Is it worth the hassle of making an engine test stand and bench tuning an exhaust for maximum thrust? Once the plane is in the air the prop un-loads and works the engine differently. I know you can't bench tune an engines needles and leave them the same when installed, so can you do this with a tuned pipe length?

if the knowlege is already out there from someone else who has done what u r trying to do use their info. Some stuff is more easy to do on a test bench then a flying field. Just depends on many variables....

I am doing a test stand right now for a tune pipe as its much easier for me to do the basic here and the fine tuning in the air....

If you are trying tuned pipes then you should spend some time static tuning to find out the rpm range of the exhaust and getting the carb tuned. Can type mufflers won't require much beyond a quick carb tune. Test props in the air, unless its a hellicopter static thrust numbers are meaningless at 70mph.

I was thinking of tuned pipes, but I have never used them before. I was curious is there a large difference in header length if a different prop is used. Some props load the engine more than others, do you tune the exhaust to fit the widest range of props, or is is relatively un-changed with different props?

i only tuning for one prop or size