All Small Six exhaust sounds good is a v8 though, how would six sound?

[bmbm40]

Post #16 exhaust sounds good-it is a v8 though.

Opinions on Single exhaust for v8

I’ve been running dual exhaust on EBs for over 25 years . I love the sound of duals but I have been fighting fuel vapor lock for many years . I was thinking of going with a 2 into 1 to a magnaflow muffler. I have a mild build 289 and in process putting on a AX-15 . I like the fact that it will...

classicbroncos.com

 

[Frank]

It sounds so good because it's a single. The irregular firing pattern on each bank of every 4 cycle V-8 makes them all sound "off" if one pipe has only one bank. It is not possible to generate even pulse-flow on one bank of a V8, no matter how trick the headers look. He has also increased torque by more than would be anticipated, with the single pipe. Engine Masters did a header/exhaust pipe dyno test. Ford 351. They concluded the test with a system nearly identical to the post above. It gained 20+ lbs torque and 10+ HP across the whole sweep. The single with a free flowing muffler was more power than any dual outlet header/pipe/muffler configuration, including a crossover pipe. The only other configuration that would be pulse-balanced is V8 headers with the outer two of one bank paired with the inner two of the opposite bank.
A straight 6 with dual 1,2,3/4,5,6 exhaust is way ahead of any V8 since those dual manifolds each have an even pulse exhaust pattern.

EDIT- I can't find the episode # of the above. First aired on Motor Trend TV 3/5/21.

 

[aussie7mains]

Ive run dual with and without balance pipes. later Iwas being a cheapskate, so I built a single 63mm system on the same car and engine combination. I simply brought the two sides together with a nice Y type joint, then ran to the rear with a turbo muffler. This DID feel better on the road and was quieter, you still knew it was a V8. Since then I've always run a big single on all my cars, they work better and are easier to fit. My current car has blown six with about the same torque as a 351, it has a single 63mm pipe and turbo muffler. The tailpipe on this car was hard to make due to the limited room at the rear, leaf springs, LPG tank etc. This works very well, its a little loud when given the boot, otherwise its quiet. 63mm seems to be good for about 250bhp.

 

[bmbm40]

It sounds so good because it's a single. The irregular firing pattern on each bank of every 4 cycle V-8 makes them all sound "off" if one pipe has only one bank. It is not possible to generate even pulse-flow on one bank of a V8, no matter how trick the headers look. He has also increased torque by more than would be anticipated, with the single pipe. Engine Masters did a header/exhaust pipe dyno test. Ford 351. They concluded the test with a system nearly identical to the post above. It gained 20+ lbs torque and 10+ HP across the whole sweep. The single with a free flowing muffler was more power than any dual outlet header/pipe/muffler configuration, including a crossover pipe. The only other configuration that would be pulse-balanced is V8 headers with the outer two of one bank paired with the inner two of the opposite bank.
A straight 6 with dual 1,2,3/4,5,6 exhaust is way ahead of any V8 since those dual manifolds each have an even pulse exhaust pattern.

EDIT- I can't find the episode # of the above. First aired on Motor Trend TV 3/5/21.

I remember now you recently discussed the advantage of having a single exhaust for more power. Someone on here must have headers on the 200/250 with an exhaust system like this. Curious as to how it sounds would it be similar to the v8 setup like this? I know some headers are 6 into 1 but I don't see a lot of those.

 

[Kritas]

I have headers and a 2.25" single exhaust on my 200 with a 250 head. The pipe runs straight back and over the axle instead of taking the stock route. I had to remove it to trailer the car to my new place and will post a clip once things are back together.

 

[Frank]

Curious as to how it sounds would it be similar to the v8 setup like this?

No, it's going to sound like a 6 regardless. And set up from dual headers to Y single, it will be the smoothest 6 sound, just as the V8 was smooth. The EFI exhausts into the factory single- the smoothest 6 sound I've owned.

The exhaust manifold design has the most effect on tone character. Stock single outlet manifolds earmark a brand- Chevy I6 does not sound like Ford I6, although both are producing the same sound pattern. It's the manifold that sets them apart- regardless of pipe or muffler design. With headers, on a dyno, the Chevy6 and Ford6 can not be distinguished by sound.

The tone character is quite different between the stock big6 exhaust manifold, and the HD manifold, even though both are single outlet.

 

[aussie7mains]

No, it's going to sound like a 6 regardless. And set up from dual headers to Y single, it will be the smoothest 6 sound, just as the V8 was smooth. The EFI exhausts into the factory single- the smoothest 6 sound I've owned.

The exhaust manifold design has the most effect on tone character. Stock single outlet manifolds earmark a brand- Chevy I6 does not sound like Ford I6, although both are producing the same sound pattern. It's the manifold that sets them apart- regardless of pipe or muffler design. With headers, on a dyno, the Chevy6 and Ford6 can not be distinguished by sound.

The tone character is quite different between the stock big6 exhaust manifold, and the HD manifold, even though both are single outlet.

