Giving my Bronco a nicer sounding exhaust

[pclancy]

Once again, I reach out to everyone here who knows so much more than I do.

I have a 1969 bronco with a stock 302 and a stock exhaust system. Both run great.

Like many of you, I am obsessed with my truck. Unlike many of you, I use a trusty auto repair shop to do all the work ( repairs and upgrades). My Bronco Doctor, as it were.

I wonder how I could cost effectively give my bronco a slightly more throaty growl. I don't want a sound that wakes my neighbors up every time I start the engine, but something that sounds just a bit deeper and pleasing than what I have. Just a note that says v8. But not a scream.

Do I need to replace my entire exhaust system?

If so, what are your recommendations?

Do I need dual exhaust?

Headers?

What specific equipment would you suggest? Which vendors?

I am not looking to spend a ton of money, but I will spend what I need to for quality.

Many thanks for your advice!

 

[danny]

If it were my bronco I would put a 4 barrel carb. headers, duel exhaust and Magnaflow mufflers. They will give a great throaty sound when accelerating but not loud at idle . That is how my 68 is setup.

 

[danny]

If it were my bronco I would put a 4 barrel carb. headers, duel exhaust and Magnaflow mufflers. They will give a great throaty sound when accelerating but not loud at idle . That is how my 68 is setup.

If you are on a budget I would just go to your local muffler shop and have them cut off your mufflers and install a Magnaflow(best) or a thrush Turbo(second choice) in your exhaust system.

 

[Rox Crusher]

What do you have for exhaust manifolds now ?

I would go with headers and Bronco Huts new bolt together single exhaust.

 

[blubuckaroo]

If your present single is in good shape, you can have a second pipe added, and put in two new mufflers. The larger the tailpipe, the deeper the tone will be. My favorite tone has always been with smaller 2" tailpipes and a cheap set of turbo mufflers. It makes a nice raspy snarl without any of the cruise drone associated with larger tailpipes.

 

[pclancy]

What do you have for exhaust manifolds now ?

I would go with headers and Bronco Huts new bolt together single exhaust.

I think my manifolds are just what was stock. Thanks.

 

[bronconut73]

Or try a single Delta Flow 50 (quiet) or Delta Flow 40 (louder) in place of your present muffler.
No packing to ever blow out ie, "everybodys" glass pack mufflers.
And superior exhaust flow...

 

[pclancy]

Or try a single Delta Flow 50 (quiet) or Delta Flow 40 (louder) in place of your present muffler.
No packing to ever blow out ie, "everybodys" glass pack mufflers.
And superior exhaust flow...

Nice idea Bronconut73. I just may try a Delta Flow 50. Thanks.

 

[rguest3]

I would also suggest just a muffler and maybe new tailpipe. I like chambered mufflers and the Flowmaster Delta 50 would do great.

 

[g8rb8t]

I went through the exact same dilemma with my 74 302. After a ton of research I decided against headers due to heat issues etc.

Instead I went to the BC Broncos 2 in 1 exhaust with the Cherry bomb vortex muffler. I love the sound and no drone at all. I've got some video someplace if that helps. I would not stay with just the exhaust turn down, too much exhaust fumes and louder than I preferred. Got a tailpipe bent up for $50 at a shop and love it now.

 

[g8rb8t]

Sidenote I did have to flair the pipes into the muffler to be larger.

 

[TheGanzman]

You'll get 9,000 opinions on this - here's one more from a 59 year old ex-Corvette street racer; to wit: buy yourself some "N11 Mufflers" - they were the factory "off road" mufflers for midyear (1963-67) Corvettes. They sound "just right" at ALL speeds; they'll be going on my (similarly equipped to yours) '69 Bronco w/in the next 6 months. You can get 'em from Gardner Exhaust out of NY:
http://www.gardnerexhaust.com/1967-corvette-exhaust-system-n11.html

 

[matt w]

If you are on a budget I would just go to your local muffler shop and have them cut off your mufflers and install a Magnaflow(best) or a thrush Turbo(second choice) in your exhaust system.

I did a magna flow and its the stock 2 into one and MAN I'm so happy! No headers .

 

[Broncobowsher]

There is also the problem of personal taste in exhaust note, and there are a ton of tastes. Chambered mufflers have a different sound than glasspacks even if they are just as loud.
Going larger in diameter tends to make things louder, and leads to drone.
Full length tends to quiet things down.
Headers tend to make the engine compartment a bit louder, tinnier sound like ringing a small bell (flick your finger at a piece of exhaust tubing "ting" sound).
The low cost way to add a little more bark, generic turbo muffler. Low cost, free breathing stock type muffler.
I've seen full length exhaust with a performance muffler sound as nasty as open headers and on the exact same engine a pair of straight through resonators (glass packs) cut off under the cab that were expected to be even louder and nastier sounding, were completely livable except for a little highway speed drone. Not always as predictable as you would think.

 

[CopperRanger]

If your present single is in good shape, you can have a second pipe added, and put in two new mufflers. The larger the tailpipe, the deeper the tone will be. My favorite tone has always been with smaller 2" tailpipes and a cheap set of turbo mufflers. It makes a nice raspy snarl without any of the cruise drone associated with larger tailpipes.

This is what I did and am very happy with it. If you go with duels, you will want to have the tail pipe exit out the sides behind the tires. There have been many discussions about this and it seems to be the best option to eliminate exhaust smell inside.

 

[blubuckaroo]

This is what I did and am very happy with it. If you go with duels, you will want to have the tail pipe exit out the sides behind the tires. There have been many discussions about this and it seems to be the best option to eliminate exhaust smell inside.

Another important consideration when installing duals, is the fuel line location. It's pretty difficult to keep enough clearance on the drivers side without moving the fuel line outside the frame rail. It's easy to relocate the fuel line but often overlooked until vapor lock occurs.

 

[romerdoug]

I just pulled an old set of long tube headers with dual Flowmaster 44 series and 2 1/2" tubing off mine. It was way too loud for my liking. I ordered a set of hooker long tubes and a single 2 in 2 out Flowmaster Delta Flow 50 with 2 1/4" inch pipe. I am much happier, I don't have the drone I did before and it now has a nice growl.

 

[TN1776]

I ran an ancient flowmaster for years, I liked it at first but it started to annoy me. I went with a Borla 2-into-1 muffler and I am pretty happy with it - its a little more mellow sounding but still loud when I get on the throttle. Its all personal preference... everybody likes what they like.

 

[OkieAggie]

I have true duals with magnaflows on mine. 2 1/2" pipe. Can't stand them!! Guess I'm getting old but to me they sound like a glorified glass pack. Switching them out for delta 50's or the old trusty thrush turbos. I do wish I had gone with BC's bolt together single and mig welded it all up. Maybe next time.

 

[pclancy]

I have true duals with magnaflows on mine. 2 1/2" pipe. Can't stand them!! Guess I'm getting old but to me they sound like a glorified glass pack. Switching them out for delta 50's or the old trusty thrush turbos. I do wish I had gone with BC's bolt together single and mig welded it all up. Maybe next time.

Thanks everyone for the advice. I am going to go for the Bronco Hut single with a flow master 50. Sound good?