Side exit exhaust opinions...

[nibs]

Hey guys, I know this has been brought up on this site many times before but the threads were a couple years old. I know we have all become smarter and newer stuff has shown up in the scene since

Now, Ive been doing some searching around here and google for pics and ideas for running side exit exhaust on my 71. Here is an idea of how it sits to the ground when aired out


Ok, with that shown,
Idea #1 - I have seen some guys run the pipes to the outer sides of the frame right at the engine compartment and ran it along the outer side of the frame. Like this truck



The drawback on this is that the pipe is visible from the side of the truck. IMO drawing your eyes towards it and not the truck. But easily accomplished.


Idea #2 - I ran across this truck and I kinda like how this is run. the pipes are run on the inside of the frame rails and right after the cabin, cuts a hole through the frame and I would run the muffler in the little pocket between the frame and bedside, then dump the pipe right before the back wheels.


The drawback here is a ~4" hole in the structure of my truck. Would boxing the frame AND the hole recover the strength of the frame? I see thats exactly what this truck did. But the overall product looks nice and stealthy.

I want your guys' opinions on this... VOTE AWAY!

[Lee H]

Idea 1 is how I have had mine for many years.
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[nibs]

do you have any side shots of your truck? Id like to see how visible they are

[N2TRUX]

I think there is adequate room to tuck it high enough that it won't be visible. I would consider option #1 if you can route it under the frame up front without creating clearance issues.

[nibs]

Here is roughly what I have for space. Keep in mind that the valves are going to be relocated before the pipes are run to under the bed. They were just put here for temporary use.


The cab mounts and the cab support(i think thats what you would call it) block up alot of the space...

[vin63]

Originally Posted by nibs

Ok, with that shown,
Idea #1 - I have seen some guys run the pipes to the outer sides of the frame right at the engine compartment and ran it along the outer side of the frame. Like this truck

The drawback on this is that the pipe is visible from the side of the truck. IMO drawing your eyes towards it and not the truck. But easily accomplished.

I want your guys' opinions on this... VOTE AWAY!

Your idea #1 are photos of my exhaust. Here's an older photo of my truck while I was dismantling it (exhaust still mounted). Other than the turndown in front of the rear tire, you really can't see the exhaust...I purposely mounted the exhaust above the bottom of the frame for clearance since I have a steep approach driveway.

[ChevLoRay]

Mine ran on the outside of the rails, and the mufflers were beneath the cab. You canbarely see where the exit is, right in front of the wheel opening. None of the piping or muffler showed. Right now, the pipe ass'y is laying beneath my new cab, on the dolly.

Early Classic has a crossmember, that locates the front of the rear trailing arms, and it also includes 4-inch holes for routing exhaust pipes.

[nibs]

Hmmmmm, that looks good. I wonder if the 63 had the same measurements as far as how much frame the body covered

[nibs]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

Mine ran on the outside of the rails, and the mufflers were beneath the cab. You canbarely see where the exit is, right in front of the wheel opening. None of the piping or muffler showed. Right now, the pipe ass'y is laying beneath my new cab, on the dolly.

Early Classic has a crossmember, that locates the front of the rear trailing arms, and it also includes 4-inch holes for routing exhaust pipes.

How big of piping did you use? Does it rattle against the body or frame at all? Maybe any pics of under the hood to see how you routed the pipes after the manifolds? I like it though

[vin63]

Originally Posted by nibs

Hmmmmm, that looks good. I wonder if the 63 had the same measurements as far as how much frame the body covered

From your air valve photo, the space looks very similar. Also, I'm running a 3-inch diameter exhaust, which is a little excessive. If you run something smaller diameter, it will provide you more wiggle room. The other thing is I mounted my muffler under the bed, so that helped in my case.

[nibs]

Originally Posted by vin63

From your air valve photo, the space looks very similar. Also, I'm running a 3-inch diameter exhaust, which is a little excessive. If you run something smaller diameter, it will provide you more wiggle room. The other thing is I mounted my muffler under the bed, so that helped in my case.

Yea, I would do mine just like yours. I like having the muffler not under the cabin. cuts back alot of drone and cabin noise. Who did your exhaust work? I notice you are pretty close to me

[vin63]

I usually fabricate my exhaust systems. If I do more complex systems with bends over the axle housing, etc., I'll have a muffler shop bend some sections for me.

[nibs]

I should really invest in a welder...

[fastwillie 696969]

i had mine done two weeks ago

[nibs]

Originally Posted by fastwillie 696969

i had mine done two weeks ago

Looks nice! But Id be dragging those bad boys... Sittin a little too low

[Lee H]

Even at rocker eye level you can't see mine except for the exhaust tip.
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[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by nibs

How big of piping did you use? Does it rattle against the body or frame at all? Maybe any pics of under the hood to see how you routed the pipes after the manifolds? I like it though

Best I can do is go take pix of the pipes, tomorrow. They are 2.5-inches in diameter back to the Flowmaster 40-series mufflers and then 2.25 out of the muffler. Let me take the pic tomorrow and you can see how they were made. Unfortunately, the truck is disassembled....completely. Cab setting on a dolly; chassis on stands....with nothing attached and the bed/front cap somewhere else. So, nothing to show as to how it looked.

As for noise....no rattles at all. I had a good muffler man. On the other hand, the mufflers and the exits as they were, reverberated very nicely from any solid object to the side of the truck. Yep, very enjoyable...and loud enough to drown out the annoying sounds of my radio.

[nibs]

Thank you for the advice guys. I think I have decided to go the route then. Wish me luck! Check out my build thread to see how they end up