Anyone build their own X pipe?

Fredfox · 04-02-2011, 09:06 AM

Doing extensive work,
New Steering rack,
Brakes and master cyl, fluid changeout,
AC Compressor,
Paint touch up and polish,
Motor mounts, hopefully no more hot air in the console,
RMB and removing cats, now registered historic, This is why I want to custom build an X pipe, I have all the equipment to do it.

Are the pipes open to each other on an X pipe? It looks like they are from all the pictures and I don't see why not.
I am looking for that nice muscle car sound, I plan on running just the resonators.

Mrmerlin · 04-02-2011, 12:54 PM

if you want an X pipe they are sold by Motorsport in UTAH they make em.
Roger also sells them.
NOTE making one will in most cases not result in the max power that can be gotten from your engine

Danglerb · 04-03-2011, 02:04 AM

Many hot rod places source just an X in various pipe sizes, but don't expect it to sound or work as well as one designed for a 928.

Fredfox · 04-03-2011, 02:56 AM

I will take pictures when I am done, If they can build it I can build it.

fb111 · 04-03-2011, 05:08 AM

They weren't just built. Placement, tube size, merged area and dyno time all went into determining design and increased performance.

Mrmerlin · 04-03-2011, 07:23 AM

Ahh Fred I will tell you again,
if you want an X pipe then buy one from Motorsport in Utah,

I worked there when these pipes were being developed and then finally MFG`d.
it took many months of cutting and fitting and trips to the dyno to finally come up with the pipe assembly that made the most power.
I can garuantee you they anything you make isnt going to come close to the X unless you copy it

EIPtuningR32 · EIPtuningR32's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fredfox

I will take pictures when I am done, If they can build it I can build it.

i like this guys mentality.

Normy · 04-03-2011, 04:22 PM

So how does this work? Enlighten me-

If you simply make the two exhaust pipes from your headers mounted to your EVEN FIRING V8 ENGINE collide with each other, then your engine will some how make 30 more horsepower? For some reason, I don't think it works that way. I suspect these tubes need to be built to a very specific shape. The volume of the pipe at each section is probably a factor, the size of the "hole", the distance of the hole from the exhaust port, the sizes of the pipe and the angle of the bend after the X are all probably factors.

-Have you seen those "tuned pipes" that they use on dirt bikes? Right after the exhaust, the pipe gets very wide; this is what is known as a resonance chamber. The burning gas comes out of the port under pressure, expands into the wide part of the chamber...and then bounces back. After the port closes, a reflected "wave" hits the closed exhaust port, then bounces off. This bouncing off causes a low pressure area, which happens to occur when the exhaust port is opening again. This tends to suck the exhaust out of the dirt bike engine. This fat pipe is VERY CAREFULLY designed! A tiny change of size or volume changes the perfect RPM or even negates this effect. This same thing works on the intake valve: Variable intakes take advantage and actually modify this "wave" effect to slightly supercharge naturally aspirated engines.

What all that means is that NO, you can't just bend two pipes together and expect it to work as well as a Louis Ott X-pipe! There are several pipes available now [I have the Ott], all fit in place of the cats and ALL work well, but ALL were products of LOTS of research and dyno time.

N!

Danglerb · 04-03-2011, 10:41 PM

Nice basic article, Header - Exhaust Manifold - Tech - Jack Burns - Popular Hot Rodding

MattGram · MattGram's Garage

2.5" stainless steel custom mandrel bent elbows and tubes from Mandrel Exhaust Systems, X pipe from Summit, sst ball and socket connectors from Jegs, flanges from Burn's Stainless

Fredfox · 04-04-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattGram

2.5" stainless steel custom mandrel bent elbows and tubes from Mandrel Exhaust Systems, X pipe from Summit, sst ball and socket connectors from Jegs, flanges from Burn's Stainless

wheres the cats?

JK.
I am putting this project on hold as work has demanded a road trip.

Fredfox · 04-04-2011, 02:40 PM

Oh yea,
Checked locknut on flex plate shaft, has not gained or backed off, didn't move when loosened up.

MattGram · MattGram's Garage

The cats...the P.O. removed them and installed an H pipe. He gave me the old cats as well, so I have all the exhaust factory pieces. This took me a while to do considering I had to line everything up, mark it, cut, tack, test fit, adjust, test fit, weld, then on to the next piece. If you decide to do this, take your time and try not to rush it, expect to be frustrated! I'm a welder by trade so that was the easiest part.