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Balance pipe or not to balance pipe?

Started by hanra , Oct 05 2011 10:29 PM

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23 replies to this topic

#1 hanra

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 10:29 PM

After reading Napes build thread and seeing that he has not fitted a balance pipe in his exhaust, I was curious to see if others have gone down the same road? Are they happy with the exhaust note? Any pros or cons?

What is the exact science behind the balance pipe? Scavenging?

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#2 dattoman

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 10:38 PM

To stop it sounding like a thong slapper

Thought you were doing spot on resto ?

In which case there is a balance pipe

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#3 _Gunmetal LH_

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Posted 05 October 2011 - 10:54 PM

Mine has no balance pipe, pretty small pipes all the way through, 253, cam that is WAAY too big.

I reckon it sounds pretty much exactly the same as the engine sound at the start of 'Christine' but with a lumpier idle. Other people agree too! (So it's not just me being a nut-job.) Old school- love it!

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=t9VpVQ1sMfk 30 secs in...

I don't get the frOcking god-awful shit 'BlapBlapBlap' sound you hear on the country boys utes, and no nasty crackle as the revs come down.

I think smaller pipes makes the difference.

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#4 _LH8VD69_

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Posted 06 October 2011 - 03:21 AM

Balance pipe all the way Brad. Dont risk the dreaded thong slap !!

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#5 76lxhatch

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Posted 06 October 2011 - 04:27 AM

I prefer the more traditional note from a separate dual system (when well set up), but sadly there does come a point when combined with a modified engine that it makes some strange noises that can only be smoothed out with a balance pipe of some description.

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#6 _CHOPPER_

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Posted 06 October 2011 - 09:12 AM

Balance pipe all the way Brad. Dont risk the dreaded thong slap !!

I never minded my ex hitting me with her thong.

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#7 makka

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Posted 06 October 2011 - 07:19 PM

either way, its not a hard job to change to the other, go no balance first, if you dont like it, fit one

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#8 MRLXSS

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Posted 06 October 2011 - 09:28 PM

Some do the exhaust without, see how it sounds and then make a decision... There is also an X-pipe style..

My old 290 didn't run a balance pipe, and it sounded fantastic...

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#9 _Bomber Watson_

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Posted 06 October 2011 - 09:41 PM

i'd go the balance pipe personally.....

Cheers.

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#10 hanra

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Posted 03 July 2012 - 05:37 PM

Was the balance pipe just a basic 2in pipe straight across to form a H?

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#11 myss427

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Posted 03 July 2012 - 05:55 PM

Balance pipes equalize pressure form both sides of the exhaust, side benefit is you get free horse power ( you never loose power) and it always sounds better.

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#12 _Viper_

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Posted 03 July 2012 - 06:00 PM

My LH With a 355 and twin 2.5" and resonably large cam has no balance pipe and I like the sound of it so far, could not notice any thong slapper noise while in the car... Maybe you can outside? I hate that noise so if it turns out you can I'll fit a balance pipe, but so far in the short amount of driving it seems ok.

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#13 ISLR

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Posted 04 July 2012 - 10:12 AM

Personally I would go with the balance pipe

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#14 _Viper_

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Posted 04 July 2012 - 11:21 AM

Yeh, I'll definitely be trying one out

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#15 UCgazman

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Posted 04 July 2012 - 11:31 AM

Our UC used to run a 253 with a 2'' twin system - no balance pipe, it sounded freakin awesome (sounded better than it went!). Im hoping to get a similar noise from the new motor - 304 with 2 1/4'' twins, but if its too ''thong slappy'' I'll have to add a balance pipe...

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#16 _TorYoda_

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Posted 04 July 2012 - 09:40 PM

A balance pipe in the traditional H pattern will take out some of the crackle but offers no performance benefit. The X pipe is more effective at softening the exhaust note (usually about 5-8 decibels quieter than the H pipe) and produces a smoother, more modern and revvy tone. However the X pipe also boosts mid range torque and HP due to a secondary scavenge effect as it blends the pulses from both sides of the engine. We have proven this many times. If you want to retain the 'Old School' V8 pulse in the exhaust note then use the H style balance pipe.

Edited by TorYoda, 04 July 2012 - 09:42 PM.

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#17 LXCHEV

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Posted 04 July 2012 - 09:49 PM

From personal experience, I recently upgraded from a traditional H style balance pipe, to an X-pipe. It definitely smoothed the note a lot, and has given it the more modern/revy tone that TorYoda described above. Absolutely rapt.