trying to find an exhaust system

i originally posted this in the sonoma forums, but there's probably more traffic in here, so anyways I have a 96 sonoma sls 4.3L vortec X type with manaul tranny, 2wd, it has the long bed reg cab, and i'm trying to find a dual, or dual catback exhaust system for it... All i can find are systems for reg cab short bed or ext cab short bed... Will the ext cab short bed system work for my reg cab long bed?... I would assume not... but I wouldn't know. Also is there any place that acually makes exhaust systems for reg cab long bed truck? Any websites out there... i've been looking around, gibson, flowmaster, magnaflow, none of them make a system for my truck set up. any ideas? thanks
Brandon

rare bird, long box and a stick, what you need to do (what i had to do) is go to a custom muffler shop, i had a high flow cat, flow pro muffler, and duels out the back, cost was a few pennies, but it sounds absolutly great, it is compairable to the sound of a ravin z55, but a tad bit more throughty (oppinion, and ive only heard the 55 on the computer) but opening up my exhaust (i had a plugged up cat, 98 was horrable and mine was a work truck it plugged quick) and then the breathing of my truck realy brought that 4.3 alive from what it was

I used to have a 99 s10 and know where to get alot of parts for the 4.3L engine. Go to www.jegs.com and do a search for part number 289-19307 it's a Dynomax bolt on cat back exhaust system with dual exhaust for the 4.3L engines for 94 and 95 but will fit a 96 as well.

Although duals are nice, I read an article recently in one of the Mini-trucking mags where they told a guy who had dual Flows that he was probably losing hp with the system he had. They recomended that he ditch one of the Flows and go to a single catback with 2.5 pipe (I believe this was the size) into a 3-4 inch tip. Gibson makes an exhaust system which is exactly what was specified in this article. I have it on my truck and it sounds excellent from the outside, does not add to cab noise and definitely added to performance. It is Calif. legal, for anyone else reading this, who might wonder. Of course, the Jaco's Pro-street ignition, K & N Filtercharger w/ cold dam aftermarket MAF sensor and hypertech'd chip that I have help performance, too. Lowered the 0-60 times by 3 sec's, especially when the S-10 is so slow the way it comes from the factory. Published times for the 0-60 ride are over 10 seconds for the V-6! I do it in 7 now, when I get a good hook-up, which reminds me, does anyone know where I can get a good limited slip rear-end for a 97 s-10?? Who makes one and what is the price?

Later...

eti engineer

It depends on the setup that the guy had. Dual exhaust has the ability to add alot of horsepower but has to be matched correctly with other components on the vehicle. You have to have enough backpressure to keep the engine running smooth but also alow enough air flow to allow quicker release of exhaust. If you have a 4 cyl then single catback exhaust would be the way to go but if you have a 6 or 8 then dual exhaust will improve the horsepower just have to make sure that you get the air in as fast as you can get it out. So what I had on my 4.3 vortec in the 99 s10 xtreme I had was K&N cold air intake and a true dual exhaust coming off a pair of nickel plated headers instead of just a dualed out catback system that alone increased my 0-60 time to 8 sec. and could easily burn out anywhere at anytime. So when buying an exhaust for a vehicle check up on the dyno stats of what the exhaust does to ensure it actually is an increase in horsepower.

Dave,

I agree with you if you are putting actual headers and true duals on the truck. Again, as you state, you certainly need to make sure the exhaust system is designed right. Headers are the way to go, and here in Calif. there are actually some that are Calif. legal. Problem with headers in the S-10 is getting them on and keeping them tight. I suppose it depends on who makes them, but I know people who have done this and seem to have no end of trouble trying to keep them from leaking. How are yours, who made them and were they difficult to put on? I was looking into headers, but for what little hp gain I would get for the troubles I heard were going on, I decided against them.

I kind of got the impression that the original poster for this thread was looking for a catback system and so I responded with my experiences, but I agree, if you can get a good set of headers, this is the way to go, but also, like you said, you have to make sure the air leaves as fast, if not faster as you are pulling it in (good scavenging).

later..

eti engineer

a true duel setup on even a 4.3 is of no help from a 3 or even 2.5'' pipeing on a single outlet, the moter simply doesnt need to breath that good, it cannot breath in as much as you let out, even with hedders

hey guys, thanks for the input, although i'm still confused, dual or single? i'm not looking for great hp gains, if i could then great, but i would hate to loose power too. i'm probably gonna get a cold air intake for it if i get a system so it can breathe better. i also want it to run decent. i never really considered true dual, although it is an option. still didn't answer my question about where i can find systems that will fit my truck (reg cab long bed) besides the www.jegs.com which looks decent but i like options. Will extended cab systems work?
Brandon

i dont think so, different wheel base, different axil position, the answer is go to a specialty shop that can bend pipe, its expencive, but the only option i found, no true duel, its a waist of a good moter, if you want it for looks do a single in duel out muffler, highflow cat, cai and you will be all set

alright... thanks it's been alot of help. guess i'm kinda screwed cause my truck isn't a "sport" truck even though it's just as fast. but ya thanks for the input and stuff
peace out
brandon

If you have a chance crawl under your truck with a pen, paper, and a tape measure. Make a detailed drawing of the system, then do the same thing under a S10.

I really wouldn't be suprised if they are the same exhaust system with the exception of 2 straight sections either being longer or shorter.
This can be fixxed with a hack saw, a little welding (or possibly muffler clamps) and possibly 1 or 2 feet of pipe