Quick exhaust question

[Hartman]

I'm having a custom catback made for my truck on Friday with a Flowmaster 40 muffler. My question is, what diameter pipe should I go with, 2.25 or 2.5? My truck has 132k but has no mechanical problems and is in perfect condition. I want a medium sound, not too shallow but not too honkin loud.

Input welcome...

 

[seanthenerd]

a Delta 50 Series would give you that sound... as far as the pipe diam. I would go with 2.5 more flow=more power

 

[Hartman]

Bigger pipes also mean less back pressure which means less power.

 

[seanthenerd]

How do you figure less backpressure = less power? Backpressure is measured in psi of resistance and is only measured at wide open throttle at rev limit. The more backpressure you have the harder it is for your exhaust gases to leave the exhuast creating a power loss. The best senario is no exhaust system but that isnt exactly legal and its really noisy.

 

[huskyfan23]

BUT you'll lose torque. 2.25 is fine if you don't have an S/C (got ya covered Alec ) With a supercharger you'd want bigger.

 

[Pissant22]

How much is this costin ya? Delta 50 Series and 2.25 inch piping and the install?

I'm in Phoenix and I was wondering if anyone knew any good custom exhaust shops and possible pricing for what I listed above.

 

[huskyfan23]

www.summitracing.com buy a Force II kit for your X. Cost is I believe $160, installation can be done easily by you, if you wanna save around $75 at least..

 

[Alec]

Yup, I'd go 2.25"

There's not really too much of a power concern, but 2.25 is gonna sound better.

 

[Gonzo]

2.25 is gonna sound better.

What exactly do you mean by "sound better"? Do you mean deeper, less ricey?

 

[Hartman]

I would get the Force II kit but it's worth the extra $40 (shop quoted me $200) for custom mandrel bent pipes, everything welded instead of clamped, and my choice of an exhaust tip.

I think I will go 2.25.

 

[AnabolicFrolic]

go for the 2.25"

On the system i had made i went with 2.5" pipe. There was a clear loss in low end "umph"
I think the better all around choice for sound and performance on the V6 power plants.

I think you also made a good choice in going with the 40 series (are u going with the delta or non-delta?)

BTW im suprised you havnt already done the exhaust system seeing as though your X is already pretty modded

 

[Alec]

Originally posted by Gonzo
What exactly do you mean by "sound better"? Do you mean deeper, less ricey?

exactly

 

[Hartman]

Yeah I definately don't want a ricey sound.

 

[Gonzo]

Right now I have the magnaflow w/resonator and 2.5" pipe, and it sounds exactly like rice. I am going to get a flowmaster. Will the 2.25" pipe really help that much?

 

[Hartman]

I'm sorry to hear that Gonzo. From what I've heard and what Alec says, a 2.25 will cut down on the ricey sound.

Also remember that a muffler will sound a tad ricey when it's new and it'll get throatier as time goes on. Just keep that in mind.

 

[Mbrooks420]

The best senario is no exhaust system but that isnt exactly legal and its really noisy.

I've drove things with no exhaust and they have absolutely no power. An exhaust isn't just a big length of pipe with a muffler. They need to be designed for noise, power, economy and reliability. And no exhaust system will kill your motor in short order.
Hartman, I hope you get the sound you want. Keep us posted. I've been wondering how much longer mine is going to last. It apears solid but I'm just about due for a repair. $200 doesn't sound bad for a fully welded system, and definately worth not getting a clamp together.

 

[AR123]

Another thing to think about - Are they going to mandrel bend the pipe? If not, that 2 1/4 will be more like 2 where they bend it. Which would make me lean more towards the 2 1/2 which would flow like the 2 1/4 from all of the bends they will put in it going over the axle. Just my 2 cents.