X-Pipe or H-Pipe: Never understood why people are swapping?

[xsiveone]

I don't think I ever understood the reasoning behind dumping the stock H-Pipe for an X-Pipe. Can someone please enlighten me?

Also.. I'm hearing different opinions on which is louder. Someone swapped just the H-Pipe for an X-Pipe and their car was noticeably louder, yet some say that by going to an X-Pipe, it quiets down the car. Which is it? Does it make more engine noise with the X-Pipe, but less popping? Is that the noise that people are referring to quieting down is the popping?

X

[gasboy]

putting on an x pipe gets rid of the jingling(loose change)noise in the exhaust system.my car got a little louder with the x pipe,but i put lg's on at the same time.

[Package]

IMO, an X-pipe (Magnaflow in my case) calmed/smoothed my exhaust down a tad and it flows better than the stock H-pipe. The stock H has extremely small holes in the cross section, at least that is what I noticed when I took off the H for the X. My Z still pops when slowing but I have the Bassani cat back and StainlessWorks LT headers.

[exSSer]

I think it's because most of the aftermarket systems available have the X pipe configuration, so when we swap out our exhaust systems, we have no choice. I personally think the X isn't much quieter, but it makes the tone a bit higher pitched. BTW, mine still pops, alot more actually.

[PowerPro01]

X-pipe intermediates, according to certain dyno tests, seem to aid torque. Noise changes are a by-product, as the exhaust pulses are altered over those of an H-pipe system. As "power" increases, so does the X-pipe's benefits. Many NASCAR (sorry... Nextell) CupCars are now using variations of X- and 180-design systems to enhance torque and/or finetune power curves. Every little bit helps...

[RocketSled]

Originally Posted by xsiveone

I don't think I ever understood the reasoning behind dumping the stock H-Pipe for an X-Pipe. Can someone please enlighten me?

As stated above, most Corvette owners swap the H-Pipe out to eliminate the exhaust jingle. That "jingle" is actually a resonance caused as exhaust pulses cross over the narrow opening in the OEM H-Pipe.

IMO (and others, as well) GM did a piss poor job of this component of the Corvette exhaust. Aside from the fact that the H-Pipe resonates and causes an audible ringing sound, the size of the apeture in the crossover is so small (about 1/2 inch) that it arguably does nothing at all to benefit exhaust flow.

Swapping out the H-Pipe for a real X-Pipe does a few things. First, it eliminates the structural feature that causes the bell-like jingle common to the H-Pipe. Second, it benefits exhaust flow since the crossover is now the full diameter of the exhaust pipe. Exhaust pulses now split fairly evenly when they hit the crossover, making the after-crossover exhaust diameter effectively double the diameter of the OEM setup.

In addition to all this, an X-Pipe provides benefits in reducing backfiring (but for what reason, I have no idea). X-Pipes also alter the exhaust tone (eliminating some of the "bark") and generally quiet the exaust down.

I have a Bassani on my Z. I've been very happy with it. Easy install, though you do need to cut the OEM exhaust just after the Cats.

[xsiveone]

Thanks for the explanation guys! I knew about the jingle, but I didn't know the reasoning behind the performance. I also didn't know about the noise differences.

X

[PowerPro01]

Originally Posted by RocketSled

the bell-like jingle

Does Santa know about THIS?

[xsiveone]

Does Santa know about THIS?

X

[Kens06]

And just which of your Corvettes are showing the jingle and you are looking to modify Mr X??

Ken

[BIG LAW MAN]

I could have cared less at the time about the power gain or loss or the sound change. I slapped the X on to get rid of that gawd awful jingle jangle.

[DKTZ06]

The X-pipe also seems to change the exhaust note at idle. The exhaust jingle does not bother me so much as the fact that the car sounds like a boat when it's idling. The x-pipe'd cars, that I've seen and heard, have a much more appealing idle rumble.

-Don

[DJWorm]

In fact the stock H Pipe has a 3/8" - 1/2" baffle in it....even though it is a 2 1/2" pipe the opening is that small! It's really not an H pipe at all but a sound dampening device.

X Pipes and true H pipes will add some HP and Tx but small and will make the sound more pleasant IMHO.

One should note that X Pipes and H pipes have to be properly engineered and placement is critical. Sometimes space is a limniting factor.

Ideally the X or H should be placed at the point after the collectors or CATs where the exhaust cools. This is determined by using temp paint or tape that is 50-100 degrees below the Cat or collector exit temp.

The tape or paint will be discolored or burnt off back to some point.
The point at where the tape or paint is unaffected is the point of positioning of the H or X pipe.

Dr. Gas has some good explanations and info.

www.drgas.com

[xsiveone]

Thanks guys! I learned everything I wanted and more from this thread.



BTW.. I think I like the X-Pipe better just because of the name. It has a nice ring to it (no pun intended).

X

[BLK2002]

I have an 02 Z that had a terrible exhaust jingle. It was downright embarrassing to drive the car in gear in the parking garage where I work. Took it to the dealer 3 times. The first two times the dealer said that "they could not replicate the sound." the third time I took it I went for a drive with the service manager. He acknowledged the sound, but said it was "normal" and that nothing was loose or broken.

After looking at this forum, I ordered and installed the Corsa X-pipe. I did this in my garage ... took about an hour. I had to cut the existing exhaust (using a $24 chain cutter). I am very happy with the results. My car's jingle is GONE !!! Also, the car seems to run smoother, both on accels and decels. There is no noticable difference in power though.

Needless to say, the exhaust jingle is an embarrassment. GM is handling this issue poorly. Some dealers (like mine) simply don't care if you are satisfied with your car or not. This is very annoying to me, especially since I have bought the GM flagship car.

I strongly suggest that anyone with the exhaust jingle, throw on an x-pipe. You will be very happy.