I needed an exhaust system for my dad's '58 Chevy pickup with a 348 engine. I didn't want to take it to an exhaust shop because I wasn't too thrilled with the quality of work that I had seen. I have a fabrication shop, MIG and TIG welders and a two post lift, so I figured I would build my own exhaust system from a box of mandrel bent bends. After a quick Google search, I came across a 2 1/2" Dynatech exhaust kit sold by Speedway Motors. It consists of: -four 90 degree bends -four 45 degree bends -four 180 degree U bend -16' of tubing It sells for $139.99: Here are some of the bends. They are all expanded on one end for a nice slip fit: The first place I started was at the exhaust manifold. I was using the stock 348 manifolds that accept a 2" pipe, so I needed a 2" to 2 1/2" adapter that I bought a Autozone. I know that the 2" manifolds are a bottle neck but that is what I had to work with. I used one of the 90 degree bends, and welded it to the adapter once I figured out how high the piece had to be to clear the tie rod and the starter. The left side would need to clear the oil filter and the tie rod: I used a 44" piece of straight pipe to weld into the 90 degree bend coming off the engine. The straight piece cleared the ****** crossmember perfectly and went straight back to the muffler. I welded the entire ***embly once I had it all tack welded and fitting nicely: The back of the straight pipe was supported with an exhaust hanger that bolted to one of the frame crossmembers. The hangers were bought at an exhaust shop: I used a pair of stainless Thrush mufflers. The stainless mufflers weld to the mild steel pipes nicely: Since the truck is pretty low and there is a 20 gallon stainless steel tank bolted to the frame in the back, I decided run the tail pipes out the side of the truck under the side steps. A 90 degree bend coming out of the muffler along with one of the 45 degree bends allowed the pipes to clear the frame perfectly: Two more hangers support the tail pipes: I used a small chrome turnout to exit under the side step: I took me about 5 hours to finish the whole set up, and it sounds awesome. I have about $170.00 in the whole system (not including the mufflers). This is something that you could easily do at home with a small 110 MIG welder and some jackstands.
I bought my bends off epay and got a few more bends and it was 67 bucks shipped! heavy wall alumized (sp?) tube. I am to cheap to pay the muffler shops big $$ for something as easy as an exhaust system.
I've seen a lot of exhaust hangars like the ones you did crack and break where the rod is welded to the pipe. I like to wrap the rod at least 90 degrees around the pipe and fully weld it.
Did exactly the same thing, with the same kit from Summit. BIG money saver...and I got to run the system exactly where I wanted it. Great job, too...
Nice job. As said above, we used to get a few come backs with the rod type hangers tacked on the pipe as you did them. The tacks hold up but the vibration and swaying will actually rip a piece out of the 14 ga. pipe. We learned to wrap the rod under the pipe to form a saddle like hanger to hold the weight. The tacks only hold the saddle to the pipe. Spread the stress over a larger area. That stopped the come backs.
Well done! Looks beautiful, how did you make or where did you buy the collector that bolts to teh manifold? Remember the sellers name? Im always looking for a good way to do exhaust.
Excellent job ! Very neatly done. I have a pair of old stock Hush Thrush mufflers and am planning to do the same type type of exhaust on my 55 Dodge half ton but want to complete the system out the rear, I will look at some off the shelf tail pipes and see what I can cobble up ! VROOOOM !
Put me in line for your next exhaust system! I've seen Drive Em's work in person and it is super clean! Good job!
VERY nice I just got done with doing the same on a 32 roadster tacked it all together then tig welded it and it is getting coated now along with a set of Porter mufflers.
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