When piecing together a custom exhaust system from various components, it’s important to understand how the industry sizes them, and how each component fits together so that your exhaust system performs as you want it to.
Summit Racing tech adviser Carl Pritts will cover four exhaust components in today’s video:
Each component is sized differently which helps to ensure compatibility and proper fitment.
O.D. vs. I.D. Pipe Measurements
Outer diameter (O.D.) is the measurement of the extreme outside dimensions of the pipe, including wall thickness.
Inner diameter (I.D.) is the measurement from one inner wall to the other inner wall within a pipe or tube.
Piping is most often measured in O.D. dimensions. It is designed to slip inside other components, most often a muffler.
Mufflers and exhaust tips are most often measured in I.D. dimensions.
A lap joint is the intersection where the pipe slips inside another exhaust component.
A butt joint occurs when two sections of pipe can’t slip inside the other because they have the same O.D.
There are three ways to effectively secure a butt joint:
- Weld it.
- Use a band clamp.
- Turn it into a lap joint with a tube expander.
Watch today’s video to learn more:
I have a 502 crate motor and the headers have 3 “ collectors. Shouldn’t I stay with 3”” exhaust pipe through out the system for best performance?
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