Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

x pipe or an H pipe

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 2, 2016 | 09:26 PM
  #1  
Trent Racer's Avatar
Trent Racer
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Question x pipe or an H pipe

i want to know the pros and cons of the x pipe and h pipe and if any of you guys have seen power gains or more low end torque

current exhaust: Longtube headers (flowtech) true duals no crossover pipe gutted cats 12 inch glasspacks dumped at the rear axle

and this is a 1989 f250 with a 351w
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2016 | 10:55 PM
  #2  
whisler's Avatar
whisler
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 983
Likes: 49
From: Northern Kentucky
I have the same truck with the same engine and shorty headers. I'm running duals with no cats and an H pipe. Seems to pull well for me.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2016 | 09:44 AM
  #3  
LARIAT 85's Avatar
LARIAT 85
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
It was explained to me that the H-pipe helps with low-end torque and produces a deeper, classic muscle car sound. The X-pipe helps more on top end horsepower and produces a raspier, modern exotic car sound.

After running a true dual exhaust system (a separate exhaust pipe running from each header) since about 2009, a friend in the exhaust business convinced me to install a crossover pipe, or "H-pipe" between the two exhaust pipes. So I went ahead and did it, not expecting much difference.

To my surprise, the H-pipe made a VERY noticeable difference in my truck. Driving away, I felt the difference immediately. Although throttle response was always excellent with this truck, the H-pipe greatly improved low end power; I can actually feel the difference in the throttle. The engine seems to "breathe" better, as in I can accelerate MUCH easier and faster with less throttle pressure than before. The improvement feels like I fixed a sticking brake, or like I shed 500 pounds off the truck!

An added bonus came after I got home and got out to inspect the H-pipe location with the truck at idle: the exhaust note is now much deeper, much STRONGER. It now sounds like...a 5.0 Mustang!

 
Reply
Old May 3, 2016 | 09:55 AM
  #4  
'89F2urd's Avatar
'89F2urd
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 443
Neither. Long tubes into a y is what maximizes torque production, and fitting x or h pipe somewhere on your truck is nearly impossible to do in a clean fashion.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2016 | 12:33 PM
  #5  
LARIAT 85's Avatar
LARIAT 85
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 22
From: Florence, SC
Originally Posted by '89F2urd
Neither. Long tubes into a y is what maximizes torque production, and fitting x or h pipe somewhere on your truck is nearly impossible to do in a clean fashion.
I don't know about the Y-pipe "maximizing torque production" but the H-pipe was welded in between the transmission and the [Flowmaster] mufflers, on the passenger's side right past the door on my truck. I am running dual exhaust with a separate muffler on each pipe.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2016 | 02:07 PM
  #6  
'89F2urd's Avatar
'89F2urd
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 443
Y pipe = low end - mid range hp

X/h = mid-top end hp

Duals = worthless top end

Y pipe is best option for maximizing scavenging at low - mid engine speeds. It also takes a lot of rpm to exceed the capabilities of a good y.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2016 | 02:44 PM
  #7  
Motorhead351's Avatar
Motorhead351
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 5
Stock engine or mild, Id do an x or h for sound characteristics, not power gains.

Y pipe is what I run, into a single pipe, weight savings over duals and can sound ever but as good.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2016 | 07:21 PM
  #8  
FORDF250HDXLT's Avatar
FORDF250HDXLT
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,360
Likes: 822
From: Mi'kma'ki
iv got duals with an H pipe in my '68 t-bird with 429.......sounds sexy.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-6

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
77custom408
Exhaust Systems
8
Nov 15, 2012 04:45 PM
roddles78
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
8
Feb 2, 2010 06:11 PM
kkkd
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
26
Jun 3, 2009 03:26 PM
MemOrex
Exhaust Systems
4
Mar 29, 2006 04:48 PM
clean79150
Exhaust Systems
33
Jul 27, 2003 02:42 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:51 AM.

story-0
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-02 21:45:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-5
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE