Hey guys,

I'm getting ready to get my dutra duals installed and have dual exhaust (2" pipe, X piped behind the tranny into 2 26" glasspacks). I wanted to get some opinions on the routing I have come up with and some thoughts on if it's worth putting mandrels on. Mind you, i've never done exhaust before (as this is my first car and therefore have very little prior automotive experience). Well here is a crudely drawn picture of my current exhaust route.

(Red line is exhaust pipe, M=Muffler, C=Catalytic, E=Engine, T=Tranny; the pipe goes over the rear axle)
And some bad phone camera pictures of my current exhaust here, here, here, and here

Here is a picture of what I figure is the best way to route my new exhaust system.

(X pipe around where the catalytic was earlier, the orange lines are 2 26" cherrybomb glasspacks)
I figure this is probably easier than doing the new pipe running down the driver side because of how the gas tank sits in the back. It would make me run the pipe basically laying against the tank and then weaved into my leaf spring bracket. (picture of rear driver side here)

During the last week I've been trying to decide if I should get mandrel bends. I need confirmation on this, but it looks like I could get away with 7 mandrel "U" bends, cut in half to make 14 90 degree angles.

(Each green corner would be one of the half U bends)
It might seem blocky, but would that work? Would it be worth it for a street super six? I figure I've already put a good amount of money into this exhaust system and if an extra $84 ($12 x 7) would make a significant difference by putting mandrel bends on, then I'm all about it.

Thanks for all the help,
Aspen76

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76 Dodge Aspen
225 Super Six w/ Dutra True Dual Exhaust

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg5 ... AG0095.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/user/BZuko1?feature=guide

have you considered a 2 into 1 collector
like the flowmaster shown here? Sumitt probably has the best price..

http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/searc ... &sc3=&sc4=

gets you some exhaust scavaging,, saves a little pipe weight and installation hassel.

I set my Dutra duels up with one of the flowmaster collectors,, I made the down pipes leading to the 2 into 1 adapter about 30 inches long,, to simulate a long tube header,, don't know it it makes a difference, but I think it looks neat.

Why route them down the passenger side? Save pipe and the price of the elbows and run them down the driver's side like the A-bodies... (also each elbow acts as a slight restriction in flow...and provides a prime place for condensation to settle when the engine is shut off overnight).

(Or you can split the difference and run the front 3 down the drivers side, and route the other as you have drawn down the passenger side...which is how I have my duster set up...but if I were to do it again I might think about doing Dad Truck's collector single pipe right out of the gate, then run one left and the other right...)

-D.Idiot

i put duals on my 318 5th avenue and moved the tank over one strap and its been fine. Seen many other cars done that way

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1980 Aspen 4 speed