I Need to set up an exhaust system for a 56 Fairlane 292.No headers should i go with an h pipe or x crossover.Plan on running Smittys mufflers.
A properly placed X pipe does help the exhaust scavenge so if they are in the right spot it should help make power. H pipes really just take the "drone" off the exhaust.
Not done often back in the days... If that matters to you. The classic rumble sound is only done with no H or X pipe.... Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
H isn't that modern, Ford first put a H on the T-Bird in 58 with the Galaxie starting in 60. I put a H on my 57 Y-Block and it really mellowed the tone. My opinion, made it sound much better.
An H or X pipe will cancel out the cool "real duals" sound that V8's make, Mike. Won't sound like a Chis Craft any more. And don't use Flowmasters!!!!!!! Then it'll sound like a Mustang! If you really want to build a 50's style custom, it needs to sound like one, as well. You definitely aren't looking for a hot rod, with that heavy car and the Y block, so go for good looks and sounds. I use Brockman Mellowtones on almost all MY cars. I think they sound best. And keep the pipe size down to 2" or 1 3/4 for best sounds, as well. Sorry I missed you at the shop the other day! There used to be a couple advertisers in Hemmings selling complete stock exhaust systems for 2-300$. One even let you get glasspacks instead of stock mufflers. Very economical way to go.
The x or h cross over will have it purr like a kitten if that's what you want. The y block sound can't be beat through duals with smittys and 1 3/4 pipes , music.
Good info here. What size pipe would the regular guy be using in 1958? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I run an 'H' pipe on everything I build.I find it seems to make the motor idle stronger,sound deeper and bassier,and take that raspy edge off the tone that I don't like. But like some have stated previously,relatively small diameter pipes,and that rappy sound are ultra traditional,and many guys really enjoy that kind of tone. It all comes down to personal taste.Both ways sound killer,it just depends which killer you're after. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I would also vote neither. Regular duals and will it sound good almost regardless of which mufflers you choose. Mine on the 55 Mercury (292) are true duals with cheap mufflers and it sounds great. Maybe a little qute for some but I like it.
Sometimes you get lucky and true twin pipes sound good everywhere up and down the rev range. Sometimes you don't. Without an H/X-pipe, there is always the probability of a resonance at highway speed. If you get the combination of pipe diameter and muffler length just wrong, there'll be a drone which will have you wanting to sell it cheap after an hour on the interstate. That's why the H-pipe was developed. FWIW, GM used resonator canisters behind the rear axle for many years. They were too far from the heat, so rusted out every couple of years. jack vines
I built an X pipe for my 292 powered F100, but built it so a could swap it out and run an H pipe or straight duels Like it so far has lost a bit of the classic sound but still sounds like a Y block, seems to go better and nice in the cab at 60 70mph
I'm a traditionalist......Good ol' dual exhausts for your Y Block; They sounded great then, and will sound great nowadays !! Happy Roddin' 4TTUK
x2 . . . exactly what I would have written. If you want to keep it "traditional" then don't use a cross-over. They sound a LOT better with an h or x pipe though IMO
i wondered about putting one of those electric cut outs in the h pipe. you could change the sound from old school to modern at will.
Now that is an interesting idea. I always thought of electric cut outs as just a tool to open the exhaust and scare ricer kids at stoplights,but using it to fine tune the exhaust sound like that is a neat idea.Me likey. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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