Single vs. dual exhaust

[STOCKISH]

Just asking for opinions. My truck currently has dual 2 1/2 exhaust with Flowmasters. I need to re-do the exhaust because it hangs waaaaay too low. I am going to buy some shorty headers and go from there. I was thinking a y-pipe and single 3 inch exhaust is the way I am going to go to save room under the truck and clean things up a bit. What are your guys experiences and opinions? Thanks in advance.

[Storm Chaser]

Don't think it will sound as good as duals... plus duals are more efficient

[shrtbx]

I have a single exhaust set up similar to what you are talking about and i like it. 3inch y-pipe that came with my hookers to a single 3 inch in double 3 inch out right before the rear wheel. It has a killer sound to it and flows great.

[Pyrotechnic]

People with lowered trucks have had good luck with Chevelle headers. They are mid length and don't hang that low. You can fabricate a nicely tucked dual system with these. Infact, if the rest of your system from the end of the transmission back was done right and isn't hanging too low, you might be able to install the Chevelle headers then have the existing system adapted to them.

[STOCKISH]

Buying the mid lengths are also an option I am considering. Just havent decided yet.

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

People with lowered trucks have had good luck with Chevelle headers. They are mid length and don't hang that low. You can fabricate a nicely tucked dual system with these. Infact, if the rest of your system from the end of the transmission back was done right and isn't hanging too low, you might be able to install the Chevelle headers then have the existing system adapted to them.

Not to get off topic, but is there any particular year of Chevelle that works better, or will any of them work?

Personally I would run duals. I've never seen a single exhaust that big done so I don't know how it would rate effiecency, and sound wise compared to the duals.

[shrtbx]

I dont know the exact part number of mine but they are hookers made specifically for our years mine came with the huge front y pipe as well. I cant see the pipes at all except for the two exhaust pipes coming from the muffler. The entire system is designed to run up and over the transmission mounting bracket so its actually tucked up high. if i didnt have it exiting from the side i could slam the truck completely to the ground and have no clearance problems.

[JohnC]

Do you have any pics of it shrtbx?

[shrtbx]

I can take some tonight.

[big10ratrod77]

duel is better i had the stock single exhaust for like all summer on my big 10 and it was like weak as mess so then the week before school started i had a local muffler shop to run me some 2 1/4 duels with an h pipe and some summit turbo mufflers (it was like 250for everything) and it runs great now big difference in sound and power

[f.monroe]

I would ask Ken for an opinion on this subject . His black Cheyenne has/had an awesome custom single exhaust that I think he was very pleased with . You might ask what his specs were .I have had both and on my 87 shortbed I once had , I ran a single 3 inch exhaust . I ran a 50 series and it sounded good . It had a nice roar under heavy throttle also .

Frank

[asphaltburner]

Yo! Here's a pic of FRANKENTRUCKs' 2.5" dual exhaust with "H" pipe:



Shorty headers and Summits' "H" pipe and offset turbo mufflers. Sounds fantastic, and this exhaust does NOT sit low!
You'll certainly breathe and sound better with 2.5" duals than with a single 3", and the crosspipe helps scavenge exhaust gases even better than true duals,...easy to install too.
Todd.

[Driveway Dreams]

Todd, you are fortunate...Frankentruck has the clearance for that H pipe. That would never clear under mine. I built mine in true duals, turbo mufflers, and exits right in front of the rear tires. When the funds are there I will be getting the Chevelle headers for the extra flow.

[asphaltburner]

Yo! Yeah, I sure can't get an "H" or "X" pipe under my Camaro, just sits too low and no room on either side. Your setup is exactly what it has and I'm sure yours sounds just as devilish!
FRANKENTRUCKs exhaust has that great sound too, but straight out the back.
Sure hope this gives 1972SuperCheyenne some great examples and ideas!
I must say, I DIDN'T think they could shoot that passenger side 2.5" tube between the t/case and frame, but it sure came out beautiful! Ken's Mufflers in Ft Collins did a magnificent job for a great price!
Todd.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by f.monroe

I would ask Ken for an opinion on this subject . His black Cheyenne has/had an awesome custom single exhaust that I think he was very pleased with...

Unfortunately the new Ridetech AirBar system demanded that it be changed, but I was very pleased with my single system.

You probably won't want to go through the expense that I did, but I started with 2.5" Corvette "ram horn" manifolds. From there I had a Y-pipe custom built that hugged the motor and transmission. Coming out of the Y w ran 2.5" pipe to a high flow catalytic, then back to a single in/single out Flowmaster. The tailpipe went to the rear corner of the bed and had a slight turn down.

Thi system flowed very well and maintained a very quiet sound inside the cab. It had a nice rumble that came to life when I stomped the loud pedal.

Yes, true duals with an H or X pipe are the best flowing available. If your not concerned with a slight loss in performance, a single system is cheaper, cleaner, and still sounds good.

[Prerunner1982]

Originally Posted by big10ratrod77

duel is better i had the stock single exhaust for like all summer on my big 10 and it was like weak as mess so then the week before school started i had a local muffler shop to run me some 2 1/4 duels with an h pipe and some summit turbo mufflers (it was like 250for everything) and it runs great now big difference in sound and power

He isn't comparing duals to stock single. He is comparing dual 2.5" to single 3"...

For a stock or mild SBC I think either would be fine. I had dual 3" on my 82 Silverado and though it sounded great I think it was a bit too big for a stock 350.

[STOCKISH]

I was thinking about having a 2 1/2 y-pipe custom made in to single 3 inch through a Flowmaster super 40. The way the trans crossmember is on this truck it is just easier to run a big single exhaust. The price isn't an issue, just want it done right the first time so I can move on to installing my serpentine belt stuff.

[menace121978]

Originally Posted by Prerunner1982

He isn't comparing duals to stock single. He is comparing dual 2.5" to single 3"...

For a stock or mild SBC I think either would be fine. I had dual 3" on my 82 Silverado and though it sounded great I think it was a bit too big for a stock 350.

i agree with this. I've had 5 different set-ups on mine and the last one was all custom from the headers to y-pipe all 3" into a single in duel out 40 series w/ 3" tail pipes. sounds awesome but i know there was a loss in torque w/ the stock bolt on 350.

SuperCheyenne, if you do go w/ the y-pipe make sure they route it away from the trans pan. mine had maybe a 1/2" clearance between the pan and the huge 3" pipe and it still seemed to hang kinda low and the tranny would get hot as heck. My advice (and what i'm going to do next) would be true duels with an h-pipe after the tranny pan tucked up as high as i can all stainless with mid length headers into 50 series flows all 2 3/4" all the way out to the rear lower quarter panels on each side pointing down like the old camaro's. good luck deciding man. i'm never happy with exhaust! (besides a fox body i had 1 time)