View Full Version : My Homemade 3" Exhaust
musclemerc
06-30-2018, 10:01 AM
I fabricated a 3" mandrel bent exhaust system for my Marauder.
I did the build on my back in the shop. If it's not the hardest thing I've ever fabricated it's definitely up there in the top 5.
The exhaust is all T409 SS (except for the rear mufflers), V band connectors, all mandrel bends, 9" race mufflers off the collectors and 27" super turbo mufflers out back. I kept the resonators in the stock tips, and reused the factory dampeners on the mufflers.
I built the center section first, then set the mufflers where I wanted them.
The cross section for the H is 2.5"
https://i.imgur.com/fSqQEUZl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wz8JMK1l.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1q7MxPGl.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xuPYJbYl.jpg
To get over the axle I had to get the weight of the vehicle on the ground so I picked up some concrete 16x16x4 pads.
https://i.imgur.com/pqjIWu0l.jpg
The bends over the axle have V bands on both sides to make removing them an easy task.
https://i.imgur.com/0cDlBcEl.jpg
I still have to set my tips but the hard work is now over with.
https://i.imgur.com/YWdzI6Bl.jpg
I decided against using TIG and went with the speed of my MIG. All the welding wire is 308L SS wire.
She sounds pretty mean. The tone is deep and throaty.
Lucky for me I didn't have to chase down a single leak.
All in all I may have spent $800.00 in parts and countless hours fabricating this kit.
Ambitious1
06-30-2018, 10:07 AM
Looks awesome!!!
Bad_S55
06-30-2018, 10:35 AM
Glad that all worked out. I have the old Stainless Works 3" kit, and nothing really lined up. In short, it was a headache. All good now though.
justbob
06-30-2018, 10:41 AM
Left side tail is crooked. [emoji6] LOL
Looks damn good Travis! I’m surprised you didn’t enjoy it? I love making my own pipe stuff if time allows. I just wish I had better shop equipment.. I have three nice portabands, a crappy table bandsaw (soon to be in the garbage), but not a nice if even cheap horizontal one which would be the ticket.
I would highly recommend that you add V bands right off the collector if your not already. After a few heat cycles, condensation, and age, the X will be a bear to get off and back on without them.
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justbob
06-30-2018, 10:50 AM
Glad that all worked out. I have the old Stainless Works 3" kit, and nothing really lined up. In short, it was a headache. All good now though.
Mine took serious massaging with 2 x 4’s to bend it right without dinging it up... Mostly the X and right side tail pipe. It took two more adjustments later to get it close to right! The muffler hangers were also bent oddly and too short. One even broke loose and fell off a couple of years ago. And I’ve done hundreds of systems as my job in my younger years. I could never imagine how anyone that hasn’t done many could ever get it to work..
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musclemerc
06-30-2018, 10:52 AM
If I need to drop the LT's in the future I'll put them on. I ordered a spare pair just for that.
For now they got old school U clamps holding them in place
RubberCtyRauder
06-30-2018, 11:32 AM
Nice!!!! I'll send my car down for a motor/blower build and exhaust.
guspech750
06-30-2018, 12:21 PM
Look fanfreakingtastic!
Sent from the White House on the tax payers dime.
crownvic97
06-30-2018, 01:13 PM
Very nice!
Themarauderguy
06-30-2018, 01:48 PM
Very nice!!!
2004_p71
06-30-2018, 02:11 PM
This is quality work right there and it,s very well done travis :)
are the mufflers stainless steel ? all the turbo styles mufflers I have been looking for are all aluminized.
x2 on using mig for the whole job , I will do the same when I get there
musclemerc
06-30-2018, 03:25 PM
This is quality work right there and it,s very well done travis :)
are the mufflers stainless steel ? all the turbo styles mufflers I have been looking for are all aluminized.
x2 on using mig for the whole job , I will do the same when I get there
I'm glad you asked this question Pier. I amended the thread, thanks for reminding me.
The mufflers are all Dynomax... The front 9" mini race bullets are SS.
The rear 27" super turbo mufflers are aluminized
Didn't intend to mislead anyone. :violin:
I looked and looked but when they get this big aluminized is the only option.
I was dead set on turbo mufflers, they came stock on the MM.
2004_p71
06-30-2018, 06:48 PM
I thought the front ones were cats ;) at that size do they do any difference ?
I have been looking myself for all stainless steel Turbo mufflers for over a year. I had the full SW kit with their ''turbo'' muffler and as much as it sounded great at the track for a daily driver I really hated it. I'm looking for something MUCH more civilized for a daily driver and looks like the dynomax is the only option so far . Is there any drone at all ? .
1stMerc
06-30-2018, 09:21 PM
Nicely done. You'll be glad you went with the stock resonated tips.
MOTOWN
06-30-2018, 10:10 PM
Thats a great looking system you fabricated , I remember helping the fabricator do mines many late nights till 1 or 2am he said he wouldn't do another one as it was far to time consuming with all of the Tig welding and building the different angles , but definetly worth it I bet your loving that deep rumble!
Seneca
07-01-2018, 03:35 AM
Looks great!
musclemerc
07-01-2018, 06:29 AM
Thats a great looking system you fabricated , I remember helping the fabricator do mines many late nights till 1 or 2am he said he wouldn't do another one as it was far to time consuming with all of the Tig welding and building the different angles , but definetly worth it I bet your loving that deep rumble!
