Chevrolet Small-Block: H-Pipe Vs. X-Pipe

This one has the small-block.

The Chevrolet small-block engine is a high-performance V-8 engine series that has been around for more than five decades. The exhaust manifold on any Chevy small-block will accept either H-pipe exhaust or X-pipe exhaust, both also called crossover exhausts.

Crossing for Performance

Crossover exhausts are a dual exhaust system, and the Chevy small-block engine is a dual exhaust engine. Crossover exhaust systems boost performance over straight-pipe dual exhausts.

Speed Vs. Noise

In performance testing, the X-pipe crossover demonstrates greater power boosting than the H-pipe exhausts. This is because the H-pipe has four additional 90-degree elbows in the pipes. The H-pipe, however, is quieter than the X-pipe.

Sleeper Chevy

The H-pipe is the most common factory-installed dual exhaust because of noise standards. Many drivers, however, like to build "sleeper" Chevys, or older Chevrolets that are much faster than expected. These drivers will usually install X-pipe exhausts.

References

• Auto Week: Chevrolet Small-Block Engine Celebrates 50
• Summit Racing: Advantages of Crossover Pipes
• Carcraft: Exhaust System Installation -- H-pipes versus Crossover Pipes