X-Pipe Questions
 

So I was looking around on the forum about installing an X-pipe in place of the resonator, but was unable to find a few pieces of information that are quite important in my mind.
(Also I tried to bump one of the threads back to the top, but still no one came :( )
1) What would the width be from the outside of one pipe to the other, and can I specify that, or does someone have a verified fit on the exact item they ordered?
2) Does anyone have a video of what it sounds like with only the resonator swapped but still having the stock headers, cats and rear mufflers?
3) Welding vs. Clamps?
That's all I've got. My heavy focus is to make everything as quick and straightforward as possible, since I get about one weekend a month to actually work on my car since I am always busy. Thanks for the help and support.

When I look them up, I get lots of different results. I don't know what an acceptable price/brand is because I'm seeing Magnaflow and Flowmaster x-pipes for just over 100 Jegs X-Pipe. I'm also seeing some extremely cheap options from "Jones Exhaust" running about 19.99 to 25.00 Jones Exhaust X-Pipe

I unfortunately can't help you with dimensions, but I can say that with exhaust parts that I firmly believe that you get what you pay for. I can almost assure you that a 19.99 x-pipe will be rusted to bits in the first year and you'll be replacing soon after that...


With regard to clamping or welding you get all schools of thought, weld it, clamps can be just as good if you use good ones, etc, etc. My .02, pop over to a local exhaust shop and see what it would cost you to have them make you a stainless x-pipe and weld it in, my guess, anywhere from 300 to 500\600 bucks but it would be done right (probably :D), fit your car, be welded in and you'd "never" have to worry about it.


EDIT: Totally forgot, for some idea of the sound, hit youtube and just search X5 x-pipe and you'll get all kinds of hits :thumbup:

I have my resonators replaced with straight pipe, i can text you a video if you PM me your number

So I wanted to revive this thread to ask a question now that I’m about to order the parts. Some X-Pipes have a very narrow area where the cross (very severe angle of pipes) while some have a much wider area where the pipes cross (much shallower angle). What effect will one vs the other have on the sound and performance of the system?


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The pipe with more contact at the "X" will have better equalization (usually), resulting in better savaging and more equal exhaust tip flow and (probably) a bit better exhaust note/


Less contact will make the pipes act more like single straight pipes.

Okay, looks like I need one with a big contact area. Thanks for the info!

X pipe should be same diameter as incoming and exiting pipe. The less the X angle the greater the scavenging but exhaust will seek the path of least resistance so angle and opening at the center of the X are less important than what fits best in the space you have to work with. Scavenging can contribute to performance but don't expect any improvement. Consider the investment for a better sound only. Try not to reinvent the wheel. Find someone that has made exhaust changes for a better sound on a similar model to yours and go that route. Will likely save you time and money.

Always best to weld the pipes to be sure you won't have exhaust leaks down the road. In your case I would initially use clamps so that if you don't like the sound or you end up with a drone you can more easily make corrections. Note that the accuracy of the sound of any recording is based on the quality of the recording equipment and the speakers when playing the recording.

Another option you might consider is cutouts. That way you can control the sound based on how far the flaps are open. Going that route will increase the performance and you can have a stock sound still available.

I went fir a 'H' pipe instead of an X pipe.

I got a nice little increase in low down torque, and a positively evil sounding exhaust, especially on start up.

No drone on highway speeds either.
Just an option you could do, cheap and awsome.

How much did low end torque improve?

There is a difference in sound between X and H pipe.
X pipe tends to produce a high pitched sound and H pipe a lower pitch. H pipe benefits more on the torque side and X the HP side. Since an X5 weighs so much I would choose the H pipe if performance is important. Either way the gains are very minimal on a stock engine.