Exhaust questions?
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 664
Likes: 2
From: York Pa.
Exhaust questions?
I want new exhaust but am so confused. Should I go to a muffler store and have them put dual exhaust on or should I order a kit from say Summ.. and have my neighbor help me install it? If we did the exhaust it would more than likely be a bolt on not welded. I am also perplexed about putting headers on or staying with exhaust manifold, I'm interested in headers but read about so many people having issues. What to do? Are the exhaust kits pretty straight forward? I already upgraded my 302 to a Holley 4 barrel on top of a Edelbrock intake.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
Chances are the kit will need tweaking... they usually do. Pipes and supports.
There is also a good chance the muffler store will use crimp style bends which can be restrictive. Kits will usually have mandrel bends which flow better.
Suggest you talk it over with the muffler store and your buddy. Maybe your muffler store can use mandrel bends... or maybe they would install the kit for you. If your buddy is game, that would be a good solution also.
There is also a good chance the muffler store will use crimp style bends which can be restrictive. Kits will usually have mandrel bends which flow better.
Suggest you talk it over with the muffler store and your buddy. Maybe your muffler store can use mandrel bends... or maybe they would install the kit for you. If your buddy is game, that would be a good solution also.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,912
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
My .02
After running headers on a few street driven trucks (bought with headers on them) and the issues I had I would keep the stock manifolds run into an H pipe and duels on out to the rear bumper.
Only 1 truck, it had headers, I had to put a system on and a shop did it and came out great.
I also had a car that ran stock manifolds and again had a shop install duels and was not happy with the job but needed to use the car for work.
Only truck I did the work on was a cat back system made for that truck so it was a bolt on.
So it depends on how much work you want to do and the time you have to do the work.
Dave ----
After running headers on a few street driven trucks (bought with headers on them) and the issues I had I would keep the stock manifolds run into an H pipe and duels on out to the rear bumper.
Only 1 truck, it had headers, I had to put a system on and a shop did it and came out great.
I also had a car that ran stock manifolds and again had a shop install duels and was not happy with the job but needed to use the car for work.
Only truck I did the work on was a cat back system made for that truck so it was a bolt on.
So it depends on how much work you want to do and the time you have to do the work.
Dave ----
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Fort Wayne IN
When I do my duel exhaust I will order the bolt on kit. The kits I have seen I should be able to pick up for around $400 (including headers). I'm guessing a shop will cost double that. My goal is to do as much as I can myself to keep my cost down so I will be doing all I can.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,963
Likes: 512
From: Edmond, OK
I would suggest going to a local muffler shop. Even though the pipes may not be mandrel bent you will never detect the difference on your butt-dyno. Plus, you can talk to the shop owner about different mufflers / glasspacks to make an informed decision.
Definitely don't but a kit or headers if they require modification with a BFH. If you decide to buy headers get ones that are well rated that will install with no issues. Just be prepared to change the occasional gasket.
Definitely don't but a kit or headers if they require modification with a BFH. If you decide to buy headers get ones that are well rated that will install with no issues. Just be prepared to change the occasional gasket.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,398
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Muffler shops weld your joints. Pre-ordered kits use exhaust clamps. Which would you prefer? Also, if you are trying to extract every bit of HP and fuel economy you can, install headers. If not, minimally, just make sure you go the same size as your exhaust manifold pipe when doing dual exhaust.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 474
Likes: 11
I had my dual exhaust done by a local shop and would do it again in a heartbeat. They mandrel bent everything, kept everything high and out of the way. Total cost was $450 from the manifolds back plus 2 Flowmaster Series 40's, only took them about 3 hours. They weren't the cheapest in town but I wanted quality work done. Take time to research reviews before you choose a shop - one of the most popular exhaust shops here in Denver does terrible work, in my opinion, but are cheap so they get a lot of customers. I've known about a dozen guys that have been there almost all of them hated what they got back in return.
The only kit I could find (for a highboy) that was cheaper was one from Summit racing that had some random mufflers and I believe used the crimped style bends. Been 2 years now and everything has held up great, no issues.
The only kit I could find (for a highboy) that was cheaper was one from Summit racing that had some random mufflers and I believe used the crimped style bends. Been 2 years now and everything has held up great, no issues.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 664
Likes: 2
From: York Pa.
Thanks guys for all your responses unfortunately its's still going to be a tough decision. Money is part of the problem, I have a budget that allows a descent kit with headers but not a high end muffler shop. So me and my neighbor will more than likely be having a go at a kit install. I need to get the truck to breath better now that I put the 4 barrel on, the sooner the better.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 664
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From: York Pa.
Shops in my area will not remove exhaust manifolds and replace with headers. That's part of my reasoning for doing the whole job here at home. I can have mandrel bends and use band clamps.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 664
Likes: 2
From: York Pa.
Anybody with a 302 have a set of headers and type of gaskets they have been pleased with and can recommend. I read that if you want low end power you should have long tube headers. I want the low end 0 to 60 power.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,963
Likes: 512
From: Edmond, OK
If you're on a budget have you considered just having a shop put dual exhaust on your truck without headers? Maybe that would be more reasonable... 
Have you done improvements to the intake and carb of your truck? If not, that would either have to be next on your list of improvements or you wouldn't gain much by adding headers (besides the cool factor).
Of course, it's your truck so let us know what you do. Hopefully someone can give you a good recommendation on headers.
Have you done improvements to the intake and carb of your truck? If not, that would either have to be next on your list of improvements or you wouldn't gain much by adding headers (besides the cool factor).
Of course, it's your truck so let us know what you do. Hopefully someone can give you a good recommendation on headers.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Fort Wayne IN
I can understand where you are coming from. I would rather spend the money on good parts and do the work my self. I know a lot of people like to count their time in stuff work on but I see it a little different. To me this is a hobby and I enjoy working on the truck so I will do that as long as I enjoy it. In the winter I will take a break because my garage isn't heated and it sucks to work out there.
For example this weekend I will be rebuilding the rear brake system on my 78, doing it myself means I will save a few hundred bucks that money be spent buying more parts. Plus hope to have my boys helping me so it will be fun there too.
For example this weekend I will be rebuilding the rear brake system on my 78, doing it myself means I will save a few hundred bucks that money be spent buying more parts. Plus hope to have my boys helping me so it will be fun there too.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 375
Likes: 3
From: Southern OR
I installed the exhaust kit from LMC by myself in the driveway, was way cheaper than the exhaust shop quotes I received. Mandrel bends (no one locally even has a mandrel pipe bender), was quality metal, yes everything is band clamped, but it's holding up great. I only had to make one cut.
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