Why do all of the header companies I've looked into(dynatech, pacesetter, tti...) offer a y-pipe set-up, but not an x-pipe? Do they know something that we dont? Are they just trying to fit their product to the factory exhaust set-up? I dont know about yall but if I'm gonna pony up for the headers and hi-flow cats there wont be nothing stock behind it.

Does anyone know of a company that sells a header set-up with an x-pipe? Seems a little ridiculous to buy a y-pipe set-up and then cut it up for an x-pipe. Might as well not buy the y set-up and just build your own exhaust, but there again do they know something we dont?

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Are they just trying to fit their product to the factory exhaust set-up? I

Yup... that pretty much sums it up... there is a larger addenance of just "bolt on" performance seekers. If that buyer already has a "cat back", they are already invested in the exhaust... to help with the sell the header companies would be stupid if they didnt offer a "bolt on" kit for that buyer... if they didnt, he would keep looking.

BUT, on the positive side... ANY aftermarket y-pipe is better than our oem restriction. Once you have an aftermarket y-pipe, there is not much, if any, additional power gains stepping up to a true dual w/x-pipe. Some will even say it hurt them. At that point it becomes personal preference to sound. I personally love a true dual x-pipe exhaust... and will go that route when i do headers... someday..

That makes sense... I can't afford(says the wife) to buy all the pieces and run the TRUE dual set-up either. I had planned on buying a high quality cat back system with a si/do muffler, buying the header system later(when the wife aint looking) and then upgrade to 2 mufflers and an x-pipe. Or maybe even trying the di/do muffler first to see what I think. The good good cat back systems usually come in a 304 ss and are mandrel bent for good flow. This would nearly eliminate shop time and expense, and the only wasted piece is the original si/do muffler. The problem with this devious little plan is the original y-pipe is crap. I'll need to change this out when the cat-back goes on.

You would think that they would see the large interest in the true dual exhaust set-up and at least offer an x-pipe option on some of the higher end systems like Dynatech. Not everyone would settle for a cat-back if they could get the right stuff from the start. The fact that they dont leads me to believe that the single 3" pipe flows just as well as the dual 2.5"? Or is this a supply and demand conspiracy to fleece the unknowing truck lovers of their hard earned cash flow?

I also have heard guys say they lost some bottom end when they went with the true dual systems. Wide open flow, great for HP, bad for bottom end TQ. I tow a camper and a boat so I dont care to drop a lot of bottom end. This is a truck after all, if wont snatch my toys around then whats the point. Sure was wanting that TRUE dual though...