Is our X-Pipe in the wrong location?

avalonandl · 07-29-2018, 08:59 AM

Background: I had a 2005 GTO which I installed an x pipe on in place of a resonator (near the back of the transmission) and then put Magnaflows on where the the OEM mufflers were. All other OEM piping was left in place.

It had a very exotic sound, a higher note that really screamed at high rpms. Had a touch of drone at 2300-2400. I loved the sound, many others found it like the V8 Ferraris and Maserati's.

Fast forward I have an SS. Getting the itch to head/cam it. When I look at the pics our X pipe is WAAY back in the system. My engine gurus say you want the x-pipe closer to the cylinder banks to even out the pulses for better scavenging.
I agree, makes sense. There is NO way I am putting headers on my car. Our C6 actually has a dam good exhaust manifold tri-y....

Has anyone moved their x-pipe forward?

6spdhyperblue · 07-29-2018, 10:35 AM

C6s dont have tri y manifolds

Vtor_ZL1 · 07-29-2018, 10:40 AM

Engineers > bench racers.

TJay74 · 07-29-2018, 12:10 PM

Yes, the 6th gen X-pipe is in the wrong place. When I put on the full ARH catless headers I ended up with 2 x-pipes as ARH didnt realize GM put the x-pipe at the rear.

Vtor_ZL1 · 07-29-2018, 01:23 PM

Did you dyno before and after to reach that conclusion ?

ULTRAZLS1 · 07-29-2018, 01:39 PM

I’ve read that it’s better closer to the headers typically

But then again GM put it near the rear for a reason. And they know what that engine likes and have more hours into testing than any exhaust company out there

A quality same day dyno test would be interesting. The difference is probably minor

Oh and some of the corvette systems feature two x pipes as well. Thought that was interesting

JeromeS13 · 07-29-2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJay74

Yes, the 6th gen X-pipe is in the wrong place. When I put on the full ARH catless headers I ended up with 2 x-pipes as ARH didnt realize GM put the x-pipe at the rear.

I'm not exactly sure that they "didn't realize it"... I mean, in order to design their unit, they had to remove the stock exhaust from the car...

Gunmetalmissle · 07-29-2018, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicul15

C6s dont have tri y manifolds

Seems they do.

http://www.superchevy.com/features/1...-is-best-ever/

6spdhyperblue · 07-29-2018, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunmetalmissle

Seems they do.

http://www.superchevy.com/features/1...-is-best-ever/

C6 is a corvette

If you want, Ca6 is a Camaro.

avalonandl · 07-29-2018, 07:06 PM

Nitpick all you want, we have the best oem manifolds.
In our Ca6.....

Getting back to my original question has anyone moved their x pipe and what did it sound like.....

glenB · 07-29-2018, 07:24 PM

Per Dr. Gas, the originator of the X pipes states that the X is to be mounted as far forward as possible. Most factory systems are more a compromise for fitment than 'knowing what they're doing'. One of the other things that supports that is because the current vehicle is fuel injected. X pipes, H pipes and the merge cone work move effective on a carburated engine, think of it as an exhaust plenum chamber.

When placed properly and sized for the engine output it will increase HP due to its scavenging effects. Just like doing a 4-7 swap, changing duration between cam lobes based on intake manifold runner length, a proper X design can change the cam requirements.

When done right the X can and will change the exhaust note to a higher pitch at WOT @ 4k RPM and higher. Back when the #4 Kodak Lumina driven by Erie Irvan first appeared at Daytona, you knew when he was coming and the sound grabbed your attention the first time you heard it.

In OEM use, it does change the sound a bit, especially Vs an H pipe, but it is poorly placed to be effectively useful for additional HP. The general census is even a poorly played X pipe is still better than none.

ULTRAZLS1 · 07-29-2018, 07:33 PM

Looking under the car I see no reason why they couldn’t have easily had it more forward. If it showed a measurable power gain I would think gm would have done it

But who knows I’d like to see a good dyno test

ramairroughneck · 07-31-2018, 09:49 AM

GM also crushed the pipes in front of the muffler and varied the diameter of the pipes throughout the system. It’s tough for me to accept thats what the engine likes. Other things, clearly not performance related, are at play here.

51FIFFT · 07-31-2018, 11:10 AM

The crushed pipes don't affect it.

07-29-2018, 08:59 AM	#1
avalonandl Drives: 2019 ZL-1 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Troy, MI & Naples, FL Posts: 2,018	Is our X-Pipe in the wrong location? Background: I had a 2005 GTO which I installed an x pipe on in place of a resonator (near the back of the transmission) and then put Magnaflows on where the the OEM mufflers were. All other OEM piping was left in place. It had a very exotic sound, a higher note that really screamed at high rpms. Had a touch of drone at 2300-2400. I loved the sound, many others found it like the V8 Ferraris and Maserati's. Fast forward I have an SS. Getting the itch to head/cam it. When I look at the pics our X pipe is WAAY back in the system. My engine gurus say you want the x-pipe closer to the cylinder banks to even out the pulses for better scavenging. I agree, makes sense. There is NO way I am putting headers on my car. Our C6 actually has a dam good exhaust manifold tri-y.... Has anyone moved their x-pipe forward? __________________ 2019 ZL-1 Acquired 4/23/21 at 6300 miles. Riverside Blue, A10, PDR. Traded in 2017 2SS with 6M and 32k miles. Continental Extreme Contact Sports. Now has 10,000 miles... 2012 Yukon XL Denali w/ 6.2 AWD

