2.5 vs 3” exhaust with x-pipe for 500HP 416 sb stroker

[ledphoot]

Need to order pipes for the Cuda. 500hp 416 small block stroker with TTI headers.

2.5" x-pipe may be a little restrictive but probably not bad.

3" probably a little overkill.

Which would you run?

[RUNCHARGER]

I'd probably run the 2.5. Quieter, more room around suspension components, more ground clearance. I have put many miles on 426 inch 500HP engines with 2.5, you probably will compromise a slight amount of power but not that much I don't think.

[ledphoot]

Yeah I am thinking it may cost me 5-10HP but there should be more than enough on tap to keep me happy.

[Chryco Psycho]

I agree 2.5" it won't be restrictive , it will keep the velocity up / better scavenging

[Brads70]

I agree 2.5" it won't be restrictive , it will keep the velocity up / better scavenging

  More room and less/no drone

[ToxicWolf]

I went through the same decision process with my 572 hemi. I decided on the 2.5 inch h-pipe.  I only went with the h-pipe because several people I trust said they preferred the sound of the h-pipe over the sound of the x-pipe.  They did say there tended to be slightly more horsepower with the x-pipe though.  I'm very happy with the results.  It handles the almost 700 horsepower and 681 foot-pounds of torque beautifully. 

[kape1]

2,5 x-pipe with TTI heders on my 520hp sb 422 stroker since 2013, Replaced the carb with Fitech Meanstreet last year and i'm super happy with this setup

[303 Mopar]

I went through the same decision process with my 572 hemi. I decided on the 2.5 inch h-pipe.  I only went with the h-pipe because several people I trust said they preferred the sound of the h-pipe over the sound of the x-pipe.  They did say there tended to be slightly more horsepower with the x-pipe though.  I'm very happy with the results.  It handles the almost 700 horsepower and 681 foot-pounds of torque beautifully. 

2.5" H-pipe is my choice.  I had x-pipe on my Cuda and the tone of the exhaust was higher, more like a new car.  Switched to H-pipe (also running h-pipe on my bb Charger) and it is a lower tone like a muscle car should sound.

[cudaragtop]

2.5" with "H" pipe and electric cutouts!   

[autoxcuda]

I run TTI step header and 2 1/2" exhaust w/x-pipe with my 422 stroker. 450+ hp.

Comp 274-S, ported Edelbrocks, M1 ported intake, BG Silver Claw carb.

My exhaust has a drone. But with an A-body there no room for longer mufflers or resonator. With an Ebody they came stock with resonators, so there's room.

[ToxicWolf]

TTI was good to work with.  The bend on my passenger side pipe that went over the rear axle (see picture) was off about 2.5 inches.  I contacted them and they sent me a new one.  Problem solved.  Yes, I put cutouts in it too.

[gzig5]

I run TTI step header and 2 1/2" exhaust w/x-pipe with my 422 stroker. 450+ hp.

Comp 274-S, ported Edelbrocks, M1 ported intake, BG Silver Claw carb.

My exhaust has a drone. But with an A-body there no room for longer mufflers or resonator. With an Ebody they came stock with resonators, so there's room.

Take a look at the Vibrant 1792/1793 resonators.  It it's a good looking bottle design and I found the quality and performance to be great.  The 1792 is only 12" long and about 4" diameter so it doesn't take up much space.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E3VHVO/ref=psdc_15713921_t1_B0018085EE

[autoxcuda]

I run TTI step header and 2 1/2" exhaust w/x-pipe with my 422 stroker. 450+ hp.

Comp 274-S, ported Edelbrocks, M1 ported intake, BG Silver Claw carb.

My exhaust has a drone. But with an A-body there no room for longer mufflers or resonator. With an Ebody they came stock with resonators, so there's room.

Take a look at the Vibrant 1792/1793 resonators.  It it's a good looking bottle design and I found the quality and performance to be great.  The 1792 is only 12" long and about 4" diameter so it doesn't take up much space.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E3VHVO/ref=psdc_15713921_t1_B0018085EE

Those are nice 👍

But I've only got about 1/2" space on each side of my 2 1/2 diameter tail pipes. One side is leaf spring other side is gas tank. A-body originally only had 2" tail pipe. Maybe even 1 7/8".

[gzig5]

No room further forward I guess?  My M5 has the stock resonators in front of the diff and mufflers int the back.  I think the resonators on the e-body were under the rear seat, probably where your mufflers are?  Maybe forward of that?  Just spitballing..