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Exhaust Leak...EDIT:Rethinking the whole idea...

DK5

DK5

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I've been dealing with Minute Muffler since I owned the truck in '07. I've been told they were the best in town.

The truck had rotten duals so they put a new pipe on the passenger side and managed to salvage the first part of the driver's side. New flo-pro mufflers and no cats- exit out behind the rear tires. Its 2-1/4" duals.

Well I've taken it back for leaking gaskets and a hole on the original salvaged piece on the driver's side that they fixed by welding on a sleeve to patch it up.

Well its been maybe 6 months and I'm having major loud leaking noises again. Not sure where its coming from. Sounds like its right around where the tranny is so probably the gaskets again. Or, possibly one of the manifolds (they don't touch manifolds though).

I've spent probably $1000 on the exhaust through this shop since I've owned the truck.

What should I do?


I'm thinking about doing what others have mentioned: single exit
Should I consider new manifolds? I want this system to last longer than a year this time!!

Should I deal with this shop again? They are super busy and I don't get the impression that they really look after their customers as well as I have been told... Maybe I'll try talking to him again to see if he can cut me a break.

Anyway I have an appointment tomorrow at 2 to see if we can find the leak and fix it for now so I can drive the thing on the highway more comfortably.
 
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If its a gasket then make sure they use quality parts and not cheapo bulk stuff. Also, make sure there are enough hangers to keep the system from flexing too much (but not rigid).
 
If you have factory manifolds, there is only one gasket, between the heater riser and the manifold. It could blow out, but on the pass. side the shaft on the heat riser are known to leak some.
Owning our own exhaust shop, it always pains me to hear of what other shops are doing. We like to be up front with our customers. Giving you a new system, but reusing a pipe (that will not be in very good condition to begin with) is not the right way. We personally stay away from super rotten stuff, like 97-03 f-150's that rot off the engine, but these trucks are super easy.

I'd try another shop, get an inspection and see what they suggest. If they charged $1000 for that type of work, we must be way too cheap.
 
Cornfield creations said:
If you have factory manifolds, there is only one gasket, between the heater riser and the manifold. It could blow out, but on the pass. side the shaft on the heat riser are known to leak some.
Owning our own exhaust shop, it always pains me to hear of what other shops are doing. We like to be up front with our customers. Giving you a new system, but reusing a pipe (that will not be in very good condition to begin with) is not the right way. We personally stay away from super rotten stuff, like 97-03 f-150's that rot off the engine, but these trucks are super easy.

I'd try another shop, get an inspection and see what they suggest. If they charged $1000 for that type of work, we must be way too cheap.
Click to expand...

Well, that is since '07. I had them weld on a crossover too and then a couple chrome tips after the last gasket leak fix. (the tips rusted too after one winter :doah:)

Anyway I might have to try somewhere else. I'll see what he says at tomorrow's appointment.

My other question:
What muffler? I think I want to go quiet this time.
 
This is what I'm thinking:

-Possibly new manifolds, maybe Dorman brand (if there are holes in the old ones, need to find that out first)
-Walker Y Pipe with 3" exit
-3" pipe to muffler
-muffler? (quiet, hi-flow)
-2 1/2" exit out passenger side behind rear tire- with enough room to put on my mud flaps (duals are RIGHT in the way :doah:)

Another thing, exhaust stinks. Smells strong. Would a catalytic convertor fix this? The truck runs fine so I don't think there is an issue with the engine causing the smell.
 
If the exhaust smells (rich) it is overfueling and will ruin a new converter. If it is running right (fresh tuned) a converter can help if you have the correct size converter. Undersized and it will not change much.

The dorman manifolds are priced good and fit good, we use them.

Muffler is more a personal preference. A lot of people say flowmaster, if you did that I'd go with either a super 50, or even a 70 series for less noise inside. FLowmaster's become more expensive the quieter they are.
Magnaflow have a nice smooth deep tone, but if you wanna keep it mild to moderate you'll need a larger body, 5x8x18 would probably be a good size, maybe a slightly longer body. I run magnaflow's on everything I own, so that's what I lean to.
 
Gibson makes some nice mufflers as well. I have one on my Tahoe and that truck has zero exhaust note unless it is pulling something when it becomes just a very slight tone that you can just hear above the engine.

