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Writing to ask a question that's maybe too engine specific for this post? I'm considering replacing the PO custom exhaust on my truck. The header collector is REALLY close to the front drive-line and when I step on the brakes with any urgency in four-wheel drive, they touch. I know I need to work on my suspension, but am also curious how much my "two into one and out the side" exhaust affects how much power my FE block (never cared to measure the stroke for CID) is putting out. The whole truck seems to come alive around 65-70 mph, which I don't normally drive (even on the highway), so I assume there is a mid-range cam installed. Some of the things going through my head:
- what size diameter pipe?
- h-pipe, x-pipe or y-pipe (or just dual independent pipes)?
- etc.
I know (generally) h-pipes are good for lower end power and x-pipes are great for horsepower, but sometimes at higher rpm ranges. I suppose the answer may lie with a knowledgeable exhaust or speed shop, but you all are some pretty smart folks here
Thanks,
- IH
Duals or larger diameter single work fine. Ford put an H in the duals from the factory. ("65 Mercury at least....) What diameter is your single pipe? 2 1/2 or 3" should be fine with little to be gained since you already have headers.
Before you dedicate to 3” make sure you have room to route it all, whether true duals, x or h pipe. My 2.5 inch with x pipe is very tight in some places and I only have a front tank and manual trans. Once you get clamps on and spread bores of the x/H pipe the 2 2.5” pipes take up a ton of room. Over 8 inches.
i think most people agree unless you are moving some super serious amounts of air 2 to 2.5 works fine. There’s some science behind sound also with the different cross over pipes. I’d also google that if I were you. I have an x pipe and 2.5’s on my truck and it sounds “perfect” for me.
I just did the exhaust on my truck. Design was dictated by what I had laying around in the garage along with what came off the truck to begin with.
Here are a couple pictures:
I have about an inch of clearance from everything besides the crossmember at the front of the trans. I'm closer due to the headers spitting out just below the crossmember.
Hit me up if you have questions. I can take a video of sound if you want... but we all know how accurate the sounds are in those videos...
Climbed under the truck to see exactly what I was working with and not from memory. It's a 2.5" system. The H-crossover is close to the headers, which is good. PO ran an electric switch to allow one side to open up, but I put a cap on the end, as the spring holding it closed would slightly open and close going down the road (i.e. I'm not a kid anymore). So basically it's a Y-pipe system with the unused "H". From the muffler, it a SHORT exhaust pipe to the side of the truck, visible in my avatar.
- IH
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Optimum FE Exhaust
) What diameter is your single pipe? 2 1/2 or 3" should be fine with little to be gained since you already have headers.
