silicone boy Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 I was cleaning up my garage tonite for once (wife insisted). I picked up my old exhaust system (it's off the car during my complete re-build, and I noticed how heavy it was, especially on the muffler end. I'm of the belief that one of the reasons why Z conversions are so great is because they are probably one of the lightest cars that can easily accept a V8. That's why I'm always trying to save weight, although I know it's not easy or cheap. I would say that it's cheaper to build horsepower than to add expensive fiberglass body panels, plastic windshields, etc. The exhaust is one area where it might be fairly inexpensive to save weight. I'm looking for suggestions for lightweight performance mufflers. I was thinking of dual Supertrapps, but they're almost too ricey--I love the sleeper look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jt240z Posted October 12, 2003 Share Posted October 12, 2003 Not that cheap, but 18 gauge 304 stainless steel pipes are much lighter then standard 14 or 16 gauge aluminized steel. The mandrel bent pipes would add performance as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silicone boy Posted October 12, 2003 Author Share Posted October 12, 2003 Like I said, it's almost cheaper to make more horsepower than to lose weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokebolt Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 If your really looking to save wieght don't install a exhaust system at all. Run the pipes so they dump just behind the front tire in the tire well area. One sharp 90 from the collector and than nothing. A bit loud but Performance vs. weight this is the best solution. I considered it but the noise was the limiting factor for me. A better solution would be building rectangle tube so they dumped just before the rear wheels and ran under the floor boards just behind the seats. This configeration would allow the use of mufflers and the thin profile of the pipe would allow the sleeper look most are looking for. Haven't found flat enough rectangle tubeing, so it would be real custom job. Just me $0.02. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted October 17, 2003 Share Posted October 17, 2003 .035 wall 304 or 321 stainless exhaust with a Borla XR-1 Raceline muffler will be the lightest you can run. Probably cost about $1,200 complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zguy95135 Posted October 23, 2003 Share Posted October 23, 2003 i saw a titanium muffler at pep boys the other day, kinda ricey but it was really light and pretty much straight through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moridin Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 Titanium, titanium, titanium!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnc Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 Its pretty funny to compare the weight of a crappy titanium header with a well made 321 or 347 stainless steel header. A few months ago I was at a shop that had a DC Sports titanium header (Grade 2 commercial titanium) for a B18 Honda engine. I put it on their shipping scale - 27 lbs. A little while later I was at Bondio's shop and weighed his complete set of 347 stainless 180 headers for a Jaguar TransAm car - 24 lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moridin Posted October 24, 2003 Share Posted October 24, 2003 I guess I was a little general there. Good titanium, good titanium, good titanium!!! Better? J/K I know what you mean though. I just bought a custom stainless exhaust for my Honda and I'm pretty sure, for its size (3"), you would have a hard time matching it's weight with titanium. What was the header design for the Honda though? Was it a 4-2-1 that could withstand a beating? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nic-Rebel450CA Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 Here's a quote that just needs a little re-wording to become a tip... I just bought a custom stainless exhaust for my Honda and I'm pretty sure, for its size (3"), you would have a hard time matching weight. Dont get more exhaust than you need! Very few engine setups actually NEED a 3" exhaust. Find out how much HP you will be making, find pipe to suit, and dont go overboard. BTW, supertraps would be a good idea, I dont see how you can consider those at all ricey, those have been around since about the dawn of speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 I've always wondered about Supertrapps. Seems like the last thing you want is a cap on your exhaust... Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moridin Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 Here's a quote that just needs a little re-wording to become a tip... I just bought a custom stainless exhaust for my Honda and I'm pretty sure' date=' for its size (3"), you would have a hard time matching its weight with titanium. [/quote'] Dont get more exhaust than you need! Very few engine setups actually NEED a 3" exhaust. Find out how much HP you will be making, find pipe to suit, and dont go overboard. BTW, supertraps would be a good idea, I dont see how you can consider those at all ricey, those have been around since about the dawn of speed. Well, if I detune it to 400HP do you think the 3" will be too big? P.S. I think I fixed the part you used as a quote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Nic-Rebel450CA Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 Single or dual exhaust? 3" duals would be quite excessive. Basically you can use one of the following "equations", the first being much more accurate... Figure out how much CFM your exhaust flows (from the heads). Pipe flows at about 115CFM per square inch. This means a 2.5" exhaust flows at about 450CFM (assuming my mental calculator isnt too far off )which is likely to be adequate for even high HP applications if you run duals. The second method is to use 1" per 100 HP. This is not very scientific but is pretty accurate. This means that a 400HP engine either needs dual 2" or single 4". BTW, what kind of setup do you have in a Honda making over 400HP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moridin Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 Let's just say I ran into the right person at the right time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moridin Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 I'll let you guys know when I get the complete list of specs. I'm going to get a few dyno runs too, to see where its at. Just believe me when I say the guy knows what he's doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMortensen Posted October 25, 2003 Share Posted October 25, 2003 I think you're wrong Nic. The volume of a cylinder is not linear, like 2 inches has twice as much volume as 1 inch. So the difference between 2 and 3 inch pipe would be much more than a 50% increase. Think of it this way. Draw a 2" circle, then draw two 1" circles inside. There is a HUGE difference in the area of the 2 inch circle vs two 1 inch circles. More area=more volume in the pipe=more cfm. That's in my non-scientific brain, anyways. Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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