Does anyone really think there is any difference in the building of X-pipes?

I'm in the process of choosing one for my new exhaust, and I'm stuck between Dr.Gas and Torque Tech... I'm guessing all the higher quality ones are pretty similar, just asking for opinions here first though.

TIA for any thoughts. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

Magnaflow makes a pretty good flowing X pipe too.

http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/02hardware.asp

Prices vary, but I think about $45.00

The very best looking X-Pipe I've seen is made by Kook's - http://www.kookscustomheaders.com

There is a difference if you looked at this one as compared to a Dr. Gas. You'll see they spent a lot more time on the inside of the crossover cleaning up the junctions, not a mass produced part. Probably not noticeable on a street car but if you want the ultimate they make the best.

Dr Gas invented the X-pipe, and was the first to market. I gather he didn't patent his idea?
At any rate, there might be more going on here than just joining 2 90 degree bends into an X. But who knows for sure.
All I can say is that I bought and installed the Dr. gas X in 1998, before anyone at my local track had ever heard about it, or had head one for that matter, and the thing flat works. I had a 560hp 468 in my Nova and with or without the DR Gas system it ran the same mph. Which tells me the setup didin't cost me any hp.
And it made my Rat sound like a high winding small block!
Ron

Ron, when you say with or without the X pipe, did you mean it ran the same uncapped as it does with the pipe. Or do you mean that it ran the same through straight pipes and mufflers as it does through the X pipe and mufflers? Really, reguardless of any one persons results, the X pipe is almost always beneficial, but still, not always. There are occassions, depending on the setup, that it may not seem to be worth it in comparison to another guy who seems to get great results. But, more often than not, the X pipe will excel over your typical dual exhaust system. I would also assume better quality provides better results too, but I cant tell you how those two brands stack up against each other.

Hi Greg,

Thanks for the question.
I meant Dr.Gas system vs. uncapped. And to be specific, uncapped with 18" extensions in place.

I beleive we had decent air on the uncapped day. That was the ONLY time I have run my car un-capped.
I hated the sound that way.
ET's were in the 10.92-10.94 range. Quicker than normal by about a .08, but the car was missing the entire exhaust system. (60lbs) I run full exhaust with tail pipes that exit behind the rear tires, ala Nova and Camaro.
I ran 121 mph on evrey pass and the car has actually gone 123 mph with the full 3" exh system.
I really believe in the setup, I don't think it costs me much if any HP, and it's quiet enough to run the late night drags here. 88dB on the meter, and that's pretty quiet. I run the spin trap (tech) mufflers with the 12" dynomax bullets installed in the tailpipes.


Ron

Cool, thats good results if the X pipe runs just as well as uncapped.