What would be the right diameter of tubing to get for true duals, and running 400+ horse? I was thinkin about 2.5, because people told me that 3 would be excessive. What do you all think?

Nate

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1988 Camaro Sport Coupe

• Custom Interior
• K&N Air Filter
• Shift Improver Kit

Homepage: www.rsdragster.cz28.comp

 

You should stick with the 2.5" pipes.This is all based on my memory (what was I saying?) To find the area of a cirle is
pî x radius squared = area.

To figure a pipe you first have to subtract the thickness of the metal because pipe is measured o.d. That is about 1/16". Then you gotta multiply it by 2 because there are two sides (to every story). That means subtracting 1/8" from the diameter. That's 2.375" or 2 3/8" i.d. The radius is then 1.1875", squared is 1.41". Then times pî (3.14159...) is approx. 4.43 square inches. Times two pipes is 8.86 square inches.

If you do that same formula with 3" pipes then you get 6.49 square inches per pipe! That's a lot!!! Then times two pipes is 12.98 square inches. That would be way too much. OK, I guess, if you were pumping water. 3" pipe would be good if you were using a single pipe. Actually if you figure 2 1/4" pipe,which everyone uses for duals, a single 3" gives you almost the same area. About a 1/2 square inch less. That's why Flowmaster and SLP, etc. sell 3" pipes for our cars. That way you get the best of both worlds.

I ain't trying to tell you to go single pipe. I myself wanna go with duals with a crossover pipe. I am just worried about the ground clearance.

 

Would a single 3" fit fine without any ground clearance problems? I don't wanna be hitting it going over speed bumps or anything.

 

I have a 3 inch single pipe under my 91 Z28, and haven't had a single problem with ground clearance. The single pipe with a flowmaster muffler is plenty.
I wouldn't recommend the dual 3 inch pipes because you will have MAJOR ground clearance problems with those.

 

Really the best thing to do is get in touch w/ one of the companys and ask them. Tell them your combo and also what you plan on doing in the future. You can contact any of them online, like Flowmaster, Dynomax, Hooker, SLP, etc. or call them. I called Dynomax and and they asked me all the stuff I have done, and what I am gonna do. I just bought the $150, 2 1/2" single system for now just because the stock system was shot. Any company will be happy to help you, that way they get the business.