exhaust opinions

[sneakyfast]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

When I built my first 383 stroker engine for my 84 GMC, I spent some time talking to different exhaust system manufacturers and system dealers. This is not the local pipe benders, but the guys that make and sell Flowmaster and Magnaflow systems. I came to one common thing from all of them, there is such a thing as too much on exhaust. I am now on a second stroker engine, due to throwing a rod out of the first one at well over the measured 80 MPH on the speedo. It was our fault for using that brand of rods, not something else going wrong.

The systems have to be large enough to flow easily, but small enough to allow for the exhaust fumes to cool efficiently and create a negative pressure effect to help remove the gasses from the cylinders. Otherwise you could have a lazy exhaust flow and cause yourself more pain than gain. For my SWB truck a set of 2 1/2" dual exhaust pipes from my headers would provide the most optimum flow and not cause any reversionary effects.

I have a set of headers with 3" collectors that go to dual 2 1/2" pipes going back to an "H" pipe crossover and then into two Magnaflow stainless mufflers and then into pipes that are 2 1/2" pipes to the rear roll pan. I used to run Flowmaster but after having to replace the mufflers twice for rusting out, I went to the Magnaflow stainless mufflers.

According to most of the techs at the manufacturers, the 3" exhaust system would work great for a really large engine with a lot of assistance on the air intake, to make it work properly. Your street driven truck with a SBC will work very well with the 2 1/2" piping.

Thanks for the reply and any thoughts on where to run the pipe? I thought about exiting behind the rear wheel or maybe pointed down before the end of the bed as I'm not to crazy about the looks of pointing out the back of the bed