OK guys, I need the whole exhaust system replaced from the headers back, and I was wondering what would be the best setup. I have a 64 fleetside SWB with a 283 and was thinking about getting dual 2 1/2" pipe with an H-pipe and glasspacks exiting under the rear bumper. Is 2 1/2" pipe too big? Would 2" be better? Are glasspacks the muffler of choice for these trucks, or would turbo mufflers like flowmasters sound better? I called a local muffler shop and he quoted me $340 for the above system. Do you all think $340 a fair price?
2 1/2" pipe is good. It will help the engine breath better and if you choose to pump up the engine you will already have the exhaust to go with it. Glass paks aren't really the way to go cause they are loud and they will get louder as they start to burn out. A good sounding muffler is the 3 chamber flow master, they aren't to obnoxious sounding in the low end but they have a good healthy sound when you step on the gas. 340.00 would be a good price with the flow masters and a bit high with the glass paks. Also running the exhaust strait out the back sounds the best. If you run them out the sides behind the rear wheels they make a popping sound. If you just dump them over the axel or before the axel they echoe of the ground and make the cab hum. I hope this helps Big Tim
Thanks for your help Thanks, that actually helped a lot. That sounds like the sound I am going for (not too loud, not too quiet). I thought that sounded a little high, but I just wanted confirmation from someone who has purchased an exhaust system before.
You didn't mention if it was stainless exhaust for that price or regular?? price doesn't sound too bad to me considering its around $500-800 (stainless) CDN to get custom dual exhaust work done. funny you say this. I ran 2-1/4" exhaust on a hopped up 350, no "cross over" pipe, turned my exhaust tips out behind each of the rear tires and I don't like the sound of it. All along I thought it was my mufflers or possibly because I used 2-1/4" pipe instead of 2-1/2" pipe!! I started with flowmaster 40's, switched to a no name performance muffler and now I'm stumped, still too "poppy" & too loud. I want more of a sleeper that barks when I want it to!!! any advice?
You didn't mention if it was stainless exhaust for that price or regular?? price doesn't sound too bad to me considering its around $500-800 (stainless) CDN to get custom dual exhaust work done. It's just aluminized pipe, but I still haven't found anyone else here for that same price. funny you say this. I ran 2-1/4" exhaust on a hopped up 350, no "cross over" pipe, turned my exhaust tips out behind each of the rear tires and I don't like the sound of it. All along I thought it was my mufflers or possibly because I used 2-1/4" pipe instead of 2-1/2" pipe!! I started with flowmaster 40's, switched to a no name performance muffler and now I'm stumped, still too "poppy" & too loud. I want more of a sleeper that barks when I want it to!!! I think a crossover pipe would make a positive difference in your exhaust tone.
Leland I made the same mistake on my 61 and I knew better but I didn't have the rear bumper on yet so I couldn't really run them out the back. A equalizer tube is supposed to help eliminate the popping sound but now that I have the bumper on I think I might change the tail pipes and run them out the back. I built mine to be a sleeper also. Big Tim
Got my pipes installed yesterday, and I am pretty pleased. The guy who did the install worked on it for almost 12 hrs, but did an excellent job. I ended up going with 2.5" pipe, two 40 series Flowmasters, and a H-pipe with the tailpipes exiting under the rear bumper. The cab is pretty quiet, and the exhaust has a nice deep sound on the outside.
Sounds like you are happy with how it sounds, Right on!!! 12hrs, they took their time and did a nice job on it. holy fawk those headers hang low hope you don't have issues if/when you lower your truck! I haven't installed headers yet however I ran my pipes down the frame rails and through the trailing arm cross member, I think its time for me to install an H pipe now.
Tim, My exhaust is almost exactly the same as yours. Actually my original engine build was very similar also however I had oil issues due to the PCV valve and had to change my set up. (I used a 327 top end on a 350 short block and didn't have a road draft tube for PVC so I tried to modify the 327 intake to accept one... didn't work, sucked too much oil into the carb and fowelled plugs) Yours looks sweet with the twin carb set up!
Thanks Leyland , I'm using a 350 bottom end also and I actually do have a PCV valve on the engine in addition to the draft tube. I put it in the back side of the valve cover on the drivers side and built a baffle around it so it wouldn't suck up too much oil. Then I plumbed it into the base of the back side of the rear Carb. It's worked well so far. My heads are world 67 cc 202 cast iron, they have a taller rail which allows me to run the early short valve covers and still be able to use roller rockers. My headers are Doug Thorley Try Y's and they don't hang down that low, my mufflers are 3 chambered Flow Masters and in order to get them tucked up high enough the installer turned them up on their sides. My cab is nice and quiet on the inside but the truck sounds a little pissed off on the outside. lol...Big TIM
I just used two sets of felpro gaskets to provide enough clearance for the roller rockers, worked great! I didn't want to cut the valve covers or modify them as they are original aluminum vette covers and are in mint condition so instead I drilled a hole in the back of the old school edelbrock intake manifold and used a valve cover "rubber PCV valve" gromet which was to act as a baffle.. Didn't work oh well, live and learn. I'm much happier with my current motor set up, although it doesn't look old school... just need to quiet my exhaust and work on disc brakes and power steering. Hopefully this summer! Cheers
I have some great advise for disk brakes if you are interested. I have figured out a way to do them for little or nothing...Big Tim
Yeah, I brought it in at about 9:00 AM, and picked it up a little after 9:00 PM; the guy was very picky. He said he would hang on it to prove it was secure. LOL! Yeah, the headers were on the truck when I got it, and they are pretty close to the ground. I'm not planning on lowering the truck, but I still try to stay away from tall speed bumps.
Very true, the cab is much quieter now, but I guess most anything would be quieter than open headers dumping under the cab
