Exhaust Post your questions and suggestions about stock or aftermarket exhaust setups. Third Gen exhaust sound files and videos!

Hawks Stainless Works System

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-16-2019, 11:53 AM
  #1  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
 
BADMAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bellville,Texas
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 22 Posts
Car: 1985 Iroc-Z
Engine: 440LSX
Transmission: l460e
Axle/Gears: 3.55 Wavetrac
Hawks Stainless Works System

https://www.hawksmotorsports.com/hawks-82-92-camaro-firebird-lsx-conversion-stainless-complete-exhaust-system-2-primary-headers-3-y-pipe-3-1-2-exhaust/
Anyone ever use this setup for a LS/LSX conversion? Any idea what HP limit with the single tube outlet?
Old 01-16-2019, 12:07 PM
  #2  
Supporter/Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
ShiftyCapone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 13,210
Likes: 0
Received 375 Likes on 288 Posts
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

There are general rules of thumb but typically a single 3.5" exhaust should support N/A 350 to 450 rwhp. It would likely support more in a forced induction set-up.
Old 01-16-2019, 01:40 PM
  #3  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
 
BADMAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bellville,Texas
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 22 Posts
Car: 1985 Iroc-Z
Engine: 440LSX
Transmission: l460e
Axle/Gears: 3.55 Wavetrac
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

My setup should make around 700-715 FWHP. Based on your answer, not enough. Really didn't like single outlet anyway. Had to ask.
Old 01-16-2019, 01:56 PM
  #4  
Junior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
firebrdo88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Perrysburg, Ohio
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 400 sbc
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.50 35 Spline
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Indiana Muscle Car had this setup on his Procharged car and I believed it made close to 1000 rwhp on it. It was 975 or something like that.
Old 01-16-2019, 01:57 PM
  #5  
Supporter/Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
ShiftyCapone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 13,210
Likes: 0
Received 375 Likes on 288 Posts
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Originally Posted by BADMAN
My setup should make around 700-715 FWHP. Based on your answer, not enough. Really didn't like single outlet anyway. Had to ask.

A 4" single still won't be enough. You might get by though if your forced induction, as the exhaust is pressurized more. If I were you I would be looking into the 3" duals and the necessary fab work that will come with it.
Old 01-16-2019, 01:59 PM
  #6  
Junior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
firebrdo88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Perrysburg, Ohio
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 400 sbc
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.50 35 Spline
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

http://www.superchevy.com/features/g...tiac-firebird/ I am pretty sure he made more power after that.
Old 01-16-2019, 02:06 PM
  #7  
Supporter/Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
ShiftyCapone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 13,210
Likes: 0
Received 375 Likes on 288 Posts
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Originally Posted by firebrdo88
http://www.superchevy.com/features/g...tiac-firebird/ I am pretty sure he made more power after that.

He likely has cutouts when racing or content with leaving 200rwhp off the table.
Old 01-16-2019, 02:37 PM
  #8  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
GeneralDisorder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,255
Received 422 Likes on 323 Posts
Car: 86 Imponte Ruiner 450GT, 91 Formula
Engine: 350 Vortec, FIRST TPI, 325 RWHP
Transmission: 700R4 3000 stall.
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Torsen 3.70
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

We run 600 HP with forced induction through 3" single exhaust all the time. It's not a problem according to my dyno.

GD
Old 01-16-2019, 03:21 PM
  #9  
Junior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
firebrdo88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Perrysburg, Ohio
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 400 sbc
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.50 35 Spline
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Originally Posted by ShiftyCapone
He likely has cutouts when racing or content with leaving 200rwhp off the table.
I know for a fact he ran it through the muffler being it was raced in true street which requires mufflers.
Old 01-16-2019, 03:36 PM
  #10  
Supporter/Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
ShiftyCapone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 13,210
Likes: 0
Received 375 Likes on 288 Posts
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Originally Posted by firebrdo88
I know for a fact he ran it through the muffler being it was raced in true street which requires mufflers.
Interesting. I am sure he is leaving power on the table. Boosted cars can get away with a smaller exhaust due to the increase in scavenging and increased exhaust pressure.
Old 01-16-2019, 03:38 PM
  #11  
Supporter/Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
ShiftyCapone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 13,210
Likes: 0
Received 375 Likes on 288 Posts
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Originally Posted by GeneralDisorder
We run 600 HP with forced induction through 3" single exhaust all the time. It's not a problem according to my dyno.

