LS exhaust (ing)

[donandal]

I've spent the last week reading up on exhaust systems.

I need to build one for my 53 AD with a GM 5.3 connect
and cruise E Rod setup.

My setup included GM manifolds and CAT converters, so
I need to build the rest to the back. it's 2 1/2" leaving
the converters.

Lots of google time, but it is exhausting trying to find definitive
info about dual vs single systems.
I'm only going to build it once (stainless mandrel bend custom).

I want a nice quiet factory sounding setup.
Too old, don't need the noise.

on the other hand, I don't want to just throw away performance.


Ideas?

[bpatrol]

walker quiet flow mufflers. summit has them

ive used them, quiet but nice sounding .Im getting old my self
bpatrol

[LeesTruk]

I just finished building a system for my 5.3L swap using the Walker Quiet Flow muffler. I built a Y pipe (2.5" in, 3" out) and am just doing a single pipe (3"). I, too, want a nice quiet ride. I should be firing it up within the week, and hopefully can get my son to shoot a video so that you can hear it

Lee

[donandal]

Originally Posted by LeesTruk

I just finished building a system for my 5.3L swap using the Walker Quiet Flow muffler. I built a Y pipe (2.5" in, 3" out) and am just doing a single pipe (3"). I, too, want a nice quiet ride. I should be firing it up within the week, and hopefully can get my son to shoot a video so that you can hear it

Lee

yeah
I may go that route also....

single 2 1/2 to 3

hard to decide....

[Root2812]

What exhaust manifolds did each of you use? I want to follow along here. I have a 1950 with a 5.3 and I also want a nice stock tone. I kinda like the sound of the stock C5 corvettes but the stock cans are huge on the C5. I am looking forward to seeing what you do.

Oh and I have the exhaust manifolds off a corvette for clearance but I failed to get the down pipe from the manifold when I got them. Will you share where you got the parts to make that piece?

[Tilt]

Originally Posted by Root2812

I have a 1950 with a 5.3 and I also want a nice stock tone. I kinda like the sound of the stock C5 corvettes but the stock cans are huge on the C5.

I talked to a guy just the other day that has a LS swapped 85 swb with 6.0. The trucked sounded just like a Vette. He had dual 3" with x pipe, but had the oval Magnaflow mufflers running sideways with dumps just behind the rear bumper. He said the farther back you can put the mufflers the more it sounds like the newer vehicles instead of an older small block. I'm not real sure how much truth is in that, but his truck sounded good.

[LeesTruk]

I'm using manifolds from a 5.3L Trailblazer (rh) and Buick Rainier (lh). Here's a pic of the Y pipe



My 5.3L came from an '05 Tahoe and included the tops of the original exhaust pipes with the O2 sensors. I just grafted new piping onto the stubs. Got the mandrel tubing from Trubendz Technology (trubendz.com), and had the kits within 2 days of order. You can get either stainless tubing or aluminized steel

Lee

[BR3W CITY]

Cool y pipe Lee. It looks as though the galvanizing/aluminizing on the tube fought your welds a little tho. Removing that coating from the weld area will help a lot, and if it doesn't seem to, I'd suggest ramping your wire speed a bit. It doesn't look like your burning through anywhere, just a few areas that welded cold.

When I built mine, I had issues in a few places despite removing the galv, and found out the major reason was the "oil" coating thats on the inside of the tubes. I got my stock from Columbia River, but it REALLY helps to degrease the inside of the pipes as well.

[donandal]

OK,
I can go two ways.

2 1/2 " pipe with X-Pipe and dual 2 1/2 " mufflers,

or 2 1/2 " inlet with 3" outlet Y-pipe and single 3" muffler.

I have the space for either.

I am wondering if the dual setup would be "too open" and would loose velocity
and whether the 3" single might give better torque?

Wish I knew more about this subject.

[americanmusc1e]

Originally Posted by donandal

OK,
I can go two ways.

2 1/2 " pipe with X-Pipe and dual 2 1/2 " mufflers,

or 2 1/2 " inlet with 3" outlet Y-pipe and single 3" muffler.

I have the space for either.

I am wondering if the dual setup would be "too open" and would loose velocity
and whether the 3" single might give better torque?

Wish I knew more about this subject.

if you want it fairly quiet, x-pipe and dual 2 1/2 "turbo" mufflers. I've used flowtech raptors before. They are about the quietest muffler that flows well.

here are some sounds on a different vehicle if it helps. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg3RmMwdYIs

[First c10]

Originally Posted by donandal

OK,
I can go two ways.

2 1/2 " pipe with X-Pipe and dual 2 1/2 " mufflers,

or 2 1/2 " inlet with 3" outlet Y-pipe and single 3" muffler.

I have the space for either.

I am wondering if the dual setup would be "too open" and would loose velocity
and whether the 3" single might give better torque?

Wish I knew more about this subject.

I went with 2-1/2" into a single 3" muffler Magnaflow. The picture is a little blurry but that is all I have here at work. the truck is not running so I am not sure of how it will sound. I did cam the motor so hopefully it will sound good!!
Good Luck
Scott

[mattcrp1]

Originally Posted by First c10

I went with 2-1/2" into a single 3" muffler Magnaflow. The picture is a little blurry but that is all I have here at work. the truck is not running so I am not sure of how it will sound. I did cam the motor so hopefully it will sound good!!
Good Luck
Scott

That's pretty much how mine is set up. It sounds good with the little 4.8l.

[First c10]

Originally Posted by mattcrp1

That's pretty much how mine is set up. It sounds good with the little 4.8l.

Do you happen to have audio of the sound? Video maybe? I would like to here it as I have not found anyone with this set up to listen to.

[slotard]

If you can find them and they fit, OEM mufflers off something modern are your best bet for quiet. The cats will quiet you down quite a bit vs catless as well, and between those and cheap take-offs it'll be very quiet and not down much power vs something loud (Chevy doesn't want to lose any efficiency thanks to CAFE).

[BR3W CITY]

FWIW, turbo's do count as sound dampening devices....which I find hilarious. Bcuz wastegate dump.