Anyone DIY their own exhaust system?

[Greg]

My GMC needs some exhaust work after the solid axle conversion and I want to change the current exhaust while I'm at it. It currently has dual exhaust with Flowmasters and it's pretty hacked up at this point. In the garage I have a 3" Aero exhaust muffler and a 3" high-flow catalytic convertor that I want to run as a single exhaust. The hardest part (IMO) will be tubing from the manifolds, around the front driveline and into the Y-pipe.

I got a quote from a local exhaust shop and with my muffler and cat, they want $450! I wasn't expecting that much... Anyone else DIY their own exhaust? I'm going to tackle it, I think I can do a decent job for less than 1/2 the price. We will see...

I've already purchased some 2" tubing to go from the exhaust manifolds to the Y-pipe from Speedway Motors. 2 of these - http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Combo-Exhaust-Bend-2-Inch,11308.html

The 2" to 3" Y-Pipe - http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/MagnaFlow/MF10778.html

And a universal Flowmaster 3" exhaust pipe - http://www.summitracing.com/parts/flo-15902?seid=google

Any tips or hints?

 

[Tacoma]

Measure twice, cut once.


Also, see if you can flip the manifolds and run in front of the pan. WAY cleaner, but you may not be able to, or want to do that if your truck has a bunch of crap in the way of the manifolds.

 

[Kiel]

I did the exhaust on the buggy including the collectors etc, I hated it. But I still do my own cats and mufflers because I'm cheap

 

[cjncustoms]

I built mine on my jeep. It's a tbi 350. I have block huggers so I went close to the block and up in front of the sump in the oil pan then 90* down the driverside. I'm guessing you would have to do the opposite on yours and go down the pass side? Either way it wasn't bad. I had the muffler shop bend me a 90* and a 45* and just did the piecing from there. Prob in my exhaust less than $100 beside my time. And it's EXACTLY how I wanted it. Just set your welder on low low heat and take your time.

 

[Chevycrew]

2"? isn't that vortec 2.5" out of the manifolds?

 

[Greg]

Thanks guys! Tacoma, I don't know that flipping the manifolds will help, I'm not that tight on clearance.

Steve, it has 2" on it now but it's probably not factory. The exhaust was changed at one point and it's all custom.

 

[Tacoma]

Cool. If you've got room, sweet.

 

[Chevycrew]

Yep, just measured, it is 2" out of the manifolds stock.

 

[Hickey]

I did my CJ and my YJ and two pickup trucks. . Just bought a bunch of bends. Cut, tack, check, adjust, weld. A band saw is nicer to cut with. I used 3/8" solid rod for the hangers. Just bent them with the torch.

 

[GAR]

I did my own exhaust on my pickup with the TDI. Best thing I did was v band clamps. I can take the whole exhaust out (2 sections plus downpipe) in about 3 minutes. They're a little pricey but to totally worth it.

 

[blznnp]

I did my own exhaust on my blazer, tight fit with the transfer case being clocked up and a 350 dropped into it. Would have rather paid someone to do it but I am to cheap.

 

[Shawn]

Yep, take a piece of tubing to the muffler shop and ask them to make a few U bends in it. Time consuming, but it is kinda fun.

 

[blznnp]

Yep, take a piece of tubing to the muffler shop and ask them to make a few U bends in it. Time consuming, but it is kinda fun.

I wish I would have gone that route, but I just bought some 90s an 45s at AutoZone an some pipe an started welding

 

[Greg]

Great info! I love the idea of the V-Band clamps, I will use them behind the Y-pipe so I can separate the pieces. I do have a band saw for making the cuts, need to buy some smaller wire for the welder and I will be set. I think with the pre-bent tube I've ordered, I will have enough to connect the downpipes to the Y-pipe.