GD

Also interesting. Did you ever dyno it with a larger exhaust to see if you were leaving power on the table? FWIW, For N/A setups Holley says their dual 2.5" blackheart set-up is suited for 450rwhp or less.
Old 01-16-2019, 04:10 PM
  #12  
Junior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
firebrdo88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Perrysburg, Ohio
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 400 sbc
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.50 35 Spline
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Originally Posted by ShiftyCapone
Also interesting. Did you ever dyno it with a larger exhaust to see if you were leaving power on the table? FWIW, For N/A setups Holley says their dual 2.5" blackheart set-up is suited for 450rwhp or less.
Sounds more like a muffler issue they are using more so than the exhaust size to me. I have seem better results with dual 2.5".
Old 01-16-2019, 04:19 PM
  #13  
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
 
GeneralDisorder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,255
Received 422 Likes on 323 Posts
Car: 86 Imponte Ruiner 450GT, 91 Formula
Engine: 350 Vortec, FIRST TPI, 325 RWHP
Transmission: 700R4 3000 stall.
Axle/Gears: 9 Bolt Torsen 3.70
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

In the sport compact world, pretty much everyone runs 3". Plenty of people running 800-1000 HP through 3" exhaust. The turbine inlet of the turbocharger is usually 3" or smaller. The engine is an air pump with typically smaller exhaust valves than intake valves so if a 3" inlet will make that much power, then you really are never going to use a 3" exhaust. Of course you have to have 3" straight through from the turbo all the way to the muffler. But we really don't run into exhaust restriction problems and virtually no one even makes anything larger than 3".

A 3" exhaust will make a LOT of power. Larger than 3" is really hard to work with also. 3" is about 30% more flow than 2.5". Also consider that the further you get from the engine as the gasses cool they condense. So 2.5" collectors feeding a 3" isn't a huge deal.

The largest we see on cars making well over 1000 wheel HP, is 3.5" transitioning to 4" at the muffler.....

GD
Old 01-17-2019, 01:25 AM
  #14  
COTM Editor

iTrader: (22)
 
QwkTrip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,904
Likes: 0
Received 1,855 Likes on 1,270 Posts
Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
Transmission: T56
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

I have that 3.5" exhaust system. Tailpipe is a turn down that is hidden behind the bumper.

My car makes 480 RWHP on a mustang dyno and that exhaust doesn't hold it back at all. The engine actually lost mid-range torque without the muffler, and lost even more mid-range torque with 3" dual open pipes that dumped behind the tranny. The best torque curve was full exhaust.

This spring I'll be dyno tuning a new naturally-aspirated combo that is proven to easily eclipse 600 RWHP with 3 inch dual exhaust. it's going to be easy to see how much the single 3.5 exhaust holds it back because I already know what the number should be.

Last edited by QwkTrip; 01-17-2019 at 01:35 AM.
Old 01-17-2019, 08:40 AM
  #15  
Supporter/Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
ShiftyCapone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 13,210
Likes: 0
Received 375 Likes on 288 Posts
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Well hell. Maybe I won't need the Mufflex 4" system after all. It is interesting to see the power guys make out of all different sizes of exhaust.
Old 01-17-2019, 09:37 AM
  #16  
Junior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
firebrdo88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Perrysburg, Ohio
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 400 sbc
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.50 35 Spline
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

I have a 400 sbc with 1.75" headers 3" Y pipe and 3.5" out the back with a SW Muffler. My car made close to 700rwhp on 175 shot through the muffler. I do have a cutout but never opened it on the dyno, but based on my track experience there isn't much difference. On a different motor previously but still 400 sbc with SLP shorty headers with 2.25" Y pipe to 3" exhaust it made 620rwhp with 150 shot through muffler. based on my experience you can go very far with smaller diameter pipe . Before I was just replying what I knew about that specific system vs I am sure my system is different especially header primary size. Here is a pic of my custom Y pipe for reference.

Last edited by firebrdo88; 01-17-2019 at 09:45 AM.
Old 01-17-2019, 10:18 AM
  #17  
Supporter/Moderator

iTrader: (7)
 
ShiftyCapone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 13,210
Likes: 0
Received 375 Likes on 288 Posts
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Originally Posted by firebrdo88
I have a 400 sbc with 1.75" headers 3" Y pipe and 3.5" out the back with a SW Muffler. My car made close to 700rwhp on 175 shot through the muffler. I do have a cutout but never opened it on the dyno, but based on my track experience there isn't much difference. On a different motor previously but still 400 sbc with SLP shorty headers with 2.25" Y pipe to 3" exhaust it made 620rwhp with 150 shot through muffler. based on my experience you can go very far with smaller diameter pipe . Before I was just replying what I knew about that specific system vs I am sure my system is different especially header primary size. Here is a pic of my custom Y pipe for reference.
Any forced induction will allow you to get away with small exhaust due to how much greater the energy is in the exhaust cycle. I'm more worried about N/A power which is more sensitive to exhaust sizing. Maybe I will reconsider the blackheart system or the mufflex 3.5 (500rwhp).
Old 01-17-2019, 01:31 PM
  #18  
Member

