Any point in using an X or H pipe?

[challenger]

I changed the mufflers on my car but I am now looking at possibly changing a few other pipes as well. Is there a good reason to use an H or X pipe? When I stand behind the car when it is idling the new Dynomax mufflers sound nice BUT sound a little like a cabin cruiser with a V8. I wonder if an H pipe would make the exhaust sound smoother?

 

[Ironwolf]

I changed the mufflers on my car but I am now looking at possibly changing a few other pipes as well. Is there a good reason to use an H or X pipe? When I stand behind the car when it is idling the new Dynomax mufflers sound nice BUT sound a little like a cabin cruiser with a V8. I wonder if an H pipe would make the exhaust sound smoother?

I would guess it would depend on what and how much your smokin !!!!

 

[4spd300J]

I changed the mufflers on my car but I am now looking at possibly changing a few other pipes as well. Is there a good reason to use an H or X pipe? When I stand behind the car when it is idling the new Dynomax mufflers sound nice BUT sound a little like a cabin cruiser with a V8. I wonder if an H pipe would make the exhaust sound smoother?

I used the identical Dynomax mufflers on my Desoto 345 and Chrysler 413. I was able to use an X pipe on the Desoto but the floorboards on the Chrysler wouldn't allow it. I replicated the original H pipe on it. The Desoto sounds mellower and has much less resonation with the X pipe.

 

[tbm3fan]

When I went from single to dual exhaust on my Dodge with the Dynomax I had an H pipe put in as everything was new from manifolds to tailpipe.

 

[CBODY67]

I believe the main reason for the H-pipe is probably more of a sound-tuning situation, but the stated reason was for the two sides to "share" flow capacity. Ford used H-pipes back in the 1960s on almost all of their dual exhausts.

The X-pipe was a NASCAR innovation and "trick" that was revealed when a Grand National (series) car flipped during a race. THEN it caught the imagination of many people and was "on the radar" as an H-pipe replacement. On each exhaust pulse, it can be shared with either side of the system, so allegedly less flow restriction and greater power. How much greater in a stock system might be debatable.

On an old website dedicated to the Ford "Panther" cars, there was a link to a drag strip video of a Lincoln with an X-pipe. There was a note that when two X-pipes were used on the same car, the sound became much more high-pitched at WOT and high rpms, I believe. Seems like the original purveyor of the X-pipe was "Dr. Exhaust"?

Be sure to allow for some removal options should the driveshaft and/or u-joints need attention.

CBODY67

 

[65sporty]

Check this out, hope it helps with your decision.

 

[70bigblockdodge]

H I would not waste time on unless you are bored and a welder handy. X pipe is obvious how it works better, better than open headers, probably not. It will sound a little different at high RPMs

 

[bluefury361]

The X/H pipe will smooth out the cylinder pulses and provide a smoother flow and mellower sound. Performance will also benefit a little. Location is important. To determine the best place to locate the crossover, paint the exhaust pipes from the manifold back a few feet, run the engine and note where the paint no longer burns off the pipe.

 

[330dTA]

1) Yes, you would gain HP and get quieter sound with an X-pipe, and
2) No, you can't fit an X-pipe to a '69 300. The torsion bar cross member architecture prevents it. Plain and simple.

The exhaust pipe holes in the crossmember are too far outboard on a C-body; they force the pipes too far apart exactly where the X-connection should be for it to have any effect. That is why TTI does not make them for our cars.

On B and E-bodies the cross member is different, there it's possible to route the exhaust pipes next to the transmission pan, and put the X-connection immediately behind the tranny. If it's further back, where it would end up in a C-body, the gases would be cooler, robbing the X-pipe nearly all of its effect.

 

[cantflip]

I changed the mufflers on my car but I am now looking at possibly changing a few other pipes as well. Is there a good reason to use an H or X pipe? When I stand behind the car when it is idling the new Dynomax mufflers sound nice BUT sound a little like a cabin cruiser with a V8. I wonder if an H pipe would make the exhaust sound smoother?

That would be alot of useless work, but may change the sound enough for you to care. From inside the car, at speed, I would argue it wouldn't be enough to offset the effort involved.

If you have too much $$$ in your pocket, go for it. Otherwise, the gains you may get won't be worth the cash. Even when tuning for sound, which is all you'd be doing.

I like all of the replies to this.

 

[Yatzee]

I changed the mufflers on my car but I am now looking at possibly changing a few other pipes as well. Is there a good reason to use an H or X pipe? When I stand behind the car when it is idling the new Dynomax mufflers sound nice BUT sound a little like a cabin cruiser with a V8. I wonder if an H pipe would make the exhaust sound smoother?

