Kabwe's aka Bam's build

[Dan in Pasadena]

She's an absolute beauty, Bam. Huge congratulations.

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Very nice! I really like the contrast of the raw aluminum against that green! on your 55 sedan, how much difference did you notice with this type of sound deadener? I have some similar stuff I was going to try in a couple of my rides.

Thanks man. The difference is very noticeable when compared to not have any sound deadener. I can't compare it to others because I never installed that expensive stuff but this works for me.

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

She's an absolute beauty, Bam. Huge congratulations.

Thanks man but no congratulations just yet, I have to get it on the street for that.lol Thanks man and your build will be there soon I can see that.

[oldman3]

Bam, great update and info, I'm like the rest, can't wait for more...Jim

[BAM55]

I started working on the exhaust. I got it about half way done. I stopped at where I will be connection the second half of the exhaust with marman v-band flanges.
Any way these are the components I used.
2010 Camaro Shorty Headers
2010 Camaro Flanges

Jegs universal 2 ½ exhaust kit

Jegs 2 ½ H-pipe kit

Oxygen Sensors Bungs

Marman V-band flanges will tie the front and rear sections together

Here are some pics on the install so far.
Tack together for a test fit to the h-pipe

Completely welded and Marman v-band flanges installed. This is the front section it stops at the back of the cab.

Installed in the truck.

[youngrodder]

Nice....Are those exhaust kits pretty easy to work with? I was considering the same myself.

Looks good.

Marc

[BAM55]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

Nice....Are those exhaust kits pretty easy to work with? I was considering the same myself.

Looks good.

Marc

Yeah they give you all the bends you would need. One end of every pipe is expanded so that you can do lap joints. This helps a lot during mock up, you simply slide them into each other to check fitmet before welding. .

[solidaxel]

Now that you have bought all of your V band clamps, take a look at AceRace v bands
Super simple and not bad on the price

What oil pan did you use that is lower than the trans bell housing?

[BAM55]

Thanks guys

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Now that you have bought all of your V band clamps, take a look at AceRace v bands
Super simple and not bad on the price

What oil pan did you use that is lower than the trans bell housing?

I like the v bands I used because they are not prone to leaking like the ones with just the flange. The v-band kit I used are 24.00 bucks a piece. I only need two. I'm sure the AceRace ones are nice also.

The oil pan is from a 1999 Camaro. I got it on ebay years ago. When you change the oil pan you will need the Camaro windage tray and dipstick. Those items I got from GM Direct.

[Kim57]

Very nice work Bam.
Kim

[Indian113]

Bam, I have the same exhaust on my S10 and I drive it All year around in Iowa. The pipes look as good today as they did 6 years ago.

[bowt1ed]

Thanks, good to hear that. I don't plan on driving mine in foul weather and keeping in the garage, so likely spend the money elsewhere.

Cheers, Jim

[BAM55]

Completed the rear section of the exhaust. The mufflers are Dynomax race bullets.

Mocked up


To snake around the gas tank

[Dieselwrencher]

More great work sir!

[oldman3]

Looks great...Jim

[iowaboynca]

Bam...I know you hear it a lot but your attention to detail is top notch! You do beautiful work. I love how you keep the symmetry of your build together. Nicely done!

[Nut Case]

Kabwe

Looking over the exhaust system I noticed that the H pipe appears to be lower that the through pipe. Any concern that condensation will collect there and cause some rust?

All else looks top notch, strong work

Nut Case

[BAM55]

Thanks guys

Originally Posted by Nut Case

Kabwe

Looking over the exhaust system I noticed that the H pipe appears to be lower that the through pipe. Any concern that condensation will collect there and cause some rust?

All else looks top notch, strong work

Nut Case

Nope I'm not worried about condensation at all. Why? because all exhaust systems due to weather change and heat cycles of the engine will have some condensation in the pipes. Example, its cold weather and you start the engine and little spinkles of water start blowing through the tail pipe, we've all seen it. Car warms up and the water evaporates.

In my opinion its a non issue because by the time this exhaust rust I will most like not be driving anymore or among the living.LOL I serious doubt that it will be rusted through even than. I have had the same setup on my 55 Sedan for the past 10 years and exhaust looks like I did it yesterday.

Why did I do my H-pipe like that? To tuck it up as far as I can and miss the trans output shaft. The kit comes with two pipes, a straight one and the curved one for that reason. You have to use the curved pipe to avoid any obstruction.

[Kim57]

Very nice work Bam.
Kim

[Black_Sheep]

Nice work Bam! I used a similar builders kit from Summit, it took a lot of head scratching and test fitting to come up with a decent layout and I didn't have a panhard bar to contend with.

[_Ogre]

looks good bam

when we build a full on custom ss exhaust system we use the same method of straight pipe and fittings for building the exhaust
a lot of cutting and welding involve but it's really the only way to build custom mandrel bent
only the production exhaust systems are bent from a single stick
it takes quite a bit of prototyping to get the angles, rotation and lengths figured out

[joedoh]

super nice work on the exhaust!

[BAM55]

Thanks guys, your compliments are greatly appreciated.

On a side note I just redid my brake and fuel lines (currently doing fuel lines) with Nicopp tubing. I have to tell you I love that stuff. For anyone that needs to do their brake lines are run a hard lines for fuel, trans, etc. consider using it. Its very easy to work with.

[BAM55]

Well the guys that know me know that I just can’t leave well enough alone. I had to go out and by the new fleetside bedsides.lol

First order of business was to smooth the seams and stake pockets.


Here is a pic of the fleetside bed mocked up.

I also installed the hidden tailgate latches I had from the step side.

This now how I’m raising the bed floor.

[blue57]

Haven't been on here in awhile. Glad to see this one coming together again.

[greystoke]

is the raised square tubing welded at all to the bedside?