Jump to content
HybridZ

2.5" vs 3" turbo exhaust


ZR8ED

Recommended Posts

I know that the 3" is preferable for a turbo system over a 2.5", but I'm wondering the effects of one over the other.

 

I have a 2.5' system on my car..but I'm using the 3ft of the stock 300zxt exhaust.. (like a cat back system without the cat)

 

Car is in the shop, and everyone is telling me my exhaust is much too restrictive for my t3/t4 hybrid turbo..and that I have too much lag..I do have more lag than when I had my t3 on it, but i was expecting more lag, so i don't know if it is normal or not... 2500rpm if I floor it, boost will only come up to 3-6psi..and I wont' get full boost till just past 3500rpm..approx...maybe 4 sec..???

 

I'm not sure if i should go through the hassle of replacing it with a mandrel bend 3" system?

 

would I notice a difference, or are we just talking a few hp? It does feel laggy...if i floor it at 4k, it comes on pretty hard...

 

My hp goals have just been drastically changed (see post in engine problems forum)

 

I'm not sure if it I'll see enough gains to justify it..

 

anyone dyno'ed before and after?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

well if you have part of the stock piping on there i would get rid of that and all cars if you have one.

3in's will flow abit more, and im sure more then "a few" hp will be free'ed up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've done some casual searches here for some info leading to dyno proof of a larger exhaust for a turbo engine.

 

It looks like it is going to cost approx $1100 for a 3" mandrel bent custom made exhaust..this price is very approx because it includes the down pipe, and of course he said the price may vary slightly because of the custom nature of my engine swap.

 

I'd like some opinions if this mod is worth the money? I will probably have it done, I'd just like some opinions if I'm an idiot to spend the money or to not spend the money.. and no I don't have a money tree in my backyard...maybe a money weed...but certainly no tree! :wink:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's one expensive exhaust system!!!

 

Check out JC Whitney. You can buy 180 degree bends cheap, I wanna say you can get stainless too. Buy a few bends and go to an exhaust shop and have them weld it all up if you can't weld yourself.

 

Should save better part of $800 including new muffler and shop charges...

 

Jon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I thought it sounded steep, but this shop supports our Z club, loves working on Z's, and specializes in high performance work on highly modded and exotic cars in Toronto.

 

I've had crush/bend custom exhaust systems built front to back for me for under 300.00. with custom y pipes etc..

 

This would not be a SS system. He is talking about aluminized mild steel, and includes the downpipe, all the way back to a SS high quality brand name muffler.

 

Maybe I should get some more info from him? Its way beyond my skills to build it, but I suppose the most expensive part is the labour to make and fit it under the car.

 

maybe I should just replace the down pipe and the stock 300zxt part of the system, and leave my 2.5" part of my custom exhaust alone.. it is only 1 year old..and seems fairly free flowing minus the reduction of the diameter to make the bends.

 

Any more thoughts? this will be wrapping up next week, and I want the car done so I can enjoy the end of the summer with it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

maybe I should just replace the down pipe and the stock 300zxt part of the system' date=' and leave my 2.5" part of my custom exhaust alone.. it is only 1 year old..and seems fairly free flowing minus the reduction of the diameter to make the bends.

 

Any more thoughts?[/quote']

 

Sounds like a good idea.

You can find out if you see the gains you are looking for with out spending the big bucks.

If it works, leave it or replace . . .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest szlash280z

take off the pipes and run it with just the DP, that will tell you if your exhaust is too restrictive. (right?) If it's better without the pipes on there, that would tell me to try a new exhaust, if it doesn't make much difference, then it is fine.

 

I have only run my stock T3 Turbo with the DP alone (I have no exhaust yet), it still doesn't produce any real boost until 3k. The turbo is freshly rebuilt. Can't get much better at flowing than that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 5 weeks later...

Does switching to a 3" exhaust make a difference? Definitely!! Of course, the whole engine is a system, so depending on other things, it can really make a big difference. Here's a dyno chart from the VG30 turbo in my 510. The motor is stock, stock turbo (T3) & injectors. Custom headers, JWT ECU, headers w/ 3" mandrel bent exhaust, Starion intercooler, HKS blow-off valve. all bolt-on stuff! This was on pump gas at 15 psi.

 

http://www.datsuns.com/Tech/engines/vg30et_dyno_savage_510.gif

 

It had considerably less power before switching to 3".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Nic-Rebel450CA

The diameter you need is all dependent upon the CFM of exhaust flow. Straight pipe flows at about 115CFM PSI (115 Cubic Feet per Minute per Square Inch). This means a 2.5" flows at about 450CFM and a 3" flows at about 550CFM. Of course, this is all irrelevant if you have a muffler that doesnt flow good enough to match. Not sure how to tell how much airflow is going in under a turbo situation, but if you can find this out then you can figure out your demand and those figures should help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

if your using the starion, ive found that at only 10psi on a stock L28ET that the pressure drop across the starion ic is 3.5 psi!!!!!

 

if you really want to see an increase in your 510s power lose your last restriction which is that starion ic and get a supra ic, 944 ic(the one i chose because it was bar and plate design flows at 650 cfm) or an NPR.

 

your putting out great power and i hate to see it lost in that shabby ic. ive had one, they really do suck!

 

great dyno numbers though once again, i wish i were there :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
Guest bloodyknucklz

The price quoted by the the shop is insane. As mentioned previously the best way to do it is to buy mandrel bends ...they come in different diameter. Then buy a section of straight pipe. Fabricate the exhaust by cutting the bends and welding together. There are few bends required for your setup. I had mine done for under $450.oo (not stainless though)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm going to take this a bit easier now...

 

I thought it was pretty expensive, but this shop is a respected speed shop..(ala twin supercharger install on a viper gts) Guy just loves Z though...

 

I'm going to get the material myself, and see what can be done about putting it together. I know a great welder/fabricator that can help...For 1100.00 its worth trying on my own...

 

 

I think I may just replace the part of the exhaust that is factory stock...that ought to free up enough to be able to notice if its worth the effort to redo the entire exhaust...

 

Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...