I have a 78 w/460. Am putting on new exhaust, wanted loud n' deep. Friend said to put on dual 2 1/2 or 3 inch pipes w/full headers (let it breath he said) and some Flowmaster 40's or 50's, (Aren't the 40's louder?). I want to run the pipes out the sides in front of the tires, any benefit to run them out the
back? I thought out the sides would look better. What is an H-pipe? Thanks for any advice and comments. (Rookie owner and mechanic here.)

 

A H pipe is just a a pipe connected the two pipes that come after the headers. So you have your dual coming back and a single pipe connected them before the mufflers usually. They also have x pipes, this is where they two pipes coming out of the headers are physically joined into one pipe and then split again. When they are joined the inside "wall" of the piping is removed. What this does is allow equal pressure down both pipes. Confuse you enough?


Daywalker
92' F-250HD 351 4x4 xlt 4.10 ZF 5speed supercab longbed

 

is your 460 stock? if so 2.5 inchers will be enough, dual 3 inches are for about 400 hp and up

1985 F-150/351Ho/c6/4wd~96,000 miles
1979 F-150extcab4x4/460/c6/6inchlift w/60rear44frnt 4.10 gears, 250 springs
37 boggers

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 11-Oct-01 AT 08:50 PM (EST)[/font][p]A little confusing but I'll write it down. Would be a good idea to incorporate a x-pipe or h-pipe into my setup? Also what about the headers, good idea? I have been told it will be a great deal louder but it is good for the motor to breath. You are talkin' to a rookie here. According to the older fella I bought it from, the motor is stock and original, although I am not sure after reading all the messages about no stock 460s in a 79 4x4 f150. Thanks for all the comments folks.

 

I could use some of the same questions answered. I'm in the process right now of rebuilding my 360 into a 416 (.030 overbore and stroked with a 428 crank). I also have some Stan's tri-Y headers on order that will be Jet-Hot coated prior to install. Desktop dyno figures estimate roughly 375 HP (gross).

This is going to be a tow vehicle, with some cruising. I want it to have a muted rumble at idle, but not be annoying while cruising or loud enough for my neighbors to complain. I was thinking of 2.5" duals exiting in front of the rear wheels, with maybe Flowmaster 70 series for a more muted tone. Does that make sense? Does it really matter whether I use an X vs. a H pipe? Should I go with larger pipes, or change the exit to behind the rear wheels or straight out the back? The reason for the forward exit right now is to keep the inside of the frame rails clear for a gas tank I intend to mount there.

karlsd a/k/a "ksd"
69 F100 Explorer 360/C6

 

Headers, quality ones, are an excellent idea. It really does help the engine breathe.

Either an X or an H pipe would help. X pipes are just a little better at it. However, it would probably be far easier to do an H pipe. If you run pipes straight back from each exhaust manifold/header to the rear of the truck you'll have true duals. Individual pipes for each cylinder bank. If you connect the two indvidual pipes with just another pipe you have something that looks like an H. The horizontal bar being the connecting pipe. And the two vertical bars being the two pipes coming out of the manifold/headers. Well if you make the connecting pipe shorter you eventually get to where it looks like an X. Hence X pipe. The shorter the connecting pipe the better, but anything is still good.

The motor might be stock (doubt it) but it's not original in a F-150.

Daywalker
92' F-250HD 351 4x4 xlt 4.10 ZF 5speed supercab longbed

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 22-Oct-01 AT 08:05 PM (EST)[/font][p]Thanks for the reply, definitely need to be pointed in the right direction. Now only for the money to get everything and the time to put it together.....

 

One other point on H-pipes is that they don't have catalytic converters on them, and are environmentally evil - you wouldn't pass a vehicle emissions test. I think Hi-flow cats sound just as good - without the stink.

Chris
'88 F350 XLT Lariat CC DRW/7.5l/C6/4.10
'93 Mustang LX 5.0l/T-5/3.55's/Flo's/pulleys/K&N/Synthetics
Nissan p/u (DC commuter)
Volvo 940

 

check out this site http://www.magnaflow.com/03hardware.htm

You may be able to use one of these

 

bula, i doubt if hes even running cats, plus you can build or buy h pipes with cats on them

1985 F-150/351Ho/c6/4wd~96,000 miles
1979 F-150extcab4x4/460/c6/6inchlift w/60rear44frnt 4.10 gears, 250 springs
37 boggers

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 27-Oct-01 AT 01:00 AM (EST)[/font][p]I have an F-150 with a 460 that came stock in it.

[font color=blue]1977 Ford F-150 Explorer 2x4 (460)
[ul][li]Flowmaster 40-Series with 2.5 inch aluminized duals
[li]14in Edelbrock chrome air cleaner with a K&N filter
[li]P275 60R 15 tires
[li]Jensen CD player with 6 speakers (subs & an amp on the way)[/ul]

[link:communities.msn.com/400EXWorld|My ATV Website]

[font color=green]Talk to me on AOL messenger -- [font color =red]EXRiders400EX

 

they came in 2x4's up to 79, but never any 4x4 until 83

1985 F-150/351Ho/c6/4wd~96,000 miles
1979 F-150extcab4x4/460/c6/6inchlift w/60rear44frnt 4.10 gears, 250 springs
37 boggers

 

For the Bula, not running cats, or cat I should say, am running into a single muffler (not my idea, bought it that way) right now. As for emissions I am lucky live in rural Virginia, no emissions in my county thank god. Still confused on the diff between full and shorty headers, unless it is as obvious as the names say. Is one better than the other? Looking into flowmaster muffs, any personal recommendations on which might be best. Don't want to drown out the radio, but I want the person next to me to in traffic to rattle a little. Thanks for the input fellas. Blair

 

it looks really cool to run pipes out in front of the rear tires but it gets old after a while. sure its original and bad #####, but there is a lot, i mean a lot, more cabin noise with that. i've got a 4 cylinder ranger i just put a custom exhaust on, i ran one pipe to a glasspack then 90 degreed off to a 2 1/2 inch tip in front of the right rear. it sounds good and looks cool but there's a LOT of noise inside the cab while driving, even with the windows up and radio turned up...my girlfriend is gettin pissed, i'm probably gonna have to put a cat back on it or do something. heres what i'd go with(this is what my dad has)

-run one pipe off each header
-put a small high flow cat on each pipe
-run one 2 1/2 pipe off each cat--straight pipes
-run em straight out the back
-dont increase tip size--just 2 1/2 all the way through
-dont bring the pipes together either--H, X, or one cat

running em out the back cuts down on noise you hear driving with the windows up dramatically. trust me-it sounds like a ##### wet dream on steriods. it sounds better than anything on the planet, i swear.

 

No ones answered one of your questions, why H and X pipes. The H and X pipes increase mid-range torque with no loss of power elsewhere. The X pipe is a recent development and used by NASCAR racers. They also lower the noise a bit and make a mellower sound, I think.

Tri-Ys and an X pipe using the same diameter from front to back is the way to go and yes all the way to the back bumper or you'll get tired of the noise. 2.5 inches is big enough unless you're racing regularly and a bit less expensive.

Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi