I am ordering a new exhaust system for my 400. I have one in mind that pypes performance makes. It's a 2.5 headerback x-pipe with violator mufflers. Has anyone ran these or what are you currently running. I am looking to make a little noise but nothing obnoxious...

I have heard good stuff about that...myself I run a 2.5 "locally made at Midas, with 2 sched 40 Flowmasters , no transverse.....cost me $500 3, 4 yrs ago , took 2.5 hrs to get installed ( job fitted) and includes an H pipe....I like it ,sounds good.

I have the exact same Pypes setup, but unfortunately it's still in the box. After the winter is over...

You can here how mufflers sound on Pypes site.

I'm running dual magnaflows, no x or h. At idle and general cruise they are quiet but make a lot of noise when you stomp on it.

I'm running Texas T/As, no x or h. At idle and general cruise they are quiet but make a lot of noise when you stomp on it or start off. I may switch for marginally quieter ones tho...they are a bit rash on takoff

Put an x pipe on it. Should give you a little less sound and increase power across the board.

I've heard the opposite. That x-pipes make a little more noise I'm not sure, I've never owned one so this will be my first. Yeah, I've done a lot of research with most of my time on you tube, but it seems everyone has a totally different set-up or has a different type engine. so its hard to find out. I've heard the 2.5" pypes x pipe with the violator muffler are very loud with no tone and i've heard they are not as loud at all with a great tone.... I've checked pypes website for the sound tones but was unable to get them to work. does anyone know of any other places other then pypes or you tube???(I think i've searched all of youtube)

Hurry up and put it on haha so I can go based on your decision. I am kidding I plan on having mine on in the next 2 months. If I can become computer literate with-in the next few months I'll try to get a video on here of the sound.

Talk to the Hand. Jim Hand, that is. His book has a comprehensive list of muffler setups with dB for with and without X-pipe. Every source I've read says the X-pipe quieter. It makes sense that it would be too, because with each exhaust pulse splitting between two mufflers you've increase your effective muffler volume.

Bjorn, I have the exact same set up. Mine was done at a speed shop in Long Beach CA 9 years ago. Has held up well and sounds great esp with the LBMs!

When I am ready for a new system I will order from R.A.R.E. as my friend Mike buys all his systems from them and they are way beyond Pypes from a quality standpoint. We have compared two systems side by side one from Pypes and one from RARE, he sent the Pypes stuff back and said he will never buy from them again.

Appearently they (Pypes) have a pipe shop up in Canada who makes their stuff for them and they are not computer bent, therefore the bends are not consistant. I do not know this for fact, but that is what we were told.

We have another friend from MD who is down here for the PRI convention in Orlando this week. He is a nationally known engine builder and he knows the guys from PY/Pypes and he confirmed my opinion of Performance Years. I've have two experiences with them and neither we good. However, others on this site have had the opposite. Just like every other vendor, some people love them, others do not... Just offering an opinion...

ok well thats even better then, because what I've been finding out about this muffler is its extremely loud, so maybe it'll tone down things....

Thank you, I will check into R.A.R.E I've never heard of them. Thats interesting about the canada deal....

I have the 400 fitted with LBMs, 2.5 downs into x pipe and then into 2.5in DynoMax UltaFlow weldeds out dumps in front of the axle. The pypes site said 8.5/9 out of 10 in loudness. Some of the best flowing muffs out there(why I chose them). Advised not to get them if you have touchy neighbors. They would probably be within reason if I had tailpipes.

it sounds like a nice setup do you have a sound file of your exhaust??

I have one on my photobucket site (link below) if you'd like to hear LBMs w/40 series FlowMasters w/H pipe...

The 2.5 inch pipes I got from R.A.R.E. were made in Canada. They were not mandrel bent but the fit was good. I may try a crossover...but I will have to go for an oval one to get thru my convert brace as I do not wish to set it down on spacers...

if its already installed ,its lots easier to install a H pipe, of course the X is supoosed to give you a tad better flow...but H is better than none.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8E6ALRsd9M

Sounds ok if you have some ext speakers hooked up.

..and a subwoofer was that with an H pipe? Do they make an h pipe to retrofit mine (convert)

Other then an x-pipe, have a muffler shop across from work that makes systems from scratch.
You can use thier mufflers(serveral brands), or supply your own.
Once they get everything lined up, its welded. No clamps.
Cost about 1/2 of a warehouse kit.

They "make" an H pipe on the spot....just cut holes in the two pipes, add a connecting pipe as an H , weld it in place...basically only labor , plus you buy +- 10" of pipe

heres what it looks like

I purchased dougs headers & pypes exhaust with Goerlich mufflers. I bought these mufflers because they were listed as one of the best in Jim Hand's book. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN I RECOMMEND TO ANYONE TO BUY THE PYPES SYSTEM. I did and I regret it. I threw part of the system away because there was no way it could fit.
Please take the advise of several others on this site and go to a local muffler shop and have them bend you up an exhaust system. You will be much happier.
On the muffler side, the more research you do the better. The baffle type mufflers(flowmaster) sound better but do not flow as well as the straight thru design(Goerlich & Dynomax Ultra Flo). I did extensive research before I purchased my system.

Ken

Put up another vid yesterday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gas0I47WerM

Didn't like the way the other one came out. This'll give you a little better idea. When I bought the UltraFlows I swear it looked like I could probably put my arm right through.

Two summers ago I installed a Pypes 2.5" dual, header back system. Overall, I like the system however it was much more difficult to install than I anticipated. The over the axle tubes were not bent the same length which created a lot more fabrication to get everything to line up. I ended up cutting and sectioning the right hand tube.
As for sound level the Pypes Street Pro (or what ever the heck they were called) mufflers were a bit too loud for me at crusing speed. I ended up switching to Flow Master Delta Flow's. Much mellower sound IMO and very little interior resonance.
If your going to install yourself and mig weld the joints use 309L wire - much cleaner, easier weld on the 409 stainless tubing than mild steel wire.

Hope this helps
Dennis

Thanks for your response, I ordered the system that pypes makes, I hopefully will have better luck then some. I really do Appreciate the responses from everyone. this is what makes this project such a fun one is all the help from everyones past experiences. Thanks again everyone. this is what this site is all about!

I had my Pypes install for my 67 done at their facility in PA. Worked out well for me as they needed a first gen car with stock manifolds to make a prototype. I got free installation and a great deal on the parts.
I do have some complaints though. The pipes are so big, there is not enough clearance for my suspension to "bouce". The pipes in the rear hit the leaf spring occasionally. Not a nice sound.
The other complaint is the resonating noise at cruising speed. A little annoying but I have learned to live with it.
The sound at Idle is great.
I got the X Pipe crossflow system with the Race Pro Muffler.

Pics of my install are on their site - http://www.pypesexhaust.com/gallery92.html

Hef

I have a 400 with 2.5" lbm's from RARE with a 2.5" dual magnaflow kit with 14" mufflers and x pipe coming out behind the rear wheels in the stock location.I had to have the muffler shop make a head pipe to mate to the manifold because the magnaflow kit was for headers. I personally think it's one of the best exhausts I've heard on a bird. Not too loud, but a nice roar when you get on it and a nice growl at 2000-2500 rpm on the highway. A lot quieter than flowmasters or pypes, so if you want it loud, might not be for you.

I also have the RARE system with lbm's and the Texas TA and the X-pipe. The ground clearence is awsome but its just way to loud for my tast. This is a convertible too.

Sound is such a subjective thing.

I wish anyone dealing with PY and or Pypes the best of luck. I had a major issue with them last week when attempting to order all of my 4-speed conv. parts, a complete exhaust system and some other parts. NOT ONE THING I NEEDED WAS IN STOCK. A complete story is forth coming. You guys will not beleive the E-m exchange between myself and Chris C. (owner). The guy simply does not get it!

Some pics of my exhast and muffler install.

Is that a 3" going into the X and 2.5" out to the mufflers?

Nope sorry, 2.5 all the way from the LBM.