Not necessarily. Flowmaster has performed extensive dyno testing of traditional “H” pipes and various “X” pipe designs and has found that in most typical street applications, there are no clear benefits of one over the other. “X” pipes have become a buzz word in the world of performance exhaust, and are now produced in a wide variety of styles and designs. Some types perform well, and some others can be quite bad due to the excessive turbulence generated in the merge area. Unlike anything else available, Flowmasters Scavenger X-Pipe design features patented D-port technology to maximize the communication surface area between the two banks of cylinders, and maintain the exhaust pulse velocity for peak scavenging. In terms of sound, an X-pipe will generally provide a smoother, higher pitched tone than that of a traditional “H” crossover pipe. In some specialized race applications such as small cubic inch engines and /or restricted (small bore) carburetors, we have found that an “X” pipe can respond well over an “H” pipe. As with all race applications, there is no substitute for time on the dyno, developing the engine package as a system. For assistance with race system applications, please contact our technical department.