as good.....

on the v10, it was a bit more tricky.... they sound, well, different! so... back and forth i went... reading this and that..... but no one had a clip other than one of the banks and one of the gibson..... listening to the banks i wasn't really impressed, sounded ok, but for the cash, nothing to write home about. the gibson sounded like crap (yes, my opinion).... but then again, i have never heard a gibson that sounded good to me.....

so one guy on here had the flow and said he liked it.... well, not really enough to go one, so i stick with my experience and bought one.... i am not upset with my choice.... it is plenty getting used to since the ten sounds different, but i do like for the most part.

and i flamed all those bastard in the aftermarket forum for you.... some were joking, but it didn't look to be all of them.... there are a few a-holes on here for sure!

all is good tho and it looks like what i said over there took.... i was assuming a lot of flaming back in my direction, but haven't seen any yet.... and yes... your question was totally in line in that forum.

F-250 Hoss · 03-28-2002, 07:38 AM

I looked around some at Flowmaster last night. I've never had any experience with Flowmaster. Anyone ever had any problems with them? I'm considering the Flowmaster 70 Series. It seems to have a little bit less inside noise and is quieter. I want a nice rumble, but I don't want to wake everyone up when I leave in the morning and I still want it fairly quiet on the inside. You can check out some sound clips of the 70 series here: <a target="_blank" href=http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/web10/SePerfMuff8.html>http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/web10/SePerfMuff8.html</a>

Anyway, it shows to be quieter than the 40 series and the sound clip sounds about what I'd like my truck to sound like. Any thoughts??

Manx · 03-28-2002, 09:16 AM

Hoss,
Flowmasters are very nice,
While I havn't heard them on a truck
Every Mustang I have ever heard them on sounded great.

ghunter · 04-02-2002, 05:49 PM

Okay Hoss, I'll try. I'm not an exhaust professional, but here's my take:

Y-Pipe:

On most stock vehicles with single exhaust there is a section of exhaust pipe running from each exhaust manifold (on V motors, anyway) that comes together under the engine into one pipe, forming a Y shape. Usually, this is done so that there is one pipe entering the Catalytic Converter on a single Cat vehicle. This is not the case for some performance cars that use one Cat per cylinder bank.

H-Pipe:

On vehicles without a Y-pipe (dual exhaust) there is one pipe from each cylinder bank that connects to a Cat, and then to a muffler, and then out the back from the tailpipe. In these applications it has been determined that connecting each pipe and forming an H-shape, after the Cats and before the mufflers, will equalize the exhaust back-pressure and could increase performance slightly. A similar pipe may be used in place of the Cats for offroad-only (racing) vehicles.

X-Pipe:

Following the same theory as an H-Pipe, an X-Pipe uses two cross-over pipes in the shape of an X which are supposed to further equalize back-pressure and increase performance.

After-Cat or Cat-Back:

Basically, this is a complete exhaust system from the Catalytic converter back to the tailpipe. Manufacturers produce these systems using different materials, sizes of tubing, and sometimes mandrel-bends to reduce kinks produced when bending exhaust tubing. These kits include muffler(s), hangars, and tailpipe sections which are supposed to increase performance, improve fuel economy, and in most cases change the sound of the exhaust note.

Another note: It's against the law to tamper with a functioning Cat, and most exhaust shops will not touch them due to liability concerns. However, several manufacturers build hi-flow Cats, just in case your's get squashed while off-roading, or that hammer just happens to slip while adding a Cat-back[img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] Some of these DO work as claimed, although the factories use pretty good stuff these days and I wouldn't spend another $200 for an aftermarket Cat unless mine really was damaged.

According to all the tests and I've seen and done, unless you've changed other components that would require you to increase the flow of your exhaust dramatically, a single pipe Cat-Back system is going to give the most performance bang for the buck over a true-dual setup. Also, since most of the newer vehicles use O2 sensors before and after the Cat, changing to true dual exhaust can cause numerous computer related headaches - as well as being illegal.

This is not to say that adding a good performance muffler alone won't increase performance or that every Cat-back system works as claimed; just that adding a well-built Cat-back will probably do what it claims and increase performance and maybe even increase mileage. While others may be able to show dyno results, I wouldn't believe the gains posted by the manufacturers, though. A few HP and 1-2MPG is a good figure for just bolting on $300 worth of exhaust, IMHO.

BTW, you'll see in my sig that I run a Gibson Cat-Back on my V-10. If I had to do it over, I'd probably go with a Flowmaster for better sound.

Sorry this was so long, and I hope it helps.

Gregg

F-250 Hoss · 04-03-2002, 07:57 AM

Thanks for all of the great info. That is very helpful.

Here's what I'm thinking...someone tell me if this sounds good or not. My truck (5.4L V-8 engine) already has a three inch exhaust on it. I have noticed that with the Flowmaster cat back systems, a three inch exhaust is the biggest they offer. Instead of spending the money on a complete cat back system, why could I not just spend the $75 for the Flowmaster muffler and have a muffler shop swap it out with the factory muffler...keeping the factory pipes except for what they have to add or cut to put the new muffler in (assuming it isn't the same length as the stock one)??? Knowing that the factory pipes are mandrel bent, wouldn't that have the same effect as doing a complete cat back system, but for a lot less money???

ghunter · 04-03-2002, 09:58 AM

Adding a good flowing muffler would most likely do the job just as well. Factory exhaust systems used to be junk which is why the aftermarket manufacturers claims of higher performance, etc. were, at one time, more valid. Today however, the factory does a much better job on the exhaust and most often you only get a better sound and maybe a little performance gain.

I'm not familiar with the exhaust on the V-8, did it come from the factory with 3 inch tubing? That seems kinda large for a stock motor. I would have thought 2.5 or 2.75 inches would be best for low-end power while moving to 3 inch would inprove top-end breathing.

F-250 Hoss · 04-03-2002, 10:49 AM

It's definitely 3" tubing. The V-8 comes with either 2.5" or 3". I measured the diameter last night to confirm that it is indeed 3". I don't expect MUCH performance boost...I mostly want the V-8 rumble. If I get a little boost and mpg improvement, then great, but if not, that's okay. I'm planning to get a K&N filter too, so that might help a little as well. At some point I'll chip it...but not right now.