Tech Guide - Midpipes & Exhaust

While our tuned-length performance headers are designed to swap out the factory exhaust manifolds, our long tubes are available with matching high-flow X or H-style mid pipes to eliminate the need for expensive modifications and welds by featuring a OEM style ball/socket connection for a simple and leak free installation.

All mid pipes are built using the highest quality components for quality that matches their performance gains. Our mid pipes are engineered to fit the factory or many cat back exhaust systems including our Varitune & Power Plus Series versions.

 

All of BBK's pipes have the same hookups as the stock exhaust pipes, so that you may simply bolt-up and go.
 

 

Yes it does! The X configuration greatly increases scavenging in the exhaust system. Instead of pressure being equalized by a smaller, more restrictive straight piece of pipe, the sides come together in a much more effective design. The X section is larger, and the pipes angle directly into it, meaning the airflow does not have to try and jump from one side to the other to equalize pressure; it is a much smoother transition, leading to better flow numbers than compared to the H-pipe design. 
 

 

No, that should not be necessary. Both pipes leave BBK ready to bolt in place of the stock exhaust pipes, meaning that they should be interchangeable.
 

 

The standard-length X-pipes have more than enough clearance to accommodate the standard automatic transmission.
 

 

BBK recommends that when installing exhaust pipes, you loosely install all the connections first. Then, you will have a little bit of play to "put" the pipe where it fits best, then tighten down the corners equally. You do not want to start at one corner and tighten down fully. This could possibly pull the pipes too tight to one direction, causing fitment problems at other connection ends.
 

 

With the exception of the primary runners, all of BBK's exhaust piping is 2.5 inches. So all of our collectors as well as our H and X-pipes are listed as 2.5 inches in diameter.
 

 

This is a question that comes up quite often after installing our high flow X-pipes with the steel substrate converters.

These converters are used because they are the best high flow converters available for performance applications and also for the fact they are bullet proof – in fact we have never seen a set go bad and never warrantied any over 10 years.

The reason that you are getting codes or check engine lights is because the computer in the car is getting an irregular signal from the O2 sensors. Even If the code says they need replacing it is simply that the actual convertors are high flow. This is fixable with a tune.
 

 

Yes. The BBK full length midpipes are designed as a direct bolt-on replacement to the factory H-pipe, so you CAN retain your factory manifolds and mufflers. This can be an important thing for many enthusiasts with new cars under warranty, as some dealerships will not warranty a new vehicle if the factory manifolds have been removed. Since BBK's pipes will allow you to keep them in place, you can get greater horsepower while possibly still staying in bounds of your warranty guidelines. And of course, we remind you that it is your responsibility to follow the manufacturers warranty guidelines!
 

 

The BBK exhaust pieces are designed around a factory head. In this way, we can ensure that it will fit a factory 5.0L, or any 5.0L with parts that also match factory spec. However, some after market heads DO NOT meet the specs of the factory heads.

If the deck height is larger than stock, then it will push the collectors more toward the center, and cause misalignment with the H-pipe or X-pipe. A similar misalignment will occur if you are using a hi-port head, as it will bring the top of the header further up the slope of the head, changing the location of the collector relative to the rest of the car. The problem can seem even more severe when used with long tube header systems, as any angle change becomes more noticeable the further away the from the area of rotation. Basically, a small-degree rotation may affect the alignment of a short pipe by less than an inch, but since the collectors on the long tubes are much further removed from the source of the angle change, the difference could be as much as a few inches.
 

 

Check engine lights will occur on some vehicles with long tube headers and high flow mid pipes due to the fact that the factory computer is measuring the temps for the converter and O2 sensor constantly. When a converter or O2 Sensor is re-located further back as it is with long tube exhaust headers a check engine light appears because it takes the new converter longer to heat up. It is Not a physical issue with the headers or cats or O2 sensors (codes people are getting) and not a physical drive ability problem. It can be eliminated with a vehicle tune.
 

 

The most important factor for leak-free header gaskets is the way that the header gasket is installed.

It is very important to follow the installation instructions when installing the gaskets.The steps to follow are:

  • Install headers and gaskets and tighten bolts tight to correct torque
  • Run engine and allow the headers to get hot.
  • Shut the engine down.
  • While the headers are still hot tighten the header bolts again to correct torque.
  • Operate the vehicle for 200 to 300 miles.
  • While the headers are still hot tighten the bolts one more time to correct torque

 

If this procedure is followed, the header bolts should remain tight and the gaskets should last for many years. Checking the bolts once a while is also good idea, just make sure that everything remains tight and you don’t blow a header gasket.