Exhaust advice
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Exhaust advice
Puttin a rebuilt 302 in my truck and am aiming to put an exhaust system on it but i'm clueless about whats good and whats not. Im looking for a deep loud and somewhat of a clean sound. any advice will help. Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 7
If you are building the system from scratch, you have two directions to go, each with pros and cons. The first option is to run a single 2 1/2" - 3" system. To build this you run two 2" - 2 1/4" and y them together on the passenger side, It is essential that this y be as smooth as possible for maximum flow and torque. It then runs into the remaining single exhaust where it goes into your muffler (or glasspack). The smaller size system will be more condusive to good fuel economy and peak torque at a lower RPM. The larger pipe size is more for peak horsepower output and racing.
The other option is to run a dual exhaust, which does not have the same sound or benefits it would on say a mustang. The reason is that your two runs will be if different lengths because you have to route both pipes to the drivers side. Dual systems are easier to mess up, they take more pipe, more bends, more time, and they do not always produce the desired results. Adding an x-pipe or h-pipe helps offset the balance issues and makes the system more consistent. Even so, it is debatable that this system can outperform a well designed single system.
If you like the look of duel exhaust and want maximum sound output, you can run a dual outlet muffler. This setup is very balance sounding, tends to be fairly loud (depending on muffler choice and pipe size), and is both easier and less expensive than true duals.
Other things to consider include the way the pipe is bent. Finding someone who can do mandrel bending can be difficult, but mandrel bent 2" tubing will outflow crush bent 2 1/4", and will maintain low end torque better too. Most muffler shops use traditional press benders. These are still ok for power so long as no sharp bends are made. Some shops will recommend using a larger diameter pipe where there are a lot of bends to overcome the restriction. In my opinion, this creates more backpressure than it is worth, the pipe size should remain more consistent and will flow better if it has as few joints as possible. Avoid wrinkle bends. These types of benders are a form of press bender that deliberately wrinkles the inside edge of the pipe to prevent it from crushing inward. The problem is this creates a lot of turbulence and backpressure, more so than the diameter reduction of a press bend.
This should give you a fairly rough idea of how to get started. Building an exhaust system is not typically a DIY job unless you can find a bolt on kit. Even at that, many kits still require you to have tools and knowledge associated with exhaust systems. Welding is an important skill, and having an impact wrench can come in handy. As a result, unless you can find a truly complete system, you should have a local muffler shop fabricate your exhaust. You can use this posting to give you a rough idea of what you want so that you can pass it on to your installer. However, don't let him tell you what you want, it is much better that you have your mind made up on which system will be the best for the way you drive before you go in. There are just some shops who forget who the customer is, and will insist on doing things their way.
The other option is to run a dual exhaust, which does not have the same sound or benefits it would on say a mustang. The reason is that your two runs will be if different lengths because you have to route both pipes to the drivers side. Dual systems are easier to mess up, they take more pipe, more bends, more time, and they do not always produce the desired results. Adding an x-pipe or h-pipe helps offset the balance issues and makes the system more consistent. Even so, it is debatable that this system can outperform a well designed single system.
If you like the look of duel exhaust and want maximum sound output, you can run a dual outlet muffler. This setup is very balance sounding, tends to be fairly loud (depending on muffler choice and pipe size), and is both easier and less expensive than true duals.
Other things to consider include the way the pipe is bent. Finding someone who can do mandrel bending can be difficult, but mandrel bent 2" tubing will outflow crush bent 2 1/4", and will maintain low end torque better too. Most muffler shops use traditional press benders. These are still ok for power so long as no sharp bends are made. Some shops will recommend using a larger diameter pipe where there are a lot of bends to overcome the restriction. In my opinion, this creates more backpressure than it is worth, the pipe size should remain more consistent and will flow better if it has as few joints as possible. Avoid wrinkle bends. These types of benders are a form of press bender that deliberately wrinkles the inside edge of the pipe to prevent it from crushing inward. The problem is this creates a lot of turbulence and backpressure, more so than the diameter reduction of a press bend.
This should give you a fairly rough idea of how to get started. Building an exhaust system is not typically a DIY job unless you can find a bolt on kit. Even at that, many kits still require you to have tools and knowledge associated with exhaust systems. Welding is an important skill, and having an impact wrench can come in handy. As a result, unless you can find a truly complete system, you should have a local muffler shop fabricate your exhaust. You can use this posting to give you a rough idea of what you want so that you can pass it on to your installer. However, don't let him tell you what you want, it is much better that you have your mind made up on which system will be the best for the way you drive before you go in. There are just some shops who forget who the customer is, and will insist on doing things their way.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 475
Likes: 1
From: MI
If your looking for muffler opitions i recommend the flowmaster super 44, it fits your needs perfectly IMO. I have one on my truck with stock manifolds, stock cat. then the super 44 and dualed out with 4" tips and its quite intell you get on it then it really opens up and gets descently loud. Best part about is it sounds more like a muscle car then a truck just good clean deep exhaust note. I got complements from alot of the guys at the shop that test drove it because it wasnt raspy at all and no drone in the cab.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 261
Likes: 1
From: Mason Michigan
Super 44 is a tad louder,than a 40 with a deeper done.I have 2 on my truck with no cats.It sounds real mean,no so called drone whatever that is.If you plan on running stock cats I wouldn't even bother with a muffler,cause it's gonna be quiet and your not gonna get the full sound potential of the muffler.But that's just my opinion.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 825
Likes: 2
From: SW Washington coast
Then there is the stack option ... Don't laugh too loud ... I know you are not an oil burner ... The good points about it is that it frees up so much room under the bed for things like auxillary fuel tanks, compressed air tanks, water, storage ...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
