Cracked manifold... Replace with headers?
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Northern MN
Cracked manifold... Replace with headers?
So I diagnosed where the exhaust leak on my '92 is coming from, I took a look under the truck and the passenger side's exhaust manifold is cracked. The driver's side manifold looks fine. So here is the question, should I replace the stock manifolds with headers, or just replace the passenger's side manifold with a replacement?
I am looking into a dual exhaust setup on my truck as well, so would the headers benefit that over stock manifolds?
I am looking into a dual exhaust setup on my truck as well, so would the headers benefit that over stock manifolds?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Northern MN
Yeah I figure if I go the headers route, then it would be a great opportunity to get the entire exhaust system replaced. The stock cats and mufflers are still on the truck and they are very rusty, including the pipe.
Thanks for the feedback. Any quality brands for the long tube headers? Any suggestions on cats, mufflers, etc.? We don't have inspections in MN and the cops don't enforce exhaust noise here so it wouldn't really matter if I go with cats or not...
Thanks for the feedback. Any quality brands for the long tube headers? Any suggestions on cats, mufflers, etc.? We don't have inspections in MN and the cops don't enforce exhaust noise here so it wouldn't really matter if I go with cats or not...
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Newnan,Ga
Honestly I would still run highflow cats it really doesn't hurt performance any and really helps the environment. Now that im off of my tree huging soap box. I really like straight pipes no mufflers the sound is amazing. If you want something alittle more mellow maybe a a thrush turbo muffler, and if you go new or no cats you can do away with the air injection also. Oh and I wouldnt go any bigger than like 2.5" exhaust if you are running duals.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Northern MN
Honestly I would still run highflow cats it really doesn't hurt performance any and really helps the environment. Now that im off of my tree huging soap box. I really like straight pipes no mufflers the sound is amazing. If you want something alittle more mellow maybe a a thrush turbo muffler, and if you go new or no cats you can do away with the air injection also. Oh and I wouldnt go any bigger than like 2.5" exhaust if you are running duals.
The Thrush Turbo mufflers don't sound too bad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVMbJwWKufc
I found a set of Pacesetter's for about $270... and I could get a set of Flowtech's for $150.
Are Flowtechs any good? Considering it would save me $$$..
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Central Wisconsin
A buddy of mine ran flowtechs on a 5.8, he said they were pretty good. you and are I pretty much in the same climate, in Minnesota and Wisconsin. If I were you, I would find something ceramic coated or stainless steel and spend the extra cash so that youre not replacing headers every couple years. I would also run stainless steel pipe (2.5 or 3 inch), and find a stainless muffler. I prefer Flowmaster personally. I have a 50 series on my truck with a 5.8 in it, and it makes it sound like a 5.0 mustang but mufflers are pretty much just personal preference.
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Lead Driver
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From: Tobyhanma, PA
The pacesetter is a much better fit. Lits of people have had issues with the flowtechs not fitting properly and had to hear them.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Newnan,Ga
Like edgethis said pacesetters are a much better fit and like gnr22 said defiantly go with something ceramic coated or stainless steel you won't like the upfront price but not having to replace them every couple of years will be worth it.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
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When I get around to running true dual exhaust on mine, I'm going with Dynomax ultraflo welded. They are sometimes called race magnum.
My truck currently has magnaflow on it and its nice, but a bit too mellow.
I've had different series of flowmaster on various vehicles, and I'm done with the hollow tin can sound and droning.
As for headers, I may go with JBA. If not I'll just get the Summit branded Pacesetter shorty headers.
My truck currently has magnaflow on it and its nice, but a bit too mellow.
I've had different series of flowmaster on various vehicles, and I'm done with the hollow tin can sound and droning.
As for headers, I may go with JBA. If not I'll just get the Summit branded Pacesetter shorty headers.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Central Wisconsin
I've found that the further back you can mount a flowmaster, you can get the drone to disappear. the one on my truck, which is a regular cab long box, is as far back as it can be before the rear axle, without being over the axle. i put an exhaust system on a buddy's ramcharger and he told me exactly where he wanted everything mounted, and he wanted it further forward than i would have put it, and after a week of that he had me move the muffler back and see what happened, and that took the drone out and it gave it a little more growl. Maybe it's just all coincidence that it happens that way for me, but its consistent.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
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I think your right about putting the muffler farther back. That does help. I had mine all the way back at the axle, or as far back as it could go. The Dronemaster still droned. It does sound better farther back. However, no matter where a chambered muffler like Blowmaster is installed, it sounds like a hollow tin can.
I have heard other chambered mufflers, and they don't seem to be as bad. I think its a harmonic thing with Flowmaster.
I really don't care for any chambered muffler. I like straight through better.
I have heard other chambered mufflers, and they don't seem to be as bad. I think its a harmonic thing with Flowmaster.
I really don't care for any chambered muffler. I like straight through better.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
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As for removing the old manifolds, be carefull not to break any bolts off in the head. Thats a real pain in the rear. Soak them with PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench multiple times for several days before hand. When removing bolts, if it starts to bind, go back tight and then try to back out again. Don't forget to put anti seize on the bolts when reinstalling.
