The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Exhaust fabrication costs (51 half-ton)

I'm just curious to know a ballpark price on getting an exhaust system fabricated for my 51, 235, Fenton duals. I like a nice rumble sound if that makes a difference.

While we're on the subject, what's the deal with these X pipes that supposedly improve power? They are always mentioned in discussions about V8's so I'm curious to know if they have the same value on a 6-cyl.

This is just a guess but I'd say something around 3 bills should get you out the door. Call any muffler shop and tell them what you want and they'll ballpark it for you.

In my opinion the X-pipes are overkill on a 'bolt and would probably ruin the sweet sound that ol' 6 is capable of.

The cost depends heavily on who does it, whether they use pre bent tube or bent from scratch on site, whether they use regular tube or stainless steel. It can definately be a "you get what you pay for" type of deal. So figure out what you want, then call around. Most good shops can give you a ballpark.

For the X-Pipe question, here is a link that explains it and the Tri-Y better than I can.

http://e30m3performance.com/tech_articles/engine-tech/x-pipe/x-pipe.htm

Hey Woody,

I am forced to disagree with waldo53. According to Clifford Pref. you can gain up to 12 percent with the "X" pipe. See the attached URL.

http://www.cliffordperformance.net/...Product_Code=26-C&Category_Code=C235

Also, don't "over pipe" the exhaust. MAX I would go on your 235 is 2 1/2, but Clifford likes 2 1/4.

best wishes, Les

Hey Les, no problem with disagreeing with me, I'm used to it (I'm a happily married man!!)

I always raise an eyebrow when I read an ad like "up to" a 12% increase. That means anything between 0% and 12% is possible. Hey, if you want to spend $70 for an "X" pipe that's fine with me, more power to you (pun intended). But I wouldn't count on getting that kind of increase from it. Take a look at the carburetor base on your 235. You don't need 2 1/2" pipe and an "X" pipe to scavange your engine unless you're also doing some major intake work too. (Just my opinion, of course).

I'll go out on another limb: anything over 2" pipe is overkill on a 'bolt. We're not talking big-blocks here guys.

Add disagreements here:

I installed my fentons myself and drove it to a nearby exhaust shop to run the pipes. That trip, my truck sounded like 2 loud-a$$ Harleys riding next to eachother. It turned a lot of heads and I got a few thumbs up at the intersections! Anyway, I paid $200 for the dual-in/dual-out stainless muffler from Patricks, and the exhaust shop charged me $300 the run the 2" pipes. They run from the fentons to the muffler, which is in the stock location, and then the tailpipes go straight out the back. TERRIFIC sound. I checked in to stainless. That quote was $900 3 years ago.

I must have gotten the deal of the year but mine cost $185 complete with 1-in/2-out muffler, downpipes with collector, exhaustr pipes, hangers and chrome tips.

waldo53.

Howdy, now you've put me on the spot and I have to agree with most of your reply! I think Woody is planning on more than a base 235, though. I think 2" pipe is fine for duals, but 2 1/4 or 2 1/2" would be better for a single pipe system. Bigger is not necessarily better, but it sometimes can be better. Lots of factors come into play in how an exhaust system works, but modern 4L engines tend to run 2" or larger pipe stock. A small increase in pipe diameter makes a big improvement in performance that you can feel with the systems that I have installed. I agree that dual 2 1/2" lines will be a waste of time and may even hurt performance! I believe that the "X" pipes will prove to be an asset to exhaust flow, and over time will become more and more common.

You are right, we aren't talking big blocks, which means small changes become more important.

Please keep your salt shaker handy when reading my opinions!

best wishes, Les