Exhausting Questions!!!!

[440plus6]

OK - for all you techs out there - here is the question:

Lets compare Hedman Shorty Headers to Full Length Headers to Schumachers.
To level the playing field, we will say all are HTC coated.

First off (on a mild RB motor) would going with a 3" exhuast have differnt effects on each choice, where is that worthwhile (ie would a 2.5" be the max for Schumachers)

The same questions goes for the X pipe vs. H pipe comparision.

My view is that the shorty headmans with an X pipe and complete 2.5" exhaust would offer the best all around performance, while eliminating the hassels of dealing with long tube headers?

Opinions anyone?

[dwc43]

It's a fact that shorties don't provide as much hp or tq over full lenght headers. They are not much better than manifolds and are mainly for retro fitting engines into hot rods with tight engine bays. The x pipe will help them, but they are not that great unless your trying to put a 360 into a Sapporo or something like that.

The long tube headers can be tuned for lenght, collector lenghts and sizes and tube sizes to produce power or torque in the rpm range that you need it in.

The X pipe is the best thing to use. It has always showed a big gain in torque in dyno runs and in all cases it has showed little gain to some big gains in hp as well. The H pipe needs to be made specific to the engine it will be run on. In some cases H pipes have shown a loss to no gain, to very little gain. I've never seen an H pipe run that would match the smallest gain with an X pipe. A good place for info on the X pipe is from the guys that made them so check out the tech info at www.drgas.com .

No one needs 3" pipes on any car unless your making well over 650 hp. Too big a pipe will cause a lose of low end tq. and of course too small a pipe will cost you top end hp as well.

[rumblefish360]

Also, pipe size should be sized to HP output and intended useage. (Like running RPM range)
The best all around performer, in general, would be street size primary pipes flowing into a 4 into one collector @ approx. 12 - 16 inchs.
Things vary by set up, so don't take this to the cross with you.
Your 440 - 6 set up might like a larger tube header (Not race) and a longer collector while still makeing use of 2-1/2 exhaust pipe. Weirder things can happen.