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Exhaust ideas

shond100

shond100

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One of the next projects for me is new exhaust so I thought I'd ask the experts..

I want dual exhaust (either straight back or 90 degrees on each side), for it to sound good (kinda loud but ok for a 60mph 1.5hr ride), and I'll say a good value (inexpensive but I am willing to pay more if its really worth it). And this will be on a 85 full convertible (with softtopper if that matters)

Thoughts on: Size (thinking 3"), DIY, custom shop, Muffler man special, and had one guy tell me to just cut the cat off and keep the stock mufflers...

Thanks!
 
Whoops meant 2".. good to know the flow master 40s were one of the options I was looking at
 
I know people think they want duals, but the sound from good single can be excellent. Single 3" saves space, money, and is a heck of a lot easier to work under the truck.

And yes, I had dual exhaust at one point. Factory diesel exhaust with my 350. I just reworked my single 3", to make it as sturdy (no rattles/movement) as factory, and it would have been costly to do it for two pipes. Being able to access the top of the gas tank on the passenger side by sitting under the truck, where a dual exhaust muffler had been previously, was satisfying.
 
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yes i also prefer single 3" exhaust over 2 . i had a truck years ago with 2 mufflers and tail pipes . then the rust got to the mufflers and i replaced it with the same model muffler but a single with 2in/2out to keep the system as it was but 1 muffler and WOW what a sound change inside the cab and even outside it sounded cleaner and more refined .
 
I also have 3" exhaust, into stainless series 80, single in/out, tail pipe behind left rear.
Has a little drone but not to bad. Sound better when your on it.
 
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I agree, I like single 3". On a mild 350 I do 2.25" into single 3". Sounds good and saves you from having to buy 2 mufflers and associated pipe.

If you want quiet, get a 20"+ magnaflow muffler. If you want some rumble, use Thrush full welded muffler. The Thrush muffler is less than $40 on Amazon.
 
Or if you want quiet the thrush hush muffler. Same size as welded but quiet.....
 
The 30 year old me (with three kids and a pregnant wife) says keep it stock.. but the 21 year old in me says just go for it! :saweet:

Im thinking now about using a single pipe.. this may be a dumb question but would you remove the cat then keep the stock or buy a different muffler?

And thanks for the replies.. lots of things I wouldn't have thought of
 
Make sure the cat is good and keep it. Then choose a muffler. I liked my single 50 series when it exited straight out back near the axle. Now it side dumps just after the tire and I think it’s loud.

My dual 50 on my old C10 with H pipe couldn’t be beat. It dumped just after the axle. Sounded sooooo good.
 
If it's the old flat pancake converter, those ARE poor flowing items that hurt power. You can get replacements fairly inexpensively that flow far better. Usually I dont suggest changing things just because, but that is a well documented power killer.

I've also heard SBCs with JUST a converter, no muffler, that sounded good, but I don't think everyone has the same experience, and that was on a long bed pickup. Can always cut the muffler off and see.
 
I'm running a K10 with a sbc. Headers with 2.5 in dual in flowmaster 70 and single 3 in out. Have it exiting on driver's side in factory location. Sounds nice at idle and no drone rolling down the road.
 
dyeager535 said:
If it's the old flat pancake converter, those ARE poor flowing items that hurt power. You can get replacements fairly inexpensively that flow far better. Usually I dont suggest changing things just because, but that is a well documented power killer.

I've also heard SBCs with JUST a converter, no muffler, that sounded good, but I don't think everyone has the same experience, and that was on a long bed pickup. Can always cut the muffler off and see.
Click to expand...

Just checked and its the pancake converter, so I will be replacing that too- or maybe just cutting it out?

Still looking into the options but most likely will run a 2.25" in to a 3" single out with some sort of muffler- I'm liking the sound of the thrush welded. Thanks to all for the suggestions!
 
Definitely go side exit if it’s not a pickup. The fumes get sucked back in the rear gate/door and ruin the drive. You get fumes, so you open the back door to get airflow and just suck more in. The worst.
 
shond100 said:
Just checked and its the pancake converter, so I will be replacing that too- or maybe just cutting it out?!
Click to expand...

A working converter is a marvel at reducing the stench you get from having the windows open. Some people are more sensitive than others to the smell, in the K5, rear window down, decelerating, I can smell it. Idle as well, but that's only if you are outside, next to the exhaust.
 
3" single with a cat and no muffler sounds pretty tough. Not very loud unless your on it.
 
dyeager535 said:
A working converter is a marvel at reducing the stench you get from having the windows open. Some people are more sensitive than others to the smell, in the K5, rear window down, decelerating, I can smell it. Idle as well, but that's only if you are outside, next to the exhaust.
Click to expand...

Good to know. I can smell it now with the current one but its not terrible if the safari top is on or full convertible.

beags86 said:
3" single with a cat and no muffler sounds pretty tough. Not very loud unless your on it.
Click to expand...

Good point and I can always add mufflers later if its too loud.
Now I just need to get it done!!
 
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