I was really surprised when I read the comments on this forum regarding exhaust resonance and never knew people addressed it this way. You need to read a page or two of the members entries to see how far out this idea is but how well it works. From great minds come great ideas:

Exhaust Drone is Completely Gone - Ford Mustang Forums : Corral.net Mustang Forum

 

[challenger]

It's been raining like mad here so I haven't been able to take the car for a ride with the Dynomax mufflers. There is no point for me to take a ride with the top up because I'll be using the car with the top down in all but emergencies. If I get a drone while riding down the highway I'll think about adding an H pipe. Otherwise I'll leave it alone. I doubt the sound at idle is going to irritate me enough to make me change it.
Thanks for all tthe great info.

 

[73Coupe]

It's been raining like mad here so I haven't been able to take the car for a ride with the Dynomax mufflers. There is no point for me to take a ride with the top up because I'll be using the car with the top down in all but emergencies. If I get a drone while riding down the highway I'll think about adding an H pipe. Otherwise I'll leave it alone. I doubt the sound at idle is going to irritate me enough to make me change it.
Thanks for all tthe great info.

Sounds like a smooth ride from here...

 

[challenger]

Classic.

 

[bluefury361]

There's really no difference between an X pipe and an H pipe. The X crossover will work better in a chose area. TTI offers an H pipe for C body's, I have one on my 69 300. The large factory style mufflers will best reduce the resonance normally heard in the 40-60 MPH range, especially in a convertible. Sound deadner under the carpet goes a long way to help also.

 

[bajajoaquin]

I changed the mufflers on my car but I am now looking at possibly changing a few other pipes as well. Is there a good reason to use an H or X pipe? When I stand behind the car when it is idling the new Dynomax mufflers sound nice BUT sound a little like a cabin cruiser with a V8. I wonder if an H pipe would make the exhaust sound smoother?

To go back to your original question, yes, an H pipe will likely make a difference in the issue you describe. Boats have independent exhaust systems and if you don't get them completely in synchronize you can get a harmonic drone out of them. Each "leg" of a dual system can do that too. Or at least my '68 Dart did. I put in an H pipe and the drone went away. Can't say there was any extra power or any quieter, but removed the drone.

 

[challenger]

A 68 dart hey?
I have one too. It's a gt convertible. Its completely apart. I totally stripped it after I got it about 12 years ago and had it media blasted and etch primed. I bought a ton of new parts for it such as all new interior, suspension, bumpers, top and Ihave ttwo 340 blocks AND a complete "kit" to build a 360 stroker.
It was a low miles car with column automatic and batch seats. My plan is (was?) to make it a resto modern build but I have my doubts about being able to amass the coin and motivation to do the job. In the mean time the uniform is sitting in my shop on a rolling dolly I built and the parts are in a storage unit. It would make a really awesome driver and I'd love to have it done so I could take it for a drive and smash my foot through the floor board.

 

[Big_John]

The large factory style mufflers will best reduce the resonance normally heard in the 40-60 MPH range, especially in a convertible.

What muffler did you use? I have that drone in my car and it really bothered me on the last Carlisle trip. We had to run with the top up because of the weather and the drone is worse.

I've kicked around a couple ideas, including a Hemholtz type resonator, which is basically a capped pipe that you weld on, but I can't see why I need to if I can just find a better muffler.

 

[bluefury361]

What muffler did you use?QUOTE]


I'm not sure of the brand but they are direct replacement aftermarket mufflers. Walker, I think. Dimensions are the same as OEM including inlet and outlet size and location.
Repop hemi mufflers will probably do the job.

 

[bajajoaquin]

A 68 dart hey?
I have one too. It's a gt convertible. Its completely apart. I totally stripped it after I got it about 12 years ago and had it media blasted and etch primed. I bought a ton of new parts for it such as all new interior, suspension, bumpers, top and Ihave ttwo 340 blocks AND a complete "kit" to build a 360 stroker.
It was a low miles car with column automatic and batch seats. My plan is (was?) to make it a resto modern build but I have my doubts about being able to amass the coin and motivation to do the job. In the mean time the uniform is sitting in my shop on a rolling dolly I built and the parts are in a storage unit. It would make a really awesome driver and I'd love to have it done so I could take it for a drive and smash my foot through the floor board.

Yep. Mine was a hardtop, also a GT. 318 car. It's crazy to me that now my Imperial is about half the price of a Dart in similar shape. Probably was in 1994, now that I think of it.