LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
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Joined: Aug 2011
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From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
just little question
is there clearance for 3" y pipe
for exhaust im thinking either
2.5 y pipe with 3 or 4in I pipe
or use a 3in ypipe too 4in i pipe
3.5 exhuast would be more expensive to make then a 4in locally around here
power goals is being above 400ish
only issue with 2.5 is that if i get headers with 3in collecter i think i would loose flow going down to 2.5 y pipe
and running a 3 y pipe and 3 i pipe seems like a restriction also with 3in collectors
any input let me know if im just overthinking it then slap me lol
trans is a 4l60e
is there clearance for 3" y pipe
for exhaust im thinking either
2.5 y pipe with 3 or 4in I pipe
or use a 3in ypipe too 4in i pipe
3.5 exhuast would be more expensive to make then a 4in locally around here
power goals is being above 400ish
only issue with 2.5 is that if i get headers with 3in collecter i think i would loose flow going down to 2.5 y pipe
and running a 3 y pipe and 3 i pipe seems like a restriction also with 3in collectors
any input let me know if im just overthinking it then slap me lol
trans is a 4l60e
Last edited by Zach/90\irocZ; May 13, 2013 at 12:58 AM.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
400 whp?
You can do that thru a single 3" but its a restriction. Can make alittle more with 3.5-4" single over 400 whp. Higher you go the more 4" helps.
Ypipe can be 2.5 into 3.5-4" or you can fit 3" off collectors into 3.5-4" single. Just takes some custom exhaust work to get best fit and finish
You can do that thru a single 3" but its a restriction. Can make alittle more with 3.5-4" single over 400 whp. Higher you go the more 4" helps.
Ypipe can be 2.5 into 3.5-4" or you can fit 3" off collectors into 3.5-4" single. Just takes some custom exhaust work to get best fit and finish
Member

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Car: 1984 Camaro
Engine: LS1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/4.30
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
It seems the wisdom of the internets (hah) has determined that the 3" into 4" Flowmaster merge is the hot ticket. There seems to be plenty of Flowmaster stickers in this pic so you don't get confused.

There is room under our cars for this type of setup, but you'll need a good double hump crossmember and a competent exhaust man to get it all together with good clearance.
If you run that cutout, followed buy a 3" or 4" cutout you won't have any restrictions and can make as much power N/A as you wish. It took some fabrication work to make it happen with my car.
I made this crossmember so I could keep the TQ Arm mounted and still have room for 2 3" pipes.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...53-post28.html
Ended up with this Y-pipe using the Flowmaster merge:

Followed by this 3" cutout. FWIW, I have a new 4" QTP cutout and in my "quest for 10's" I plan on redoing this part so its a true 4" all the way.

Good ground clearance, I just have the Eibach Pro-kit but I rarely drag on anything. Obviously though you still have keep an eye out when driving.

There is room under our cars for this type of setup, but you'll need a good double hump crossmember and a competent exhaust man to get it all together with good clearance.
If you run that cutout, followed buy a 3" or 4" cutout you won't have any restrictions and can make as much power N/A as you wish. It took some fabrication work to make it happen with my car.
I made this crossmember so I could keep the TQ Arm mounted and still have room for 2 3" pipes.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...53-post28.html
Ended up with this Y-pipe using the Flowmaster merge:

Followed by this 3" cutout. FWIW, I have a new 4" QTP cutout and in my "quest for 10's" I plan on redoing this part so its a true 4" all the way.

Good ground clearance, I just have the Eibach Pro-kit but I rarely drag on anything. Obviously though you still have keep an eye out when driving.
Last edited by UnstableAviator; May 13, 2013 at 07:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
It seems the wisdom of the internets (hah) has determined that the 3" into 4" Flowmaster merge is the hot ticket. There seems to be plenty of Flowmaster stickers in this pic so you don't get confused.

