Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance Exhaust performance: side exit or out back?

Ok, I've done searches, I read all of the exhaust threads, I'm looking for some good information here. Maybe someone can help out.

Which would be better from a performance standpoint (and why, I want to learn something from this thread): a single exhaust exiting from the drivers' side or a single exhaust exiting from the back (stock) location? I don't really want to discuss sound in this thread. Just the power compromises to each kind of set-up. Here's what I'm thinking about: 1)Keep the single exhaust on my SE using the stock pipe routing using 2-1/4" or 2-1/2" pipe but replace the stock resonator with a Magnaflow unit (probably 18" unit) and replace the stock rear muffler with another Magnaflow muffler; 2) use either one of the two pipe sizes mentioned above with a 22" Magnaflow resonator and use a side exit in front of the rear wheel (this would provide a shorter exhaust path with many fewer bends).

I know that the larger diameter pipe works better for high-rpm power. I also know that ideally, the exhaust velocity should remain high. I understand that some people install a side exit exhaust just because they like the looks better. I don't have a preference either way. I am trying to learn how the length of the exhaust piping may affect performance.

Anybody out there able to provide some good tutoring?

Thanks

Mike

True dual.

Dual in/Dual out cat
Dual in/Dual out 40 series Flowmaster
Muffler placed in the location of the stock resonator.
Two pipes that exit in front of the left rear wheel.

That is for N/A or S/C on a V6.

Turbo would be just a single high-flow cat and nice muffler.

Getting rid of the bends around the gas tank should help a little, but also be a little louder.

-Chris

Chris not to be disagreeable but wouldn't a straight through design on a muffler be better than the flowmaster, perhaps say like on a Dynomax U think? We are trying to avoid extra bends aren't we? I may be off target I have been modding the hell out of my Daytona Shelby and put a 3" exhaust with a Dynomax, every place on the web said get a straight through muffler.. But maybe it's different on a Turbo Car

R

Nevermind. I know not of which I speak.

It's the 80 series what I was thinking of, but the inlets are on either end.

Flowmasters are fairly free flowing though. If you want to get two 2.5" bullet type mufflers, that would be good, too.

Otherwise, you could reproduce the Borla/Bassani setup with a Flowmaster or Magnaflow in the middle and a resonator-type tip toward the rear.

It all depends on what you want to achieve and what you have to work with.

-Chris

Chris - Dual inDual out cat = Quasi-dual, as the brick in the cat effectively melds the two pipes together. So I wouldn't go that root. An x-pipe is recommended, but that's were you would draw a line at pulse matching.

OK, OK, OK!

I like the responses...but they don't answer my question. I'm trying to understand why a set of longer or shorter (I don't know which yet) is better than the other. What are the trade-offs?

I appreciate the suggestion to install true duals. I also like the side exit idea with twin pipes (although I think I would like to keep each pipe truly separate). [I digress, I can't install true duals. I live in California. California's smog laws present too many headaches for me. For now, I would like to stick to cat-back mods.]

So, to express my area of interest (question) differently, what are the trade-offs of a shorter exhaust piping route (side exit) versus the stock path (out back, under the rear bumper)?

Thanks for your responses.

Mike

Shorter with fewer bends is better

If that is the case, then a side exit exhaust will be illegal in CA too. You are NOT allowed to dump your exhaust forward of the rear wheel IF the stock exhaust was behind the rear wheel.

Hmmm...Aussie's got a point. Don't think side exit is legal.
However, from a pure performance point of view, you would probably gain a pony or two from eliminating all those bends around the gas tank. ESPECIALLY if you can't get mandrel bends.
I'd suggest getting a 2.5" pipe w/ one muffler in the middle, exiting in the rear. No rear muff. Probably the highest flow route besides true dual.
Hope that helps.

So its ok to have a Lightning or Roush Mustang that exits in front of the Rear wheels but you can't change it to that if it wasn't that way stock? it has to be stock to be legal? That seems like a really stupid law.