Howdy, I'm new here, but I've been active in online forums for quite some time, and I know how annoying it is to get the SAME questions asked AGAIN and AGAIN, but please bear with me.

I have a 96 Bronco with a 351W. I've started hearing the tell tale sound of "ticka ticka ticka ticka ticka ticka ticka." I'm pretty sure it's either a crack in the manifold (as the sound is coming from pretty far up into the engine compartment) or possibly some gradoo build-up around the valves causing them to not seat right. I am going to take it to a mechanic sometime this week to tell for sure. Right now I am running the stock exhaust manifold, single pipe running into 2-chamber flowmaster, then dual out.

My question is, since it's a 96 and it has all the EPA-tree hugger regulations, will I be able to do straight duals? If I have a crack in the manifold, I will probably just replace it with real headers, but will this interfere with the 0^2 sensors on the underside? I see they have to have two cat converters under there to hook up to two o^2 sensors, so will they be able to put headers and have tru-duals on it?

I know it was a big enough pain in the behind to squeeze a single-in dual-out underneath there. Just any recommendations, comments as to my question or another possibility of what my "tick tick" problem is would be helpful. Thanks.

 

Theirs always a way, but with my experiance it is not probably not porbable on broncos. their just aint that much space. If you accomplish it you will sacrifice a lot of HP from the winding and bending of pipe.

 

so you think it would be more benefecial horsepower-wise to just stick with a regular manifold and have a single-in dual-out setup?

 

First off, the O2 sensors are in FRONT of the catalytic converters. The heat they generate would fry an O2 sensor. Your 96 needs at the very least an "H" pipe so you can mount the third O2 sensor in it. The O2 sensors for the OBD-II computer require readings from each bank of cylinders (left & right side) AND a third reading from the COMBINED exhaust gases from the entire engine. So, the answer is yes, if you can find the room to run another pipe under there and a place to put a bonafide "H" pipe, you can run true duals on your OBD-II truck.

I personally have never tried to run duals since there are several high quality single systems with 3" pipe available. The volume that a 3" pipe can handle is fine for the 5.8 and 5.0 without having to run dual pipes... especially if you are running equal length headers which keep the exhaust from "bottlenecking" in the pipe to begin with. The major consideration has always been more one of space than anything.

However, with all that said, I have always thought that someone with the know-how might consider running a true dual setup with BOTH pipes following the OEM exhaust routing which may make running it much simpler.

 

where might one find this OEM exhaust routing guide for true duals setup?

 

Well, unless your truck has had a custom exhaust system installed already, the route the exhaust pipes currently take out from under the truck is the OEM (Original Equipement Manufacturer's) setup. Sorry, I use OEM and "stock" interchangably when I post.