New exhaust, should I keep it before rear tires?

[sbc10guy]

I just did a big block swap on my 69 shortbox this winter and am now ready to take it in for exhaust. The truck has had the exhaust exiting before the rear tires since i have bought it and i have liked it. I just ordered new flowmaster super 44s and have hooker long tube chevelle headers on it. Im running 3 inch on it this time around and am wondering will the exhaust be too short if i route it the same or will it sound better out the back? I kind of like the clean look of no big tailpipes out the back. Also should i have an H pipe put in or isnt it really worth it? Any input is appreciated, its going in next week sometime hopefully.

[sbc10guy]

This is a pic of how it has looked. It has a rear roll pan as well.

[Lattimer]

It will be louder in the cab in front of the tires. Personally, I prefer the look in front of the tires. Its says more "hot rod" to me.

I did 2.5" with stainless slash cut tips in front of the tires, but I did Magnaflows to keep the sound tolerable.

An H-pipe will mellow it a little and make it sound better just standing on side, and will improve power a little.

[Boog]

You liked that side exit with the small block. Now with a big block and 3" blows it will really make some noise. I'd say go with the side exit on it like you have now and you will know if it's still ok or intolerable. If it's too much you can always have the pipes dumped just aft of the rear end or angled out behind the tires.

[sbc10guy]

Yah i guess its always been pretty loud, it just had 20 year old glass packs on it with the small block. Thats ok with me because its my poor mans hotrod. I like it fast loud and low.

[engineer_gregh]

Here's how I do my exhaust.

[engineer_gregh]

A few more.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

I basically got screwed with this exhaust install.

I wanted 2.75" dia pipe....and for the pipes to run all the way out that back, yes...
.....But further apart, keyed on the outside edges of the "H" on the left, and "E" on the right.

I supplied him with new FM 40-series.

I ended up with this for now. Other than missing a few welds (now fixed) , using 2.25" pipe, and not getting the
spread right, the system sounds pretty good for what it is. He did tuck everything up and under nicely.

Since I used a lot of sound deadening material in the cab, it has a nice mellow sound while driving. And, it's not
harsh to other folks driving, walking or riding bikes next to me in traffic.

Here's the sound while I was setting up the idle speed:

http://magwa.smugmug.com/Exhaust/

[Already Gone]

This isn't my truck but the way I'm going with my truck when i get the exhaust system redone this spring. Its the there but not in your face look I like.

[outdoorsman310]

Keep 'em in front. that way it blows tire smoke out the sides.

[stsalvage]

Originally Posted by outdoorsman310

Keep 'em in front. that way it blows tire smoke out the sides.

problem when you do that you ever have a engine going bad and you blow a engine some of that oil goes on your tires happy trails you ever try to stop on oily tires dose not work well done it on my roundy round car when i blow the eng i spun right into the wall

[CorDog009]

I've always preferred to have the exhaust dumped on my trucks, it just seems to look cleaner to me.

[JointTech]

i did in front of the wheels as well. because exhaust smoke and loudness is

[Max1775]

I like to come straight out the back of the mufflers with 30 degree turn downs angled slightly outward. Nothing shows

[stsalvage]

all my truck will have it behind the back wheels with 40 inch glass packs see flow masters sound good but a glass pack never plugs up after the glass is gone it keeps on getting louder and with 40 inches it has a nice moan to it but when you chasing some one down they know your comming

[sbc10guy]

Thanks for your opinions guys. I think il try it in front of the rear tires again for now at least. im also just ordered an hipe. I do like the tucked up and under idea i just dont want to get in the way of the future rear mounted fuel tank. I cant wait to here this thing.

[special-K]

What's so clean about pipes sticking out of the side? At least out back is where you expect to see exhaust. I think going with 3" you will want more length, not only for sound but for performance. You can tuck it up and leave it peeking out. I like the dump down from behind the quarter look that GM cars of this era had (and has been shown). You can do the same from behind the bumper straight out the back. Just keep the pipes under the frame or outside. All my systems are run with spare tire mount or on Blazers or Suburbans. Never an issue with the tank. Running to the rear of the truck is a complete exhaust system. Running out the side was always the cheap way to go and that's how I still see it. And I once went that route. And the blown engine dumping oil on tires is a true reality. Although, when oil comes direct from the block, all bids are off. It's just bad news for rear traction. Seen super nice trucks end up a pile of steel from that.