Catalytic converter question, 83 body, 78 frame drivetrain

[teamssc]

I've just have had my truck a few months and I'm trying to budget for an exhaust. The one on it is really rusty and loud. It might be just the mufflers and some gaskets but I've got to get under there and look closer. I started calling shops today to get a phone estimates and they are from $350 to $500 or more if it needs cats. There are no cats now. I've read a lot of different threads in this forum and others and I can't nail down if they are required. The body and the vin is an 83 C10 diesel but the frame, engine and everything lower is a 1978 K10 with a 350. The shops are telling me they have to follow the EPA laws and put in what was original or get fined. Over the phone they won't take the time to 83 diesel vin is required to have a cat. I've read different things. If the 83 diesel vin warrants a cat but the 78 engine etc doesn't I still don't think I have a leg to stand on to avoid the cost of the cats but I might find a sympathetic ear at a smaller shop.

So the questions are
1. Does the 83 diesel C10 require cats?
2. If it does to I have a prayer in hell demonstrating to a shop it's a 78 frame/engine?
3. Someone told me the frame has it's original 78 vin stamped on it, if so where? Would that be enough to convince a shop it's a 78 or all they going to go by the titled vin? (I think the answer is the body/title vin dictates)
4. How reasonable, with limited welding skills, would it be for me to put in my own dual exhaust, or do I just suck it up and do whatever the shop tells me? I might also have a friend who is good at welding.

Thanks for any help

[GM-power]

Titled vin no question. I don't know if you need cats where you are, but I don't see why a shop should give you any crap over it. If you aren't a good welder you may be setting your self up for exhaust leaks. Does your truck have duels?
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[hatzie]

Diesels don't have Cats. Around the last decade or so there are particulate traps but they're not cats.

1983 1/2 ton with a gas engine no question about cats. They're required to pass emissions.

No emissions check required? Get 1 ton manifold to tailpipe parts and install it yourself. No need to pay top dollar to the exhaust shop goons.

No need to weld it just properly clamp it up unless you're building a show machine.

[andrewmp6]

If the vin says its a gas truck you gotta have cats on it,If you don't have to smog it just do the exhaust your self and leave them off its kinda illegal to do tho.

[teamssc]

Yes the truck does have dual exhaust but it was probably added later or it came on the 78 undercarriage it is sitting on (which I doubt). Since the VIN says Diesel I hope a smaller shop lets me slide. Thankfully we don't have any emission testing.

Hatzie, would this be for dual exhaust? I don't HAVE to have dual but I guess it goes back to my teen years, long time ago, where it was a cool thing. I will look into the 1 ton manifold to tailpipe parts and see what I think I can pull off. I've got a LMC catalog so I'll do some looking

Thanks all.

[raws67]

I have done 2 trucks now with the dynomax manifold kit from summit. Its a 2 1/4 pipe kit and comes with all clamps and hangars required you just have to buy the mufflers. I did the thrush welded Flowmaster knock offs for the first one then the second one I went with Flowmasters and I had maybe 250 total into the system. The only other thing you would need is the manifold donuts, if you still have factory manifolds. The best way is to mock it up using the clamps then drop it down and weld it up I personally dont like the clamps but they will work. The kit comes with instructions and the pipes are numbered so its a no brainer.

[teamssc]

raws67, looks like an interesting kit. Considering the price plus shipping I might just order the Flowmasters and the pipe from a local parts store.

Thanks