2-1/2" or 3" IC piping?

[ITSAV6]

I know it has been beaten to death...but. I have a TE61 and an Ebay ic that's 31X18X3 w/3" in/outlets.

 

[RUQWKNF]

If your goals are mid 10s or faster, then go straight to 3", do not pass go, do not collect $200.00.

If you never intend on running faster than mid 10's then 2.5" pipes will get the job done.
One thing to remember is this, back before PTE came out with their FM IC that had 3" pipes, almost all the FM ICs sold to the public had 2.5" pipes, Eastern, Duttweiller, etc. And there were alot of people who ran into the 9's with the baby 2.5" pipes.
Just some food for thought.

Patrick

 

[ITSAV6]

11.0 is all I need thanks!

 

[Adam Connell]

So here is my question... I plan to be low 11s(fast enough to get booted for no cage)... I always hear people saying "dont bother unless you plan on going this fast" but would that product designed for 10 second cars still make my 11 second car faster?? Lets say I run 11.50s on an intercooler with 2.5in inlets, would jumping to a 3in inlets make any difference(if money was no issue, or I had both to swap)... my rule of thumb is that I only want to upgrade once if possible so I dont mind spending some extra cash up front even if I wont use a product to it's full potential.

I am realy considering getting the TA headers so I never have to deal with the stockers again... well everyone says not to bother because I dont plan on going 10.xx but would I still gain performance over the stockers??

I had always planned on going with a 3in inlet/outlet intercooler just because I want the best flow possible, but would I still see any difference over a 2.5in setup only running 11-12s?

Im having a hard time figuring out if people are trying to just save me money, or trying to tell me that I wont gain anything...

 

[RUQWKNF]

Good questions Adam.
Here's my take. If your turbo and converter combo have quick spool up, you might not see any ill effects of stepping up to 3" pipes at that levels. However, if your combo does not spool up super fast as it sits now, you might see some slight lag. (although some have reported zero difference) Lag created by having to fill up the larger 3" OD tubing. There was an thread either on this site, or another that discussed this very same topic. IMHO, if the converter / turbo combo is right, running 3" pipes would be a no brainer. Especially if you have a 3" t-body and or your turbos discharge takes a 3" hose. No more reducer hoses. The thinner walled 3" pipes that typically come with some ICs also dissipate heat faster than some of the older thick walled 2.5" tubing. Some of which were made out of SS and weighed a ton. I have seen many friends put a FM IC on with 3" pipes on mid to high 12 second cars and pick up quiet a bit, however, most of them already had higher stall converters on their cars to match the turbo they were upgrading too. A lot of things change when you throw big go fast parts on a combo. It's best to take it one part at a time, tune it the best you can and keep it simple. That is the direction I am currently taking with my current T. Simple. No more race car monster this, huge that, it's a very bad disease and spreads rather quickly.

The headers again come down to your converter. It has been proven time and again that if you do not have enough converter and try to run say ATR or Hooker headers, you will experience severe lag on a relatively stock motor. The Hooker headers were the worst of all due to the extremely long primary tubes and even longer up pipe to the turbo. I can only imagine the lag would be similar with the ATR headers on a low stall converter when running the T/As. But until someone actually logs some before and after data, this is only me speculating.

I would think if you want to run a 6131RE and T/A headers, and lets say you had a 9.5" converter that would flash stall to 3200, you would be fine and maintain relatively quick spool up, even with 3" IC pipes. It sure would help with getting the exhaust out that's for sure.
I'll have to keep searching for that post.

HTH

Patrick

 

[Adam Connell]

Patrick,
Thanks man, that answered all of my questions right there! Pretty much what I gather from that is that it's like everyone says "It's all about the combo". I think that one post has to be one of the most helpful replies I have ever recieved. Thanks! Do you work for a TR/GN vendor? You seem to know a lot thats why I ask.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[RUQWKNF]

I'm a former Territory 1 Sales Tech from Precision Turbo (Sept '01 - Aug '06).
Been messing with Buicks since '88. Just trying to help whenever I can.
I tell all my close friends, yeah, I'm just a washed up also ran. LOL

Patrick