More parts today, El Camino exhaust system.

[dakazman]

   The 2 1/2” tube showed up yesterday afternoon. Laid out the rest of it from headers back. Making the x pipe is a little tricky but I got a good jump on it. Second pic is what I’m copying.
Dakazman

[BDA]

Good luck, D'man! Show us the finished product! 

[dakazman]

  This has been a battle, since the 84 El Camino’s. We’re not dual exhaust . I modified the crossmember years ago but never put a complete system on . I went to the local exhaust shop and received a price of $850. Plus tax for a headers back system. For approximately 300.$ I received all the pipes necessary to do the job.
  It was so much easier when I did this on car with a lift and all the tools needed.

  Tomorrow I’ll weld it up .😀
Dakazman

[EuropaTC]

Did you use a tube expander on those tubes or did they come with one end already expanded ? 

I only ask because I bought an expander and promptly broke it when I tried on a stainless tube. Mild steel was ok, stainless just too much so if you've managed to do it I'd be interested in what kit you used ?

Brian

[dakazman]

 Brian ,
   The 2.5” steel tubing came with one end expanded. I went back and forth laying out so to use as little material as possible . The expanded portion was a healthy 3” depth, so I made short rings to go around one tube to change the way the muffler fit .

  Previously I worked in a muffler shop with a lift, hydraulic bender and expander etc. , why buy a kit ?
Just ask a shop to expand a pipe or two for you. Some will work with you so I would call around first.
Here in Florida we don’t go through exhaust systems as fast as up north with the sleet/snow and salty roads. These steel tubes are rusting as soon as I took them out of the plastic packing sleeves. 
   👍Stainless is much better 👍
Dakazman 

[dakazman]

  Sorry BDA, not finished yet.
  All tax welded up and recheck good . Took it out again and welded it up and painted due to it starting to rust.
  The view from the ground was amazing. Then I realized I may be to close.
Dakazman

[BDA]

I’m patient. 

[TurboFource]

Ni ce job!

[dakazman]

  I like the view from down here too …
Dakazman

[BDA]

Shiny!

[dakazman]

  Love the words “comin’ down” . 😃
 
    All most completely satisfied except I hung one muffler a tad to high and tack welded. I’ll bring it to a shop to adjust, drop down slightly because I could not get the correct angle to see with my helmet on .  I learned Indian when some s  po arks went into my ear. . 😁
  You can see from the rear the right side needs to be turned counterclockwise which will turn the tip down and stop hitting the bumper.
Dakazman

[BDA]

No criticism here! I'd be absolutely even more useless at this than the stuff I try to do! 

[dakazman]

   Thanks BDA ,
 I’m here for you . We all have our own skills. It’s not perfect yet but a big improvement . The pulse of the exhaust sound is different over the straight pipes and the engine feels much smoother.
Dakazman