Buckle up 'cause I'm diving right in...
The surface area of a 2.00" pipe is effectively 3.14".
The surface area of a 2.25" pipe is effectively 3.98".
The surface area of a 2.5" pipe is effectively 4.91".
The surface area of a 2.75" pipe is effectively 5.94".
The surface area of a 3" pipe is effectively 7.07".
The surface area of a 3.25" pipe is effectively 8.30".
The surface area of a 3.5" pipe is effectively 9.62".
There are debates about what size exhaust to run for each application. I'm going to state that for most HO-converted Panthers, a dual 2" or a single 3" will be the best route. I'll tell you why...
My research shows that a dual 2.5" exhaust system can support roughly 500hp before it becomes a choke. If you look, 2.5" is a little under 5" of surface area. So thinking about it, if you take the total surface area of the pipe (9.82" in a dual 2.5" system) and divide it by 2, then multiply by 100, that is ROUGHLY the power the exhaust can support before it becomes a potential restriction.
9.82" / 2 x 100 = 491hp
Running on that theory...
Dual 2":
6.28" / 2 x 100 = 314hp
Single 3":
7.07" / 2 x 100 = 353.5hp
Personally, I prefer to slightly undershoot my exhaust size (after running dual 2.5" on a Panther wagon for two years) to enhance torque numbers. On our large cars torque is a must. Some will probably state that they went from dual 2.25" to dual 2.5" and noticed a huge difference. I want track results. On mildly built Panthers, it's best to keep it modest to retain the torque instead of overkilling and losing bottom end performance only to possibly gain 1-3 horses in the top end.
To obtain the optimum performance level of an exhaust system, take its peak number and divide it by two. That will give you the lowest rating at which it may provide results. If that is the lowest rating and the peak is the highest, halfway between will be the optimum performance level. For example:
Dual 2":
6.28" / 2 x 100 = 314hp
320 / 2 = 160
160 / 2 = 80
160 + 80 = 240
Optimum level = 240hp
Single 3":
7.07" / 2 x 100 = 353.5hp
350 / 2 = 175
175 / 2 = 87.5
175 + 87.5 = 262.5
Optimum level = 262.5hp
Dual 2.25":
7.96" / 2 x 100 = 398hp
400 / 2 = 200
200 / 2 = 100
200 + 100 = 300
Optimum level = 300hp
Dual 2.5":
9.82" / 2 x 100 = 491hp
500 / 2 = 250
250 / 2 = 125
250 + 125 = 375
Optimum range = 375hp
Now... there are other things that play a role in what the system can and can't support. For example, on a dual exhaust system, an X-pipe will typically scavenge better than an H-pipe, allowing for better flow. In any instance, a crossover is damn near a necessity to balance the pressure between the two tubes. A catalytic converter may or may not noticeably slow the air flow. Muffler selection will also play a part in flow velocity and expansion, as well as audible volume.
As far as the sound from mufflers... it really depends on what sound you like...
Straight-through mufflers will typically provide a more raspy sound, but usually last longest.
Baffled designs provide a more mellow tone but are known to rust due to the design (manufacturers are steadily improving that).
Packed mufflers (stock style) will provide the quietest exhaust but greatly depend on the manufacturer's quality to determine how long the packing material will last.
The surface area of a 2.00" pipe is effectively 3.14".
The surface area of a 2.25" pipe is effectively 3.98".
The surface area of a 2.5" pipe is effectively 4.91".
The surface area of a 2.75" pipe is effectively 5.94".
The surface area of a 3" pipe is effectively 7.07".
The surface area of a 3.25" pipe is effectively 8.30".
The surface area of a 3.5" pipe is effectively 9.62".
There are debates about what size exhaust to run for each application. I'm going to state that for most HO-converted Panthers, a dual 2" or a single 3" will be the best route. I'll tell you why...
My research shows that a dual 2.5" exhaust system can support roughly 500hp before it becomes a choke. If you look, 2.5" is a little under 5" of surface area. So thinking about it, if you take the total surface area of the pipe (9.82" in a dual 2.5" system) and divide it by 2, then multiply by 100, that is ROUGHLY the power the exhaust can support before it becomes a potential restriction.
9.82" / 2 x 100 = 491hp
Running on that theory...
Dual 2":
6.28" / 2 x 100 = 314hp
Single 3":
7.07" / 2 x 100 = 353.5hp
Personally, I prefer to slightly undershoot my exhaust size (after running dual 2.5" on a Panther wagon for two years) to enhance torque numbers. On our large cars torque is a must. Some will probably state that they went from dual 2.25" to dual 2.5" and noticed a huge difference. I want track results. On mildly built Panthers, it's best to keep it modest to retain the torque instead of overkilling and losing bottom end performance only to possibly gain 1-3 horses in the top end.
To obtain the optimum performance level of an exhaust system, take its peak number and divide it by two. That will give you the lowest rating at which it may provide results. If that is the lowest rating and the peak is the highest, halfway between will be the optimum performance level. For example:
Dual 2":
6.28" / 2 x 100 = 314hp
320 / 2 = 160
160 / 2 = 80
160 + 80 = 240
Optimum level = 240hp
Single 3":
7.07" / 2 x 100 = 353.5hp
350 / 2 = 175
175 / 2 = 87.5
175 + 87.5 = 262.5
Optimum level = 262.5hp
Dual 2.25":
7.96" / 2 x 100 = 398hp
400 / 2 = 200
200 / 2 = 100
200 + 100 = 300
Optimum level = 300hp
Dual 2.5":
9.82" / 2 x 100 = 491hp
500 / 2 = 250
250 / 2 = 125
250 + 125 = 375
Optimum range = 375hp
Now... there are other things that play a role in what the system can and can't support. For example, on a dual exhaust system, an X-pipe will typically scavenge better than an H-pipe, allowing for better flow. In any instance, a crossover is damn near a necessity to balance the pressure between the two tubes. A catalytic converter may or may not noticeably slow the air flow. Muffler selection will also play a part in flow velocity and expansion, as well as audible volume.
As far as the sound from mufflers... it really depends on what sound you like...
Straight-through mufflers will typically provide a more raspy sound, but usually last longest.
Baffled designs provide a more mellow tone but are known to rust due to the design (manufacturers are steadily improving that).
Packed mufflers (stock style) will provide the quietest exhaust but greatly depend on the manufacturer's quality to determine how long the packing material will last.
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