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The kit in the 1st post probably isn't that far off. The engines/transmissions are the same, the frames are the same dimensions under the cab and post 69 trucks don't have extra crossmembers in the way. The 3 inch wheelbase difference and the rear axle area of the frame are different but may not be an issue. If you can cut and weld it is probably close enough.

I would get that kit and if it needs some tweaking, cut it and edit it a bit. All of my exhausts I have built from pipes I scavenged off of cars in the bone yard, newer aluminized and stainless systems are generally in good shape and cheap, at least here in Texas. The diesel guys are always putting their smaller stock pipes up for sale as well.

soopernaut wrote:The kit in the 1st post probably isn't that far off. The engines/transmissions are the same, the frames are the same dimensions under the cab and post 69 trucks don't have extra crossmembers in the way. The 3 inch wheelbase difference and the rear axle area of the frame are different but may not be an issue. If you can cut and weld it is probably close enough.

Are they the same (or close enough)? I crawled under my '84 and didn't see any glaring differences, but my luck would be to have a crossmember or something in the way that I didn't notice before.

Oh well. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'll start saving my pennies for the kit, and if worse comes to worst I can always just take a piece in and have it bent if I have to clear something.

lunacy wrote:I would get that kit and if it needs some tweaking, cut it and edit it a bit. All of my exhausts I have built from pipes I scavenged off of cars in the bone yard, newer aluminized and stainless systems are generally in good shape and cheap, at least here in Texas. The diesel guys are always putting their smaller stock pipes up for sale as well.

Nice. Around here the exhaust systems that you'll find in a boneyard typically looks like swiss cheese. One of the challenges of owning an antique in the Northeast.

Possible success!
Found a little podunk exhaust shop tucked away on a side street here in town that I've never heard of, but they can custom bend pipe. Quoted me around $200 to bend the pipes I'll need, using stainless.
Time to start saving my pennies. That'll give me a chance to decide what I want to run for mufflers, haha! Right now I'm leaning towards Flowmaster 50's, but I might go with something non-name branded if I can find a video of them on a 318 where they sound decent. With what I've found on Youtube for 318's so far, Flowmasters have sounded the best to me.

Any muffler suggestions from you guys?

Bringing up an old thread that I found. I will be doing Hedman 79010 headers in the next month. I already have duals off the manifolds, but wondered if anyone pulled the trigger on a kit? I never have any luck with shops doing anything, so it will be a DIY job. I can cut and weld pipe, but not bend. Looking for anyone that has pieced together a kit or bought from summit or JC Whitneys.

stumblinhorse wrote:Bringing up an old thread that I found. I will be doing Hedman 79010 headers in the next month. I already have duals off the manifolds, but wondered if anyone pulled the trigger on a kit? I never have any luck with shops doing anything, so it will be a DIY job. I can cut and weld pipe, but not bend. Looking for anyone that has pieced together a kit or bought from summit or JC Whitneys.

Not on a sweptline, but in the past I helped build a dual exhaust system for a mid-90's Thunderbird with a swapped in 5 speed. If I remember correctly, we used a universal exhaust kit from summit. It took the better part of the day with two of us working on it, measuring, cutting, tacking, then welding up. This included adding a set of Marman clamps before the mufflers to be able to remove them quickly and replace with straight pipes. It can be a little tricky cutting the bends in a way to be able to weld them together, but if you're a halfway decent welder, you shouldn't have much of a problem.

O.K. I've read the entire thread and are amazed at the prices. I went with a local shop. I supplied the headers ( Hedman 79010) and mufflers and the shop supplied the 3" aluminized pipe with cross over tube and turn downs. Not much bending involved with mine as the pipes run straight from the header to the muffler. Yes I said straight, no bends. No ground clearance issues either. My final price was around $250.00 for their supplies and labor. The system hangs about even with the body as well. Here’s a below level look at it from the side. The turn down tips are even with the rear axle tube.

I think rose colored glasses may have affected my opinion. I found my headers at a really good price, $100.00, and my mufflers cost around $65.00 each ( Walker Dyno Max)so, my complete system cost me $400.80. Silver linening, headers and mufflers came with stickers.

Quote for me if I provide the headers and mufflers in Denver was $800...

I am doing it myself now. I have everything in hand but the headers. Hedman to ship in a couple weeks.

MadMC63 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 15, 2018 10:06 am

O.K. I've read the entire thread and are amazed at the prices. I went with a local shop. I supplied the headers ( Hedman 79010) and mufflers and the shop supplied the 3" aluminized pipe with cross over tube and turn downs. Not much bending involved with mine as the pipes run straight from the header to the muffler. Yes I said straight, no bends. No ground clearance issues either. My final price was around $250.00 for their supplies and labor. The system hangs about even with the body as well. Here’s a below level look at it from the side. The turn down tips are even with the rear axle tube.

exhaust.jpg

That is great news about straight pipe from the headers back. Does it go under the crossmember or above. I am thinking above for mine. just a few inches below the floor boards. Just in case, I have a pipe that bends back up to the body to be under the crossmember.

I think all the linkage for the trans might be a problems trying to go above.

MadMC63 wrote: ↑

Thu Feb 15, 2018 2:20 pm

I think all the linkage for the trans might be a problems trying to go above.

I have lots of room there (np435). Only thing there is the speedo cable. Just not sure at what level the headers will end up. I purchase 2 of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CQBHJU To adjust the height to "hit the hole". I hope those will work coming right of the header reducer.

Hedman’s Arrived today. They are long! Collector is right below the cross member. So mine will bump back up closer to the body right aft of the cross member. Getting close to getting everything done. Hopefully this weekend will be warm enough to finish up. Will need to weld on some exhaust hangers.

I ran across this company, Waldren Exhaust that will make and ship you any configuration (stock or custom) per your specifications if that helps? Sent me a quote for stock system on my 68 W200 for just under $400.

Andy

Got my exhaust started and completed today, sounds amazing. Borla mufflers were $80 a piece and the rest of the system was under $100 without the cost of headers. So a full aluminized 2 1/2” system for $250. It is all tucked underneath with the turndowns right before the axle. Took right at 3 hours with test fit and welding up the hangers. I put in an O2 sensor, but didn’t wire the gauge up yet.

O2 was a smart move. Future aps ( Fuel Injection) will need the sensor. Just saying it might come in handy. Wish I had used a different muffler, Walker Dyno Max 3" are 2.5" internally.