2.5" or 3" exhaust? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

AquaSSRS · 02-21-2010, 10:39 AM

Guys need some help!

I will be putting on an exhaust soon and need help deciding.

I am really interested in the Solo Mach-X kit and it sounds great on the clips. My only concern is that it is a 2.5" kit. I currently don't have SC or other mods (besides CAI), but may do a SC a couple years down the line. Just don't wanna get this kit and if I do a SC need to do a different exhaust because not enough flow.

Any input on hp limits of 2.5" compared to 3" would be great?

nalinc23 · 02-21-2010, 11:22 AM

I'd be interested to hear feedback on this as well. I currently have no performance mods and plan on picking out an exhaust soon.

axis · 02-21-2010, 02:04 PM

From what i've heard from most vendors, a 3in exhaust will not benefit you until you get into HIGH HP numbers. I'm talking more than 700. By that time, you'll have spent MUCH more in motor upgrades. It's just not worth the price difference unless you just REALLY want it. Most of the people that are new to THIS Camaro, don't realize that the stock exhaust flows VERY well, it's just very quiet.

If you're that worried about it, do one of the many cheaper alternatives.

SSOOCH · 02-21-2010, 02:17 PM

Same thing I've heard. Unless you're going to supercharge it 3" exhaust will actually make you loose low end torque.

axis · 02-21-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSOOCH

Same thing I've heard. Unless you're going to supercharge it 3" exhaust will actually make you loose low end torque.

Didn't we already debunk the backpressure myth?

SSOOCH · 02-21-2010, 02:30 PM

I'm just telling the OP what a couple of people who know a lot more about cars than I do have told me.

Wvallediego · 02-21-2010, 02:33 PM

Hmmm, I would like to know also. If a bigger 3" exhaust makes you loose power,...Won't the headers do the same?

chevyss · 02-21-2010, 02:35 PM

Gosh, if your going to do it, the 3" is the way to go. I know the ARH long tube and 3" back to the axle has really been great for mine. I also added the Airaid CAI kit and that too made a big difference

wbdinger · 02-21-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wvallediego

Hmmm, I would like to know also. If a bigger 3" exhaust makes you loose power,...Won't the headers do the same?

Yes the larger headers will loose some power in the lower rpms same as the exhaust pipes,unless like stated above and have 600+hp. For 90% of street machines 2.5 is plenty large enough.

axis · 02-21-2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbdinger

Yes the larger headers will loose some power in the lower rpms same as the exhaust pipes,unless like stated above and have 600+hp. For 90% of street machines 2.5 is plenty large enough.

You sure about that? The 2in headers have the highest peak numbers, for reference. Since he chose to use red for all the lines, it's hard to tell which is which but it looks like a washout between the 1 7/8 and 2in headers till the peak numbers. Tq is pretty much a washout until 4.7k rpm.

wbdinger · 02-21-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axis

You sure about that?

Uh yes as you will not feel 5hp diff on the street
17/8" headers with 2.5 will easly handle 500 approx rwhorses

AZ5G · 02-21-2010, 06:23 PM

If the intent is to not go into the motor, cam, etc; or SC, there is no reason to go to 3.0....I think Janetty already settled the argument...IMHO...AZ5G

axis · 02-21-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wbdinger

Uh yes as you will not feel 5hp diff on the street
17/8" headers with 2.5 will easly handle 500 approx rwhorses

I totally agree about no benefit from going to 3in exhaust. It's the losing power with bigger exhaust that I have a problem with.

wbdinger · 02-21-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZ5G

If the intent is to not go into the motor, cam, etc; or SC, there is no reason to go to 3.0....I think Janetty already settled the argument...IMHO...AZ5G

02-21-2010, 10:39 AM	#1
AquaSSRS Drives: formerly a AGM ZL1 (sold) Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 435	2.5" or 3" exhaust? Guys need some help! I will be putting on an exhaust soon and need help deciding. I am really interested in the Solo Mach-X kit and it sounds great on the clips. My only concern is that it is a 2.5" kit. I currently don't have SC or other mods (besides CAI), but may do a SC a couple years down the line. Just don't wanna get this kit and if I do a SC need to do a different exhaust because not enough flow. Any input on hp limits of 2.5" compared to 3" would be great?

02-21-2010, 11:22 AM	#2
nalinc23 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS 6MT Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 258	I'd be interested to hear feedback on this as well. I currently have no performance mods and plan on picking out an exhaust soon. __________________ '10 2SS/RS 6MT, Silver Ice Metallic/Black, CAI Inc Intake, Magnaflow 3'' Catback Exhaust 16483, Llumar 35% Tint, Headlight Armor 20% for Fog/Side/Tail Light Lenses

02-21-2010, 02:04 PM	#3
axis Search Ninja Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Ark Posts: 7,183	From what i've heard from most vendors, a 3in exhaust will not benefit you until you get into HIGH HP numbers. I'm talking more than 700. By that time, you'll have spent MUCH more in motor upgrades. It's just not worth the price difference unless you just REALLY want it. Most of the people that are new to THIS Camaro, don't realize that the stock exhaust flows VERY well, it's just very quiet. If you're that worried about it, do one of the many cheaper alternatives. __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Halltech CF 102 fed GPI modded intake manifold Bo (knows) White ported TB Kooks LT's/ Dynomax VT Pfadted (springs/sways) Dyno tuned by Rhino and GPI I once parallel parked a train.

02-21-2010, 02:17 PM	#4
SSOOCH Camaro SL,UTs Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS #16429 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jordan, UT Posts: 7,357 View My Garage	Same thing I've heard. Unless you're going to supercharge it 3" exhaust will actually make you loose low end torque. __________________

02-21-2010, 02:30 PM	#6
SSOOCH Camaro SL,UTs Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS #16429 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jordan, UT Posts: 7,357 View My Garage	I'm just telling the OP what a couple of people who know a lot more about cars than I do have told me. __________________

02-21-2010, 02:33 PM	#7
Wvallediego Drives: Inferno Orange 2010 RS SS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: uas Posts: 408	Hmmm, I would like to know also. If a bigger 3" exhaust makes you loose power,...Won't the headers do the same?

02-21-2010, 02:35 PM	#8
chevyss SS/RS Drives: 2010 SS/RS IOM w/blk stripes A6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 816 View My Garage	Gosh, if your going to do it, the 3" is the way to go. I know the ARH long tube and 3" back to the axle has really been great for mine. I also added the Airaid CAI kit and that too made a big difference

02-21-2010, 06:23 PM	#12
AZ5G AZ5G Drives: 2010 Transformer Ed. 1SS M6 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 84	If the intent is to not go into the motor, cam, etc; or SC, there is no reason to go to 3.0....I think Janetty already settled the argument...IMHO...AZ5G

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