Old style RV-3 cross-over exhaust

[jim miller]

My RV3 has the early crossover exhaust with the two front cylinders tied
together and the two rear together. A very bad idea according to Vetterman.
Anyone still using this set-up and if so how is it working out? Another question concerning bracing the exhaust. It looks like from the hardward that
came with the plane a aluminum angle cross-brace tied the two pipes together near the exit from cowling. Is this standard and any other advice on
RV3 exhaust welcome.

Thanks
Jim Miller