84 K10 full exhaust replacement

[Grit dog]

I drove 850 miles RT across 4-5 states to pick up a seat yesterday. It was an 18hr non-stop turn and burn. Seller said I was crazy. I said yeah man, but that's a really nice seat!

Recently ordered:
4 Rough Country leafs with 2in lift, shocks, steering dampener.
Edelbrock 2701 intake and 600cfm carb kit
Valve covers
Double roller timing set
Water pump
Oil pan gasket
33in x 10.50in KO2s white letters out...80s style
New bumpers and grille off LMC
Lots of stuff rolling in

I want everything completed in about a month and will figure out paying for it later.

Cancel the rough country order and get some softer springs so that you're not caller #69 in 2 weeks asking us if theres a way to make those lumber wagon springs softer.

 

[83Stepper]

Ran a true dual setup on my 85 K5 Blazer that had the Flowtech headers, Dynomax 89007 2.25" pipe kit and a set of Dynomax Super Turbo's. Loved the sound of the super turbos at idle and wot. Very mild sound at idle and sounded great with some serious throttle on it. Headers can be a mother getting them into position. They are a tight fit getting them stuffed up from one side and down from the other. Keep us posted on how it's going!

 

[DRW65]

On my 86 K1500 I used the Hooker cast iron manifolds and Dynomax turbo mufflers, exhaust is all 2.5", no H or X pipe. No leaks, clears everything and all stock A/C and P/S bracketry bolts up with no issues. I did have to get 12 point exhaust manifold bolts, could not get a socket over standard 6 point bolt on #6 exhaust port. Nice mellow sound that does not get on your nerves.

 

[MikeB]

Headers don't fit? What a shocker!

Seriously, stock manifolds should work fine for your stated goals. Or if 2.5" aftermarket ram's horns clear your motor mounts, they would work very well.

Here are some 1997 5.7L manifolds on my 82 C10's mild 350 (RamJet roller cam and Vortec heads). Can't remember where I got them, but lots of vendors sell them. I see where Rock Auto has some on close-out. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...1555,exhaust+&+emission,exhaust+manifold,5860

I eventually installed full length headers, but it was a lot of hassle for no difference that my butt dyno could feel.

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[K10noob182]

This is probably old news on straight vs X vs H pipes but seems reasonable enough:

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I wouldn't have bought the truck if it was an automatic. I really like deciding when I want to shift and that feeling of being connected. I have a 2019 Ram 1500 hemi with all the stuffs. It's super comfortable and better in every way, but I don't feel anything driving it. I only have 21k on it.

I wasn't looking to buy a squarebody or any truck. I was hauling some junk to the dump and this red 84 was out front with a cardboard sign. I peeked in, 350, STICK, WANT. So here I am. I didn't know squarebodies would be like joining a cult. I get it now.

 

[K10noob182]

Headers don't fit? What a shocker!

Seriously, stock manifolds should work fine for your stated goals. Or if 2.5" aftermarket ram's horns clear your motor mounts, they would work very well.

Here are some 1997 5.7L manifolds on my 82 C10's mild 350 (RamJet roller cam and Vortec heads). Can't remember where I got them, but lots of vendors sell them. I see where Rock Auto has some on close-out. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...1555,exhaust+&+emission,exhaust+manifold,5860

I eventually installed full length headers, but it was a lot of hassle for no difference that my butt dyno could feel.

You must be registered for see images attach

Yes. I intended to just keep the truck oem stock, 31in tires but...you know how it is. Mine is just a stock crate motor 350. It handles and shifts like a school bus, leafs on all 4 ends. But...do I still need a carb, intake, headers, 33s, 2in lift and dual exhaust? YEZZZZ.

I've never wrestled with headers but have heard the legends. If the overpriced hookers don't fit, I'm done. They arrive tomorrow. Thanks for replying.

