77 shortbox 350 exhaust

[77chevyshortbox]

I've got a 77 short box 4x4. the 350 is bored to a 355,I've got hooker headers on it, but thats it. i need the truck street legal. now I was curious about exhaust. I plan on driving the truck daily, but wheelin as much as I can during the weekend. I was wondering if a turdown or a straight pipe dual with mufflers would be better. well regardless the exhaust will be straight piped with mufflers. but should I pay the extra little bit for the tail pipes or not? will I gain gas mileage outta the tail pipers or what. plus would it be better for wheelin?

thanks  Nick.

[Josh454]

Well first off, the tailpipes will change the sound quite a bit.  They will give it the raspy note under throttle.  At idle the tailpipes help get rid of the loud drone sound.  Also the extra weight of the pipe it's self is detrimental on a offroad rig.  It's constantly getting abused with all the bumps and shaking driving offroad.  You'll more than likely be replacing some hangers.  The drawback to the turn downs is if you're doing deep water crossing they kinda point right into the water...  It will be more noticeable than with pipes out the back.


Hope this helps!

[4x4HighSierra]

i read somewhere a while back that exhaust exiting in front of the rear wheels gives you more torque and straight out the back gives you more hp.  But i dont think either way that there is any difference.  For a motor to run right you need to have some back pressure so even putting glass packs on is better than nothing.  To prove that theory ever tried to run a motor with out exhaust manifolds on it?  Most of the time it wont stay running and it shoots flames out the exhaust ports.  My rig has hooker headers with 2.5 inch collectors for better back pressure then into a glass pack with 2 inch pipe all the way to the rear bumper with 4 inch tips

[VileZambonie]

I always run my exhaust over the rear axle and exit L & R

It's preference but to me it looks better and sounds better.

[77chevyshortbox]

thanks guys I was just curious about power. I had taken into consideration about the turn downs in deep water. out at my camp there's some deep creek crossings and deep mud holes. I had figured the turn downs would back up or clog. but wasn't sure also because they're on a downward angle. I'll probably just run the straight pipes with the mufflers. I have 2.5" collectors on my headers, I was just waiting to get the exhaust. thanks alot tho, any other input would be nice, also I had bought two cherry bomb turbo mufflers because they were cheap at the time. a few of my buddy's run them on their rigs. I was looking into glass packs tho. any suggestions on the glass packs?

[VileZambonie]

I'd stay away from glass packs. They usually don't last very long and sound good at first but end up being drones. How loud do you want it?

[three8six]

yea man get some cheap turbo mufflers and some turn downs so you won't hear it in the cab as much and I'd atleast try to get out from under the cab because of fumes etc....

[beastie_3]

My mufflers end before the axle and I can smell them but you can always add pipe later down the road too.