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I'm in the process of building the hot side of my 5.3 project, and I've come to a stand still because I can't decide what would be best:
I run shorty headers, with 2.25 pipes. Initially I was going to merge the two 2.25" pipes to a 3", which would then go to the turbo (probably about 30" worth of 3"). I can maybe run my exhaust a bit differently, to reduce the 3" pipe down to maybe about 5" but one side of the engine will end up with a much shorter run of 2.25" and some tighter bends.
The other solution would be to merge both 2.25" pipes into another 2.25" pipe that would run those 30" left into the turbo (I'd have to use a cone to go from 2.25 to the 3" pipe I've already fitted to the T4 flange, this would be pretty short, maybe 4")
What would be the better system? or am I just over complicating things?
(street car, on3 78mm with Tick stage3 cam and LS6 intake)
Really what I want to know is this (as there's really only one way to run my exhaust which is the pass side goes under the pan, to then meet up with the driver side into a single pipe to the turbo)
Can I run 2.25" pipes out of both headers, then merge them into another 2.25" single pipe that would go to the turbo (that piece would be about 30" long), or should I go 2.5 or 3" ?
After researching I see that 2" dual into 2.25" single is good enough to support absurd power (as in 1000hp), thus I would think dual 2.25 into a single 2.25 would also support a good amount...
Why not run them separate and merge right before the turbo.
My turbo mounts on the passenger side by the firewall (this is on a 68 vette). I could run two pipes, but it would seems more of a pita. Basically right now, I run the pass side pipe under the pan (in front of the sump) and then it would hang a left (towards the back of the engine) where the driver side pipe would merge to it in order to run one single pipe back up to the turbo on the pass side. I could run two separate pipe, but it's twice the pipes, twice the work...
My turbo mounts on the passenger side by the firewall (this is on a 68 vette). I could run two pipes, but it would seems more of a pita. Basically right now, I run the pass side pipe under the pan (in front of the sump) and then it would hang a left (towards the back of the engine) where the driver side pipe would merge to it in order to run one single pipe back up to the turbo on the pass side. I could run two separate pipe, but it's twice the pipes, twice the work...
OMG! a 68 Vette engine bay has plenty of room, and the aftermarket has provided every possible iteration of intake, exhaust, and suspension component imaginable. Why in hell would you mount the turbo by the passenger side firewall? The headlight area alone has room for twins if you discard the popup actuator bullshit. The only real problem I see is the exhaust behind the motor. Sidepipes look cool, but are horrible to live with, and underbody real estate is slim on your ride.
OMG! a 68 Vette engine bay has plenty of room, and the aftermarket has provided every possible iteration of intake, exhaust, and suspension component imaginable. Why in hell would you mount the turbo by the passenger side firewall? The headlight area alone has room for twins if you discard the popup actuator bullshit. The only real problem I see is the exhaust behind the motor. Sidepipes look cool, but are horrible to live with, and underbody real estate is slim on your ride.
because I want pop up headlights, and alot of other things in the car....it's a hotrod, not a drag car or hack job to go fast....there's purpose to my madness
Once you keep everything as is on a c3, real estate is not what it seems to be...it's less than a 69 camaro or nova, alot less....due to the fact the radiator is tilted etc etc... but at any rate, where I have it now, it's a sweet spot....I just need to decide if I merge my 2.25 pipes to a single 2.25, 2.5 or 3
I have a 3" pipe squared into the t4...if i need to reduce it to 2.5 or 2.25 i would use a cone...
Really my question is purely on the physics of things in regards to merging those two 2.25 pipes and the size i should run from that merge to the turbo knowing that it is a bit long (havent measure but as i said, about 30 maybe 40" long).
i am planning on running two 2.25 merged into 3" before turbo but mainly just due to lack of room. id love to be able to run dual 2.25 all the way to the turbo without hacking up a ton of stuff.
I ended up going with the 3" pipe to the turbo...here's some pics....it's actually all done now (well tacked in place) and in the process of making brackets to support the turbo:
I think you made a good decision to go 2 into 1 pc 3". It's way different than how I would have done it, but thats what I love about these, they are all different, and generally speaking, all run really well!
waste gate will be as close as the flange as I can get...won't know for sure exactly where until I mount the system on the car and see.
I'm off DorKchester by Whitehall...we're practically neighbors ! LOL
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hot side piping question 
