Exhaust swap.....X-pipe vs. H-pipe

[nsrZ32]

So I've been kicking around picking up an X-pipe for my exhaust for a few years as the scavenging effects of an X-pipe are far superior to that of an H-pipe. Well I finally came across one at a price that I found to be fair and I'm picking it up tomorrow and putting it on the car in the afternoon.

Here's a picture to show the differences. On the left is a 2.5" Stillen unresonated X-pipe and on the right is a 2.5" HKS resonated H-pipe

Flow should be superior without a doubt. I will have to take before and after video to see how much of a difference sound wise there will be.

More to come tomorrow once I get it on the car

[nghtrain88]

so are you going with an unresonated stillen x-pipe with your hiper mufflers? should be nice n loud

is the one on the right what you have currently?

[nsrZ32]

so are you going with an unresonated stillen x-pipe with your hiper mufflers? should be nice n loud

is the one on the right what you have currently?

Correct. My exhaust will consist of DSP manifolds with my HKS turbos, specialty Z divorced downpipes, custom fabbed up test pipes, stillen x-pipe, and then the HKS piping and into the HKS Hiper mufflers.

The picture on the right is a spare HKS H-pipe that I have in my garage.

[nghtrain88]

cool, is the switch from resonated h-pipe to x-pipe a noticable difference when driving? i'm lookin for a quality catback at a decent price. really like the sound of the hiper but not a fan of the looks on a stock NA rear end (looks good on yours tho)

would you recommend stillen or something similar? i know they have the extra bend but i like mufflers that come straight back and have rounded ends on the tips. i also want something that is not too loud (so i'll prob go resonated) does the resonation restrict air flow or inhibit power?

[NSR_s30]

Can't wait to put them on and hear the difference.

[ketshy]

I've also been looking at an X-pipe for my '90, would you mind throwing a measure tape in one of those pictures for me? It would be greatly appreciated.

[Zak427]

i currently run the specialty z x pipe. i don't notice a performance difference but the sounds is throatier

[BigTDogg (MA)]

What for? All 2+0 x or h sections are interchangeable.

Jerry, I'm doing the same thing in a week or two with my HKS Turbo exhaust. Except I have stock mani's & turbos, SZ super split DPs to Stillen TPs to either a HKS H-pipe or my old Stillen X-pipe. The X will definitely sound better, but to notice a difference in power I'd be really surprised. You might be able to see it on a dyno, but I'm betting it's so small it could be dyno measurement error.

I loved the sound of my old Z with the same setup (SZ DPs and TPs X-pipe old style Stillen cat back). A lil raspy, you could hear the turbines on slow down, and it just roared at WOT. I would go thru the I-93 tunnels in circles just to hear it

[nsrZ32]

Ok, I went down to Akron today, got lost on one way streets, and eventually found a meeting spot to pick up the X-pipe. Brought it home, slapped it on the car and here's some differences for you

Side by side in the driveway



Here's a video with the H-pipe still on the car....don't mind the fact that its running rich lol. The car was cold and she always runs a little rich



Here's a video with the X-pipe on the car, warmer now so not as rich



Picture of the exhaust routing from under the car

As you could hear from the video, its definitely a little raspy and a whole lot louder and even though the performance gains would be minimal, in theory it should be a better flowing setup. Aside from loud, anyone notice how much more audible the turbochargers are?

And for the record, my exhaust is as follows : DSP turbo manifolds, HKS GT2530BB turbochargers, Specialty-Z (Greg Dupree) divorced downpipes, custom testpipes, Stillen X-pipe, HKS Hiper rear sections. Aside from possibly adding tubular manifolds, this should be the best flowing setup possible.

[ketshy]

What for? All 2+0 x or h sections are interchangeable.

Well the thought was that I could use the measurements to see if I could use a different, resonated, x pipe. But I wasn't thinking it completely through, 'cause I have a 2+2...

[danielekfuj]

nice one-man camera job

[ArticDragon192]

The X-pipe sounds freaking awesome.

[nsrZ32]

Thanks guys. I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.

[NSR240sxe]

haha! nice work I love the sound...it sounds much better in person and its even more pissed off then before if thats at all possible lol good choice going with the X-pipe

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Aside from loud, anyone notice how much more audible the turbochargers are?

And for the record, my exhaust is as follows : DSP turbo manifolds, HKS GT2530BB turbochargers, Specialty-Z (Greg Dupree) divorced downpipes, custom testpipes, Stillen X-pipe, HKS Hiper rear sections. Aside from possibly adding tubular manifolds, this should be the best flowing setup possible.

Those 2530's must sound amazing!