Not quite, the ford six has the siamesed centre exhaust port, this is what makes them sound different. With most other inline sixes they have 6 exhaust ports, they DO all sound similar, merces, BMW, Hemi, crossflow, barrra Holden, etc

 

[bmbm40]

No, it's going to sound like a 6 regardless. And set up from dual headers to Y single, it will be the smoothest 6 sound, just as the V8 was smooth. The EFI exhausts into the factory single- the smoothest 6 sound I've owned.

The exhaust manifold design has the most effect on tone character. Stock single outlet manifolds earmark a brand- Chevy I6 does not sound like Ford I6, although both are producing the same sound pattern. It's the manifold that sets them apart- regardless of pipe or muffler design. With headers, on a dyno, the Chevy6 and Ford6 can not be distinguished by sound.

The tone character is quite different between the stock big6 exhaust manifold, and the HD manifold, even though both are single outlet.

Good to know. I only briefly considered duals on my Bronco at one time but now I am all in on this approach. Cheaper, less clutter and more power. I want a smooth sound and not too loud. I have not 100% decided to go with headers yet. I probably will as I have a new set of Hooker 6602 but that ultimately depends on if they will actually fit as they are a passenger car application. Will see, if not may have to look for other header.

 

[bmbm40]

Not quite, the ford six has the siamesed centre exhaust port, this is what makes them sound different. With most other inline sixes they have 6 exhaust ports, they DO all sound similar, merces, BMW, Hemi, crossflow, barrra Holden, etc

Got it. No matter if I use headers or not I have planned to go with the port divider just because it makes sense to me.

 

[aussie7mains]

Got it. No matter if I use headers or not I have planned to go with the port divider just because it makes sense to me.

If your going that way, you need a gasket to match.

 

[Frank]

Not quite, the ford six has the siamesed centre exhaust port, this is what makes them sound different. With most other inline sixes they have 6 exhaust ports, they DO all sound similar, merces, BMW, Hemi, crossflow, barrra Holden, etc

Correct-. Non mirrored Sixes with 6 single ports is pretty much Ford big 6 only on the US side. Down there "most other inline have 6 ports", of the US made- only Fordbig6. All other US brands are mirrored in one configuration or another, and each is instantly recognizable by sound, if they retain the factory manifold.

 

[awasson]

On the topic of port dividers, is there an advantage to using one with the log? I have one, new in a box. It’ll need a little bit of minor grinding to fit before welding in but I’m not sure whether it will make a significant improvement. What is the consensus?

The setup in my 66 Mustang is a 200 with OEM small log into an EBay split header, into the same Y that is shown in the 289 Bronco video and 2-1/2” out to a free flowing muffler. I intend to add a resonator between the Y pipe and the muffler. At idle is sounds like a small block V8 but it’s smoother when it accelerates away and sounds like an inline.

 

[aussie7mains]

I doubt you will feel any difference on the road, if your running a stock manifold, dont bother. If however, your trying for a bit more suds, then its worthwhile, but again the log head is way handicapped by that awful intake.

 

[awasson]

I doubt you will feel any difference on the road, if your running a stock manifold, dont bother. If however, your trying for a bit more suds, then its worthwhile, but again the log head is way handicapped by that awful intake.

Thanks. I’ve got a header and yes the intake is a handicap. I’ve got a Weber 38/38 on the Clifford/Redline adapter. It’s like a funnel from the 2 barrels to the original intake. All things considered, it works well.

 

[bmbm40]

If your going that way, you need a gasket to match.

Had not considered that yet so thanks for mentioning. I will have to find one or two somewhere.

 

[Frank]

On the topic of port dividers, is there an advantage to using one with the log? I have one, new in a box. It’ll need a little bit of minor grinding to fit before welding in but I’m not sure whether it will make a significant improvement. What is the consensus?

The setup in my 66 Mustang is a 200 with OEM small log into an EBay split header, into the same Y that is shown in the 289 Bronco video and 2-1/2” out to a free flowing muffler. I intend to add a resonator between the Y pipe and the muffler. At idle is sounds like a small block V8 but it’s smoother when it accelerates away and sounds like an inline.

how are the headers configured at the shared center port?

 

[awasson]

how are the headers configured at the shared center port?

They are separate tubes at the center port.

 

[awasson]

They are separate tubes at the center port.

 

[Frank]

got it. But that port is open to both tubes, correct? This is where the tone varies, and creates a more uneven sound. It's too fast to be conscious of audibly, until it's thought out, "plotted" if you will. If you divide that port with the two header pipes, the low rpm V8 impression will be reduced or eliminated.- assuming the header is a 1,2,3/4,5,6 split.

 

[awasson]

got it. But that port is open to both tubes, correct? This is where the tone varies, and creates a more uneven sound. It's too fast to be conscious of audibly, until it's thought out, "plotted" if you will. If you divide that port with the two header pipes, the low rpm V8 impression will be reduced or eliminated.- assuming the header is a 1,2,3/4,5,6 split.

Yes, right now, the large siamese’d port area is open to both header tubes. I didn’t realize that was the reason it sounded like a V8 when it was idling. I thought it was the cam and large diameter collectors/exhaust.

The face of the steel plate mating area of the header has a septum between the pipes so a port divider, if welded in, would mate with the septum and keep the #3 and #4 exhaust ports separate.