Notices

Is 3" single better than 2.5" dual?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 14, 2004 | 11:58 AM
  #1  
mustange70's Avatar
mustange70
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
Likes: 0
From: Coutts Canada
Is 3" single better than 2.5" dual?

I just got a new exhaust installed on my pickup, i got a 3" inch pipe straight from the header into a 3" y-pipe that is located at the back of the cab, then for a muffler i got a dyno max superturbo, from there it goes over the axle and dumps behind the passenger rear tire with a 18" 3.5" tip. Now i had the option of going with a 2.5" dual system but i liked the 3" system better for the sake it was a lot cleaner underneath. Would the duals have been better?
 
Reply
Old Apr 14, 2004 | 05:05 PM
  #2  
WhëëlMå1's Avatar
WhëëlMå1
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
Likes: 6
From: MA
Club FTE Gold Member
No. The single 3" should provide the same, if not more power than the duals on a "normal" vehicles. Now, if you were running a 600hp 460, that would be a different story. The duals would be far superior to a single.


Rich
 
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2004 | 08:14 PM
  #3  
There Goes The Neighborhood's Avatar
There Goes The Neighborhood
Elder User
20 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 821
Likes: 0
From: Normal, IL
A pipe with 1 inch greater diameter flows twice as much. So, if you go from dual 2.5 to a single, you'd be better off with a 3.5 for max power, 3 inch is better for TQ.
 
Reply
Old Apr 15, 2004 | 11:58 PM
  #4  
stevef100s's Avatar
stevef100s
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
It sounds like you have a straight 6. Am I right? If that is so, the 3" single may be a little big. If you have a small block v-8, the 3" would provide better torques at lower rpm's, or if you carry a load or tow a lot. If you mainly drive at higher rpm's, like with highway driving and such, then duals are the way to go. With a straight six, the only way duals would be a benefit, is if you had headers with two outlets, and then I would only run 2.25" at the largest. Running a single exhaust into a Y into duals doesn't do much for anything other then the sound.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 05:14 AM
  #5  
Icicle's Avatar
Icicle
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 2
From: Spokane WA
So if I get the jist of this conversation (not to hijacka thread) A small block v-8 (a 302 for example) would breathe best as a low torque truck motor with a 3" single exhaust...right?
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 09:58 AM
  #6  
stevef100s's Avatar
stevef100s
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 0
From: Destin/Ft. Walton Beach,
Correct Icicle. It's mainly about exhaust velocity. At lower rpm's, the single 3" sytem will maintain better velocity then with duals. There's also a little thermodynamics involved.
 
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2004 | 10:24 PM
  #7  
mustange70's Avatar
mustange70
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,871
Likes: 0
From: Coutts Canada
Thanks everyone, from what has been said it seems that i choose the right exhaust for my pickup. I just wish it was a little louder.

By the way the motor in my pickup is a 350hp 351Windsor, it's built to run in the lower rpms, and if i would have put in some slower gears (its got 3:1's) it would be able to keep up with a camero SS.
 
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2004 | 01:22 AM
  #8  
DanZ's Avatar
DanZ
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
I am also interested in the sizing of the 302 single exhaust.

I have been to a few shops to price cat back systems and the most experienced guy said that 3" pipe was too big for the 5.0 and that I would lose low end torque. He said he has had people come back because they were unhappy with the 3" size and they changed to 2.5". The other shops seem to think that 3" is the way to go.

I measured my pipe dia's and found the ypipes from the manifolds to be 2.25", then it is almost 3" between the cats, and then it necks down to 2.25 after the 2nd cat and then 2.25 out from the muffler.

So I thought 3" out from the back of the 2nd cat would be best. Especially since there is a total of 4.5" in dia when you combine both pipes of the ypipe.
Now I'm a little concerned about choosing between 2.5 and 3.0". I like having torque for around town but I want h.p. when pulling my boat.

Will either of these sizes make a difference?

BTW: I plan on going with the FM 40 series muffler.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

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

 Brett Foote
Old Apr 17, 2004 | 07:59 PM
  #9  
DanZ's Avatar
DanZ
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
The other thing I meant to ask is whether mandrel bent pipe is really that important. For some reason all the shops I talked to have mandrel bent tubing in 3" only - not for the 2.5"

Any opinions?
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2004 | 11:25 AM
  #10  
dk5122's Avatar
dk5122
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
From: Bel Air, MD
Originally Posted by mustange70
Thanks everyone, from what has been said it seems that i choose the right exhaust for my pickup. I just wish it was a little louder.

By the way the motor in my pickup is a 350hp 351Windsor, it's built to run in the lower rpms, and if i would have put in some slower gears (its got 3:1's) it would be able to keep up with a camero SS.
Would the duals have been better? Now knowing you have 350hp I would have run true 2.5" duals with a crossover pipe............Your first post says header which makes it sound like a six cyl. Later
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2004 | 11:31 AM
  #11  
dk5122's Avatar
dk5122
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 883
Likes: 0
From: Bel Air, MD
DanZ, you will be fine running a single 3" with your 302. My buddy has a six and runs a 3" single after the cats. He tows alot and said overall power has increased. It also sounds alot better. Get the mandrel bent pipes.
 
Reply
Old Apr 18, 2004 | 09:38 PM
  #12  
DanZ's Avatar
DanZ
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Thanks DK,
I was thinking 3" would be ok but that guy at the muffler shop made me wonder....

Even better since the 3" will be mandrel bent.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ufvj217
Excursion - King of SUVs
10
May 4, 2015 12:43 PM
Wertzy
Modular V10 (6.8l)
3
Nov 9, 2014 05:06 PM
11jjonn
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
9
Apr 20, 2014 09:14 PM
55F250
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
20
May 5, 2012 04:47 PM
Psyclopse
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
7
Feb 4, 2012 02:35 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:36 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic 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 | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
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-9
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