Opinions on single pipe exhaust (long)

[87Dodgeman]

Don't flame me before you read this (sorry it's long). I'm getting a new exhaust system run on my '87 D150 w/mild 318 and would like some opinions on my plan.

Right now the truck has the stock manifolds w/2" head pipes that feed into the Y connector and then the original cat converter and then on out the back.

I'm going to leave the stock manifolds (I don't care for headers) and retain the stock head pipes and Y connector because they were replaced in the past and are still in excellent condition. But from there I will replace the cat converter with a single 2.5" pipe running back to a single 2.5" in/out turbo muffler (not sure yet of brand) and then 2.5" single tail pipe out to the stock location. Or should it drop down to 2.25" over the axle?

Since the gas tank is on the driver's side I really don't want true duals snaking over to the passenger side and then back to the driver's side. And budget is always in the picture...I figure the system I described should be ideal for a mild 318 (Eddy intake & 4bbl) and still sound good while not costing too much. Not loud at all, but enough rumble that you can hear it and not having a maze of pipes/mufflers under the chassis. I appreciate all advice.

[86_custom]

keep it straight 2.5 and since you wanna keep manifolds try and get a set from a Magnum motor, especially a 92 they were noticeabely larger on the inside

[Speed Dragon]

2.5" all the way out will be fine for a mild 318.

[Delray Dude]

i'd stay with the larger pipe...


I have the true duals on mine (came that way from P/O) and have 2.5 on both. Definitely sounds great - low rumble and purrs nicely at the highway speeds - not loud at all.

[76D100]

http://www.thefroginator.co.uk/fm-pix/albums/userpics/normal_truck%20exaust.jpg

The wire has since been replaced with actual brackets now, but its dual, cheep, easy, loud enough to shy conversation on acceloration from about 10km to 40km and planes niceley on the highway... kinda...

[Delray Dude]

Nothing like the sound of good ol' Glasspacks!!!!


Looks almost like what I did when I V-8'ed a 280zx, the packs were positioned just like that!

[76D100]

you guys figure tips pointing slightley to the outside of the truck will get the sound to bounce off the road and out?

[Speed Dragon]

You mean hidden tips? Like turn-downs?

[Dodgevanman]

I have a set of the early casting Magnum manifolds if you're interested. However you won't be able to use your Y-pipe because the dumps are positioned differently than the old LA exhuast manifolds.

[76D100]

yea, simple turn downs off at an angle.

[Delray Dude]

Turn downs will help send the exhaust crap to the ground and off your underneath side and rear axle - will help in the sound a little, but not very much - it'll bounce and still seem all around the truck.

[Speed Dragon]

Turn-downs make it louder inside. Although it may not be so bad on a truck, if they are at the rear (by the bumper). If you dump it in front of the axle, it will make it louder inside.

[87Dodgeman]

Exhaust Update = I got the new exhaust run last Friday morning. Removed the clogged original cat and ran a single 2.5" pipe from the factory Y-pipe back to a 2.5" in/out turbo muffler and then 2.5" pipe out in the factory location. Looks great and sounds great. A noticeable improvement in power to for my little 318. Hopefully I'll see an improvement in mpg's too. Since I was just going with the single system it was very reasonably priced. A good solution for anyone out there trapped into thinking that dual exhaust is the only performance-oriented option worth considering.