 

[75gmck25]

If you ever swap to aftermarket heads, watch out for brands that use a 1/2” higher exhaust port, and different spacing on the spark plugs. It’s a fairly common change (not sure why), but it makes stock manifolds harder to fit, and there is usually less space for spark plug boots. Some brands sell headers that fit better on the modified heads.

 

[K10noob182]

UPDATE. I want a catalytic converter because of the strong exhaust odor, regardless of power loss.

Is running a cat with headers pointless because of the cat being the bottleneck?

(Bracing myself for being flamed)

So far, the header thing seems like it might just be a lot of $ and hassle for not much performance.

 

[K10noob182]

I have nothing against 2.5" tubes but 2.25" will support about any streetable SBC you could put in that truck, might save you a few bucks.

Other than that I'm not a big fan of headers even though I like how they sound, a used set of stock manifolds or some of the Hooker units already mentioned will serve you better in terms of maintenance free reliability.

The duals with an X or H pipe and turbo mufflers should sound fantastic though. I've been researching X and H pipes and it seems most people think the H pipe makes a deeper exhaust note than the X pipes.

Good luck with whatever you decide

I have the stock manifolds. I could just clean them up and pass on the header thing. It is starting to sound like that might be the smarter thing to do in my situation.

 

[K10noob182]

Cancel the rough country order and get some softer springs so that you're not caller #69 in 2 weeks asking us if theres a way to make those lumber wagon springs softer.

Yikes, the rough countries are that bad? I just saw the price and dove in.

I will search the forum and read what happened with callers 1-68...

 

[K10noob182]

I got headers that fit from Summit:

Hooker Competition Headers 2453-1HKR (available for less $ if non-ceramic coated)
I had to shave the ear off the driver's side motor mount. (see pic)
Passenger side, zero issues.
Summit "check vehicle fit" says they won't fit. They did fit.

I returned these:
Summit Racing™ Metallic-Ceramic Coated SBC Headers for 4WD Chevy/GMC K-Series Trucks, Blazer, Jimmy, V-Series Vans
Part Number: SUM-G9109
Summit website says they will fit. They do not fit, not even close. Hit the frame and motor mount before even worring about the clutch linkage.

I also learned that header bolts that include an internal allen head and the wobble socket are priceless. Mr Gasket I think? Oreillys had them.

My power steering pump was mounted to the old exhaust manifold. I used a stud to fasten the header to the block and extend out for the power steering bracket.

Hope this helps.

 

[Grit dog]

Yikes, the rough countries are that bad? I just saw the price and dove in.

I will search the forum and read what happened with callers 1-68...

I only have one experience but the general consensus is the same. They’re pretty stout is the best way to describe it.

 

[75gmck25]

If you want to keep using a catalytic converter, just get an aftermarket high flow cat. They are much better flowing than the original catalytic converters from the 70's and 80's.

 

[K10noob182]

If you want to keep using a catalytic converter, just get an aftermarket high flow cat. They are much better flowing than the original catalytic converters from the 70's and 80's.

Perfect. I got two new magnaflow cats for $80 each and they linked me to a $75 refund thing if I "recycle" one and send it out somewhere fedex.

Wife loves the truck too, but I could see her saying "why is it so stinky?"

Strategy: Get her totally onboard with me spending all my time and $ on the truck.

Backout plan: My exhaust guy is cool. If it is SO bad I will have him weld in straight pipe for cheap.

So it's: Ceramic Hookers to Summit turbo mufflers, then cats under the bed. Keep that heat away from anything important? 80s style rolled tips. All 2.5in.

I'm thinking no H or X pipe. Cleaner install. More access underneath the truck. Better sound? It's just an oem crate 350 with an edelbrock intake and 600cfm carb.

 

[legopnuematic]

You generally want the cats as close to the collector as reasonable, lights them off faster and thus they begin doing their job faster. They want hot exhaust.

In my opinion a crossover smooths out the sound. I do H pipes just because it's easier than an X.