I am going to put an X-pipe on my 70 Lark. I'm looking at a heddman kit from summit, and the kit includes the pipes, flanges, and other hardware. How is ground clearance for these systems? How easy is it to adapt them to T/A headers? Also, do these X-pipe systems flow as well as poeple say they do? Thanks for the help, Kevin
Check out the Dr Gas website for tests. It is also the one recomended for use by Tri Shield Performance.
I have a Dr. Gas setup and I love it. It installed on the headers, no problem. The sound is awsome. You no longer have the rumpity, rumpity sound but more of an constant, even rumble. Here's the web page on Dr. Gas's website:http://www.drgas.com/product.asp?id=1 I have the 3" to 2-1/2" system. There is only about a $15 difference in price and getting it from Dr. Gas is getting it from the master, IMO. Phil
I'll second what Phil said:TU: I also have the 3" by 2 1/2" Dr. Gas x-pipe. It comes with header reducers, 2 front pipes, the X, and two rear pipes. It's a much more adjustable system, for ground clearance, and general fit. I would stay away from the Hedman piece. It's a universal system, and someone on this board said "universal systems universally fit nothing" IMHO, you may have problems with the Hedman system. When I asked JW about it in Bristol a few years back, he told me to go with the Dr. Gas. Enough said:laugh: I felt a big difference in performance, and sound, especially at full throttle.
I had JW put the Dr.Gas on my car. It fits nice and tight with just enough room for the driveshaft loop. I understand that it took a little fitting, including flipping it upside down to make it fit well. JW is looking to add a pipe bender to his shop. Once he has it, it sounds like they will make kits to make the install easy. Mine is bolted to TA headers and the sound is definately different. I LIKE it!
What about the 3" set up from the GSCA? Is there problems with it. And i was wondering why 3" to 2.5" and not 3" all the way through?
Kevin, Just last month I installed the 3" Hedman X-pipe system on my 70 Skylark (with TA tail pipes). I have installed Dr. Gas systems on two other cars. The Dr. Gas systems are better! The quality of the Headman compared to the Dr. Gas is noticable. If you had the two X's side by side you could see what I mean. The weld and finish quality on the Dr. Gas is simply better, and should flow slightly better than the Hedman also. I was also very aggrivated that the Hedman X was welded crooked...hard to describe but it made it tough to install. A good installer that takes their time and positions everything just right can keep ground clearance from being an issue. We modified my driveline loop so that we could tuck the pipes in tight under the driveshaft tunnel. Sorry I don't have any pictures for you. Dr. Gas sells a kit exactly like the Hedman, it should be no problem to fit it to your headers. There's plenty of cutting and welding involved in installing one of these systems. It can be done on the floor, but a hoist really helps. A miter saw type cutoff wheel is a must! Or just take it to a good exhaust shop. Although I was dissapointed with the quality of the Headman parts, the TA tailpipes were perfect! And the system ended up sounding great!
I also have the Dr Gas 3 x 2 1/2" system. Thumbs up! With the 3x2.5 you don't have to buy reducers to fit 2.5 muffs or tailpipes. From what I have seen if you don't have a 464+ that spends considerable time above 6500rpms you will not gain anything but noise over a 3x3" X and 3" on out the tailpipes. At least with a straight thru type muff like a Magnaflow or a Walker Ultra flow. If you use a chambered muff like the Flowmaster you might benefit from 3" all the way through.
I'm willing to spend a few extra $$ to buy higher quality, so I'll go with the Dr. Gas system. Phil, you mentioned that the big cam idle will be eliminated when installing an X-pipe. Will it still sound aggressive with flowmaster muffs? Thanks, Kevin
:eek2: :eek2: Reading this is almost enough to dissuade me from getting an x-kit. I loved the way it sounded.
Oh yea. I have the large case, flow through mufflers from StraightLine Performance. They are reasonably quiet as long as you're nice with the loud pedal. But drop the hammer and it's probalby 90% of open header noise. Guys that I've talked to say they love the sound of my car going down the track.
I too have the DR. Gas system on mine (3 1/2 into 3 inch) I've had it on my car for 5 years now and have LOVED every minute of it! It's a very nice fitting kit.
dr gas x pipes Ok, can one of you guys post the specific part number for the dr gas x pipe. I'm looking at a 3 into 2.5 muffler system. I see too many choices on the web site so I'm hoping to get specific part #'s. Thanks, Allen
Allen, You are looking for the UXS3-25A kit, at 219.95. It comes with the X, 4 pipes, and the header reducers. Cutting and welding is required. Any good muffler shop should be able to handle it. This is the system on my car.
- Yes, the x-pipe will fall almost directly under the front u-joint, the toughest part of the install is the transistion pipe from the back of the x-pipe to the muffler inlet, this is were your ground clearance is at risk, if these pipes are made properly you can tuck the mufflers right back in their stock locations, use offset in/offset out mufflers it allows you a bit more flexibility.
Does the kit come with tail pipes? I have the N-25 bumper and wonder if it will work on the factory bumper hangers.
