Straight pipes fitted to 4.4 V8
 

Hi All,
I have read a few threads on x-pipes and straight pipes on this forum. I thought I would share my scenario with you.

Today I went to 3 different exhaust fitters today asking for an x-pipe to be fitted, all said yep we can do this no problem, however all 3 fitters advised me against fitting an x-pipe, they all suggested straight through pipes instead.

2 out of the 3 fitters said I should consider fitting a balance pipe between the two straight pipes to eliminate popping at higher RPM's.

The verdict... I went for straight pipes...but after a couple of hours driving, I have decided I will return tomorrow to have the balance pipe fitted. (Balance pipe is a small piece of pipe fitted between the two straight pipes to form "H" in the pipes).

still no updates?

LOL:popcorn:Yeah maybe he's going tomorrow :)

yeah...looks like i'll never get answer :( not really funnny :(

Yeah ... tried that and went back to stock
 

I did all that on my 2001 4.4. I took out the stock resonator and put in two separate high flowing resonators and it didn't make a noticeable difference in sound or performance. I looked at the stock resonator when it was out and I could see why - the pathway through the resonator was straight and completely void of any ostruction whatsoever. Sure the exhaust from the left and right cylinder banks are allowed to mix in the common jacket on the resonator, but both exhaust streams go straight through.

After that, I put back in the stock resonator, removed the stock mufflers, and put straight pipes from the stock resonator back. It sounded really, really cool and mean, but I lost a lot of low end torque and found that the transmission would hunt (repeatedly lock and unlock the torque converter) between 40 and 60 MPH. I decided to go back to my stock exhaust for now so I wouldn't cause problems with my transmission.

"problems with transmission" - really scary...but still intend to go for X-pipe...more suggestions please...

Sorry guys I didn't realise you were waiting for an update.

I had the straight pipes fitted for a short time. The noise for my liking was far too raspy.

The x pipe was by far a better option. The H pipe mentioned was too fiddley to make so the x pipe was made.

My transmission has always hunts through the gears even before the x pipe, so i didn't notice any difference.

There is a sound clip on this site. X pipe gives a deeper sound.