I have decided that its about time i replace the exhust on my 69 1/2 Maverick. I obviously want to go just stright pipes from the exhust into seperate mufflers and out the back. I was wondering what size most people use or would suggest. I heard awhile back the biggest most people could fit was like 2 and a half inch or 2 and 1/4.... what are your opinons on this matter. Currenly my exhust exits right behind the rear tire... and i really want to relocate that to the back of the car for a number of reasons. Does anyone have any Suggestions on this?. Also Mufflers, I'm thinking about going 3 chamber flow masters, but i heard dynomaxes flow really good and sound nice as well. What mufflers are other people using, and generally what are the sizes and demensions. Thanks for the input. I attached some pics of my car, and i'll take some more soon. Anyquestions about it feel free to ask.
You'll have a tough time fitting anything bigger than 2-inch on the left side of the car if you plan to run the system all they way to the back. There is very little room between the gas tank and leafspring shackle on the driver side....
2 1/4 I used to have 2 1/4 going straight out the back on mine. It fit tight, but not too tight. never a rattle. Three chamber flowmasters sound great, but if you want a little rumble two chambers (40 series) are the way to go. I think on a daily driver I'd stick with three chambers and go for a balance tube or if you have the money or skill an x pipe.
Well it also depends on how low the tailpipes hang down. Mine are tucked-up high, between the tank and leafspring shackels, then turn down at a 45 degree angle under the rear vallance. If you were to run them lower and straight (no turn-downs), you could probably easily fit 2-1/4" pipes. 2-chamber flowmasters sound obnoxious and irritating; your 3-chamber idea is a much better way to go. There are several other decent turbo-mufflers that are much less expensive than Flowmasters. You might want to shop around, Unless you've already decided on the Flowmasters...
we have 2 1/2 inch pipes on our 70. dynomax mufflers. not too loud. nice rumble. half the price of flowmasters. my .02 we had a 20 year pipe man do the piping. 265 plus tax. he did a great job. pretty tight fit but we are straight out the back.
Thanks for all of the feed back, your suggestions have been great. I was allways under the impression that the flowmasters were cheaper then the dynomax but i guess i was miss informed. I would go for the X-pipe but im waiting to get headers before i decide to put on an X-pipe. What size are the dynomax mufflers you bought Scott?
Dynomax are good. 2-1/2 inch is really overkill for a 302--even a "built" one. 2-1/4 is plenty adequate and will probably give better throttle response at lower RPMs. So many people believe that "bigger is better", but it's not always true. In fact, One of the major car magazines (Hot Rod or Car Craft) conducted an extensive dyno test on a big-block Chevy and it actually LOST power when they went to 3-inch pipes from the previous 2-1/2 inch system. Also; you cannot let air out without letting air in. A bigger exhaust system needs a better flowing intake system to reap the full benefit. Basically, everything needs to be properly matched to work together...
You have to consider when pipe is bent, the diameter goes down in the bend unless your using mandrel bends. But then that will cost considerable more.
so right dennis. over the axle we lost a quarter inch bringing the effective size to 2 and 1/4" we kinda planned it that way with our exhaust-tologist. the mufflers are 2 1/2". deep sound is what we were aiming for. wait'll todd pops in a cam. suhweet.
