Assembly of my V8 SBC dual exhaust.

[Lugnutz65]

I bought a 16 piece 2” mandrel bent exhaust kit from Amazon. I added 4 or 5 pieces and got to work. My local muffler shop didn’t feel confident enough to tackle the job.
Lots of work to get it done. I’m happy with the layout and pretty happy with the sound. Magnaflow glasspacks. X-pipe was pretty easy because I had to bring pieces to the middle and up between the drive shaft and control arms anyway.
I have a SBC 283 with a 268H cam and factory ram horn exhaust.
Here’s a video.
Good to be back on the road again.

[geezer#99]

I’m surprised you didn’t use something on the ram’s horns to preserve them and look nicer.
I used some Eastwood cast iron gray on mine. Used the brush on style.
I see it comes in an aerosol now.


https://www.eastwood.com/factory-gra...p-coating.html

[Lugnutz65]

I did use something. I used pot belly stove polish. They look slate black/gray and it’s easy to apply more as needed with an old toothbrush without removing the manifolds.

[The Rocknrod]

You probably did better than your local muffler shop since that would have kicked their tail. I'd find another shop, just sayin. Good work, like the sound.

[LVPhotos]

From what I read the X or H pipe needs to be 18" -24" from collector. Though the rams pose a different senereo. Closer to engine.
https://www.onallcylinders.com/2012/...haust%20system.

[AcampoDave]

Nice work. The X pipe is a great addition. I put an H on mine as an afterthought and it really did improve the sound.

[Steeveedee]

That came out really nice!

A guy at a muffler shop couldn't/wouldn't do it? I'd stay away from there, too. I've put in Flowmaster and other systems laying on my back on the driveway, with the vehicle right in my face. I'd be in heaven with a hoist.

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

I did use something. I used pot belly stove polish. They look slate black/gray and it’s easy to apply more as needed with an old toothbrush without removing the manifolds.

I see!
WishI’d known about that stuff 35 years ago.
Looks better than the cast iron look I had.

[Braunschweiger]

Great job, the X Pipe looks great. I sandblasted my headers and painted them with VHT Cast Iron, let's see how long it lasts. The tip is good.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

From what I read the X or H pipe needs to be 18" -24" from collector. Though the rams pose a different senereo. Closer to engine.
https://www.onallcylinders.com/2012/...haust%20system.

There's optimizing a system & there's putting things where it gets the job done & is easier for packaging. Sometimes compromises work good enough for the intended task.

@Lugnutz65.... Lookin good!

[LVPhotos]

I understand making stuff work. There are differences what works and what is productive.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

I understand making stuff work. There are differences what works and what is productive.

Not suggesting otherwise. Can you educate me about how significant this different placement will be?

[LVPhotos]

Several articles on this. Including the one I posted. The "pulse" balance is closer to engine.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mot...your-ride/amp/

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

Several articles on this. Including the one I posted. The "pulse" balance is closer to engine.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mot...your-ride/amp/

I did view the first link but it was based on placement of the 'x' for 'maximum flow'. It seems most guys utilize 'X/H' pipes for helping w/noise or droning issues more than for flow-rate based performance (especially those still using manifolds vs tuned length headers). They don't hurt flow & help tame the exhaust note.

Not sure if something went wrong but your 2nd link just popped up a 'MT' icon/image but nothing else when I clicked on it. Not sure what info was intended to be linked.

My point was w/manifolds, I don't think where he put the 'X' is that big of a deal. Definitely not a deal-breaker as far as performance goes in his case.

[Lugnutz65]

This 1965 C10 is NOT built for high performance. However, I think it will perform better than a factory C10 did in 1965.
I did the X-pipe for my own entertainment. If performance is better with the X-pipe, I’ll have no way to tell anyway. It’s not like I’m gonna take it out to see which way is better.
I understand that an X-pipe may help flow by scavenger and Venturi effect. Maybe mine won’t because of placement but I doubt it can hurt performance.
The down side if any is that by connecting the two sides at the X-pipe I have now made it impossible to install or remove the exhaust UNLESS I create a joint somewhere so it can be taken apart in pieces. Some will think I shot myself in the foot by creating that problem, but I guess to each his own.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

This 1965 C10 is NOT built for high performance. However, I think it will perform better than a factory C10 did in 1965.
I did the X-pipe for my own entertainment. If performance is better with the X-pipe, I’ll have no way to tell anyway. It’s not like I’m gonna take it out to see which way is better.
I understand that an X-pipe may help flow by scavenger and Venturi effect. Maybe mine won’t because of placement but I doubt it can hurt performance.
The down side if any is that by connecting the two sides at the X-pipe I have now made it impossible to install or remove the exhaust UNLESS I create a joint somewhere so it can be taken apart in pieces. Some will think I shot myself in the foot by creating that problem, but I guess to each his own.

Meh, if you bought good parts you probably won't need to work on the exhaust system again in your lifetime. If you have a tall axle, you MIGHT notice a slight loss of torque at low RPM, like off the line...and you aren't drag racing.

[MT65]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

This 1965 C10 is NOT built for high performance. However, I think it will perform better than a factory C10 did in 1965.
I did the X-pipe for my own entertainment. If performance is better with the X-pipe, I’ll have no way to tell anyway. It’s not like I’m gonna take it out to see which way is better.
I understand that an X-pipe may help flow by scavenger and Venturi effect. Maybe mine won’t because of placement but I doubt it can hurt performance.
The down side if any is that by connecting the two sides at the X-pipe I have now made it impossible to install or remove the exhaust UNLESS I create a joint somewhere so it can be taken apart in pieces. Some will think I shot myself in the foot by creating that problem, but I guess to each his own.

I used these turbo band clamps on all exhaust systems, can be disassembled with ease…..

[slepysal]

nice job

[AcampoDave]

For me the crossover pipe was totally about the sound. I put it under my E brake crossmember and it did away with the riffling and light popping sounds upon deceleration and made for a smoother, quieter ride at speed and especially at idle.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

For me the crossover pipe was totally about the sound. I put it under my E brake crossmember and it did away with the riffling and light popping sounds upon deceleration and made for a smoother, quieter ride at speed and especially at idle.

True! I was very surprised how tame my exhaust sounds. I was expecting more sound. If I had gone with 2.5” pipe I think it’d have a lower rumble.