Building full exhaust

[bhaley66]

Hey im going to build a full stainless exhaust, i have some header tube that is 1.75" id tube, i want to build most of the headers out of this for cost purposes, i see that almost all headers for the 4.3 are using 1.625" tubing so i am thinking about making them step from one to the other, i know almost nothing about exhaust on a daily vehicle. this is not for performance, i have no idea about what i want for flow rates or anything of that sort. i want sound quality and looks alone, my truck previously had a single 40 series flowmaster and i liked the sound, i want something similar. i definitely want it to be dual pipes, but dont have any room at all to run an x-pipe. im thinking 2 to 2.5" pipe all the way back then drop off behind the cab, what should i do... I WOULD LOVE ANY THOUGHTS AT ALL!!!

[SLStruckin]

Don't waste time or money trying to make headers. Dont even bother with headers to start with. They don't do a whole lot for sound- its mostly the muffler, cat, diameter, and exit point that determine sound (oh and the size/type of engine of course).

A single 2.5" is plenty for the 4.3 daily driver, I'd go a single 2.5 back to a dual 2.5" out exhaust. Saves alot of money, everything else is more performance oriented than sound. Oh and if you drop behind the cab, it'll be very loud inside- yeah I know goes without saying.

[bhaley66]

the main reason of all for building full exhaust is so that it will make it fit, im body dropping the truck right now on 2" tall frame rail, the motor is going to be dropped as well. I think i will have to cut up headers to be able to make them fit, with such little room i dont think i will have room for a y-pipe or any way to connect each side. I am going to build a full exhaust and i just want to know what you think may be the best route for tubing. thanks

[ryridesmx]

The biggest thing with building exhaust headers is that they must be the same length. this is because the exhaust pulses from the motor are timed to help pull the exhaust gas out of the motor. i also built a header system on a 71 camaro with a 327 it was fairly straight forward... make smooth turns with the widest radius bends you can fit because you dont want to slow the exhaust gases down...

on the 71 camaro i did it like this... obviously its gonna be different cuz you have a v-6 sso take this with a grain of salt

i joined the first 2 cylinder's headers together about 18 inches out of the cylinder head. back 2 the same way then joined them together farther back... basically there were 2 "y" collectors on each side that fed into a dual 3 inch exhaust with 2 flowmaster 40 series mufflers.

This is for a higher power application but the building can be similar. Sorry dont have pics, sold the car.

I do agree with SLS headers are a b#$* it takes a long time cuz you need to make absolutely prescise measurements, if you are off a bit the exhaust pulses will basically push against each other and you will have added back pressure. good luck with everything

[rockstar]

check out my cardomain page.. i have pics of my exhuast on there you might like.. .. yep yep .. id put them on here.. but it is.. been funny for some reason.. i try again in a bit to put the pics up..

[bhaley66]

Ok makes sense thanks... and ya if you can post pics on here that would be cool, ill check out your cardomain stuff too though.

[rockstar]

jba titanium headers...





electric cut outs arent on yet.. and the pipes are gong to get redone and straightened...



tips are gettin redone... shorter.. and curled facin straigh.. done.

[rockstar]

also.. the cutouts... are going to get straightened as well.. and not below the frame...

[bhaley66]

Ya man thanks that looks pretty good!!!

[rockstar]

no probemman.. thank you..