Where can I learn about exhaust dynamics?

[Ben@SpeedTech]

Currently in my wagon I have about 325 hp and 400 ft lbs. at the flywheel exiting through 1 5/8 cheapo headers, 2.5" head pipes into a Flowmaster Y pipe, then 3" through a Dynomax race bullet, 3" over the axle, then into a 3"x 18" Dynomax round Stainless muffler exiting through dual 4" tips under the center of the rear bumper.

I'm going to put a new motor in the car this year with roughly 550 hp/ 500+ft lbs. I'll need to redesign the exhaust system and want to minimize power loss with a good design. I love the way my current system sounds and I'd like to keep the rear center exit, but there's only room for one muffler out back as I have it. I've been thinking about running 3" duals and then past the axle at the end have them merge into a single 3" at the rear muffler, OR maybe some stealthy flat black side pipes might a be cool option too.

I'm trying to avoid basic "opinions" or vendor swayed magazine articles sponsored by a specific company. I only have the budget to do the system once so I want to gain some insight/ understanding through some decent solid fact based (dyno numbers, flow charts, etc) exhaust flow info, and make good decisions on-

• Choosing the best header tube size based on the engine, i.e. 1 5/8, 1 3/4, stepped...
• effects of different size tubing (2.5", 3"...)
• 2 into single vs duals
• X vs H pipe
• muffler flow considering muffler design and placement
• how critical is back pressure and how does it affect power numbers
• power reduction/ increase, if any, with tail pipes
• effect of different size tail pipes than head pipes, i.e. 3" into 2.5" over the axle for more clearance
• power advantage/ disadvantage for using side pipes like old Vettes and Cobras

etc...

Anybody have or know of a good resource for some of this info? Thanks!!