1972 k20 4x4 exhaust system

[Kcorey]

Looking for suggestions on the best fitting exhaust system for my 72 k20 4x4 with sbc 350/th350 and np205. I’ve looked and most seem to be just for the 2 wheel drive trucks. What has everyone ran?

[Orange Crate]

Ya, wouldn't that be nice. A mandrel bent 2 1/2" stainless with stock rams horn manifolds for a long bed.....I guy can dream can't he......

[1970]

Try waldron's exhaust

[FirstOwner69]

I bought a 2-1/2" Heartthrob dual system for my 2WD and am pleased with it. They also make a system for a K20s. The pipes are mandrel bent. Systems are available for 4X4s with behind the wheels or rear exits and with "stock" (#4149SK and or #1014149...actually fairly loud) or glass pack mufflers (#4149GP or #1024149). The part numbers starting with 101 and 102 are rear exit.

I got mine from Auto Accessories Garage with free shipping (https://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.co...SABEgI42vD_BwE)

The Heartthrob website (http://www.heartthrobexhaust.com/manifolddualkits.htm) says the system won't work with a Rockwell transfer case.

Perhaps someone here has some personal experience with the 4X4 system.

[ohboy321]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

I bought a 2-1/2" Heartthrob dual system for my 2WD and am pleased with it. They also make a system for a K20s. The pipes are mandrel bent. Systems are available for 4X4s with behind the wheels or rear exits and with "stock" (#4149SK and or #1014149...actually fairly loud) or glass pack mufflers (#4149GP or #1024149). The part numbers starting with 101 and 102 are rear exit.

I got mine from Auto Accessories Garage with free shipping (https://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.co...SABEgI42vD_BwE)

The Heartthrob website (http://www.heartthrobexhaust.com/manifolddualkits.htm) says the system won't work with a Rockwell transfer case.

Perhaps someone here has some personal experience with the 4X4 system.

I installed their exhaust in my 1970 (chassis) K10 4X4 with an SBC and stock ramhorn manifolds.

My biggest challenge was clearing the NP205 transfer case. To do that I had to shorten the passenger side down tube about 2-3 inches, as well as do a lot of fussing with the mufflers and hangers. I can't say it wasn't challenging (aka PIA), but after a fair amount of trial and error I think it came out okay. The pipes are long enough for a long bed, and have to be shortened just before the mufflers for my short bed. I am using the stock type mufflers and think they sound pretty good.

-Steve

[Stocker]

Mine was custom made at a local exhaust shop. Dual pipes to Magnaflows, then dumped ahead of the rear axle.

[72 Copper C-10]

I know its not a bolt in kit, but i ordered a mandrel bent pipe kit and did it my self and I am pretty pleased.

[Orange Crate]

Originally Posted by 72 Copper C-10

I know its not a bolt in kit, but i ordered a mandrel bent pipe kit and did it my self and I am pretty pleased.

From where? Was it stainless?

[72 Copper C-10]

Originally Posted by Orange Crate

From where? Was it stainless?

Sorry it took so long to respond, I got my 2.5 inch mandrel bent kit from MA Performance, for some reason it took them a long time to get the order sent out, but once I got it I can say I am pleased with the product. I choose the kit because it was 16 Gauge wall instead of the 18 gauge stainless and it was 304 Stainless instead of the more popular 409 stainless. I recently learned about the classes of stainless and the 400 class stainless (which most exhaust is made from) is more corrosion resistant than steel but it surface rusts over time given the conditions. 300 class stainless is the most corrosion resistant and is a higher quality stainless. MA performance claimed the kit was made by squirrelly performance. They offered a couple different sizes of kit and individual bends as well which i thought was neat. I used Magnaflows for my mufflers. and I can say it has turned out really nice so far. I will try and get some pictures taken and posted.

[Orange Crate]

Originally Posted by 72 Copper C-10

Sorry it took so long to respond, I got my 2.5 inch mandrel bent kit from MA Performance, for some reason it took them a long time to get the order sent out, but once I got it I can say I am pleased with the product. I choose the kit because it was 16 Gauge wall instead of the 18 gauge stainless and it was 304 Stainless instead of the more popular 409 stainless. I recently learned about the classes of stainless and the 400 class stainless (which most exhaust is made from) is more corrosion resistant than steel but it surface rusts over time given the conditions. 300 class stainless is the most corrosion resistant and is a higher quality stainless. MA performance claimed the kit was made by squirrelly performance. They offered a couple different sizes of kit and individual bends as well which i thought was neat. I used Magnaflows for my mufflers. and I can say it has turned out really nice so far. I will try and get some pictures taken and posted.

Kit part number? AND

[Husker]

Originally Posted by 72 Copper C-10

Sorry it took so long to respond, I got my 2.5 inch mandrel bent kit from MA Performance, for some reason it took them a long time to get the order sent out, but once I got it I can say I am pleased with the product. I choose the kit because it was 16 Gauge wall instead of the 18 gauge stainless and it was 304 Stainless instead of the more popular 409 stainless. I recently learned about the classes of stainless and the 400 class stainless (which most exhaust is made from) is more corrosion resistant than steel but it surface rusts over time given the conditions. 300 class stainless is the most corrosion resistant and is a higher quality stainless. MA performance claimed the kit was made by squirrelly performance. They offered a couple different sizes of kit and individual bends as well which i thought was neat. I used Magnaflows for my mufflers. and I can say it has turned out really nice so far. I will try and get some pictures taken and posted.

