New Member in process of OH

[Phil83K10]

Hi folks,
Coming to you from North Georgia AND Cape Cod!

I am in process of OH my 83 K10 long bed. I replaced the OEM 305 for the basic GM crate engine. since I've got big mud tires on it, it's still a bit sluggish. It also has 2 in. single exhaust pipes on it.
My 1st thught is to go to 2 1/2 in. dual exhaust. Is it worth the extra $$ to add headers too?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

Phil

Attached are some before and almost complete pics.

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[animal]

 

[Babs]

 

[WFO]

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

Hi folks,
Coming to you from North Georgia AND Cape Cod!

I am in process of OH my 83 K10 long bed. I replaced the OEM 305 for the basic GM crate engine. since I've got big mud tires on it, it's still a bit sluggish. It also has 2 in. single exhaust pipes on it.
My 1st thught is to go to 2 1/2 in. dual exhaust. Is it worth the extra $$ to add headers too?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

Phil

Attached are some before and almost complete pics.

You must be registered for see images attach

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Nice truck man, Great job.
I like that you kept the original colors, but changed up the pattern.

I can speak from experience, 2 1/2 inch true dual exhaust with a set of glasspacks in a squarebody, is one of the best sounding things ever in my personal opinion. Itd be well worth it to do duals.

As far as headers goes, it depends what kind you get. I have one with long tube headers, and 3 with stock manifolds.
They will add a little horsepower, and if your trying to make it look nice, a set of chrome ones does look really good. But they're almost more headache than they're worth. If you get a nice set that has good reviews, you might get lucky, but usually they hit absolutely everything, you have problems routing exhausts, you burn plug boots, etc. But I mean, that's just my experience with long tubes.
If you get a set of shorty headers, you may avoid all of that. I've been considering getting a set of chrome shorts for my 86 just to clean up the look of the engine bay.
If your looking for a little kick when you punch it, I'd change out carbs and do a good tune up. The stock manifolds will never give you any problems.

 

[Shorty81]

Welcome from the Buckeye State

 

[86 SCOTTSDALE]

Welcome from Mass. Truck looks great.

 

[ali_c20]

Welcome from Austria. Nice truck.

 

[82sbshortbed]

Welcome from Texas nice looking truck.

I vote yes for hedders. I have Lt hedders on 454 with 2.5 true dual exhaust with Flowmasters. Sounds good.

 

[Craig 85]

 

[Phil83K10]

Nice truck man, Great job.
I like that you kept the original colors, but changed up the pattern.

I can speak from experience, 2 1/2 inch true dual exhaust with a set of glasspacks in a squarebody, is one of the best sounding things ever in my personal opinion. Itd be well worth it to do duals.

As far as headers goes, it depends what kind you get. I have one with long tube headers, and 3 with stock manifolds.
They will add a little horsepower, and if your trying to make it look nice, a set of chrome ones does look really good. But they're almost more headache than they're worth. If you get a nice set that has good reviews, you might get lucky, but usually they hit absolutely everything, you have problems routing exhausts, you burn plug boots, etc. But I mean, that's just my experience with long tubes.
If you get a set of shorty headers, you may avoid all of that. I've been considering getting a set of chrome shorts for my 86 just to clean up the look of the engine bay.
If your looking for a little kick when you punch it, I'd change out carbs and do a good tune up. The stock manifolds will never give you any problems.

Thanks so much for your feedback- it's exactly what I was looking for. I have never installed headers before and only have heard some painful stories about doing so. I was hoping to hear that the dual exhaust is more important than headers- so thanks for that. My friend who is working with me on my resto, has a Ford with a 460 + headers+ dual exhaust and suggested I do something similar. With the big tires I've got, my truck is sluggish and was looking for a little more kick, so your suggestions of shorties & dual exhaust does make most sense. I did put in a Demon carb and dumped my 'Rotten-chester' one, so I think I'm ok there? My wallet is getting pretty empty at this point, so I need to put the brakes on a bit here with too many extras. (I've got a '62 Tempest convertible that is also eating $$ as well!)

 

[Phil83K10]

Welcome from Austria. Nice truck.

Thanks!
I've spent a lot of time in Europe- both work and pleasure. I have a number of cool pics of GM owners in Sweden, and have seen similar trucks all over the continent as well.
From what I have seen of Austria, you live in a beautiful place!

 

[Rusty Nail]

Headers are worth WAY MORE than they cost. So is header COATING. So are H-pipes...no mo tru duals dude

You can't beat a connected 2.5 inch exhaust , in most cases, - for guys like us that is definitely the way to go.

I buy FLOWTECH 1.5 inch primary with 2.5 inch outlet headers for my trucks.

Good luck!

 

[Corvette Ed]

Welcome aboard from East Tennessee.

 

[AyWoSch Motors]

Thanks so much for your feedback- it's exactly what I was looking for. I have never installed headers before and only have heard some painful stories about doing so. I was hoping to hear that the dual exhaust is more important than headers- so thanks for that. My friend who is working with me on my resto, has a Ford with a 460 + headers+ dual exhaust and suggested I do something similar. With the big tires I've got, my truck is sluggish and was looking for a little more kick, so your suggestions of shorties & dual exhaust does make most sense. I did put in a Demon carb and dumped my 'Rotten-chester' one, so I think I'm ok there? My wallet is getting pretty empty at this point, so I need to put the brakes on a bit here with too many extras. (I've got a '62 Tempest convertible that is also eating $$ as well!)

You're welcome, happy I could help.
I know what you mean about having an empty wallet, having a couple classics will do that, haha. But it's worth it when you end up with a beauty in the end.

A dual exhaust will add a little extra horsepower over the stock GM single. Your choice your muffler will make a bigger difference. The less back pressure the more potential for power, but at a certain point your hearing may hate you, haha. Glasspacks/cherry bombs are a nice middle range, help with power but not too loud.
And if your looking for it the most power and dont mind the few downfalls, headers definatly the way to go. Long tubes are best for that. But if you just want a daily driver, I'd go with either shorties or just stock manifolds like I said, they're easier to work with.
If your looking for bigger power gains than that, I'd suggest going with a bigger cam, maybe new heads, but like you said, that's gonna get pricey quick.
And if your looking to just over come the size of the tires, I'd go with changing the gear ratios front and back. That I'll overcome the sluggishness of trying to move the big tires, but it won't be as good at higher speeds anymore.
There are multiple threads here about gear ratios.