Balancer pipe. Yes or no?

mrroverrover · Post by **mrroverrover** » Tue Sep 13, 16 10:50 pm

Getting a custom dual system fitted tomorrow with 2 new flowmaster super 44s. Is it joining them with a balancer pipe or run them totally separately?
I know it's been asked before but I need it in simple terms lol
On a 74 Monaco 360 currently standard but have a mild cammed rebuilt 360 to go in it in my garage ðŸ˜‰. Which I also have headers for so they'll be hopefully going on with the swap.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Sep 14, 16 7:27 am

Millions of posts on the web about this. X pipe seems favourite.
I didn't bother as it made access to prop shaft removal and prop shaft safety loop install awkward.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Sep 14, 16 8:19 am

I think an "X" or an "H" tends to quieten down the whole system a bit, and improve scavenging, but they are a pain when you have to work on anything, especially if it is a "welded X" connection.

It is even hard to split a jointed "H" pipe system if you have to get the prop out to work on the transmission.

My guess is that you are not too worried if the system is a bit noisier

RobTwin · Post by **RobTwin** » Wed Sep 14, 16 8:20 am

Yes, H or X is better than nowt but X is the latest trend

db · Post by db » Wed Sep 14, 16 10:01 am

I went yesterday to see about making my system a bit quieter.
Criminal I know cos it sound brutal and I love it, but it's just exhausting (geddit

).
I called on HIB exhausts, a 60 mile round trip in heavy rain, great fun!
He wants to to open up my Thrush mufflers and weld in a perforated tube, then pack them with wadding. He also wants to fit a cross-pipe, his little trick is to build a silencer into it. He says it's a good way of soaking up some noise with little effect on power. The alternative is to fit a pair of dead-end silencer boxes. These will take up more space but will avoid the p.i.t.a. of a cross-over
I'm a bit nervous it'll be too quiet... But I doubt it

mrroverrover · Post by **mrroverrover** » Wed Sep 14, 16 10:42 am

Well it's there right now for the day. I've said no to the balance pipe but still unsure ðŸ˜¯

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Sep 14, 16 12:30 pm

If you want it for performance, don't bother. There are so many cheaper ways of improving performance than the expense of an X/H pipe.

Advance the timing, tune the carb better etc..lose some weight..(the car, not you

)

MrNorm · Post by **MrNorm** » Wed Sep 14, 16 1:06 pm

Short answer is:

Max noise - no balance pipe
Max Power - X-pipe

However, X pipe has a tone which some don't like as much (of course some do too!) A little less like a traditional V8
H-pipe will quieten it down, give a little more power than no balance pipe, but still have traditional tone.

On top of all of that, we are pretty much splitting hairs regarding the power, especially on a stock or mild engine, and without tuning the balance pipe. I doubt you would notice the power difference on any of these configurations.

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Wed Sep 14, 16 1:53 pm

Keep em separate. Much better sound IMO.

As Mr Norm says. Unless your talking big numbers the HP difference will be negligible........Taking a dump prior to driving would make a bigger difference!

Super Sloth · Post by **Super Sloth** » Wed Sep 14, 16 4:33 pm

Here's a thought...
If you wanted an H pipe but are bothered about it getting in the way, what about making it removable by using one of those ball and socket joints at either end?

-Jon.

karlee1433 · Post by **karlee1433** » Wed Sep 14, 16 6:07 pm

Had a new dual stainless system fitted last week at pipecraft by dean and went for a balance pipe after much internet browsing.

mad machs · Post by **mad machs** » Wed Sep 14, 16 6:08 pm

An utter waste of time & space, makes c0ck all difference & will forever be in the way.

If you do, make sure the cross pipe is let in correctly, unlike the one I discovered on the Mustang lol

The chopped out 'H' section-

Looking down the port & Starboard main pipes, showing the rather interesting gas flow issues caused by the way the balance pipe was attached..

db · Post by db » Wed Sep 14, 16 11:12 pm

Wow! That is so crap!

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Thu Sep 15, 16 7:42 am

As Mike is the shy and retiring type, he hasn't mentioned that since removing that lump of crap mettle and gluing some slicks onto his rear tyres he recently ran a 13.01 in the Mustnag at our local 'strip' ( hope you don't mine me mentioning it, Mike)

Moral of the story?

Who cares about an X H pipe, get some slicks and take 5/10s of your ET!!

mad machs · Post by **mad machs** » Thu Sep 15, 16 8:42 pm

MilesnMiles wrote:As Mike is the shy and retiring type, he hasn't mentioned that since removing that lump of crap mettle and gluing some slicks onto his rear tyres he recently ran a 13.01 in the Mustnag at our local 'strip' ( hope you don't mine me mentioning it, Mike)

I knew it was a good run as my head hit the roof on the 'slightly' undulating track