Let me start off by saying.....DONT SHOOT ME!!!!

I am still researching the best possible way to run exhaust on my S331 and still maintain the dual side exit exhaust.

I am thinking of running longtubes, into cats, a small pipe, into a magnaflow muffler. This would be on either side and the mufflers would be under the cab. The pipes out of the mufflers are what get a little tricky.

The current setup on these trucks has a dual in, dual out magnaflow muffler under the cab. 2.5" in, 2.25" out. The pipes are then snaked with multiple 90 and 45 degree turns over the frame rail and then down the outside of the frame. These 90 and 45 degree bends have to hurt flow....and are tricky to bend properly...and expensive.

So, what about cutting a 2.75" round hole in the frame all the way through and running exhaust right through the frame? Of course, a thick plate would be made to be welded to either side of the frame rail to reinforce it. I understand this may sound a little outlandish, but I think of guys that run C notches....they are cutting their frames and welding in pieces, right? I know I would have to reroute my fuel lines on my driver's side.....which is not a big deal.

Below is a picture of a cleaned up setup on a friends truck. Notice the snaking of the pipes...a little further back from the cats is where the hole would be cut.


Opinions anyone?

 

cutting your frame sounds like a horrible idea...

i'd dump it out the side before i cut a 2.5" hole in my frame that the exhaust would rattle against constantly...

 

Is that just your opinion or do you have some kind of structural/engineering facts to back it up?

Id cut an oversize hole so the exhaust would have plenty of room to move. Since the exhaust is running toward the back, the holes on either side of the frame rail would not be directly across from each other.....they would be offset. Additionally, welding a 3/16" steel plate to either side of the frame with the same cutout...or even boxing the frame in more...would seem to give the same structural support needed. This is where my issue/question lies.

I COULD run it UNDER the frame, along the outside of the frame, and out each side, but that gets tricky on the driver's side with that big 26 gallon tank!

 

Don't do it...

It's bad enough I cut holes in my bed for staxx.

 

I dont see a problem with it if you reinforce it. although im not an engineer or anything i used to follow the toyota truck scene. when they would do a sas they would cut a hole through the frame for a shackle.
a quick search on google turned up this. (although not a toyota lol)
http://image.fourwheeler.com/f/18068...d_shackles.jpg
too me if you can pound on rocks all day with this then running a truck with an already strong frame reinforced shouldnt pose any problems in my opinion.

 

Don't do it. Nightmare in the making.

 

I'm not an expert,but I have enough common sense to see this is a disaster in the making.And by the sounds of it everyone else agrees.Just trying to save you some pain.

 

I have yet to see anyone present me with anything other than opinions. But, i guess that is what I asked for.

Upon further inspection, I dont have room for this anyway.

Do you all tell the guys that want to Cnotch their frames the same thing?

 

I really don't see this hurting anything. F150 frames are over heavy to begin with. If you over size the hole like you said, and then welded a hanger there to keep the pipe centered, you should be okay. Too make your self feel better about it, you could even reinforce underneath the hole to insure you haven't lost any structural rigidity.

 

I personally think that is very cool idea. +1 for your creativeness!

 

i dont think it would be a big deal as long as you reinforced the frame around the hole.

personally i wouldnt do it...and im about to cnotch my frame lol.

 

Don't do it. You should'nt weld on the frame. The frame is forged and if you weld on it, you change the temper of the steel. By welding on the frame you are taking the chance of the frame cracking and breaking causing alot of damage. Also cutting a hole that is not suppose to be there changes the safety of the vehicle if you were involved in a crash. Thats just my .02 cents.

 

Personally, I am NOT fond of the idea of cutting a hole in the frame. Since, it sounds like you have plans to go ahead with your plan, have you considered running a Round Sleeve/Cylinder through the frame slightly larger that the exhaust pipe and then welding the plates on either side? You could then pass the exhaust through the sleeve.......

 

I am kinda shocked about all of the worries about putting a hole in the frame. If you cut a 4" OD hole then get a piece of thick walled pipe 4" OD to weld in the hole this will be just as strong and give you 1/2" clearance with a 2.5" exhaust pipe. I thought about this a long time ago with my truck but never got around to doing it.

 

i was thinking the same thing about cutting a hole in the frame when i was going to run an exhaust like that, but i saw cervinis truck at Carlisle a couple years back and took a couple pics, hope it helps. you can run it behind the front wheel wells without a problem.