Ok, like many things in life where you think you gain a little knowledge on something and then learn that you don't know squat I am at that point with my exhuast which is just driving me crazy.

I've found a shop that does mandrel bending and I think I want to go true dual with some sort of X or balance tube and then just dump over the axle. The question(s) is this; if I go true dual should I use an X or H and if I go X should I get one like the Magna or have the shop fab it which looks awesome and the "X" can be shaped however is best (for instance long and sleek or short and boxy). I plan on staying with the same 2 1/2-inch tubing the truck has. Also is it better to go with, separate mufflers or a di/do like Magna offers? Or just use the di/do Magna with the X core built in? I like the Magna but probably will go Borla if doing separates, I've also heard good things about Thermal Research and Devepment mufflers.

If anyone follows this I commend you. I swear this exhaust thing is going to kill me.

 

I don't know what mods you have, but you may want to go with a 2.25" setup if you're going true dual. as far as your other concerns I can't really help you, if you search my posts there's a couple good threads on true dual setups. here's the chart for exhaust diameter. good luck

http://www.angelfire.com/my/fan/Exhaust_Pipe_Size.htm

 

depends on the sound your looking for too,or how loud?
H pipe deeper sound,X some say more raspy
2 1/2" true duals with H pipe and whatever muffler you want to run>>twin Flowmaster Super 40 series??would sound sweeeeet!

 

Hi dawg - I follow ya just fine lol.

Just ask Kevin24 and Openclasspro#11 - high-flow cats (optional), 2 1/4" pipe, mandrel-bent, Maggie x-pipe as close to the cats as possible, separate mufflers a'la Maggies, Borla or similar straight-thru design, and exit wherever pleases you. That's the ticket - expensive but worth it in torque enhancements alone. Yer after performance, so stay well clear of baffling POS's like FartMasters. lol.

Kevin & Phil - our buddy needs ya !


MGD

 

I agree completely with MGD!!
Also it doesn't matter if you use 2 single mufflers or 1 DI/DO muffler. built54 runs that style. I have pics in my gallery of what i'm running and if you have any more questions on yours just ask. It will sound bad a$$ if you dump the true duels before the axle. That's what i ended up doing.

 

2.25" = 2.5" is a decent size for true duals. two mufflers is the better way to go, much clearer and can be heard further away. And the Magnaflow x pipe is a good x pipe but if you want the deeper toned sound you should go with the H pipe. My chevy truck has 3" duals with a di/do muffler and its not so good on the low end torque. I'm going to put a H pipe in it and two 3" Super 44s and 4" Magnaflow tips, hoping i'll re-gain some low end & better sound, but goodluck with that on a Flowmaster Hi-Flow cats are also a great upgrade, opens the exhaust much better, still doing the job they are supposed to do, and increasing the loudness volume.

 

Kevin, that set up does look nice. All right so after the stock Y is cut off and when reducing from the stock 2 1/2-inch tubing to the 2 1/4-inch should they use reducers or just flare the pipe? And is there a sound difference between a similar sized oval vs round muffler? Also, I think only Magna makes di/do of the mufflers I'm considering and I believe they are all X'd inside so does a second X matter. Lastly, I have been dumping over the rear axle and that was my plan again but is there any drawback to dumping before the axle? I want to keep everything as high as possible and prefereably above the bottom of the frame rails so does the exhaust shooting down or on a 45 degree and then blowing back hurt the axle (I will have them dump ahead of the axle so it does not get direct blow). Thanks a lot for this help as I now almost have a plan.

 

I would say a reducer would be fine. You are only stepping down 1/4 inch.
If i remember correctly the sound is the same between the oval and round magnaflow mufflers. The shorter the muffler casing the louder it will be. Do you plan to add high flows or headers in the future?? Not all magnaflow DI/DO mufflers have the built in X-Pipe. Like MGD said you should use a X-Pipe and place it as close to the original Y as possible. I have run with and with out the X and it sounds much better with it. It will have some drone with it being dumped before the axle. The only way it could hurt anything is if your exit was going right toward your axle and was close to it. It doesn't matter if you dump after the axle i just did cause it was easy for me and i wanted it louder. Also have the shop do the least amount of bends as possible to keep velocity at a maximum. That is also why i cut my back half off, too many bends reducing velocity.
Which mufflers do you have in mind??

Edit.... just checked out your gallery. First off that is a sharp looking truck I also noticed you currently have a side exit right before the rear tire. WHen you do the true duels why not do the same exit only using 2 tips? I myself think that would look great on your truck. That is the same exit i plan to do sometime.

 

just like mgd said-he worded my setup to a t and when my van was on the dyno in troyer's shop mike was amazed at the tq from 2500rpms up to 4300 rpms- more tq everywhere from the stock oem 3" that was on my 3/4 ton van-phil

 

by the way mgd- vic!

 

Guys you've helped immensly.....I just can't exlplain right now or my head will explode.. tomorrow but I have the system in my head thaks to you.

 

Wow, sorry about that last post....long night. Anyway yea I started out with a 16612 Magnaflow and then chopped that up and exited out the side, then dumped it over the axle a few different ways. Currently I'm still dumped over the axle. Long stupid story on my exhuast but I'm going up to TP week after next and want to get it right before then so this has helped. I'm gonna do exactly what ya'll said with the set up; true dual 2 1/4-inch mandrels with the X way up front. I just have to decide on mufflers (probably keep it fairly mellow) then either dump again or side exit. The side exit looks sweet but I wasn't crazy about all the sound on my right ear and it's pretty close for entry to the rear door but people may just have to deal with that. I will probably leave everything alone forward of the X area for now as longer term plans (wishes) are for dynatechs and maybe more serious power. I'll get some pics up when I do this stuff, thanks again. Oh and MGD I will definitely tell Mike and the gang you said hello. Try to get you a Christmas bonus too.......haha.

 

Thanks! - I just wanna be on the Roush garage-sale list!

Safe trip and enjoy the heck outta yourself!


MGD

 

Hey no fair!!!^^^^^
I only want gears and a Lightning swap

BlackDawg, I know it can be frustrating installing an exhaust and being unhappy with the results. I have been there too many times to count!! Glad we could help you out.

 

Crap, I went to set up for install and the cantankerous old bastard is being a pita. He is going to really stick it to me for the 2 1/4 since he regularly does 2 1/2-inch inch+ and doesn't stock Magna X's. I know he just wants to use 2 1/2-inch and build his X because it's his daily routine and I understand if he has to charge me to get the stock but I know he's going to REALLY jack the price. He does nice work and it looks fabulous but I don't know the power results of his X. Based on what you guys are telling me and the chart, I don't have enough power to warrant the 2 1/2-inch so maybe I'll just wait because I don't want to lose low end. It's just hard to find good shops, especially that do mandrel bends.