Custom exhaust vs off the shelf system from Pypes

[chief poncho]

Anyone use Pypes 3" systems with an X pipe crossover?  I'm looking at their setup for my car.  Other option is to just go to a custom exhaust shop and have something fabricated.  Thoughts?

[Wallington]

I found that even their off-the-shelf kit (2.5") still need half modified or fabricated, replaced or splitter tip mounts relocated. Ignoring the fact it had to be shipped around the world, I'd have been well ahead to get a full custom system. I can only imagine a 3" would be worse in areas. I'm not sure if they sell just the crossover section outside of their systems.
Others claim to have no dramas just installing in their driveway without mods, there may be some variation but I can also imagine some range in finished fit.

[Outback]

I do have the stainless 2,5" kit from pypes, with X-pipe. Fitting was good, needed only a bit
of cutting and welding to correct the angle of the splitter tips. Imagine too that a 3" could be worse in areas.

[darrylta]

I'm going the custom route with my car, 3" pipes with a DSE trunk close out kit. This kit boxes in the
trunk for the 3" pipes to go over the diff tubes. Of course a special gas tank is also required, shortened with tapered
ends.
Darryl

[roadking77]

Ive got the 2.5" pypes with duals and x pipe, violator mufflers. I had a shop do mine and the biggest problem they had was that summit included the wrong mufflers (the inlets and outlets as sent did not work). Other than that I was checking in at the shop everyday and they didnt have any fitment problems. I can see a 3" may add a level of difficulty. I have no idea what a custom made system would cost to have installed but considering the pypes  material itself is in the $600 range prob not that big of a difference.

My car has a 'drone/flutter' at certain rpms that from what I have read may be from the x crossover. I spoke with the Pypes guy at Carlisle and he didnt know what I was talking about, said it must be in my motor, which im about 101% sure its not. I talked to him about a transverse muffler compared to my duals and was surprised that he said the transverse is actually better for HP!

[chief poncho]

I actually wanted to go with the transverse muffler, but would have to go down to the 2.5" system for that.  I have 3" outlets at my headers.  I should be pushing right around 500hp with the engine and I don't want the exhaust to be the limiting factor.  BTW, Pypes does just sell the x-pipe crossover. 

I've done both custom and out of the box in the past.  But the out of the box was a set from PAW back in the day with no crossover.  It installed pretty easily.  Some modification isn't a big issue.  I can work with that.

[71455formula]

I went with a full custom setup. Two mufflers and two resonators with an h-pipe. 2.5 inch all the way.

As for the done or hum from the exhaust. Almost all performance exhaust systems will do this. Depending the brand of the kit or how you setup up the system will affect how loud it is. The engine also affects the done/hum tone. The cam and timing affects the rpm range that this happens. Mine does this around 2200rpms.

[MNBob]

I have the Pypes 2.5" with dual Borlas.  No drone.  It did not fit in the tailpipe area and had to be cut and welded.  Other than that, I like the Pypes system.  I can't imagine fitting 3 inch out by the splitters as it was very tight with the 2.5".

[djustice]

I had flowmaster 44's and compression bendt tubes and manifolds, the drone was pretty bad at about 22-2300 rpm.
I changed to 1 3/4" primary tubes full length headers into pypes SGF-11R 2,5" kit racepro straigth trough mufflers, and there is no drone, very quiet at crusing speeds, i can hear fuellinjectors tapping and rolling noise from tires at sustained low throttle cruising speeds. But they do sound of when  you step on it!.

[Updated71]

I've used Pypes and Ram Air Restoration's.  Neither just bolted up.  The RAR system seemed to need less tweaking. I can't speak on sound as with Pypes I went for a louder system and it was. If I ever do this again, I'll go full custom since I needed tweaking that I couldn't do at home.

[737driver]

I’ve used Pypes with transverse muffler and with dual mufflers. I liked the transverse muffler for clearance, but the install does require some patience when installing around the axle and tank area. The dual muffler setup installs easier but you have to tuck it up right for clearance.
Jim

[Mumbles]

I have Pypes 2 1/2" System on my '79.  (Dual Street Pro Mufflers.)

I'd replaced the 403ci's original manifolds with a set of Thornton's from Ram Air Restorations so I had a shop make a set of custom downpipes and then install the Pypes as well.  Justin Dermody at Just Automotive did the work and said it fit really well.

There is limited real estate near the tips.  They're pretty close to the rear mounts for the leaf springs.  Enough so that I occasionally get a rattle.  I'm not sure if that would translate to even less room with the 3" setup in this area, but may be something to consider.

Good luck with your install.

[roadking77]

To me one of the things that defines a trans am are the splitters (and the shaker of course), but with the 3" pipes the best route might be straight out of the back like the early cars.

[scarebird]

I ran Walker's 2-1/2" setup with X-pipe*.  It is a transverse system.  The cross-over pipe portion was badly wrong, but the tailpipes were perfect.
 
Were I in your shoes I would hybrid it - ditch the head pipes and have a shop fab a 3" setup to the 2-1/2" arch over pipes and back, maybe put resonators in between (takes the drone out). 

3" tailpipes are far more trouble/fitment than they are worth as the gases have contracted enough by the time they reach them.

* https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wlk-89021/make/pontiac/model/firebird/year/1973

[Fbird]

custom shop everytime. 100000% perfect fit, leak free AND tip exit