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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: bigjayfromwa on January 01, 2009, 11:52:26 pm

Title: Exhaust: 2 1/2in dual or 2 1/4 dual crossover exhaust? or balancing pipe
Post by: bigjayfromwa on January 01, 2009, 11:52:26 pm
I use the truck for hauling, towing and fourwheeling?  So i want the low end power performance.

The truck is a 76 3/4ton 4x4 auto and the engine is a mild 383 stroker.  and i also run custom headers.

I've read over some posts on here and never would have even thought about crossover (or using a balancing pipe) before. 

Thank you for any information you have!
Title: Re: Exhaust: 2 1/2in dual or 2 1/4 dual crossover exhaust? or balancing pipe
Post by: Thermal Izod on January 02, 2009, 01:21:46 am
I suggest that anyone with a complete exhaust run a balance tube after I ran with and without one, it's hands down.  They work.  They sound better too...As far as pipe size, common practice is to use the same diameter as the rest of your system...either 2.25" or 2.5" would be plenty for your application. 

Here is an article explaining the basic principles behind the crossover/balance pipe:
http://www.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/asp/pht/pht20011101xp.asp

My recent experience:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=10286.0
Title: Re: Exhaust: 2 1/2in dual or 2 1/4 dual crossover exhaust? or balancing pipe
Post by: oldwhity on January 02, 2009, 06:25:59 am
Hey Big, I honestly feel that an H-pipe, 2.25 or 2.5 inch pipe won't make enough difference to feel. You'll hear it more than you feel it. I used to run a 95 T/A and a 98 Vette at the track and if I gained 1 or 2 tenths from an exhaust change I was lucky. If you've ever been to a 1/4 mile or 1/8 mile track, you know that some cars sound faster then they really are. It was not enough to justify the money I had spent.
My truck has 2.5 with no H-pipe and I did that just because I wanted to hear it. Just my 2 cents
Title: Re: Exhaust: 2 1/2in dual or 2 1/4 dual crossover exhaust? or balancing pipe
Post by: VileZambonie on January 02, 2009, 08:07:14 am
H-pipes take up less space and are easy enough to install and well worth it. An X-pipe is better but takes up more space and costs more $. So at the very least install an H-pipe. that's my $.04
Title: Re: Exhaust: 2 1/2in dual or 2 1/4 dual crossover exhaust? or balancing pipe
Post by: Blue 82 on January 03, 2009, 07:19:03 am
A 2.25" mandrel bent setup will probably flow better than a local exhaust shops 2.5" system.
Summit sells a mandrel bent 2.25" kit
I installed one about 10 years ago with an "H" pipe kit

It gave the truck a whole different sound
and I picked up some low/mid grunt for towing.