Exhaust formation HP output?

[chevy5]

Whats the best exhaust formation I know all the trucks start out as a Y pipe I believe but then I hear people talking about true exhaust and all the other ways to line them up I was told X pipe was best for HP but what else?

[bradrhale]

what kind of vehicle. a gas engine uses different configurations than diesels.

[chevy5]

Mine...Um...yeah

[mrjohnwayne]

A true dual with a h-pipe or x-pipe would be the best setup. The main thing is if you go dual you don't need huge pipes on both sides. 2-1/4 pipe is plenty big for a dual exhaust unless you are making some serious power.

[chevy5]

no im not as you see I only have the 4.8 so what would say would be the best setup and with what exhaust systym and muffler(s) and shouldnt I get an upgraded catback system

[mrjohnwayne]

exactly what I stated. 2-1/4 pipe with some highflow cats, h-pipe, and some awesome sounding mufflers(I like flowmaster).

[bradrhale]

i dont know about that h pipe setup. the x design makes more sense to me but i have never been able to figure a drastic increase from cross overs. never done the homework on it.

[mrjohnwayne]

They are pretty much the same thing. they help equalize backpressure between the 2 banks for better torque.

[75K30]

mrjohnwayne, and bradrhale:
I respect the opinions that both of you have, but I believe you are both looking at this from a slightly different point of view. I agree with both of you regarding the differences in the aftermarket h-pipe, and x-pipe. (just for the record, I prefer the x-pipe over the h), but has anyone considered that this is a stock 4.8L V8? That cam profile will never allow a larger, or dual system to reach its full potential. With such a conservative cam, and stock manifolds (that actually flow very well), the scavenging characteristics of an equalized dual pipe set-up with some sort of balance tube would never be realized. The factory system with free flowing components would be, both cost effective, and performance enhancing. You should also know (I am sure that you two do) that installing the balance tube in the wrong spot is just as bad as not having one at all?

[0425004x4]

The stock LS motors are very sensitive to a loss of back pressure. To keep low end torque you have to have single outlet tip. Look at numbers on gibson website. I have friends that lost alot of low end and had to have exhaust modified back to the single exit sport truck style. The duals work better with major modifications though. Pick up an issue of gm high performance it is full of info and tests.