I personally have gotten away from running dual exhaust on my last couple trucks. A single 3" pipe flows just as well and can be tucked up and out of the way nicely. If my turbocharged 6.2 and 6.5L engines are happy, your 350 should be very well pleased.

If your truck has a very strong exhaust smell, that may indicate an ignition problem with one of your cylinders. A little bit of smell is ok, but it shouldn't be making your eyes water. I was driving behind a mid 70s 454 powered carb truck this last week with a spark plug wire that was disconnected and I had to drive a kilometer behind him so I wouldn't get light headed... After finding the loose plug wire, I could literally draft off the guy for better mileage and could only smell a little hint of exhaust when he was pinned going up a hill.
 
Went back to same shop.

Found that the crossover pipe is rusted out and separated. Also they found that the passenger exhaust manifold is cracked.

Got a quote for new exhaust system, minus the manifolds (they don't do manifolds or headers)

Ordered up the Walker Y pipe $264.36
Total comes up to 822.48 :eek1:

That includes Y pipe, pipes and brackets 3"
Walker ultra-flow 17235 muffler for $238.96 (I guess Walker owns dynomax, because he said it was dynomax)
here is one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WALKER-EXHAUST-17235-Exhaust-Muffler-/390312200200
and labour of course...

I have to go somewhere else for the manifolds...
Should I do headers or manifolds, guys?
I'm trying to build this time for longevity. I would like it to last longer than a year :doah: this time. :rolleyes:

Still not overly impressed with the customer service of this guy. It seems like he is busy enough that he doesn't care if I deal with him or not.
One of the workers in the shop has way better PR and seemed like he wanted to help me out. Gladly took a ride in the truck and pointed out where the leaks were, explained my brake noise issue, etc.

Anyway, I had them order the Y pipe, I'm going to do some more research and decide if this is for sure the way I want to go, with this shop.
 
man that seems steep as ****!
you can get a manifold back kit from summit for like $150, then just tweak it to fit your needs.
 
Exhaust costs a ton of money up here. I paid 800 bucks for a 3" straight pipe -- No mufflers at all -- on my K5
 
DK5 said:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-17235/

Why is he charging me so much?? $$238.96 for the same muffler??? wtf
Click to expand...

Dude, welcome to auto parts prices in Canada. It is total sodomy...

$268 total was my cost through Summit for the 3" pipe and a pair of Summit Chambered mufflers. Even getting raped for shipping and brokerage I'm still way ahead money wise...although I do have to install it all myself.

Summit and Jegs do sell model specific kits, and they are truly bolt together. With all the problems you've had I'd start right at the block and go with new right to the tailpipe tips.

Ceramic coated headers will last quite a long time even with crappy winters.
 
Yeah Tenneco owns walker/dynomax. They are decent mufflers. The ultraflow muffler is the same design, and sound as a magnaflow. Magnaflow have had their flaws, I wouldn't call them junk by any means. They have a great warranty and they stand behind it. Any company that does that is ok, plus they are still made in california (for now).

The ultra-flow muffler has always seemed overpriced and that's why we never sell them. What about a flo-pro muffler? Being in canada I would think they would be better priced up there. Their chambered muffler has good sound and decent flow. We sell a lot of Flo-Pro products and I know of other high end exhaust shops that do as well, i.e. Kinney's.
I wouldn't put the super-v, or the v-force mufflers on because of noise, but their standard chambered muffler that made them popular. Plus they hold up a long time!
 
Im a big advocate of single exhaust unless you're trying to make a vehicle fast.

Personally Id get a set of shorty headers for the thing. You'll be in $150, get copper gaskets for the flanges and header to head. Or you could go ball and socket on the collector.

Then Id run a custom bent Y. The stocker prices are ridiculous. Two small universal cats on each side before the y comes together, then a resonator, then any cheap stainless chambered muffler.

By the time you run a cat or cats, resonator, AND a muffler the brand isnt gonna matter to much as far as loudness goes as long as its a 3 chamber.

After doing my troopers exhaust Ive really come to realize that theres other factors that play into your exhausts loudness like pipe size, resonator, cat, and muffler dimensions and design rather than say the muffler series etc.



O and btw if you're gonna stick to manifolds and then get a whole new exhaust put rams horns on it.
 
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