Headers & Dual Exhaust- Anybody?

[SunSoaked]

I just installed a set of Hedman long-tube headers on my 86 K20 that the PO threw in when I bought the truck a year ago. The exhaust that was on it was a poorly done, cobbled together mess. Having cut that all off, I am starting fresh and hoping for a clean system.

First Issue: The D/S collector exits almost directly in front of the crossbar linkage between the frame and the trans shift lever. I was able to overcome this by cutting the lever arm off, reversing it and welding it back on. This worked great because that lever arm has two dog-leg bends in it and reversing it gained me an inch of clearance, enough to not interfere with the shift linkage in all positions and fit like stock. The rest of the D/S looks like a straight shot back with 2 1/4" tubing.

Second Issue: The passenger side looks like it needs some careful bends to get between the frame rail and the transfer case. The main culprit is a rod (brace) that is about 3/4 inch diameter that runs from the P?S t-case up to what looks like the P/S engine mount.

I plan to eventually lose this brace when I swap a my NV4500 into it down the road. If I don't remove the brace, the exhaust looks like it has to go UNDER the trans mount, which I REALLY don't like having it that low.

My other thought is having the P/S "crossover" to the D/S and merging into a single 3' pipe down the divers side. However, I'm concerned that the crossover tube will hang down low as well to clear the flywheel cover and front driveshaft.

Anybody have any ideas, advice or experience with this.

Thanks, Mike