jtsautos

Hi I am brand new to this site as many olds owners in my area have recommended this site to relieve some headaches!

I will start with an easy question:

I have a 1972 Cutlass S with a 350 v8 from unknown year with long tube headers running straight pipes to red cherry bombs and out 2 tailpipes.

The tailpipes now are about 2 1/4. I am thinking of getting new ones made 2 1/2 all the way back. Would anyone here recommend an H pipe? If so, where would an H pipe fit on the car? The exhaust is already so low to the ground. Any other ideas?

Oldsguy

Welcome to CO. 2.5 inch pipes will also lower your ground clearance which may be due to weak springs (37 years old if original), I don't think your 350 would benefit from pipes that big, maybe just tailpipes but not all the way back from the headers. About the H pipe, would there be room directly behind the transmission crossover to tuck it up there? Also, have you had any local exhaust people take a look and give their opinion?

Jamesbo

Welcome aboard

What size wheels and tires?

I agree with Dan, Gtound Clearance could be a major factor.

jtsautos

It has stock 14inch tires, it was restored top to bottom 8 years ago but now I need new exhaust pipes. I was told 2 1/4 would be fine as my engine puts out very little power compared to others and an H pipe would be highly recommended. The springs feel fine and shocks work great, I believe they were replaced

redoldsman

Actually with a stock engine, you would probably be fine with 2 1/4 inch exhaust pipes and 2 inch tailpipes. I would get rid of the cherry bombs and use a nice set of turbo mufflers (Dynomax is one of the preferred brands here). Use an H pipe as close to the engine as possible which will be near the rear of the transmission. The H pipe will not really add much power but it will take the roar out and leave you with a nice mellow sound. Just my opinion.

Allan R

X2 Redoldsman. I had an H pipe (also called a crossover pipe up here) installed on my car when I went to dual exhaust. Didn't do headers though. I welded the crossover pipe opening on the drivers side closed and then ran the pipes back to stock mufflers and resonators.

The crossover pipe on my car is about 1 foot back of the transmission support brace; just where the pipes curve inward at the center of the car. Considering that it was done in 1982, it's in amazing shape. Kind of a precursor to the X pipes that magna flow uses now. And sound??? Sweet low rumble...it's not a tuned exhaust but it sure sounds nice. Oh yeah, almost forgot. 2 inch pipe is all you need. You can go bigger if you want, but it's not going to make that much difference for a stock 350. My car also rides on 14X7 SS11 rims. No trouble with ground clearance ever.

BIGJERR

The H pipe is kinda out now and the new deal is a X pipe,I run a https://www.drgas.net/ X pipe,

Heres a PIC of my set up..........Iam running a 3 inch system tho.....

Oldsguy

Yeah Jerr, but that car is a monster and needs 3 inch pipes.

redoldsman

If I could get those women to stand around my car like BigJerr did, I would put 3" pipes on it whether it needed them or not. No doubt that is the best exhaust for a monster car but would be a waste of money on a stock or near stock car.

jtsautos

I think I will get 2 1/4 inch all the way back, that way I only have to buy a couple of 10 foot pipes of the one size and the tips I picked out will fit perfectly. I am also getting an X pipe now because I can get one from work for $20. I can get a good deal on either vortex classic mufflers or thrush mufflers. Due to my budget these are the ones in my price range. I get the vortex ones for cost at work and the Thrush ones are cheap at performance improvements. Anyone used these before?