The Hooker Aerochamber mufflers sounded amazing in my 88 Cutlass with headers, compact X pipe and 2.5" duals with a mild Olds 350. The same system in my 70 is much more droning and just doesn't sound as good.
Picking exhaust
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how did the 3 inch tail pipe fit going over the rear end="454GrandPrix, post: 586294, member: 24409"]There are many factors in choosing an exhaust system. Others have already shared some technical information, and those are definitely things to consider. Still, at the end of the day we each make our decisions and we live with them.
When I built my GP, I chose a Pypes dual 3" header-back Race Pro system with x-pipe (part number SGG13R). I got it on sale for $475, though I see they now go for $545. Even for that higher price, I think that's a really good value. I had my muffler guy weld it together for me, and the result looks great.
I did have him deviate from the kit in one way: Pypes designs it for tailpipes to poke straight out the back like a Monte SS, but I had my guy modify the tailpipes to aim slightly downward right behind the rear tires like a GN.
Overall, I am very pleased with this system. My only complaint, if anything, is I wish it were a bit louder. Pypes makes three different mufflers for this kit (all for the same price), and there are times when I wonder if I might have been happier with the Violator design (which Pypes says is louder but also more restrictive). Oh, well, I chose the high-flow Race Pros and I'm living with them. 😉
FYI
My 3" exhaust is mandrel bent 2.5" over the axles. 3" would need some ovalizing to avoid banging noises on a properly lowered car. The exhaust cools as it travels back and gets smaller. Dual 3" would probably support 1000 hp.
Well I'm going to agree, 3" is too big but it's your car, build it how you want. I was truthfull with myself when I built mine and knew I wouldn't need any bigger than 2.5". I had a homemade, cobbed together 2.5" system, which sounded good, but looked horrible. It had SS exit style pipes which I grew to hate. I just don't like how you can see the whole pipe from the side. I wanted the GN style exits. After much research and what was available at the time, mind you this was over 10 years ago, I bought a complete Flowmaster cat back kit for a Buick GN. Its only 2.25", but mandrel bent. I'm only making around 320hp, so no powerhouse. I LOVE the system. One of my big issues previouls was a low hanging exhaust and it catching when pulling into driveways, parking lots, etc. This tucks up very tight to the floor on my extremely lowered car and hasn't hit anything once in over 10 years. I did have to fabricate the pipes from my system, back to the Flowmaster pipes but it wasn't too hard.
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I spoke with Dick Miller when I was build my 1969 Toro 455 (425 hp 503 ft tq). He said a 2" exhaust would flow more than enough for my 455. I went with the Flow Master 2.5" X pipes with Dick Miller polished exhaust manifolds. Just got the motor and transmission in and have not started it yet.
3" X pipe on mine. Modified like 454grandprix above to point out in the BOP style. Out the back is annoying and doesnt look right, see a ton of the pipe, and you can't run a trailer hitch (lame) lol.
Tight between upper control arms and springs but otherwise fine.
ss396.com offeres 25% often on pypes exhaust, got it for $420ish.
I have a lq4 with a blower shooting for 550 wheel so I had to go with 3".
Good example of whats its worth.
TLDR: HP on a 3" almost as good as open exhaust and is worth +15hp/tq at 600hp over 2.5" exhaust.
Tight between upper control arms and springs but otherwise fine.
ss396.com offeres 25% often on pypes exhaust, got it for $420ish.
I have a lq4 with a blower shooting for 550 wheel so I had to go with 3".
Good example of whats its worth.
TLDR: HP on a 3" almost as good as open exhaust and is worth +15hp/tq at 600hp over 2.5" exhaust.
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