I loved the sound of my old Z with the same setup (SZ DPs and TPs X-pipe old style Stillen cat back). A lil raspy, you could hear the turbines on slow down, and it just roared at WOT. I would go thru the I-93 tunnels in circles just to hear it

[NSRG50]

cool beans there dude . it sounds really good. its cool that those turbos are more audible

[NSR_s30]

XPIPE = WIN I really like it man, sounds even better in person.

[DJButton]

Good deal Jerry, I like it alot!

BigTDogg (MA) You gotta come up to one of our meets sometime man, check out the local Northeast forum! I still need to hear my straight pipe set-up on the RB in the 93 tunnels I bet it's freakin great!

[BigTDogg (MA)]

BigTDogg (MA) You gotta come up to one of our meets sometime man, check out the local Northeast forum! I still need to hear my straight pipe set-up on the RB in the 93 tunnels I bet it's freakin great!

Yeah man, definitely. In the spring, after I get my dual intake on there. Should sound real proper

I bet an RB sings! I'd love to hear a rotary with straights in there. As long as there's no 18 wheelers or Harleys, there's little chance anything else is louder

[evildky]

I'd love to see some actual dyno data to clarify if there is in fact any gain and where

[nsrZ32]

I'd love to see some actual dyno data to clarify if there is in fact any gain and where

I'm sure the gains would be negligable but I'll see if I can find anything online for ya. In theory, and on paper, the X is a superior design for flow.

[evildky]

I was jus thinking this is a simple bolt in affair and would be ideal to do between pulls on a chassis dyno, obviously that ship has sailed, but hard data back to back speaks volumes

[NismoTuner21]

Damn, sounds like an RB with the X-Pipes.. hahaSounds sick bro

[silas300z]

hey just thinking if you want to sell the old H-pipe i 'm interested. ps email me at [email protected]

[prophecyZ]

That sound is sweeter than a mothers love. Another item to chalk down on the to buy list. Keep up the good work!

[300zxNub]

Sounds amazing man!!

[JDMZ32]

wow. that's a pretty big difference. definitely sounds awesome. is it possible to buy the stillen x pipe and the hiper rear section? instead of buying the full hks and swapping it out.

[nsrZ32]

wow. that's a pretty big difference. definitely sounds awesome. is it possible to buy the stillen x pipe and the hiper rear section? instead of buying the full hks and swapping it out.

Maybe if you find the components used and can buy them piece by piece. I'm pretty sure if going the new route, you'd have to buy the HKS catback and then source your own X-pipe from elsewhere.

[OUKNO]

ANY REPEDIBLE EXHAUST SHOP CAN BUILD YOU ONEI HAD MY EXHAUST DONE FROM MY BUDDY'S SHOP IN MODESTO HE RIPPED ALL OF THE STOCK JUNK OFF AND PUT A AERO TURBINE SYSTEM ON(RESONATOR & MUFFLERS) LESS CATS, NO X OR H PIPE THOUGH IT SEEMS TO SOUND JUST LIKE THE X PIPE. IT SEEMED TO GIVE ME A HP GAIN HE HAS MADE A X PIPE FOR ME & I'LL BE INSTALLING IT SOON I'LL GIVE A VIDEO DIFFERENCE I'M ALSO LOOKING FOR SOME SORT OF A MUFFLER TO QUIET IT UP A BIT, IT'S A LITTLE TO LOUD FOR THE POLICE, HAVEN'T GOT A TICKET YET BUT I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER....

[nsrZ32]

ANY REPEDIBLE EXHAUST SHOP CAN BUILD YOU ONEI HAD MY EXHAUST DONE FROM MY BUDDY'S SHOP IN MODESTO HE RIPPED ALL OF THE STOCK JUNK OFF AND PUT A AERO TURBINE SYSTEM ON(RESONATOR & MUFFLERS) LESS CATS, NO X OR H PIPE THOUGH IT SEEMS TO SOUND JUST LIKE THE X PIPE. IT SEEMED TO GIVE ME A HP GAIN HE HAS MADE A X PIPE FOR ME & I'LL BE INSTALLING IT SOON I'LL GIVE A VIDEO DIFFERENCE I'M ALSO LOOKING FOR SOME SORT OF A MUFFLER TO QUIET IT UP A BIT, IT'S A LITTLE TO LOUD FOR THE POLICE, HAVEN'T GOT A TICKET YET BUT I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER....

First off.....please do not type in all caps.

As for the muffler shop exhaust, most people shy away from that type as the design, flow, and sound are 99.9% of the time inferior. There's a reason most aftermarket exhausts are pricey....R&D. They put time into testing to find out how to make more horsepower and how to achieve the desired tone.

Also....what is a "aero turbine" system? I've never heard of such a thing. Almost sounds like a made up code name for autozone homebrew.