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I have a 61 Apache swb fleetside. I've read several post on different headers, exhaust heat / water heat bypass to warm up the air mixture in the intake. Was wondwering if it is possible to just use a muffler w/one pipe in and two out. Not really needing more hp just duals if it would make it sound better. It sounds great as it is to me and runs very well. Thanks

I chose to run split headers because it it one of the easiest ways to improve the breathing on an engine. By itself, just splitting the exhaust is not going to make that much noticeable impact on your seat-of-the-pants driving experience. However, splitting the exhaust into duals, if nothing else, changes the personality of your ride. The sound of a 53-54 Corvette, with it's split dual exhaust was quite unique. That alone increases the "WOW" factor and makes dropping a few hundred bucks worthwhile. I'm not advocating making a lot of noise....just developing your ride's potential and keeping a grin on your face!

However, adding duals has a tendency to snowball into adding an intake with dual carbs, a fancy HEI distributor which, in combination, DOES make a difference in the performance and then ultimately into an engine rebuild, a bit hotter cam for improved breathing, a more road friendly transmission and differential, upgraded brakes, some rust repair and a new paint job....are you getting the picture?

All of these "improvements" come at a cost in both time and money but be warned....once you start making even the little subtle upgrades....even if it's going back to totally stock, you'll be hooked on making your particular ride the best it can possibly be! It's an insidious disease, the one that makes us work in the summer heat, the winter cold...out behind the house on the wet muddy ground, totally disregarding our own creature comforts.

Adding a single into duals....it'll work and if you're happy with the exhaust the way it is you'll enjoy the addition. However, you're flirting with that "disease"! Enjoy your ride!!!

I hope this helps you make your decision!

Dave

"54" gives some good advice above. I'll just add a little to it. Just splitting the pipes from the muffler back won't do anything for the sound or the performance, but will look like duals from the rear. The sound we 6 cyl. lovers enjoy comes from the split manifold up front, 3 cylinders into each side. It gives a much deeper sound even with stock style mufflers and does help the engine breathe easier. I know quite a few "bolters" who only do this one modification to otherwise stock cars or trucks and are perfectly happy with that. But, as 54 says, be aware that one good upgrade can lead to another, and another, and .......well, you get the picture.

I have just what you are asking about. But I'm so old and stupid today it seems I cannot remember how to get the photos from my file to the Picturetrail account. I'll try to e-mail them to you apache.

hmmm, well it seems I can't do that either since your e-mail account isn't disclosed. If you send me yours I'll respond with the photos.

I appreciate your responses. One of the things I appreciate about Stovebolt is everyone's honest answers and opinions. I am really debating whether to do anything. Kinda got it in my blood to make some improvements but just feeling around for awhile first. My wife and I have a 66 mustang coupe 289 original bore, matching #'s w/ ac ,which we fully restored to original condition and may just do the same w/the Apache.Thanks again.

Dave, that is so funny you said that. My neighbor calls it "restoration creep".
That's exactly what happened to me. It started with headers and dual exhaust. That project turned into cleaning up much of the engine compartment. Then came the O.D. After that, radials. Next, HEI and then suspension rebuild. And now, we're about to begin assembly on a 261 stroker with all the goodies including built up head, mild cam, dual intake, etc... Next in line, disc brakes. I don't think it will ever end.
At 1st, I wanted to do everything at once. My neighbor talked me into to one sub-project at a time. I'm glad he did. I get to keep using the truck with minimal down time, not to mention a clutter free garage - sort of. The other benefit is you get to experience the upgrades one at a time and you get a good idea about the improvement each one gives.

"Restoration creep" about sums it up. I've found over the years, that I can eliminate a bunch of headaches if I focus my efforts on one improvement at a time. As an example....the engine run-in on a fresh mill is to me, one of the most critical operations we take on. Sticking in a new HEI and a rack of new carbs and worrying about getting everything set up so you can get that "first" crank-up and cam run-in accomplished, can really be a hassle. Not that it can't be done....but experience has taught me to tackle one change at a time....get the bugs worked out....and then go to the next. That way you aren't messing with your carbs when the problem is actually timing. Putting on a set of $200. dollar headers is going to run your cost up to twice that much by the time you get your entire exhaust system plumbed in. That's okay if you know in advance that you're pockets had better be twice as deep as you planned at first!!!!

I guess I just fall into that group that advocate "KISS"....super simple makes for a happy camper. Probably something that comes with A-G-E and experience!!!

Dave

Dave, you have definately touched base with the rest of the story. Although you're being conservative about the cost. At least with my limited talent and experience. I've found that the cost of each project is usually at least 3 or 4x the price of the initial part.

Since you are thinking about going to dual exhuast let me mention a few things you can find out more about using the search function:

First: Manifolds? Will you split your stock manifold, look for a OEM corvette split manifold($$$), use the cast Fenton dual exhuast manifolds or go with tube headers? One issue with this choice is how you will heat the intake. The stock manifold uses a heat riser and if you aren't going to change the intake, you might want to split the original manifolds or look for corvette manifolds. If you plan on upgrading to a dual intake manifold or 4bbl cliffords intake, that might affect your decision also.

Second: Pipes: Will you run duals all the way back? How about an x-pipe? What diameter pipes? Stainless? Straight out under the bumper? Shotgun style side by side pipes at one side of the rear bumper? Turn out behind each tire? What about a Y-collector and a single pipe from there back? Have you considered Patrick's dual exhaust pipe kit? Do you ever plan on upgrading the brakes to a dual master or booster, and will the pipe location interfer?

Third: Mufflers? Glass packs? Magnaflows?

There are debates about all these questions and probably no 'right' answer.

My personal choice was fenton headers, a y-pipe collector just below the cross member and a single 2 1/2" pipe back to a stock style muffler with a turn out behind the driver's side wheel- Sounds good, looks nice, inexpensive, and improved performance nicely. I also used a dual offy intake and heated it with water because I'm afraid of odorless carbon monoxide leaking from the manifold, getting into the cab and killing my brain slowly over various commutes to work. Next time I'd use a clifford's 4 bbl intake because one carb is less tuning work than 2 carbs and cliffords manifold is set up to heat easily with water.

Best of luck!