Working on putting together a CB exhaust using 2-1/2 or 3 " dia. pipe to help promote the hp ponies. Going to have ToasterBoy Nate weld it up but the decent looking aka, non-fart can, mufflers have 2.25" inlets which is same as stock exhaust dia's. Should I even be concerned about this reduced inlet size? Have read that 2.5" is the minimum dia. while 3" is not necessary unless pushing 300+ hp which I do not plan on doing. http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/streetmufflers.asp?shape=5in.x8in.%20Oval
I know people who are pushing 350WHP on a 2.5" TBE. Biggest thing to remember is that you want the largest pipe you can have right behind the turbo, and by time you get to the muffler section, a nice free flowing muffler is all that is needed. 95% of the cars on this site would see less than 5whp difference between a 2.5 and 3" muffler. Russ
Your transitions between pipe sizes are the critical part. Use a smooth taper between pipe diameters and you will have a negligible effect on backpressure.
I dont think your looking hard enough, Vibrant, Magnaflow and many others make several 3 inch mufflers that dont look like fart cans. btw all the 3 inch magnaflows are under race series http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/racemufflers.asp?shape=5in.x8in. Oval
Thanks for the info about Vibrant so will go check them out. Finding out Amazon has vendors selling Magnaflow's for alot cheaper than retail. Most are $80-$160 which is not too bad. Magnaflow #14834 is 3" under Street Version and only option this size since Race are most likely alot louder and do not want an obnoxious exhaust.
