Zambia wrote:
Jorgen, if a 3 into 1 offers scavenging and supercharging, what is the shortcoming? Is it difficult to generate a perfect reversion wave since there is turbulence in the belly of the pipe caused by the cylinder pulses? Would a stinger on such a set up help or hinder the situation by accelerating the exit speed of the exhaust gas? Do modern 2 stroke engines with 3 into 1 pipes overcome the situation with variable exhaust valves?
The theory behind this is, as far as I have understood, they have a scevenging effect, but some of it is wasted varying the pressure in the 2 ex branches that are inactive at the time. And it can have some supercharging effect as the ex pulse of the cyl just opening its ex port raises the pressure in the branch of the cylinder that is about to close its ex port.
And since many sledges use this kind of pipes, the logic would be that the suction is as good as, or even stronger, than a open end almost straight pipe will provide. (like our stock exhaust pipes)
So, I guess the torque is about same as stock exhaust, but since they tend to not rev very well, the peak power is way lower than a 3:3 expansion chamber. My figaroli 3:1 has a stinger, but it's diameter is a lot larger than on a 3:3.
The pipe volume is also quite large, a lot more than one 3:3 pipe, and that may be a part of the reason they scavenge quite well (makes a good suction pulse, or vacuum behind the initial exhaust pulse.
I will assume a variable ex timing will do good, as the blow down then increase significant when fully open, and the pressure in combustion chamber (cylinder) then drops to a value closer to the crankcase pressure when transfers opening. Then less of the hot, spent gases will flow down transfers, and you gain power.
But maybe the most important thing for great mid range power with a 3 into 1 pipes, is that the returning wave (waves, in this case) do not mess up the scavenging process just BEFORE the piston closes transfers, usally at 2/3 rpm of max torque rpm as standard 3:3 does. You gain in the mid range compared to 3:3, but loose big time on peal power as the returning wave(s) is a lot weaker than the standard expansion chambers provide.