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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Exhaust => Topic started by: SquareBody86 on May 08, 2016, 11:11:07 am
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Something that's been on the list for some time now is exhaust work, whats on Ol' Rusty right now is completely roached out and since most of it is held up with chicken wire it needs to get done soon. Since I'm going to have to have the whole exhaust redone anyways I figured then would be a good time to do myself a favor and get some decent headers on, nothing super expensive I just need something that'll help my 305 breath and generally run better.
When I get it done at the local muffler shop I plan on having 3" exhaust put on, from what I've read 3" seems pretty good for a 305 and please don't kill me but I'm going to have stacks done with a good set of flowmasters. They will be true dual stacks and yes I know stacks on a gasser is like is equivalent to lightly a bible on fire around here but I plan on swapping in a 88-93 6.2l Detroit later on down the road and I planned on having stacks for that anyways so doing it now will save me a bit of bother later on down the road.
But yes any help/input on this is greatly appreciated.
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3" might be too big for a 305 and the performance might actually go down.
My main concerns with headers for a street driven vehicle are: 1)will they last, 2) will the bolts stay tight, 3) It's now going to be much hotter underhood, how are you going to handle that?, 4) how will the plug wires, and other accessories be routed?
Some of the reasons why i haven't made the switch to headers yet.
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Neither have I........mainly cause they are noisier than the cast iron manifolds along with all the reasons you've given
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I guess that makes sense, I could see long headers causing the heat issue, would shorty's or hugger headers be better when it comes to heat? when it comes to side would 2.5" be better then?
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Don't really have time to get into it now.
Why did you originally want 3" ?
And i'm not saying headers won't work on the street, because there are plenty of folks running them. i had a car with headers and it worked ok, but they were already installed when i bought the car.
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Neither have I........mainly cause they are noisier than the cast iron manifolds along with all the reasons you've given
That too---they are louder. Of course some people love that.
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Was originally thinking 3" cause when I was reading around to see what is a good size for a 305 3" was one I saw come up.
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i'm not saying DON'T go 3", thought there was another reason besides you read somewhere.
Don't have time to get into it now, maybe this weekend. But i'm not an exhaust expert either.
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ah its alright man we're all busy nowadays
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not exhaust expert but i do like to do math or try.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=32901.msg279542#msg279542
maybe close to 120-130 hp from the factory.
so that 130/hp only needs 2" single or 1.85" dual
if you go too big you lose savaging effect of the exhaust which helps pull the exhaust from the cylinder for the engines next cycle
but this might help you better
http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/ccrp-9903-305-chevy-small-block-engine-build/
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Your a bit low there, it's actually around 150-165hp, the LG4's range from 150-170hp but I'm fairly sure this one is around 1985 and back the LG4's got a boost to 165hp in 85. Plus the edelbrock 1411 gives it a bit as well.
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i agree that 3" would be overkill for a 305, unless you are REALLY opened up the breathing on the other end and are looking to make high RMP horsepower
If you're going to swap to a 6.2 down the road, i would just wait on doing anything too fancy on the exhaust now. i cant imagine what will work well on your 305 is gonna be close to what will work on a 372... youll likely end up scrapping the whole thing anyway
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I agree with teamcurtis. Don't get too fancy. Here's what I'd do and have done: Find a set of long-tube headers (4-into-one, or 4-into-2-into-1; stay away from shorties or block huggers unless you find them inexpensively), use 2" exhaust pipe for your exhaust, turbo mufflers which are low cost, and have your exhaust turn down and dump either right before or right after the rear axle.
Muffler shops usually charge by the foot for the pipe and by the number of bends plus labor. The above-described system should be very cost effective. By keeping it simple, you should still get a good and effective exhaust system at a good price. Save your coin for an upgraded system for your 6.2 swap.
If you think the slight increase in noise from the headers is objectionable and there is too much heat from the headers, you can wrap the headers with that high-dollar header wrap and use ceramic spark plug boots to protect your plug wiring.
Just my $.02 worth.
Rusty
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I agree with teamcurtis. Don't get too fancy. Here's what I'd do and have done: Find a set of long-tube headers (4-into-one, or 4-into-2-into-1; stay away from shorties or block huggers unless you find them inexpensively), use 2" exhaust pipe for your exhaust, turbo mufflers which are low cost, and have your exhaust turn down and dump either right before or right after the rear axle.
Muffler shops usually charge by the foot for the pipe and by the number of bends plus labor. The above-described system should be very cost effective. By keeping it simple, you should still get a good and effective exhaust system at a good price. Save your coin for an upgraded system for your 6.2 swap.
If you think the slight increase in noise from the headers is objectionable and there is too much heat from the headers, you can wrap the headers with that high-dollar header wrap and use ceramic spark plug boots to protect your plug wiring.
Just my $.02 worth.
Rusty
Thanks a bunch Rusty, I'm fine and dandy with the extra noise of the headers as the improved airflow will be well worth with a bit more growl, and as you said I could always just get some header wrap if it gets to toasty under there. Makes sense to wait till the 6.2 swap to get fancy with it, I was thinking o doing something like this here when I get the stacks done https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4MuRQzl2Zc&index=18&list=PLRZWh2Hd5ui02e0nE9Zle7MYWbI-ApfIP
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I like the look of those stacks but for appearance I'd want the mufflers under the bed.
