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Who sells a decent exhaust?

Brocky

Brocky

1/2 ton status
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Right now there are headers on my k5 Blazer that stop a few inches back from the spring hanger. I don't know what exhaust to go with and from where... I don't know if I want duel or single exhaust even. Any suggestions of a nice bolt up kit that won't break the bank either?
 
Brocky said:
Right now there are headers on my k5 Blazer that stop a few inches back from the spring hanger. I don't know what exhaust to go with and from where... I don't know if I want duel or single exhaust even. Any suggestions of a nice bolt up kit that won't break the bank either?
Click to expand...

Friends don't let friends install duels. :)

Single, with a Y (same diameter as the collector) merging into a 3" single all the way back. Unless you are making massive power, or have a large displacement engine that turns high RPM, single 3" is probably right about perfect. Or as close as we can get without all sorts of expensive testing.

I try to have fun with this topic without offending folks, but it's tough. It's your truck, do as you wish. Duals come with a plethora of their own problems, and if you can run single that meets the requirements of the engine, it's likely going to be cheaper, easier, and more user-friendly (to work around) than duals. There are very few instances where duals are a necessity anymore. If you need the looks, you can always do a single in/dual out muffler.
 
Since I am cheap when it comes to exhaust,and it gets costly to keep a good system on more than one vehicle when I owned several and had them all registered--I usually fab up my own--most trucks can be plumbed with straight tubing,especially lifted ones...the hardest obstacle is getting the pipe past the transfer case and frame rail on the passenger side..

I run glass packs and either run the pipes straight out the back,or use elbows to route them out under the rear quarters ,or simply put down spouts on the mufflers--here they dont care if you use down spouts provided they dump beyond the cab...I put the mufflers just ahead of the rear axle..

I've gone the dual route many times using auto parts store bought elbows ,you need a 45 degree for the passenger side and a 90 degree one for the drivers side...for smaller V8's I use 2-1/4" elbows,and go buy 2" EMT conduit,it fits the 2-1/4" elbows a bit sloppy,but they will braze or weld up nicely and work fine...(just grind the zinc off first,and dont inhale any smoke it may make )..

On larger V8's I use the 2-1/4" elbows at the manifolds and adapters to increase the diameter to 2-1/2" ,so I can use thick chain link fence corner posts that will last at least 5+ years,even here in salty coastal MA where store bought exhaust systems will rot off in 2-3 years,especially if you do not drive the vehicle daily..

I know this may sound hack,but I prefer having my exhaust last longer than a few years..last time I did the exhaust on my diesel pickup in 2011 I used Thrush glass packs,they are not annoying or loud,and still have the paint on them...probably good for another 5 years,and most of the galvanized tubing is still silver,only some spots have started getting surface rusted from salt...last summer I had to finally replace the front pipes to the manifolds that were stock & crispy when I put the rest of the system on...I just flare the end on the elbows with a ball peen hammer and re-use the original 3 bolt flanges if possible,and stuff a donut gasket in there--no leaks..
 
Thxs folks. Yeah I'm leaning away from duels, just more exhaust to beat up off-roading and I don't want it too loud. Clearing the transfer case is a concern as my cross member is custom. I should take some measurements tomorrow and see what I'm working with.
 
When you talk about "duels"...... You can be sure there will be a battle!!! :haha:


Duels = 2-man gun fight, 2-man sword fight, etc.
Duals = Two exhaust pipes.


:waytogo:

-G
 
You can fab up a Y-pipe using the elbows I mentioned too,the hard part is making the "Y"--if your good at notching pipes and welding its no big deal--but if you can find the Y fitting ready made,its a lot easier (parts stores used to sell them years ago,now they are harder to get--I recall being able to buy elbows with the 3 bolt flanges and flared already too back when--places like J.C. Whitney probably have the Y adapters,180 degree bends,flanges,etc still)..

A Y pipe from Walker or other store brands is usually quite expensive now,and you may run into issues finding the right one,if your exhaust manifolds are the stock ones and might have been swapped out at one point--some years used 2 donut gaskets,others had only one on one side,the other manifold had the cast iron made into a flare for the pipe to seat against..when I had a '75 2wd K5 I had to order and send back 3 Y-pipes before I got one that fit !..:doah:
 
I run hedmans with wrap, glasspacks and dual 2.5". I built the pipe out of slip together muffler pipe and miged them together. Left side was straight and right side needed 2x 15 degrees to get around transfer case.
 
Is dual exhaust quieter than single if you are using the exact same muffler(s) as the single exhaust (except 2 mufflers instead of one)?

i'm thinking 2 mufflers should be quieter than one. On the other hand, 2 outlets..........
 
vandelay industries said:
Is dual exhaust quieter than single if you are using the exact same muffler(s) as the single exhaust (except 2 mufflers instead of one)?

i'm thinking 2 mufflers should be quieter than one. On the other hand, 2 outlets..........
Click to expand...
No generally it's louder unless your duals are running a crossover or balance pipe.

Reason being the pulse signals from each bank of cylinders helps dampen the volume of the pulse signal of the other
 
^ Agreed--the duals always sound "meaner",I think a single exhaust is quieter because the pulses from opposing cylinders tend to cancel each other out compared to a dual system with no "H" pipe..an "H" pipe does lower the tone quite a bit,and adds a bit more low end punch too,if you can incorperate one its worth using..

Some mufflers like those used on older Camaro's had dual inlets & outlets in the same muffler--those were pretty quiet too,compared to typical dual exhaust with individual mufflers..

The original question was "who sells a good exhaust system"--I say for what you get in those universal "headers back" or stock manifolds back kits--,no one,really..."best" bargains are either custom bent ones locally with stainless or aluminum killed tubing thats a lot thicker gauge than your run of the mill aftermarket pipes from Walker or Arvin,etc,or those that come in the kits that are often rusty in a year or so around here..
 
vandelay industries said:
Is dual exhaust quieter than single if you are using the exact same muffler(s) as the single exhaust (except 2 mufflers instead of one)?

i'm thinking 2 mufflers should be quieter than one. On the other hand, 2 outlets..........
Click to expand...

I haven't used it lately, but: http://www.walkerexhaust.com/catalog/walker-exhaust-systems/e-catalog-lookup has been a pretty good source to determine what was used on your vehicle through the years. From what I recall of the K5, the later you get (89-91 or so) the smarter GM got in terms of exhaust tubing/muffler sizes. I also recall that some years they used a dual outlet muffler that had both pipes on the same side as an option.

If you want quiet, you aren't going to do better than an OEM replacement muffler. I did a fair bit of research on this, none of the aftermarket mufflers achieved the dB reduction the factory ones did. And the newer factory stuff isn't as much restriction as they used to be. Walkers SS line is stainless, whether the adverts say it or not. I bought the WLK-21054 for my truck, just haven't installed it yet, and it's stainless.
 
Dynomax makes a dual exhaust kit, add mufflers of your choice. It's 2 1/4" pipe. Great kit for the money aside from the clamps.
 
It's too bad they all come in 2.25" tubing as opposed to 2.5". I don't like the sound of the smaller exhaust. It's crazy how much difference a .25" makes.

Martin
 
There was an "American Thunder" kit for awhile that was 2.5" front to back.
I haven't done a kit for some time so I'm not in the loop
 
I was looking a couple years ago and found nothing. Not to say there isn't, I just couldn't find one.

Martin
 
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