power lost from my exhaust?
Back pressure is a bad thing and you don't want it. The only reason some say yo do is it means the fueling of the motor doesn't need to be adjusted.
A freer flowing setup will require calibration and tuning to make the most from it.
However a restrictive exhaust will alter the profile of the torque curve and move it more towards the lower end of the scale where as a freer flowing setup will move the profile towards the upper rpms.
Now as HP is a function of torque:
HP = torque x rpm / 5252
It means if you produce the SAME or MORE torque at higher rpms you will also produce more power. Alternatively if you produce the SAME or LESS torque at lower rpms HP will also drop.
On a fairly stock setup the only thing 3" duals are likely to do is reduce exhaust gas flow velocity. However not by enough to make any real odds.
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larger diameter pipe means the same volume of gas can flow with a reduced velocity;
small diameter pipe means the same volume of gas has to flow with an increased velocity (to move the same volume);
reduced velocity means the negative pressure behind the pulse will not be as great, meaning scavenging (sucking thru to the intake port) will be reduced;
but as Blur and 300 said, the difference should be small enough to not worry about;
large diameter pipes do allow larger flow at higher rpm (i.e. the maximum flow rate is higher).








