Most of you have heard the sound of my exhaust. Though it's no perfect setup, it does get attention. With 14" Magnaflow mufflers, I didn't expect the exhaust to be as quiet as a mouse (by no means). When I had it installed, I wanted a stout "growl", but over time, I've noticed exhaust drone resonating loud enough to vibrate the walls of my house. That may be great for Midnight Madness, but it's not so forgiving b/t 5am & 6am.

I ordered 24" 5x8" M-flows to replace the 14" M-flows. I had hoped they'd be in before the weekend, but for some reason, it's taking more than 4 business days to come from Webster, TX (Southeast Houston near NASA, off of I-45). In any case, I got the "h-pipe" removed & welded the holes (will be an easier r&r IN CASE i have to pull the trans again ). I also had a new bung welded downstream of the B1 NBO2 sensor. The LC-1 will be installed sometime this weekend. After all this was done, the exhaust seemed to sound flat & sloppy... Not that it was perfect to begin with, but I noticed this is embarassing. I had been hearing theories from all over that the LS-based engines did not need the "h" nor "x" pipe setups, but I still assumed it would better balance exhaust output across both banks.

My question is, what's fact and what's fiction about better exhaust setup, sound, and performance? Lets get a good discussion, so post up!

 

You are alot better off using an X pipe or at least an H pipe . Even both pipes into one is better than two separated pipes. Your engine will run better and sound better. Post up a picture of your exhaust. Or tell more about it , tailpipes yes/no, Tips, dumps, etc.

 

Prior to yesterday, it was a dual exhaust with h-pipe setup with two mufflers dumped before the rear axle. It was loud b/c of their 14" in size, but the sound was crisp. Yesterday, I had the h-pipe removed (number of local shop recommendations) b/c it made it MORE TEDIOUS to r&r the transmission (angled r&r instead of str8 up & down). The shop started the engine, and now I notice more of a flat, sloppy sound. At WOT, it sounds GREAT as usual, but startup and idle are different... kinda like you exhaling with your mouth lazily closed, and your lips make a lazy fart sound (sorry... best way I could describe it). I'll try to get an audio/video clip of it when I get back home (Honda's getting an oil change right now).

 

I whole-heartedly agree with CurtD that it'll sound better with either the X or H pipe than separate pipes...and run better.

 

I have an h-pipe on my 78 and removing the tranny sucks.....i have mine 2.5'' header to mufflers and 3'' from the mufflers back with the pipes ran to where the spare tire use to be and i like it because you can't see it....it was dumped before the axle when i got the truck sounds much better now

 

damnit... now I may have to find a new spot to install a new one.

 

Have them make the front section removable with an X And you'll be ready for the next trans r/r.

 

I'm lazy... don't even want to remove exhaust. I'll look at the install sometime soon to see what I can do.

 

I took the same muffler off my truck and put the same muffler you ordered on my truck. I have stock manifolds no cats and a single 3 inch out the back. The 24 is SOSOSOSOSOS much quieter. You will not believe it.

 

I don't know what you're looking for, but the way mine is setup is Pacesetter LT's into an 3" ORY, into a single (3in/3out) flowmaster Super40 with a turndown. Its not quiet at idle, but if you're easy on the throttle, its not that bad (atleast no neighbors complained yet).

It has a nice low rumble at low RPM and SCREAMS at WOT.