07-29-2018, 10:35 AM	#2
6spdhyperblue Drives: 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: US Posts: 3,794	C6s dont have tri y manifolds __________________

07-29-2018, 10:40 AM	#3
Vtor_ZL1 Who Needs to KNOW? Drives: 18 ZLE Join Date: May 2018 Location: Left Side of the Moon Posts: 1,856	Engineers > bench racers. __________________ ing for grip. Are you in the NY/NJ/PA/CT region? Join us for autox fun at MetLife Stadium. HUGE lots, tons of runs. http://www.motorsportsne.com/

07-29-2018, 01:23 PM	#5
Vtor_ZL1 Who Needs to KNOW? Drives: 18 ZLE Join Date: May 2018 Location: Left Side of the Moon Posts: 1,856	Did you dyno before and after to reach that conclusion ? __________________ ing for grip. Are you in the NY/NJ/PA/CT region? Join us for autox fun at MetLife Stadium. HUGE lots, tons of runs. http://www.motorsportsne.com/

07-29-2018, 07:06 PM	#10
avalonandl Drives: 2019 ZL-1 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Troy, MI & Naples, FL Posts: 2,018	Nitpick all you want, we have the best oem manifolds. In our Ca6..... Getting back to my original question has anyone moved their x pipe and what did it sound like..... __________________ 2019 ZL-1 Acquired 4/23/21 at 6300 miles. Riverside Blue, A10, PDR. Traded in 2017 2SS with 6M and 32k miles. Continental Extreme Contact Sports. Now has 10,000 miles... 2012 Yukon XL Denali w/ 6.2 AWD

07-29-2018, 12:10 PM	#4
TJay74 Drives: 17 Camaro SS 1LE & 16 Sierra AT CC Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 2,424	Yes, the 6th gen X-pipe is in the wrong place. When I put on the full ARH catless headers I ended up with 2 x-pipes as ARH didnt realize GM put the x-pipe at the rear. __________________ 2019 Corvette Z06 2LZ A8 - Halltech CAI, AWE non-catted X-pipe, Mamo V2 ported TB 592rwhp, bone stock 566rwhp 2017 Camaro SS 1LE - Procharger D1SC w/ Tial 2" BOV & Race intercooler / ARH full length catless headers / Alky meth injection system - 650rwhp on conservative tune SOLD

07-29-2018, 01:39 PM	#6
ULTRAZLS1 Drives: 14 Silverado LTZ Z71, 16 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Jackson, Michigan Posts: 4,428	I’ve read that it’s better closer to the headers typically But then again GM put it near the rear for a reason. And they know what that engine likes and have more hours into testing than any exhaust company out there A quality same day dyno test would be interesting. The difference is probably minor Oh and some of the corvette systems feature two x pipes as well. Thought that was interesting

07-29-2018, 07:24 PM	#11
glenB Drives: Chevrolet Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 721	Per Dr. Gas, the originator of the X pipes states that the X is to be mounted as far forward as possible. Most factory systems are more a compromise for fitment than 'knowing what they're doing'. One of the other things that supports that is because the current vehicle is fuel injected. X pipes, H pipes and the merge cone work move effective on a carburated engine, think of it as an exhaust plenum chamber. When placed properly and sized for the engine output it will increase HP due to its scavenging effects. Just like doing a 4-7 swap, changing duration between cam lobes based on intake manifold runner length, a proper X design can change the cam requirements. When done right the X can and will change the exhaust note to a higher pitch at WOT @ 4k RPM and higher. Back when the #4 Kodak Lumina driven by Erie Irvan first appeared at Daytona, you knew when he was coming and the sound grabbed your attention the first time you heard it. In OEM use, it does change the sound a bit, especially Vs an H pipe, but it is poorly placed to be effectively useful for additional HP. The general census is even a poorly played X pipe is still better than none.

07-29-2018, 07:33 PM	#12
ULTRAZLS1 Drives: 14 Silverado LTZ Z71, 16 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Jackson, Michigan Posts: 4,428	Looking under the car I see no reason why they couldn’t have easily had it more forward. If it showed a measurable power gain I would think gm would have done it But who knows I’d like to see a good dyno test

07-31-2018, 09:49 AM	#13
ramairroughneck Drives: 2018 Camaro SS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 247	GM also crushed the pipes in front of the muffler and varied the diameter of the pipes throughout the system. It’s tough for me to accept thats what the engine likes. Other things, clearly not performance related, are at play here.

07-31-2018, 11:10 AM	#14
51FIFFT Drives: 2017 2SS M6 FIFTY @51fifft Join Date: May 2017 Location: California, Woodland Posts: 187	The crushed pipes don't affect it. __________________

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