Brad The "hot spot" should be at the target rpm for that engine. This gives that engine setup the peak point. That is fine for an engine that has no interfering space. With our street Imperials that general use cross-over pipe is the gap between the engine and the transmission and some times at the rear of the transmission pan. When I had the "X" installed on my car he build it so that the center came together just behind the transmission pan. The rear of the "X" as it expands is just ahead of the drive shaft. As it was the vehicle before mine with also an "X" system was a guy with a '72 Fury III 2 dr powered by a 440 and the car had the factory's OEM towing package. Any ole way back to Imperials, I have the same inside diameter from the exhaust manifolds thru the mufflers and resonators to the rear tip just below the bumper. The rear tips are hooked much like a lazy question mark with the stem towards the front and the "C" part cut level with the ground. Chrysler started this hooked tail pipe style with the 1957 year. Rodger & Gabby Colo Spgs '47 De Soto Custom w/Fluid Drive & passenger door mounted swamp cooler '63 Le Baron w/F-Sweep trunk lid & std A/C '66 Le Baron w/dual A/C & reverbed AM/FM