Going to have my exhaust redone on my 82 next week; I will be installing a later year transmission cross member - with the dual exhaust holes.

I have Hedman long headers and FlowMaster 40's, the engine is still stock for now, but whatever I do, I will be keeping the Crossfire injection setup.

My Question: Why should I install a crossover pipe (X-Pipe, H-Pipe etc.)?

I have heard that it will reduce the drone sound resonating inside the car, but I don't mind that at all. I have also heard that the cross pipe will enhance performance.
What's what here?
tHANKS!

I have flowmaster's on my 72, I had a poping at idle on one side and it would pop when I let off at highway speed. I had a cross over installed and all that went away plus I had a much smoother sound. Makes a real nice tone when you get into it but no real drone sound. Make sure they put it in the right place, to far forward wont help and to far back is not to good, mine is just past the rear of the transmission seems to work well.

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Click for larger view

There is a very slight performance gain from the crossover pipe, something to do with resonance from valve opening events. I personally prefer the sound (and ease of installation) of dual separate pipes...

Dave

Last year I had Hooker headers installed and a new exhaust system fabricated for my '81 at a performance shop.  The exhaust system is the x-pipe design and they located the "x" in the spot that the cat used to be in, which was nice because I didn't have to replace the crossmember. It fit perfectly and the sound is great, even with the stock mufflers (the next items due for replacement).  I didn't change the mufflers because I want to keep as much of a stock look as I can. When I asked about the x-pipe, the mechnic told me that it was the best design for performance.  I can send yo ua picture of the "x" if you want. roadbiker2008-08-22 09:31:30

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Check out Walker DynoMax welded mufflers, they look stock (mine don't, cause the pipes were modified) and sound good, quiet cruising, but badass when you stand on it, check it out here;

dwright2008-08-27 03:17:09

[QUOTE=Autom8r]Check out Walker DynoMax welded mufflers, they look stock (mine don't, cause the pipes were modified) and sound good, quiet cruising, but badass when you stand on it, check it out here;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8BmMD88tvo

Copy and paste the link into your browser, I can't get a hyperllink to work. Scuse the bad trans behavior, it has since been swapped out. The sound is 2-1/2" pipes & mufflers without the crossover pipe.

Dave[/QUOTE] Sounds great

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[QUOTE=Autom8r] Check out Walker DynoMax welded mufflers, they look stock (mine don't, cause the pipes were modified) and sound good, quiet cruising, but badass when you stand on it, check it out here;

DYNOMAX MUFFLERS

Copy and paste the link into your browser, I can't get a hyperllink to work. Scuse the bad trans behavior, it has since been swapped out. The sound is 2-1/2" pipes & mufflers without the crossover pipe.

Dave[/QUOTE]

Linkie repaired Tuxblacray2008-08-23 04:01:11

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Tuxblacray: She's Back In Black! Check out my pics @ My Link


(Click on image to see a bigger version)

Thanks for the advice all!

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Nice video and sound!
I am going with the "X" crossover! I took her into a small custom shop today for the work to be done and ready tomorrow. They are going to do a dyno after for me also. I'll post the pics and dyno results this week.
First time in 3 years I have been home and my Vette hasn't, don't think I'll sleep good tonight....
Thanks for the ideas and info, it helped me make up my mind!

When choosing between a H or X-pipe, it all comes down to sound. If you like the deep hot rodding sound at idle stay with an H pipe. If you like the raspy racey sound go with an X-pipe.

Magnaflow just used our 1980 as a "test mouse" to design a system for the 80-82 vettes.In exchange for them using the car  they put a complete system on our 80. It sounds Great!! I don't know if I'm allowed to post a link to pics of my system but you can find them in my Home page under Vette Miss Doug Mariani2008-08-27 14:13:32

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On "BIGBRRD" we put Heddman shorty headers, an X-pipe from Pypes, and Flowmaster Delta 50s.  Haven't had it on the road enough to know if it is going to be too loud inside but it has a nice low rumble at idle and barks pretty well when the long pedal is stomped on.  Also seems to have more low end grunt than before as it is awful easy to lite 'em up...!!! 

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Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

I have the Hedman headers with Flowmasters and the X-pipe just behind my transmission. The sound is great (loud). The perfomance is also great. However, with the X-pipe you will loose some sound as compared to straight pipes or H-pipe. But the advantage is the gain in horsepower. That is the reason for the X-pipe existence. Horsepower wise all tests that I have seen comparing the setups give the nod to the X-pipe. Before I put the X-pipe I ran straight pipes. Personally I would not go back to either of the other two setups. I do get some drone at times with low rpms. Therefore, I just try to keep my rpms at a higher level. I have the close ratio 4 speed with a 3:36 rear end. 

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