 
pg29's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 133
Received 25 Likes on 19 Posts
Car: 88 GTA
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Originally Posted by firebrdo88
I have a 400 sbc with 1.75" headers 3" Y pipe and 3.5" out the back with a SW Muffler. My car made close to 700rwhp on 175 shot through the muffler. I do have a cutout but never opened it on the dyno, but based on my track experience there isn't much difference. On a different motor previously but still 400 sbc with SLP shorty headers with 2.25" Y pipe to 3" exhaust it made 620rwhp with 150 shot through muffler. based on my experience you can go very far with smaller diameter pipe . Before I was just replying what I knew about that specific system vs I am sure my system is different especially header primary size. Here is a pic of my custom Y pipe for reference.
Do you have more pics of your exhaust? Looks nice from what I can see in this pic. Looking to go with an exhaust that looks similar to yours since I have long tubes with my LS1 swap, and I have a custom dual exhaust with terrible ground clearance now.
Old 01-17-2019, 02:00 PM
  #19  
Junior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
firebrdo88's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Perrysburg, Ohio
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1988 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 400 sbc
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Ford 9" 3.50 35 Spline
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Here is the only other pic I have on my phone of it. Not great.

Old 01-18-2019, 10:33 AM
  #20  
Supreme Member

iTrader: (25)
 
IROCZman15's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,814
Received 280 Likes on 218 Posts
Car: 1987 IROC-Z
Engine: 406 on N20 w/ EFI
Transmission: P.B. 700R4
Axle/Gears: 12 bolt w/ 3.91
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

hmm, glad I came upon this thread. Next winter I will be dropping in a 525 hp engine from Nyes performance link: http://nyesautomotive.net/406_525hp_EFI.html I also plan on running a 200 wet shot of nitrous on it, since my car already has nitrous in it, i'll just simply need to run two new lines from the solenoids to a carb style plate. the nitrous will probably just be for the track, since I am sure the 525 hp will be just fine on the street. I was hoping to re-use as much of my current exhaust .. at least for the first year.. since I will be spending big $ on the engine itself.

currently its a DynoDon's 1 5/8ths/ (i think 1 5/8, I'll measure, but I doubt they are 1 3/4) to a DynoDon's y pipe ending with a hollowed out 3" magnaflow cat. then a 3" hooker cat-back system, with an electric cutout that dumps before the axle.

I know it is unlikely I will have another $1,000 for headers/exhaust during the engine install, so I was hoping to run this setup for about a year or so.

what do you guys think? will these dynodons headers, y-pipe, 3" hooker cat back with a cutout be good/safe/proper enough for the 525 flywheel hp on the street and then also with a 200 shot at the track (cutout open probably).
Old 02-17-2019, 07:51 PM
  #21  
Supreme Member

Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
 
BADMAN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Bellville,Texas
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 22 Posts
Car: 1985 Iroc-Z
Engine: 440LSX
Transmission: l460e
Axle/Gears: 3.55 Wavetrac
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Well I'm in the teardown stage of the car getting it ready for the paint shop. The engine is a N/A 440LSX. I like the fact that the Stainless Works/Hawks setup is all bolt together but again, just hope it works well with my setup. I'll continue to examine others systems and appreciate your input. Thanks.
Old 02-20-2019, 07:43 PM
  #22  
Member

iTrader: (1)
 
CHRISMAN2000's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Winnipeg,MB
Posts: 431
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1991 Camaro Z28
Engine: 350 L98
Transmission: 700R4
Re: Hawks Stainless Works System

Originally Posted by firebrdo88
I have a 400 sbc with 1.75" headers 3" Y pipe and 3.5" out the back with a SW Muffler. My car made close to 700rwhp on 175 shot through the muffler. I do have a cutout but never opened it on the dyno, but based on my track experience there isn't much difference. On a different motor previously but still 400 sbc with SLP shorty headers with 2.25" Y pipe to 3" exhaust it made 620rwhp with 150 shot through muffler. based on my experience you can go very far with smaller diameter pipe . Before I was just replying what I knew about that specific system vs I am sure my system is different especially header primary size. Here is a pic of my custom Y pipe for reference.
Bud can you post pics of your trans crossmember. Or if you have blue prints?
this is exactly what my car needs.
i see you have the mid mount torque arm. How do you like it? Any mounting issues with the exhaust or sub frame connectors?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TEDSgrad
LTX and LSX
15
01-19-2019 09:06 AM
AGearHead4life
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
6
02-04-2013 08:37 PM
88 350 tpi formula
LTX and LSX
29
08-20-2011 04:40 PM
Sleeper_Z
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
5
02-17-2010 08:50 PM
grobb284
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
2
10-27-2008 07:44 AM



Quick Reply: Hawks Stainless Works System



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:06 AM.