There is room under our cars for this type of setup, but you'll need a good double hump crossmember and a competent exhaust man to get it all together with good clearance.
If you run that cutout, followed buy a 3" or 4" cutout you won't have any restrictions and can make as much power N/A as you wish. It took some fabrication work to make it happen with my car.
I made this crossmember so I could keep the TQ Arm mounted and still have room for 2 3" pipes.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...53-post28.html
Ended up with this Y-pipe using the Flowmaster merge:

Followed by this 3" cutout. FWIW, I have a new 4" QTP cutout and in my "quest for 10's" I plan on redoing this part so its a true 4" all the way.

Good ground clearance, I just have the Eibach Pro-kit but I rarely drag on anything. Obviously though you still have keep an eye out when driving.


There is room under our cars for this type of setup, but you'll need a good double hump crossmember and a competent exhaust man to get it all together with good clearance.
If you run that cutout, followed buy a 3" or 4" cutout you won't have any restrictions and can make as much power N/A as you wish. It took some fabrication work to make it happen with my car.
I made this crossmember so I could keep the TQ Arm mounted and still have room for 2 3" pipes.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/post...53-post28.html
Ended up with this Y-pipe using the Flowmaster merge:

Followed by this 3" cutout. FWIW, I have a new 4" QTP cutout and in my "quest for 10's" I plan on redoing this part so its a true 4" all the way.

Good ground clearance, I just have the Eibach Pro-kit but I rarely drag on anything. Obviously though you still have keep an eye out when driving.

i plan on using a douple hump trans mount
it just didnt make since why would people go down 2.5 then back up to 3 in all the way back
im no scientist but my gut doesnt like it
i was woundering about a cut also i have electric 3in exhuast butterfly
and run a 4in cutout but with the 3in butterfly
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
400 whp?
You can do that thru a single 3" but its a restriction. Can make alittle more with 3.5-4" single over 400 whp. Higher you go the more 4" helps.
Ypipe can be 2.5 into 3.5-4" or you can fit 3" off collectors into 3.5-4" single. Just takes some custom exhaust work to get best fit and finish
You can do that thru a single 3" but its a restriction. Can make alittle more with 3.5-4" single over 400 whp. Higher you go the more 4" helps.
Ypipe can be 2.5 into 3.5-4" or you can fit 3" off collectors into 3.5-4" single. Just takes some custom exhaust work to get best fit and finish
im pretty set on a 4" cat back i rather do it right now then spend more and upgrade later
im more concern with the 3" collector dropping down to 2.5" then to a 4" merge
vs
3" y pipe to 4" merge
i would go 3.5 but its more expensive to build then a 4 in system
i had bought a 3.5 cat back but that fell thru and lost my money so looking for better stuff now
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
Reason i suggest 2.5 in the y is for better clearance as thats a pinch point. 3" around an autoxmember is harder to do on lowered cars. Even stock height can have issues. Dual 2.5" is plenty for 400 whp. Can squeeze more out of it but backpressure may start to rise. Single 4" is good to 550-600whp and maybe more. Dual 3" is good to more than that. I saw a noticeable improvement with dual 3" over single 4" on 700-800 hp boosted motor
But just the ypipe section is 2.5", and thats not alot of pipe length. Shouldnt pose too much an issue with 4" downstream
But just the ypipe section is 2.5", and thats not alot of pipe length. Shouldnt pose too much an issue with 4" downstream
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
Reason i suggest 2.5 in the y is for better clearance as thats a pinch point. 3" around an autoxmember is harder to do on lowered cars. Even stock height can have issues. Dual 2.5" is plenty for 400 whp. Can squeeze more out of it but backpressure may start to rise. Single 4" is good to 550-600whp and maybe more. Dual 3" is good to more than that. I saw a noticeable improvement with dual 3" over single 4" on 700-800 hp boosted motor
But just the ypipe section is 2.5", and thats not alot of pipe length. Shouldnt pose too much an issue with 4" downstream
But just the ypipe section is 2.5", and thats not alot of pipe length. Shouldnt pose too much an issue with 4" downstream
t56 guys have alittle more room to play with than the auto guys and im running sportlines so clearance is a concern also but dont like the idea of having restriction but sometimes you have to sacrafice something
Last edited by Zach/90\irocZ; May 13, 2013 at 03:29 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 10
From: PA
Car: 86 Trans AM
Engine: LS1 (not stock...)
Transmission: Built T56
Axle/Gears: Strange 12-bolt w/ 3.73
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
On sportlines, with what you have in mind, and an auto, you might run into some problems...as you already suspect. Its tight even with a double hump and 2.5" collectors/y-pipe. But if you are patient and take your time figuring out your piping, its not TOO bad.
As for flow for 400 hp, you should be ok. That flowmaster merge is great. And once you are there, the exhaust is pretty much a nice straight shot out back. Save for the hump over the axle...unless you dump it. A cut out before the axle will pretty much mean backpressure isnt an issue. Unless you have some nasty kinks in your y-pipe.
Here's my y-pipe. As you can see, one side is almost straight through. You can see through it. And the other only has a slight bed and I kept it as smooth as possible. Obviously with an Auto yours will look different. My car is lowered on a ProKit also and I take speed bumps with no problem.






