exaust with x pipe 4x4

[survivingalone]

i have an 85 shortbed 4x4 and getting ready to do the exaust. any experiance with an x pipe? pros-cons? i have an 8 inch lift and was wondering if anyone has run one with a lifted truck. any pics or feedback would be helpful. thank you.

[Firebirdjones]

The 4x4 posed a problem with my 72 blazer so I ended up just doing an "H" pipe, and even that was tight. I like the "X" pipes better (have them on a couple cars) but I figured an "H" pipe was better than nothing at all.

I don't see where a lifted 4x4 would really make any difference either, but maybe someone will chime in that found a way to pull it off.

[survivingalone]

different sound and performance from an H pipe?

[donut]

My experience was about the same as Firebirdjones, x-pipe runs into trans/transfer so I ran a "H" that dropped below. "X" your entire exhaust would cross below that (or be so far back, not worth the bother IMO)

Differences, dunno. Doubt my SOTP-meter could tell the difference.

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by survivingalone

different sound and performance from an H pipe?

Well, the H pipe still serves the purpose of equalizing exhaust pulses it's just not as efficient as the X pipe. The X pipe is better flowing and actually will produce slightly more HP than a comparable H pipe system,,,they are just a little harder to package.

[survivingalone]

any pics on a 4x4?

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by survivingalone

any pics on a 4x4?

Of the H pipe? If so then yes,,,,hold on and I'll see what pics I have of mine.

[survivingalone]

thank you. is it on a 4x4?

[Firebirdjones]

Yes sir.

I dug around and have a couple of shots. Guess it's while I was under there installing a new set of Pypes mufflers (macs were too loud for me).

In this pic, you can see how the transfer case poses a big problem. It was difficult just to get the main pipe through the passenger side No way (I don't believe) that I was getting an X system in there.
Right after the H pipe (and I mean within 1 foot) are the mufflers. That's just how short the distance is that I had to deal with.



And here is a shot of the mufflers towards the back of the blazer. Right in front of those mufflers is the H pipe, and as you can see the exhaust imediately bends over the axle (I have the mufflers as far back as I can go) so hopefully that paints a picture of how tight things are. This short 104" wheel base isn't helping matters either.



I'm not finding a pic of the system in it's entirety to give you a better overall view, but I can snap one easily if need be.

[survivingalone]

that is perfect. thank you so much! i was going with straight duals with one chamber flowmasters. do you like the sound with the H pipe? do you think it helped with any performance?

[Firebirdjones]

Originally Posted by survivingalone

that is perfect. thank you so much! i was going with straight duals with one chamber flowmasters. do you like the sound with the H pipe? do you think it helped with any performance?

H pipes have been shown to make more HP/TQ in every application they are applied to, and they tend to make a difference in the low and mid rpm ranges,,,not so much up top (that's where the X pipe takes over). So I run an H-pipe on everything that has clearance issues, and an X pipe on everything else that has more room (I prefer the X if I can fit it in there).

As far as sound, you'll find the H pipe does affect the noise level slightly. In my experiences they tend to take the slappyness out of the mufflers and produce a more mellow deep tone. Between X's and H's and the different style mufflers available, along with different pipe diameters, you can really taylor the sound to just about anything you wish.
I assume you will use 2 1/2" pipe, and with those single chamber flowmasters it will definately be loud and slappy (some people call it raspy). The H pipe will help to take some of that rasp out of it. May not remove all of it but it's a worthwhile addition in my opinion.

I can give you tons of examples and pics of other stuff I have here if you like.

[Firebirdjones]

My lift is tied up at the moment so I tried to stick the camera under the blazer to give you an overall shot. Best I can do laying on my belly But I think it might give you a better idea of just how short and tight the system is on a 4x4 blazer (pickup 4x4 should be better).

[Firebirdjones]

Also the H-pipe needs to be at least 2/3 the size of the system. I don't have the mathmatical formula handy at the moment but I tend to go about 1/2 smaller than the actual system diameter and that's efficient enough. It doesn't have to be the same size, although you could if you have the room and patience to fish mouth the H-pipe.

That picture is a 2 1/2" system and the H-pipe is 2". That's another advantage the X-pipe has since it's the same size throughout, not to mention exhaust passes through easier.

If you want to get fancy on the Xpipes, Dr. Gas is the place. I have a custom X pipe on my chevelle that is taylored to the HP/TQ curve the engine makes. They use an oval plate in the middle to taylor the amount of airflow, and depending on the package, they can make different shapes and sizes to produce different results.

Edit: save these pics if you need them. My photobucket only leaves them up for a couple days it seems.

[survivingalone]

that 3rd pic tells it all. thanks again for answering all my questions.

[russgt]

I might steal your skid plate idea if you dont mind!

[86454k30]

I had an 86 K30 that had an x pipe in it. The X was just in front of the rear axle and the mufflers sat just below the bed floor above where the spare tire would be. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures.

[survivingalone]

thank you....

[INSIDIOUS '86]

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/wlk-17553

Use this muffler and you can do a trick setup with dual pipes down one side and dual exits. The x pipe will tone down the sound and even the flow. It helps the midrange a lot and keeps top and low end with maybe overall improvements throughout the rpm band.
I believe this muffled is on the louder end of the spectrum as well

[cory d]

i showed my buddy that muffler for his truck but i think the price scared him off. but it is kinda liek 2 mufflers and an x-pipe all in one. or you could do 2, 24" glass packs and an x pipe, that would probably do about the same thing

[ZaneDickerson]

This is the x pipe that I had on my 92 chevy 4x4. Not the same as your 85 4x4 underneath but you can see how narrow it is. That is with 2 1/2 pipe.


Here is a pic and link to the x pipe that I used.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/130529890821...#ht_660wt_1193