building own exhaust
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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building own exhaust
Fellas , i have access to all that I need to do my own exhaust(benders,welders,lift) for my 53 f-100 with 390 fe. Should I?? Is their any articles on doing this?? and if anyone has on their 53 ford could you expound on it.Pics would be great. Heres my thoughts. I am looking at the truck fron the headers back and thinking sheeez I have about 4ft of straight pipe then mufflers then 2 more foot of pipe and some tips!!!! now I know hangers and such but you get the point. Am I wrong here??/ would you guys install cross pipe somewhere?? Thanks for the time.I plan on 2-1/2 pipe with some flow 40's.Thanks again DJ
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Most V-8s want a crossover pipe in the exhaust for best performance. They are shaped like an X coming close together near the center of the truck with a short pipe connecting the two legs of the X (I'd use a larger diameter pipe flattened into an oval shape) then moving back apart to the mufflers. If you put the crossover just past the end of the tranny you won't need to bend it for driveshaft clearance.
I really like the newer donut hangers over the old strip of tire on a muffler clamp hangers
I really like the newer donut hangers over the old strip of tire on a muffler clamp hangers
Last edited by AXracer; Jan 3, 2006 at 03:40 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Regular aluminized mild steel exhaust tubing would be the easiest/cheapest to use for the DIYer, but won't be the prettiest or the most durable, stainless exhaust tubing would be my choice, but a lot harder to bend. will still heat and splash discolor but won't rust. Titianum tubing would be the ultimate! You can buy many different components from the manufacturers either OEM style you can adapt or custom components. go to your friendliest large parts house with a ruler and sketch of the space you have to work with and see if they'll let you peruse their exhaust parts or order catalogs from a couple of major manufacturers such as Walker, Dynaflow, Hooker, etc. they usually have nice pictures and specs of all the components they sell. If you have access to a mandrel bender and welder, making a crossover pipe shouldn't be much of a problem.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
I recently did my own exhaust. I aquired a set of pipes that were left over from my brothers project. Basically I had a set of turbos on 2 1/4 aluminized pipe that had about 6 months worth of use on them. I was able to use one 45 and one 90 degree bend at the exhaust manifolds and then a couple more 45's as turn downs at the rear.
Basically I had a straight shot from the engine back to the rear axle, no probs except having to add a lightweight crossmember to support the hangers.
I didn't make a crossover pipe.
Eventually when my truck is farther along and I'm driving it everyday I will take it to a muffler shop and have a set of 2 1/2 pipes with a x-over run all the way out of the back. I just think it sounds better with the exhaust running all the way to the rear.
Like AX said, most of the parts houses offer 45 and 90 degree bends as well as "J" and "U" bends, they also stock a selection of straight pipe pieces with flared ends as well as adapters. I say give it a shot, especially if you are going to terminate them before the rear axle.
Good luck with it
Bobby
Basically I had a straight shot from the engine back to the rear axle, no probs except having to add a lightweight crossmember to support the hangers.
I didn't make a crossover pipe.
Eventually when my truck is farther along and I'm driving it everyday I will take it to a muffler shop and have a set of 2 1/2 pipes with a x-over run all the way out of the back. I just think it sounds better with the exhaust running all the way to the rear.
Like AX said, most of the parts houses offer 45 and 90 degree bends as well as "J" and "U" bends, they also stock a selection of straight pipe pieces with flared ends as well as adapters. I say give it a shot, especially if you are going to terminate them before the rear axle.
Good luck with it
Bobby
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
One thing you DON'T want to do is use too large a diameter pipe. The exhaust gas will slow down too much leading to condensation and corrosion as well as hurting the engine power. Check what size pipe was used in HP stock applications for your engine and use that size or no more than 1 size larger. 2 1/2" sounds pretty large for much short of about a 450 hp big block.
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New User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: west mich
here's something i was concidering when i build my exaust
it's from Stainless works, and can be found in the Jegs site. they offer sizes from 2 1/4 to 3 1/2". pricing starts around $470
it's from Stainless works, and can be found in the Jegs site. they offer sizes from 2 1/4 to 3 1/2". pricing starts around $470
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Senior User
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awsome fellas thank you.I found another good site called (Dr. Gas) check em out. i saw the x pipe for 99 bucks..... I think I can make one for just my time which seems cheap these days as my pocket book dwindles due to x-mas.Thanks fellas I will let you know how it comes out as my friend and I will be doing this saturday.Ill drop some pics with my digital cam. DJ
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
Likes: 9,884
From: Rio Rancho, NM
dj53,
I understand about the checkbook. I was able to get the duals on my truck for just about $50. I was lucky and got most of the pipe and the turbos for free though.
Good luck with it
Bobby
I understand about the checkbook. I was able to get the duals on my truck for just about $50. I was lucky and got most of the pipe and the turbos for free though.
Good luck with it
Bobby
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 16
From: sacramento
summit is also a good priced source.
I did a dr gas X style crossover on my 69 mustang with 2 chamber flows it sounded awesome, really raspy and high pitched like a winston cup car. It however was so loud it would eventually give me a headache
(I was missing a headliner, that did not help) It would set off car alarms on cars 60 feet away. When I do the exhaust on the F-100 I will definatly do the x style but will do toned down muffler maybe a dynomax or 3 chamber flows.
I love the sound of the two chambers they sound great as they go by but when they are on your car they are too much.
I did a dr gas X style crossover on my 69 mustang with 2 chamber flows it sounded awesome, really raspy and high pitched like a winston cup car. It however was so loud it would eventually give me a headache
(I was missing a headliner, that did not help) It would set off car alarms on cars 60 feet away. When I do the exhaust on the F-100 I will definatly do the x style but will do toned down muffler maybe a dynomax or 3 chamber flows.I love the sound of the two chambers they sound great as they go by but when they are on your car they are too much.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
The reason for the crossover is that the firing order is not alternating side to side, so the pulses in the pipes is not symetrical. the crossover helps scavange the exhaust by allowing the pulses to balance themselves side to side resulting in smoother flow with less back pressure thru the mufflers.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I always make my own exhaust but I do not bother with a crossover pipe. Unless you're racing or running a lot of horsepower and trying to wring every bit out of the engine the crossover pipe will make little difference. I had a 65 Mustang with the high performance 289 running through Tri-y headers that came with an 'H' pipe but I eliminated it later when I redid the exhaust. I could tell no difference whatsoever in the performance but it did sound better with the exhaust pulses separated.
Vern
Vern
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Well I just did er fellas. I bought 8ft of exhaust pipe,2 flow 40's and the x for the middle. I am so pumped to get started. Those new flowmasters look awful pretty boy's. In talking with the master exhaust installer who has done alot of hotrods and he builds an x with 4 pieces of pipe cut at 45's and welded together to give a the exhaust true pathways to escape. He said most ordered crossovers dont do this. Anyway!! Im going to get started so Ill keep you informed. By the way total price was $230.00. Compared to his estimate of 470.00 for him to do it.Not bad huh.