dual vs single exhaust 1971 custom camper longhorn

[dads longhorn]

I have a 1971 C20 Custom Camper longhorn and have determined from you folks that it originally had a single exhaust pipe, ok. Now it has two, one comming off each manifold (dad had two put on at some point, the truck carried a camper and pulled a boat at the same time...yeah we had fun in that truck). The pipe has a rusted spot and leak, so I'll replace the pipes. Here's the question. Should I leave it dual exhaust (said to let the engine run cooler by allowing the escaping gasses to exit faster) or go back to single exhaust system (back to original but constricts the exhaust flow and heats up the engine more). I do not plan to put on a camper or tow a boat like dad did, so a single exhaust might be good enough. How much hotter will the engine run w/ one pipe? Should I just keep it dual to take it easy on the engine? I'd like to keep/get the truck to original but dual exhaust might just be better for the engine.

What do you think? Thanks in advance

[too much stuff]

If the truck originally had a big block, it would have dual exhaust. If your truck has a small block i would still run dual exhaust unless you are going for 100% correct.

[special-K]

My opinion is go with dual exhaust. I can't stand a single pipe on a V8 and it's the first thing I do. I'm no scientist but I probably first did it because I always thought dual exhaust was just plain cool. When I really put some thought to it I decided to me it just makes sense for each cylinder head to have it's own pipe. You can do flow dynamics calculations and volumetric studies all day long if you want,but I just go with one pipe per head on all my V8s and V2 bikes (except my turbocharged diesel...maybe a need a second turbo,ya think?). Back to my one of my original reasons...single pipes and for grandpas. If I was going for original I'd still do duals and be 99.9% correct or only go with a big block. The next guy can run it original if he wants.

[MrSchaeferPants]

You could read a books worth of articles written on single vs. dual, not to mention diameter, exhaust per engine specs, etc. So much is opinion. I'd say, do what will make you happy. As far as flow and performance, you can have the same with single. (I'm going with the assumption of a old stock engine) Good quality high flow mufflers vs. stock original is a quite a difference alone. I'm not sure on your engine size, but you could go find articles written, it'll tell you the size pipes to use (dual or single) per your engine size, specs. Also comes down to price, a single set up will be cheaper. I personally prefer single for that reason, plus it's less weight, less junk under your chassis, and for my wheelers, potentially less to get ripped off. Another important fact is headers, that's a whole other topic. And as far as squeaking out some hp gains, a few hundred for some dual exhaust work isn't worth a handful of shetland ponies. JMO, what's important is what you'll like to have on YOUR truck. Could just replaced the rusted/hole bits and call it good.

[dads longhorn]

well, i don't know what would make me happy re exhaust or what I want on the truck, i guess that's why I was asking my questions (I'm blonde, I have the right to be confused). You've given me a lot to think about. BUT, I ain't no grandpa!!! And since it doesn't seem to make much difference in performance or heat build up, (cost and weight, yes) and it's already set up for duals, I guess I'll be happiest being cool. So, duals it is. Also, there are enough small things that already are not original on the truck, and I'm not in a hurry to get it really original, dual exhaust is ok to leave on there for now. I love the way the 350 v8 and mufflers sound...rumble rumble. Guess I like the cool factor, blonde and shallow!

[cdowns]

loads of these trucks and cars too came off the dealer floor when new and went right to the muffler shop for dual exhaust systems back in the day

[MrSchaeferPants]

Yup, so you already kinda had your own answer. Nice set of duals and a throaty grumble is always nice.

[50bomb]

Dual Flowmaster 40 series 2 1/4 all day long. That is what I ran on my ex-64 chevy fleet shortbed 7 years ago. LOVED the sound. Ran healthy too. I am gonna do the same for my 1967 chevy c10 longbed but maybe 2" out back this time.

[special-K]

CDowns is right. There's 100% factory original,and there's what people did to their vehicles asap back in the day. Unlike today,a lot was left to the individual and not made available on new vehicles. They didn't come with alloy wheels,you ran out and bought aluminum slots,Torque Thrusts,Cragar S/S,etc. They didn't come with multi-speaker amplified stereos,you went right out and bought a quality stereo and ditched the AM or even the crappy AM/FM mono. Dual exhaust was the same way. It doesn't way enough to affect a dang thing on a truck and a good exhaust is run up into the frame where it's not going to snag or bottom out. The only thing you should see are those cool as heck dual tips spouting out that not so wimpy sound. Even a good muffler on single exhaust sounds lame to me. "Gotta keep 'em separated"

[50bomb]

Originally Posted by special-K

CDowns is right. There's 100% factory original,and there's what people did to their vehicles asap back in the day. Unlike today,a lot was left to the individual and not made available on new vehicles. They didn't come with alloy wheels,you ran out and bought aluminum slots,Torque Thrusts,Cragar S/S,etc. They didn't come with multi-speaker amplified stereos,you went right out and bought a quality stereo and ditched the AM or even the crappy AM/FM mono. Dual exhaust was the same way. It doesn't way enough to affect a dang thing on a truck and a good exhaust is run up into the frame where it's not going to snag or bottom out. The only thing you should see are those cool as heck dual tips spouting out that not so wimpy sound. Even a good muffler on single exhaust sounds lame to me. "Gotta keep 'em separated"

Well said.

[dads longhorn]

so what's a flowmaster 40 series? 2 1/4 diameter, i got that. What about chrome tips on the pipes? They would look good (again, very shallow) but I think that's going too far considering that the truck was designed to carry a camper!