I have a question regarding mufflers for the sixes

[Positively Ralf]

Which is more beneficial to the six? two pair of mufflers with the dual out or just a single pipe muffler? Or does that all depend on other factors in the exhaust system?

Just wanting to get ideas of the differences so I can have a good set of ideas when installing a header and exhaust system on my car.

 

[CobraSix]

The normal answer is that it depends on other factors. pipe side, inlet size, engine modifications, etc.

However, if the engine is stock I doubt you'd notice much difference as these engines, even in modified form (not counting forced air and heavy modified engines) these engines don't push a lot of exhaust out. There are some normal sizing guidelines around here. 2" pipe for dual outlet headers on a warmed over engine. 2.25-2.5" for single outlet on a warmed over engine.

To me, the muffler selection is more about desired appearance and exhaust tone. I wanted dual exhaust, so I went with 2" pipes. Originally I had Flowmaster series 50s. I didn't like them. Some people love the, but it wasn't the sound I wanted. I ended up with generic turbo mufflers and loved them. Didn't notice any difference in performance according to my slightly out of calibration butt-o-cellorameter.

 

[rbohm]

8) as slade indicated, there are many factors that go into choosing an exhaust system. for instance if you use the same mufflers in a dual exhaust system with a six as you would a V8, you actually get more noise due oddly enough to the lower exhaust volume. my choice would be starting with a dual outlet header and using a Y pipe to flow into a single muffler, and then another Y pipe out into a dual exhaust system, perhaps with a small resonator at the end of each pipe. the ones i selected have dual tips just for fun.

 

[64falconsix]

muffler choice is a matter of tone preferance. as for pipe size 1 7/8" to 2" for duals and 2 1/4" to 2 1/2" for singles again pipe size depends on engine size and mods. I chose to go with duals with 2" pipes and thrush turbo mufflers. this is a pipe sizing link from magnaflow based on engine size and horsepower.http://www.magnaflow.com/07techtips/faq/question10.asp. this is a link to a audio clip of my exhaust with the thrush turbos.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k66RDM1NR_8

 

[ludwig]

I have headers and single out with a 2" pipe and Flowmaster. I love it. Your results may vary.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Back Ralf and All:

When you ask, "Which is more beneficial?", my first thought is beneficial how? In terms of all-out performance, economy, volume, sound quality, longivity, weight, or cost? I went with a single 2" system with a Walker DynaMax turbo type muffler for several reasons; cost, lighter weight, an less prone to rust-out. If I ever get to a strip for some all-out acceleration performance, I will disconnect the exhaust system from the header outlet.

Also know that the area of a pipe increases much faster than the diameter numbers would indicate. Here's the math.

OD (in.)....ID (in.)...Area....%Increase

1.75........1.620.......2.06.....0%

2.00........1.870.......2.74.....24.8%

2.25........2.120.......3.53.....22.37% greater than 2".

2.50........2.370.......4.41.....25% greater than 2.25"

The number of bends and obstructions inside the muffler(s) are also variable factors. The same is true for the piping.

So the question is, in your case, what is most beneficial?

Aidos, David

 

[Positively Ralf]

You know, when I think about it again I guess I meant what would be the advantage over a single muffler vs. dual mufflers. Like some have said, it may be more of a personal thing. I guess I'm looking for advice on what kind of headers and muffler combo for my mild build. So far I plan on converting the head to accept a 2 bbl and a mild cam swap.

Not looking for anything loud or anything since I don't think it would warrant it. Maybe something mild sounding?

 

[Bradbutlernc]

I swapped mine out for 2.25 from the header back to a camaro style dual out flowmaster 40. It sounds damn good and has even flow on both sides, made it a little peppier too it seems, i mainly did it because the old exhaust was rusted to shit.

 

[The Plankster Prankster]

AFAIK, the main reasons people with a 6 want duals are 1) looks, and 2) balancing sound output to both sides of the car or getting desired tone.
that said, you really have to think about your goals. for a low-budget replacement, i would stick to a slightly larger single with a cheap turbo muffler. for more of a specific goal, you really have to listen to different systems (live) to know what sounds how you want

 

[CobraSix]

So long as the exhaust system is properly sized, the car's performance will be the same.

It can be argued that actually a single pipe exhaust system may be better. The surface area of the exhaust system cools down the exhaust gases and will cause them to slow down. The surface area of a dual exhaust 2" system is nearly twice that of a similar length of single 2.5" exhaust. Now I've always been under the mindset that fast exhaust is good exhaust.

Dual exhaust is more expensive. If you want the dual exhaust look without the higher price, consider a 1 in 2 out muffler. Positioning can be tricky, but it is common.

The only real advantage of a dual system is for V engines. It allows easier routing of pipes. For the 200/250s, running a dual system is kind of an odd duckling since the two pipes are running side by side for the entire length of the car until they finally split out to go to the mufflers. At least it was a routing nightmare for my installation. I wanted the exhaust to be tucked into the driveshaft well so it didn't hang down and be visible from the side of the car. Made for a royal PITA the one time I had to pull the transmission.

 

[Javabean]

I swapped mine out for 2.25 from the header back to a camaro style dual out flowmaster 40. It sounds damn good and has even flow on both sides, made it a little peppier too it seems, i mainly did it because the old exhaust was rusted to doggie doo.

Ditto this. I've been running this same setup for a while now and It's kind of the best of both worlds in my opinion. Hard to comment on real world performance as I have no hard #'s to show and my engine has changed over the years, but as it's been said, it keeps it costs down, keeps the underside less cluttered and the sound is deep and mellow, not tinny or buzzy. Engine is always mistaken for something bigger.

It did just fine with the stock head & 1 bbl and seems to handle improved flow from the Offy just fine. I think 2.5" pipes might give slightly better at WOT, but that's just a matter of swithching out the pipe from collector to muffler, which again, goes back to the cheaper cost.