I too am shooting for 400ish with my new build. Might be a pipe dream...but Im fairly certain if I dont hit it, my exhaust wont be the issue.
J.
As for flow for 400 hp, you should be ok. That flowmaster merge is great. And once you are there, the exhaust is pretty much a nice straight shot out back. Save for the hump over the axle...unless you dump it. A cut out before the axle will pretty much mean backpressure isnt an issue. Unless you have some nasty kinks in your y-pipe.
Here's my y-pipe. As you can see, one side is almost straight through. You can see through it. And the other only has a slight bed and I kept it as smooth as possible. Obviously with an Auto yours will look different. My car is lowered on a ProKit also and I take speed bumps with no problem.






I too am shooting for 400ish with my new build. Might be a pipe dream...but Im fairly certain if I dont hit it, my exhaust wont be the issue.
J.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
On sportlines, with what you have in mind, and an auto, you might run into some problems...as you already suspect. Its tight even with a double hump and 2.5" collectors/y-pipe. But if you are patient and take your time figuring out your piping, its not TOO bad.
As for flow for 400 hp, you should be ok. That flowmaster merge is great. And once you are there, the exhaust is pretty much a nice straight shot out back. Save for the hump over the axle...unless you dump it. A cut out before the axle will pretty much mean backpressure isnt an issue. Unless you have some nasty kinks in your y-pipe.
Here's my y-pipe. As you can see, one side is almost straight through. You can see through it. And the other only has a slight bed and I kept it as smooth as possible. Obviously with an Auto yours will look different. My car is lowered on a ProKit also and I take speed bumps with no problem.






I too am shooting for 400ish with my new build. Might be a pipe dream...but Im fairly certain if I dont hit it, my exhaust wont be the issue.
J.
As for flow for 400 hp, you should be ok. That flowmaster merge is great. And once you are there, the exhaust is pretty much a nice straight shot out back. Save for the hump over the axle...unless you dump it. A cut out before the axle will pretty much mean backpressure isnt an issue. Unless you have some nasty kinks in your y-pipe.
Here's my y-pipe. As you can see, one side is almost straight through. You can see through it. And the other only has a slight bed and I kept it as smooth as possible. Obviously with an Auto yours will look different. My car is lowered on a ProKit also and I take speed bumps with no problem.






I too am shooting for 400ish with my new build. Might be a pipe dream...but Im fairly certain if I dont hit it, my exhaust wont be the issue.
J.
LS6 Intake, Ported TB
243 Heads Bowl Blended ,Mild Porting
Spec Cam by EPS seen cam break 400 on stock exhuast manifolds
Getting it tuned also
Flow Match Inj. now Flow 42lbs
thinking of splurging for long tubes right now lol
im prob missing other stuff but thats the main stuff
We All Can Dream Can We sigh
Last edited by Zach/90\irocZ; May 14, 2013 at 09:36 AM.
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 576
Likes: 4
From: Gobles, Michigan
Car: 92 Ttop Z28
Engine: Cammed 6.0
Transmission: T-56
Axle/Gears: Built 10 bolt-3.90s w/ PBR discs
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
400 is very doable. 394 at tire on a WORN OUT ls1, unported 243s that were milled, ls6 intake, stock TB and longtubes, good exhaust.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
ive freshen up the engine put so it wont be a worn out block no longer
arp rod bolts had them resized
new piston rings
new camshaft
polish journals
im looking at some mandral bends
i was think getting a couple 18 degree bends and maybe some 45s
Senior Member




Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 922
Likes: 33
From: Kansas
Car: 91 Z28
Engine: 6.0L LQ9
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: Dana 44 3.92
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
don't worry about running 2.5" pipe to your y. there is a reason a lot of headers get reduced from 3" to 2.5". 3" dual exhaust is overkill on just about any "street" car. you are wasting the scavenging effects by going too big in most cases. don't let the hype scare you.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
don't worry about running 2.5" pipe to your y. there is a reason a lot of headers get reduced from 3" to 2.5". 3" dual exhaust is overkill on just about any "street" car. you are wasting the scavenging effects by going too big in most cases. don't let the hype scare you.
i was just looking at hawks y pipe it looks horrible didnt relize they used crush bend tubing and 50 buck y pipe
Last edited by Zach/90\irocZ; May 14, 2013 at 09:39 PM.
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,685
Likes: 10
From: PA
Car: 86 Trans AM
Engine: LS1 (not stock...)
Transmission: Built T56
Axle/Gears: Strange 12-bolt w/ 3.73
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
Get yourself a 180* bend. Because you can cut angles all the way around that. And then get a couple 45's. The 45's are good for having some straight before a transition. Shouldnt take much more than a 180 and a couple 45's to get you where you want.
Did you want to do stainless, or carbon steel? Carbon steel will not only be cheaper but easier to work with. Stainless really needs to be TIG welded. Yes you can do it with a MIG, but its 10x nicer with TIG. Carbon steel can be welded up no problem at any average exhaust shop. If you have a welder, but dont want to weld the whole thing yourself, just tack it together and take it to someone, slip them a few bucks and they'll do it in no time.
Oh...and I bought the original Hawks Y-pipe. It donated a lot of its stainless mandrel bends to my custom y-pipe
J.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 10
From: San Diego, California For Now
Car: 88 Formula, 90 Iroc RIP, 92 RS Sold
Engine: 305 to 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt
Re: LSX Exhuast Sizing Looking Too Maximize Flow
I got stainless magnaflow bends. Pretty sure I used Summit Racing, but ebay has some good deals on them too sometimes.
Get yourself a 180* bend. Because you can cut angles all the way around that. And then get a couple 45's. The 45's are good for having some straight before a transition. Shouldnt take much more than a 180 and a couple 45's to get you where you want.
Did you want to do stainless, or carbon steel? Carbon steel will not only be cheaper but easier to work with. Stainless really needs to be TIG welded. Yes you can do it with a MIG, but its 10x nicer with TIG. Carbon steel can be welded up no problem at any average exhaust shop. If you have a welder, but dont want to weld the whole thing yourself, just tack it together and take it to someone, slip them a few bucks and they'll do it in no time.
Oh...and I bought the original Hawks Y-pipe. It donated a lot of its stainless mandrel bends to my custom y-pipe
J.
Get yourself a 180* bend. Because you can cut angles all the way around that. And then get a couple 45's. The 45's are good for having some straight before a transition. Shouldnt take much more than a 180 and a couple 45's to get you where you want.
Did you want to do stainless, or carbon steel? Carbon steel will not only be cheaper but easier to work with. Stainless really needs to be TIG welded. Yes you can do it with a MIG, but its 10x nicer with TIG. Carbon steel can be welded up no problem at any average exhaust shop. If you have a welder, but dont want to weld the whole thing yourself, just tack it together and take it to someone, slip them a few bucks and they'll do it in no time.
Oh...and I bought the original Hawks Y-pipe. It donated a lot of its stainless mandrel bends to my custom y-pipe
J.
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