Crossovers; what are they good for?

I am finally in the process of finalizing installation of my after market exhaust system with a few reservations and concerns.

I am concerned about the install. I have seen way too many systems ( Corsa ) where the installation was poor and it burned the exhaust sills. A mechanic told me that its not the installation but the poor design of the exhaust...does this have some merit?

and

I am wondering what are the crossovers for? I am certain they must have been put there for a reason and a purpose.

Patrick

I am wondering what are the crossovers for?

Sound...It improves the sound of the exhaust.

For any power advantage the crossover needs to be located between the collectors. I believe the theory is it increases mid-range torque as well as a different sound.

Further back in the system will have an effect on sound but no power gain.

... I am wondering what are the crossovers for? -wormdoggy

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It's a super heater. lol

to improve sound and to act as a seat heater

The crossover system was designed to "mingle" the sounds of the 5-cylinders on each side of the engine.

Because of the sound produced by the firing order of the 10 cylinders, the crossover is a big help toward us a "bigger" sound. V-8 rumble (on a performance car) and sound deep and powerful. The V-10, though it has more power, does not. Viper's have a higher pitched sound (in my opinion) when they really start screamin'.

Anyway, the crossover is a help in the tone department. It's also a fearsome butt-warmer!

Jim W.

Crossovers; what are they good for?

"Absolutely nothing. Good God, say it again."

The crossover system was designed to "mingle" the sounds of the 5-cylinders on each side of the engine.

Because of the sound produced by the firing order of the 10 cylinders, the crossover is a big help toward us a "bigger" sound. V-8 rumble (on a performance car) and sound deep and powerful. The V-10, though it has more power, does not. Viper's have a higher pitched sound (in my opinion) when they really start screamin'.

Anyway, the crossover is a help in the tone department. It's also a fearsome butt-warmer!

Jim W.

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Although I am not disputing the cross over function, I cant believe DC engineers would sacrifice rediculous cabin heat for the sake of better sound. HARD TO BELIEVE...................why not just throw on the after market exhaust systems as a stock item and avoid all these problems???

Cheers
Patrick

Although I am not disputing the cross over function, I cant believe DC engineers would sacrifice rediculous cabin heat for the sake of better sound. HARD TO BELIEVE...................why not just throw on the after market exhaust systems as a stock item and avoid all these problems???

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After market isn't the answer because they would have to be modified to meet Federal noise regulations.

Are you guys really having problems with the heat? I didn't notice SRT cabin heat to be any worse than the original Vipers.

They help bake you in the oven!!

Chuck wins this one all the way, and jwwiii is somewhat correct.

The tone is not deeper at all with the X-over on the car, but it doe's have a great pulse to it.

X-over's need to be in the hot zone of the exhaust pipe to create a scavenging effect. This is about one foot past the collectors, so very little of this takes place on the SRT, far back as it is.

To elaborate on this, the x-over doe's mingle the sound by giving more reverberation to the exhaust, but most importantly it cancels out the very low frequencies generated that can not be heard by the driver, but can be heard very well beond 10 feet or more. Straight out the side is a bit muddy in sound, but overwhelming at full throttle, and I mean this to be a good thing. There are many benifits of removing this, but the untimate sound is with the x-over on the car, and deleting the sec. cats, shorter muffler. This will sound great, but no X-over also sounds good in a different way. Not for the faint hearted. The X-over also reduces drone in the car, that is very annoying on a long cruise, or when wanting to relax after a night of sporting about. This drone is difficult to cancel out. It actually takes a 6 inch muffler to cancel this out when using 3 inch pipe rather than the 2.5 the car comes with.

EPA sound levels are very strict, but it's the low freq. sounds generated that are bad. The X-over doe's cancel this out.

As far as it roasting you nearly to death, roll the window down a bit, and you won't have this so called problem. I till this day don't understand why people have to have the car sealed up when driving, as this is what makes it hot inside, regardless of A/C or not.

Chuck, is correct about aftermarket not being the answer. I've always said companies like Borla and Corsa, are somewhat govermental with the way there system sounds. I think the Mopar track system is not this way, nor are the Bullet Mufflers I try to convince people to buy from me. But the sun doe's rise and set on Borla and Corsa to hear people tell it.

No question my car is hottest with the top and windows down. Top up it is fine. Hot sunny days can be unbearable, even with no cats. My next try will be crossover delete as I can take more noise in order to get rid of the heat.

I am concerned about the install. I have seen way too many systems ( Corsa ) where the installation was poor and it burned the exhaust sills. A mechanic told me that its not the installation but the poor design of the exhaust...does this have some merit?

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I heard this as well only one other time. Can anyone honestly say that their side sills got burned by the new upgraded exhaust? Has anyone burned their side sills (exhaust) from installing corsa or borla exhausts with a high flow cat? Or even without a high flow cat?

I am concerned about the install. I have seen way too many systems ( Corsa ) where the installation was poor and it burned the exhaust sills. A mechanic told me that its not the installation but the poor design of the exhaust...does this have some merit?

Click to expand...

I heard this as well only one other time. Can anyone honestly say that their side sills got burned by the new upgraded exhaust? Has anyone burned their side sills (exhaust) from installing corsa or borla exhausts with a high flow cat? Or even without a high flow cat?

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I've seen several pictures on this forum where the side sills openings were burned or damaged. I know of 3 guys where this happened to them as well. The latest comment by a mechanic was a concern because he said that he cannot guarantee that it won't happen. Its just the design of the exhaust system and the little room you have for error during installation.

Cheers
Patrick

Only burning I have heard is from the tips being off set from the openings and causing the exhaust gas to hit the rear of the openings. A good installation and alignment should prevent that from happening.

Crossovers eliminate the drone you will get if you install headers. The 3-inchers I have (B&B) will also deepen the sound quite a bit. MUCH better than any other system I've tried or heard.

Straight out the sides sounds cool for about 1 hour, IMHO. More than that = headache + hearing loss.

A full 3-inch system with h/f cats, mufflers and pipes will eliminate much of the heat that the factory crossovers retain and put into our cabins / side sills. The tips are still hot, but the sills are a bunch cooler.

Viper X:

So your 3" B&B system has a 3" crossover as well? Do you have a link for the system? Thanks.

Patrick,

I have tried them all and ended up designing a new system in our shop. If you look back on the old posts there has been a top of discussion on this. I am emailing you some imformation on our system.