Approximate cost of your kit. Thanks
Ron

[special-K]

I always patronize my local exhaust shop to get a custom-fit system done how I want it.

[Orange Crate]

Originally Posted by special-K

I always patronize my local exhaust shop to get a custom-fit system done how I want it.

Give it up man, what shop. I'm in WV, so I might trailer it there.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Husker

The Good thing about the Heartthrob kit is it's mandrel bent so you end up not losing flow.
Ron

Originally Posted by Orange Crate

From where? Was it stainless?

Mandrel bent and stainless is a lot of hype. You will never notice the "loss in flow" and stainless usually contacts mild steel somewhere. The current aluminized custom built local system I have was done in '04 and the truck runs as good and sounds as good as can be. My camper hauler got a system in '89 and was still on it in '04 when I stopped running it. Isn't 15 years long enough to satisfy?

Originally Posted by Orange Crate

Give it up man, what shop. I'm in WV, so I might trailer it there.

It's been a while but I want to do something different this summer with exhaust. I used Tire Mart in Frederick, MD last time. I need to check who is doing exhaust now. There are exhaust shops all over. There is a guy in the area that does custom mandrel bent systems, but very very expensive. I have a Bartens bumper, a swing down spare carrier, and hitch bracing. I had them dump it out the rear quarter under the bumper

72 K2500 Going To Work - YouTube

[Orange Crate]

Originally Posted by special-K

Mandrel bent and stainless is a lot of hype. You will never notice the "loss in flow" and stainless usually contacts mild steel somewhere. The current aluminized custom built local system I have was done in '04 and the truck runs as good and sounds as good as can be. My camper hauler got a system in '89 and was still on it in '04 when I stopped running it. Isn't 15 years long enough to satisfy?

It's been a while but I want to do something different this summer with exhaust. I used Tire Mart in Frederick, MD last time. I need to check who is doing exhaust now. There are exhaust shops all over. There is a guy in the area that does custom mandrel bent systems, but very very expensive. I have a Bartens bumper, a swing down spare carrier, and hitch bracing. I had them dump it out the rear quarter under the bumper

72 K2500 Going To Work - YouTube

Come on Tim, stainless is what I want, I'm not asking how to build an exhaust system I'm asking you to give up the names of the shops you mentioned in this post. Tire Mart, that's your custom shop? Who is the very, very expensive shop? Mandrel bent will flow better and it isn't hype. Would you put 1" headers on a big block or 1 5/8"? Why not be helpful?

[special-K]

Originally Posted by Orange Crate

Come on Tim, stainless is what I want, I'm not asking how to build an exhaust system I'm asking you to give up the names of the shops you mentioned in this post. Tire Mart, that's your custom shop? Who is the very, very expensive shop? Mandrel bent will flow better and it isn't hype. Would you put 1" headers on a big block or 1 5/8"? Why not be helpful?

I thought I was being helpful.I didn't tell you how to build an exhaust and I gave you the name of where I've had the last few systems done... in aluminized that averages 15+ years. Talk to Mitch at Tire Mart. I have also used Commercial Tire in Elkridge, MD and Damascus Tire in town of same name. Ben Woo does the mandrel stainless but I've never wasted my money on that. He's in Montgomery County, MD. I think in the airpark in Gaithersburg.

My truck with 350 has Hedman Torque Step full length headers into 2 1/4" pipes and is anything but choked out. It's just right, a very happy truck. Sounds like you're sold on the hype and that's your right. I use my truck and it does everything I ask it to do with style and ease. People debate the negligible gain from headers, which are mandrel bent and the same holds true for the rest of the exhaust. I'm not worried about 5 hp. It's not a race car

Thanks Dale

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by special-K

Mandrel bent and stainless is a lot of hype. You will never notice the "loss in flow" and stainless usually contacts mild steel somewhere. The current aluminized custom built local system I have was done in '04 and the truck runs as good and sounds as good as can be. My camper hauler got a system in '89 and was still on it in '04 when I stopped running it. Isn't 15 years long enough to satisfy?

It's been a while but I want to do something different this summer with exhaust. I used Tire Mart in Frederick, MD last time. I need to check who is doing exhaust now. There are exhaust shops all over. There is a guy in the area that does custom mandrel bent systems, but very very expensive. I have a Bartens bumper, a swing down spare carrier, and hitch bracing. I had them dump it out the rear quarter under the bumper

72 K2500 Going To Work - YouTube

Tim, I like the way yours sounds. ......nice!!.....

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by special-K

I always patronize my local exhaust shop to get a custom-fit system done how I want it.

This^^^

Done this on every vehicle I’ve ever owned. Custom fit, never any disappointments, and way less $$$ than a pre made kit.

[Husker]

The Good thing about the Heartthrob kit is it's mandrel bent so you end up not losing flow.
Ron

[CharlieBrown]

Believe it or not...I used the kit from LMC....side exit behind the wheels with turbos....worked really well for something I could do at home.If I was going to do over I would do the rear exit instead

[renegade6]

No decent exhaust shops around me, so I built one with a universal kit from Speedway. I can post more pictures when I get home.

[Kcorey]

Thanks guys . I’ll call a couple local exhaust shops first . I could make my own with a universal kit as well, just short on time as usual.

[ripper70]

And its 3" not 2 1/2"��

[Stocker]

1971 K20 will be same as a 1972 K20 and use center dump ramhorns.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Stocker

1971 K20 will be same as a 1972 K20 and use center dump ramhorns.

They are straight center dumps too