Classic/Antique Car Repair: 65 TBird, crossover pipe, exhaust gases

Question
Can you tell me to purpose of the crossover in the exhaust system? What would happen if I just cut it out and ran seprate exhaust for each side.

Answer
It makes the exhaust note a little quieter, and makes the car sound more like the luxury car it was designed to be.  If you elminate it, your car will sound a bit rougher, and louder.  

The crossover pipe takes advantage of the alternating pulses of exhaust gases from both sides of the engine to make it sound like a smooth 8 cylinder engine.  Without the crossover pipe, what you have is the sound of two 4 cylinder engines side by side - it's your choice!

Dick