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I like the look of those stacks but for appearance I'd want the mufflers under the bed.
Agreed, I'm not a fan of them being in the bed, they're 3" stacks as well. But at least he won't have to worry about his mufflers rusting out.
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stacks were cool when you only see it every once in a while. now it seams every "redneck" (and i say that with quotes cause they aint true rednecks just use money to buy redneck stuff) has them on their truck.
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please dont de tune the engine so it blows black smoke...
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please dont de tune the engine so it blows black smoke...
I apologize but you must have me confused some with some young hotshot who thinks 'rolling coal' is cool. Only time its cool is when you got 15,000lbs behind you and your giving her heck. My dad's been a truck driver for 16 years and growing up around big rigs gave me a good hearty respect for big trucks, which is why this ol' truck of mine here is going to get the works, 6.2l swap with th400 w/gear vendors, 3" nice looking stacks, full one ton dually conversion including stripping down to bare frame and having it fully reinforced to one ton or more specs, a good heavy duty reese hitch and fifth wheel. Eventually I'll swap the 6.2l for a 12v cummins and get some real power out of it, the nicely done up Detroit will then be cleaned up and put aside for another project which will be my tow truck which will double as my backup haul truck.
I know it may seem a bit much but hey that's why they call it a project, have to learn to crawl before you can walk. oh and the 305/700r4 in it now will be freshened up and used in my street car/muscle car project once pulled. Not looking to have something that's crazy but something that's a nice summer time driver.
I agree with teamcurtis. Don't get too fancy. Here's what I'd do and have done: Find a set of long-tube headers (4-into-one, or 4-into-2-into-1; stay away from shorties or block huggers unless you find them inexpensively)
Oh and Rusty what headers do you recommend that'll work for a 2" setup?
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I have Hookers on mine but they are over 40 years old. I like them because they sit up high and don't hang down below the frame. These days I'd probably install Hedman headers because you can get them in thicker 14 ga. metal. There are other good brands that are less expensive. Jeg's or Summit have a good selection that will fit your wallet. They also offer dual exhaust kits with some of the headers.
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Yeah I noticed the Summit and Hedmans were fairly well priced, just a matter of finding a set that'll fit with minimal hammer work and then collectors that'll work for a 2" set up
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If you buy the right headers, there shouldn't be any hammer work at all.
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Sorry i'm just too busy to provide any links right now concerning exhaust sizes. But there's plenty of info out there.
However, here is my official stance on exhaust sizes:
If you like 3" exhaust then that's all that matters. Just be aware that 3" is probably too big for most engines.
i think i saw a square with a 3" stack exhaust system the other day. i will try to take a picture if it's still parked in the same spot.
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Sorry i'm just too busy to provide any links right now concerning exhaust sizes. But there's plenty of info out there.
However, here is my official stance on exhaust sizes:
If you like 3" exhaust then that's all that matters. Just be aware that 3" is probably too big for most engines.
i think i saw a square with a 3" stack exhaust system the other day. i will try to take a picture if it's still parked in the same spot.
Ah its alright man things happen, I think I'm going to save 3" for the 6.2l swap and run 2 1/2" for the 305 when I get the exhaust done and just have it run true dual and dump just before the rear tires.
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So I've been looking around here online to see if I can find any good affordable headers that are guaranteed to fit, only one's I've found so far are a set of Flowtech 11500FLT's on amazon for $150. I might go with them but I'd like to look around and see if there are any other options, here's the link to the Flowtechs http://www.amazon.com/Flowtech-11500FLT-Black-Standard-Headers/dp/B000CMGUCS/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1464918900&vehicle=1986-47-422-440-31-31-8-7-1180--8-2-1045-94-1-0&sr=1-2&ymm=1986%3Achevrolet%3Ac10&keywords=headers
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well Just get some Cheap Stainless Shorties off Ebay for just over 100 bucks, and for the record Stacks are retarded on a pickup, but its your truck, but Avoid flowmasters like the ebola virus, they dont flow and are about the shittiest mufflers on the market.
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i'm not a super fan of flowmaster, but they have held up well for me.
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i'm not a super fan of flowmaster, but they have held up well for me.
I'm actually not going with Flowmasters, I'm going with Thrush Turbo's http://www.thrushexhaust.com/mufflers/thrush-turbo-muffler?muffler_inlet_diameter1=154
well Just get some Cheap Stainless Shorties off Ebay for just over 100 bucks, and for the record Stacks are retarded on a pickup, but its your truck, but Avoid flowmasters like the ebola virus, they dont flow and are about the shittiest mufflers on the market.
Stacks aren't happening right away, just going to true dual it and have it dump ether before or after the rear axle. Besides the stacks will come after the diesel swap is done and no they aren't going to be those retarded huge ones I've seen around lately, just some decent ones that are in proportion hence only being 3" stacks.