x-pipe, h-pipe, or y-pipe... HELP
 

Mornin All!

going this weekend to get my new exhaust put on the truck, 2006 FX4 5.4L 3V, and ive been leaning towards a y-pipe but would like some opinions

from what i have found i wont really gain any performance going from a Y-pipe to an X or H pipe, just sound really

is there any truth to this? whichever route i go will be catless with a magnaflow or flowmaster straight through muffler

next up on the list after this is shorty headers :thumbup:

any input is appreciated
TIA

Hello Sir,
If you can do a true duel exhaust with an x-pipe, you will make some power. Over the years on the dyno the x-pipe vs h-pipe battle has gone to the x-pipe. They just make the power.

How much more power in comparison to any-pipe?

No exhaust configuration is going to give you power without getting the engine tuned. The engine is computer-controlled. Simply changing its exhaust path won't do much other than alter the sound.

On my Mustang 4.6L, I went with the H-pipe. It sounds way better. All the other guys in our group with the same cars run X-pipes. They sound "raspy" to me, and more "crackly" and I don't like it. So I went with the H-pipe to maintain that classic mellow low rumble.

On the dyno, my car put down more HP and torque than any other car in our group with X-pipes and similar mods. So that's a bonus.

I know we're talking trucks here, but I thought I'd mention that just as a point of reference.

Its all relative to the tune and the mods done to the car/truck kind sir

motor work is coming, im doing pieces at a time. motor is being pulled this summer for a fully built forged bottom end and getting prepped for a twin screw.

but i have been told you get more power this way or that way or the motor will breathe better with this one or that one.

im trying to get opinions on what will be best long term.

i was thinking of doing the y-pipe for now and when all is said and done and motor is finished swapping over to X or H pipe

The people telling you this probably don't know much about modern engines. You can ask or search around here to find the same thing. Modern exhausts already flow well, including catalytic converters, or you can put on a high-flow cat on if you want, but nothing will give you power without tuning the engine (and obviously you'll need the tune with that TT you plan on installing). My point is - all these self-proclaimed "gurus" you run into who say put on a new intake or exhaust and suddenly you have power are only following the old day logic where engines were all carbureted and not strictly regulated by computer-controlled fuel injectors and butterfly valves. In an engine with EFI, the computer has to have a performance tune for any of it to matter.

Exactly. im learning these modular motors as i go still as im more of an old school pushrod motor guy, grew up working on both EFI and Carb in the garage.

but the motor just has a plain Edge Evo tuner, Volant CAI, Dual E-fans, and a 170* thermostat as of now. next i wanted new mid pipe and muffler and then i will be doing shorty headers.

but i think im going to go with the y-pipe for now till i am pushing more power and get the motor tuned and will need the additional air flow

I have to disagree here.

You do not ned a tune to get better performance from a better flowing exhaust.

The difference is between running a marathon breathing in through your nose and then out through a straw.

I will agree that most modern exhaust flows much better than in the past but there is room for improvement.

Just to clarify, an x or H pipe is not intended to flow better. The purpose of the x or H is for the scavenging effect it has. Essentially the passing pulse of the exhaust from one cylinder creates a pull or vacuum effect at the X or H pipe which helps to "pull" the exhaust from the other side.

As noted already the X pipe has shown time and again to beat the H for obvious flow reasons. You are just creating a better system for flow just like going to mandrel bent pipes.

For a stock motor, likely not worth the time and effort but if your plans are to SC this motor then by all means, X pipe it now and reap the benefits later. Not that an SC needs scavenging but the X will give you an overall better flow for all that air being moved :)

Also, if you are going this far do not go with shorty headers, it is a waste of your time and money. Go all the way with long tubes. I would talk with your SC provider for recommendations on long tube makers as well as specs.

Well if you want to nitpick it, yes, you'll get some gains, but they're paltry, and usually only show up at higher RPM.

Your OEM air intake was cold air and could have been improved by doing the Gotts mod. If your Volant has an open air filter it is sucking hot air from the engine compartment. I would also replace your 170 degree thermostat with the proper temp (192 is good 195 is better). New engines like to run hot not cold and 170 is way too cold.

It's not an open air filter.
It enclosed and feeds where the stock intake went as well as down below the headlight. I'm not one for the Gotts mod..at all... lol... I'm for asthetics as well as performance...if I'm gonna do it I'm gonna do it right....

And as for the 170* thermostat
My truck is running a lot better in collaboration with my dual e-fans. I'm running a solid 180* instead of 195*
Trucks performance has improved overall
The 170* thermostat is desined to cool the motor down sooner than later. It kicks in at 170* instead of 180*

I really appreciate the feedback boss!

And like I said that's what I've been hearing between the 3. But I think for now I'm gonna go with the y-pipe and move to a custom x-pipe once it's all said and done with the SC and look into the long tube headers instead. I've just heard they are a pain to install compared to shorties

Generally speaking

X pipe: Best flow, will help make higher peak HP number, raspier sound
H pipe: Good flow, will help make higher peak HP number, throatier sound
Y pipe: Stock flow, will help make more torque down low, stockish sound

If you're planning a twin screw you may consider keeping a Y pipe and just deleting the cats. Twin screw tend to make higher peak HP numbers compared to roots style blowers which will tend to make more torque when comparing the two. Keeping the Y pipe may help give you a broader power band with that blower.

Shorty headers are a waste of money in my opinion. Long tubes are great but expensive and a pain in the ass for installation and working around. I've done long tubes on my old mustang and if I were to do it over I would've kept stock manifolds and spent that money elsewhere.

Exhaust Gases like air doesnt like sharp bends to flow thru, x-pipe is more efficient than a h-pipe. All performance exhaust would be better and more efficient using x-pipes. As with any V engines, true dual exhaust systems with an x-pipe are always more efficient than single with with a y-pipe. You can add on more performance add ons with dual exhaust and single exhaust.