do i really need 3" exhaust

Check this out I was trying to figure out how much a difference in flow it might make going from the stupid 1 7/8" reducers and smashed downtubes on my shorty headers to 2 1/4" all the way to the rest of the existing 2 1/2" X-pipe system. The change would surely be noticed once I cam up the engine (360 Magnum) into the 350-375 HP range from its current 300 or so

"Science be praised" lol

Pipe Diameter (inches), Pipe Area (in2), Total CFM (est.), Max HP Per Pipe, Max HP For A Dual Pipe System
1 1/2 1.48 171 78 155
1 5/8 1.77 203 92 185
1 3/4 2.07 239 108 217
2 2.76 318 144 289
2 1/4 3.55 408 185 371
2 1/2 4.43 509 232 463
2 3/4 5.41 622 283 566
3 6.49 747 339 679
3 1/4 7.67 882 401 802
3 1/2 8.95 1029 468 935

Kinda hard to read I tried to add spaces but the site app takes them out... Basically a dual 2 1/4" system can support around 375 HP, 2 1/2" can support 465 HP and 3" can handle a whopping 680 HP... definitely not necessary for your build IMO. Ideally a 2 3/4" system would match your engine's output the best but nobody makes kits in that size. 2 1/2" should be plenty, and add some 3" dumps coming right off the header collectors when you need max output. Best way to go I think...