Im going to a local muffler shop soon, planning on getting some new pipe to go from my test pipe to a muffler of some sort (still undecided on this), but Im wondering if I should go under the axel or not.

I noticed in the recent exhaust thread, someone posted a pic of such a setup, what would be the drawback of doing it this way?

 

I would think your ride height would be an issue in terms of rubbing things underneath the car, but even more importantly, if you jack the rear of the car the axle would probably hit the pipe as the suspension moved downwards. If fit 2 1/2 inch piping over the axle on my car, and I have even seen someone fit a 4 inch pipe over the axle in an E production rex. Of course, with that car, the rear suspension articulation is only like an inch, therefore the axle never comes close enough to contact the exhaust pipe. I would route it over the axle.

 

Well, seems like over the axle is probably the most convenient route given that you will be needing to work on the car from time to time. If you route under the axle, you're going to have to come up with something that allows you to raise the car and let the suspension down to change tires, etc.

Plus, under the axle uses up available ground clearance. With these cars as low as they get with aftermarket springs and such, you're liable to be dragging that mid-pipe over every speedbump in your town. For that inconvenience alone, I'd go with an over-the-axle design. But, hey,... that's just me.

 

If the car never left the race track, or got jacked up, or travelled off the ground in any way - under axle would be fine. Unfourtunately everyday driving dictate if you want to get your monies worth, over axle is appropriate.

 

Thanks everyone, over it is!

 

I ran a 3-inch pipe under the axle of my Peripheral Port 13B 1st gen. I flatened it a bit for clearance, but it was not restrictive. Worked great and I drove the car 8,000 miles (Oregon to Florida and back) on the street. No ground clearance issues with my slight 1-inch drop RB springs. What I really like about going under the axle is the ease of pulling the exhaust if necessary. In fact, my exhaust was one-piece, header to exhaust tip!

 

why even go to the axle. hell, just turn it to the side and blast the cars that pull up next to you. you could probley fit like 2 24" magnaflow bullet mufflers under there for some muffling.

carl.

 

i would run it under. I noticed a pretty good difference w my bridgeport once i had it ran under the axle. it had a lot more flow w less restrictions. I guess it all just depends on how kinked the bend is. Mine was pretty bad so i changed it.