Thanks Roger. I used your thread as a template to help build mine.
What did he do on the DS to get around the ride height sensor and the watts?
Did you have the work done on your car with the mini tub?
The DS was a nightmare to fit 3" dia. pipe
musclemerc
07-01-2018, 06:33 AM
I thought the front ones were cats ;) at that size do they do any difference ?
They're suppose to cut 4db of noise
I have been looking myself for all stainless steel Turbo mufflers for over a year. I had the full SW kit with their ''turbo'' muffler and as much as it sounded great at the track for a daily driver I really hated it. I'm looking for something MUCH more civilized for a daily driver and looks like the dynomax is the only option so far . Is there any drone at all ? .
I plan on taking her out later today
Nicely done. You'll be glad you went with the stock resonated tips.
I agree, the first crank without them was LOUD
decipha
07-01-2018, 12:32 PM
Ive always went with the mig much faster
I would think unless your making big power dual 2.5s would be better suited and easier to work with
Ive always been a fan of the super turbo muffs on race cars. On a daily though I much prefer a quiet stock exhaust
looks good tho
MMBLUE
07-01-2018, 03:19 PM
Nice job Travis :bows:
As always, class act. :beer:
RubberCtyRauder
07-01-2018, 03:47 PM
Ive always went with the mig much faster
I would think unless your making big power dual 2.5s would be better suited and easier to work with
Ive always been a fan of the super turbo muffs on race cars. On a daily though I much prefer a quiet stock exhaust
looks good tho
he is making big power, over 600 rwhp with room to go more
MOTOWN
07-01-2018, 08:09 PM
Thanks Roger. I used your thread as a template to help build mine.
What did he do on the DS to get around the ride height sensor and the watts?
Did you have the work done on your car with the mini tub?
The DS was a nightmare to fit 3" dia. pipe
We spaced the watts link out to push it away from the piping , still waiting in line on the mini tub job probably September before he gets to it and thats fine since I have other projects going on.
for my car the passenger side was an experience we used two V bands so the piping could be removed without four letter analogy!
musclemerc
07-02-2018, 03:56 PM
We spaced the watts link out to push it away from the piping , still waiting in line on the mini tub job probably September before he gets to it and thats fine since I have other projects going on.
for my car the passenger side was an experience we used two V bands so the piping could be removed without four letter analogy!
Didn't think about spacing the watts for clearance. I put 2 V bands on both DS and PS.
I'll be looking out for a thread on the mini tub.
musclemerc
07-02-2018, 03:57 PM
Nice job Travis :bows:
As always, class act. :beer:
Thanks old friend :)
8UWITH6
07-04-2018, 09:29 AM
Very nice. Bet that's loud
2004_p71
07-13-2018, 12:09 PM
I'm assuming you drove quite a bit the car , how do you like the sound ?
musclemerc
07-14-2018, 09:19 AM
I haven't gone WOT with her yet Pier. I only drove it around the neighborhood and so far at low throttle she sounds pretty mean. Deep tone..
I got hit with another project.
Once I get this heap out of my shop I can go back to getting her dialed in.
https://i.imgur.com/ORp7Gybl.jpg
MOTOWN
07-14-2018, 01:17 PM
Hmmmm looks a 69 Chevelle! im working on a 70.
musclemerc
07-14-2018, 03:07 PM
68 Chevelle.
What ever your up to surely it's BIG Roger
MOTOWN
07-14-2018, 03:38 PM
68 Chevelle.
What ever your up to surely it's BIG Roger
Global West suspension going in now , then im really wanting a forged LS 7L and a Whipple for an easy 1200RWHP!:banana:
musclemerc
07-14-2018, 04:05 PM
HAHAHAha… I knew it!!
This one is a numbers match car. Small things to keep her moving.
Pulled the original 396, going with forged internals, 200 shot, replacing everything under the hood. New suspension out back and a full electrical upgrade with a push button start.
Interior is all original and clean as hell.
Oh yea, Dashworks tach and functioning gauges. No more idiot lights!
MOTOWN
07-14-2018, 04:19 PM
HAHAHAha… I knew it!!
This one is a numbers match car. Small things to keep her moving.
Pulled the original 396, going with forged internals, 200 shot, replacing everything under the hood. New suspension out back and a full electrical upgrade with a push button start.
Interior is all original and clean as hell.
Oh yea, Dashworks tach and functioning gauges. No more idiot lights!
Sounds like da bug has a firm hold on you as well!:coolman:
Grimrepairman
07-14-2018, 08:50 PM
"Heap"?
Looks better than most of my stuff.
crouse
07-20-2018, 10:09 AM
Is 3" too big for such a small engine?
musclemerc
07-20-2018, 12:35 PM
Running 20psi with a TVS???
Nah.....
1stMerc
07-20-2018, 12:58 PM
I plan on taking her out later today
I agree, the first crank without them was LOUD
Ha Ha wait till you do a cool morning or winter startup.
musclemerc
07-20-2018, 06:18 PM
^^^If I ever feel its too loud I kinda know a guy, that knows a guy that can easily swap mufflers. ;)
Easy like Sunday morning......:beer:
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