Tailpipe position and outlet shape . . any effects on flow/performance?

[King_V]

Ok, let me start with what I hope is the simpler one.... location of exit.

Is there any advantage to having the tailpipes, instead of exiting at the rear, going out on the sides behind the rear wheels? Are there any drawbacks?

What about AHEAD of the rear wheels? Am I correct in assuming it's still legal? I know it avoids the hassle of going over the axle, but are there any other benefits? Drawbacks?



Now, tailpipe shape. I've seen some cars with square, oval, twin pipes, etc., and then there's the sort of musket/trumpet type of tailpipe (think the old Oldsmobile 442s for example). Does this offer any benefit, or does all this dealing with the shape of the exit come down to nothing more than gimmickry?

Finally, there's the strait round exit (vertical) versus the exit shaved at an angle - any real difference, or no?

[merc91]

tips are all gimics, as long as its the same size or bigger than your exhuast pipe is all thier is to that. I ran my duals to 2 turndowns right before the rear axle just shooting straight down and it sounds throaty and deeper than tailpipes and probly snags a few hp not having to go over the axle and all the bends in tailpipes. shorter the pipe means more good sound and, not much, but a few more horsies if you skip tails.

[johnunit]

legality of tips exiting before the rear wheels varies from state to state.

As for the performance advantages of exiting before the wheels, not much. You MIGHT have a small gain from not having the exhaust all kinked up over the rear axle, but it'll be minimal. At 180mph, nascars get a small gain from the vacuum of air rushing past the pipes sucking the exhaust out, but that's about it.

dumping in front of the rear wheels is usually for looks or simplicity/price.

Tailpipe shape does nothing. The only noticeable difference is that a very large-diameter tailpipe will lower the tone and increase the volume of the exhaust note. downturned pipes might be a bit quieter than straight-out. As for straight cut or or "trumpeted" or whatever, you won't notice anything.

[gadget73]

not much advantage. Possibly a very slight flow improvement dumping ahead of the wheels, but I doubt its enough to notice in practice.

[91grandmarquis]

Biggest advantage is going to be up front, some headers, and h or x pipe, and knock out a few of the 4 cats and that will open her up before offsets or tailpipes have a chance to think about effecting anything.

[merc91]

yeh going from stock to 2.5" duals, flowmasters, and turndowns before the axle didn't feel like much hp gain. but when i just did headers, h-pipe, 2 hi-flow cats and upperintake/tb and other stuff as far as airflow goes their was a big difference in power for only $250, then the $200 cat back duals help but catback alone doesn't do a whole lot other than sound no matter what you put on.

[1987cp]

Question: where are your biggest restrictions in your current exhaust setup? The answer to that will tell you what areas to start fussing over first.

[King_V]

Oh, heck, for me, the biggest restriction is that it's a SINGLE exhaust! lol

But really, I was just wondering about the various tailpipe strategies. I always figured that they were most likely just aesthetics (though I didn't know how flow was affected with the trumpet/musket style - if I thought anything might've had an affect, that would've been the one I guessed at).

I figured that since I'd likely be putting duals in sometime in the relatively near future, I should think about where the outlets should be, and what they should be shaped like, IF they have an affect.

Since the consensus is that it won't affect things noticeably, I'm not going to worry about it.

[1990LTD]

It's definitely a regional thing as far as legality goes. Some guys on here can get away with side exits, I asked around, but found them to be illegal on passenger cars around here. Same with running it without a muffler...our laws are: if it came with it, it's gotta have it to pass inspection

[P72Ford]

Resonated tips actually make a difference.

[GM_Guy]

The biggest decision to make for tailpipe exit, and I wish it hadn't slipped my mind when I had my exhaust done, but if you back into parking spaces and live where it snows, a side exhaust won't get smashed into snow banks.

Alex.

[1987cp]

The biggest decision to make for tailpipe exit, and I wish it hadn't slipped my mind when I had my exhaust done, but if you back into parking spaces and live where it snows, a side exhaust won't get smashed into snow banks.

Alex.

True, but it can also be susceptible to other types of damage. Not that everyone will do like I did and inadvertently drive across a parking barrier that some idiot had installed across a parking entrance, but still something to consider.

[andymac0035]

When I had My exhaust done they actually suggested side exits, but I wanted the classic "out the back" look. Sometimes I wish I had given it some more thought....because yes I do park backed up close to a snowbank.

[gadget73]

I like mine tucked underneath, exiting just barely forward of the rear bumper. No tip damage to worry about. The Mark VII has small tips on the back, but they don't really stick out much.

[91grandmarquis]

Mine turn down before the bumper, but don't stick out enough to see them.