Is it necessary to have an X or H pipe on my exhaust, 410 stroker with 3" magnaflow free flowing mufflers? Any benefits or not really?
Thx

I have ran both and they both give slight increases in torque.
The x pipe sounds great with flow masters.
But I run straight up duals off the headers on the 65 hemi car.

But then there is always the guys that will tell you that there new steering wheel gives them 15 more HP.

To answer your question no it is not necessary.
But then again it couldn't hurt!

It can also cause clearance problems.

I agree, The jury isn't out on the X pipe vrs H pipe. I am running the H pipe on mine instead of the X because it gives you better ground clearance. There is really no good spot to mount the X joint . But the X pipe does sound a bit better.

I have been running TTI headers w/collector extensions on my race car for years. Installed a 3" X-pipe and Dynomax UltraFlo mufflers ending at the rear end and adjusted for the extra 60-70 lbs it added - helped ET by .05-.10. Minor jetting adjustments may also be necessary to optimize it over the previous set-up.

Each combo is different. But I believe the X-pipe helped and the mufflers didn't hurt. Jetting changes may be needed because I figure the X-pipe affects flow and scavenging (more then the H would). I get compliments on the sound on a regular basis.

I agree the X seems to be a lot quieter than the H. I used Borla mufflers behind my X pipe. It may be a little too quiet for most but it doesn't rattle yours ears at 60 mph.

I had a terrible drone on my exhaust with an h-pipe.

On the advice of someone I trust, I swapped the h- for an x- (everthing else the same--mufflers, manifolds, pipes) and the drone is gone.

Your results may vary.

When deciding on my Lil' Red Express whether or not I wanted one, the comment that sold me was basically: "I haven't seen one make less power with an X-pipe yet..."

For the little bit more outlay that it ran me, it made sense.

The only downside is that it makes it a bit harder to pull the trans. Even there, I'm running some nice exhaust bands, so in a matter of minutes I have wide open access to the trans...

The Hemi ran much better with a little back pressure applied. I was thinking about the H pipe for the coronet also.
Ground Clearance is at a premium so I cant do the x pipe on her.

In my opinion a H pipe sounds Mopar vintage muscle car and X pipe sound wimpy and modern, not like a rumbling Mopar V8. I have went from X to H on my cars. I do agree that you will probably get a drone at some rpm, but rather that than driving around and sound like a Chevy
And like above mentioned, you will get more clerance with the H

I had asked the same question a month ago about.

I was undecided until I got a steal of a deal on a summit brand universal x pipe kit.

I've put about 200 miles so far on the truck. I'm running dynomax's with turn downs immediately after the muffler. The only noise they make is at idle. Cruising around, they are stock quiet. No highway drone or noise. Under hard throttle, it is a tiny bit high pitched. YMMV though

I've got the X with Dynomax super turbo mufflers on a 496. Noise is not obnoxious. Quieter with maybe a bit more power makes the X a good choice for me.

Dont know if this will help you decide but this is my 63 with the X-pipe and Ultra-Flow mufflers. Dont know how much they may help as I have always raced it through the full exh. Ron

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYIM2HLaOI4&feature=related