arthursc2

iTrader: (5)

dems be da factz

DRB10SEVEN

Time for exhaust and driveshafts. I did a LOT of research on what exhaust I wanted to run on this truck. I have always been a huge fan of Magnaflow because when done right they aren't super raspy and they don't drone much either while still giving you a great sound. I had bought Speed Engineering 1 7/8 longtubes with 3" collectors and the y-pipe that goes with them, but I didn't want to run the standard dual 3" into single 3" Y with a full 3" exhaust. I was wanting a 3.5" or 4" single exhaust, and in hindsight I am sure I could have saved some money if I would have bought individual bends, but I found a 4" stainless downpipe back kit for a 99-06 Duramax and figured that I could hack that up and use the bends that are already there to make things much easier.

With the help of my good friend (the one who has helped with all the fab and welding on the truck up to this point) we started with the y-pipe. I chose to use v-bands on all the connections, and to weld all the other pipes with our welder we set up to do stainless stuff instead of using clamps. I got a hold of a 3-4" flared reducer and cut the 3" end of the Y down as much as possible. Since the Y has sort of a flare down to the single 3" exit, when cut way back, it opened up closer to 3 1/4-3 1/2". Cut the reducer to fit and welded it all up so I had a dual 3"-4" Y with v-bands on all connections. We test fit it to the headers, welded the other ends of the v-bands on the collectors (we had to shorten the collectors a bit to get it to fit right) and I was very pleased with the result.











The rest of the exhaust was laid out with all 4" pipe, a Vibrant 18" resonator as close to the Y as it would comfortably fit, a Magnaflow #12772 4"x24" - 7" round muffler, and a 6" exhaust tip dumped over the axle. I was extremely happy with how this all turned out. It looks great, sounds nice and aggressive without eardrum bursting drone or any wild rasp. Super pumped. Driveshafts showed up about the same time as well, I had ordered custom length shafts from Driveshaft Specialist of Texas. Rear is a 5" aluminum with 1350 joints with the conversion yoke for the 10 bolt rear. Front is a custom length Auto Trac shaft with CV joint since the truck is lifted 9" and I hated how much noise/vibration I had in 4wd with the stock shaft. There was a mix up with the front shaft u-joint size when the shafts showed up so I had to send it back to be corrected and the guys down there were super helpful and apologetic. I think it was less than a week and a half including shipping times for them to turn the front shaft back around and get it to me. I was very pleased and am very happy with the way they fit. Rear shaft got polished my me.

DRB10SEVEN

Here are a couple pictures of the driveshafts specifically.











Here are a couple engine bay shots. Its not the cleanest engine bay or really anything special. Looks pretty basic, nothing fancy but cleaned up a bit.











And here are a few completed shots of the truck after a fresh detail. Also this is the best summary of a "build list" I could come up with.

2004 Sierra 1500 4x4 SLE Extended Cab

ENGINE:
6.0L LQ4 (370)
10.5:1 Compression
Stock Crank/Rods
.030 Hypereutectic Pistons (+6cc Dish)
LS3 Head Gaskets (.051)
PRC Stage 2.5 LS6 Heads
-Stainless Valves
-TSP .660 Dual Valve Springs
-Titanium Retainers/Locks
-63cc chamber
-CNC Ported Intake/Exhaust Runners
ARP Head Bolts
TSP Stage 4 High Lift Truck Cam
-223/226 .600/.600 111 LSA
TSP Hardened Pushrods
LS7 Lifters
Comp Cams Trunnion Upgrade
FIC 42lb Fuel Injectors
Moroso Air/Oil Separator
ASP Underdrive Crank Pulley w/Overdrive Alternator Pulley
Volant Cold Air Intake
Flex-A-Lite Electric Fans

EXHAUST:
Speed Engineering 1 7/8 Longtube Headers
Custom Y Pipe
4" Stainless Single Exhaust
Vibrant 18" Resonator
Magnaflow 12772 4" Muffler
6" Exhaust Tip Axle Dumped

TRANSMISSION:
4L80E
TransGo Shift Kit
Alto Red Eagle Clutches, HD Sprag/Drum/Band/Pump
Circle D 2600-2800 Stall Converter
Nelson Performance 4l80 Conversion Harness
-4L80 Speed Sensor Pinned to ECM Pins 22/23
Tru Cool 40k Trans Oil Cooler
-6AN Trans Cooler Lines

TRANSFER CASE:
NP246
HD Rebuild
32 Spline Input Shaft (for 4L80)

DIFFERENTIALS:
4.11 Gears
Detroit TrueTrac
TA Performance Rear Cover/Girdle
Driveline Specialist Driveshafts
-Front Custom 2" Steel w/CV Joint
-Rear Custom 5" Aluminum with 1350 U-Joints/Yokes

CHASSIS/SUSPENSION:
McGaughys 9" Lift
Cognito 8" Deaver Leaf Springs
S&B Cab Mounts
Red Head Steering Gear
Stainless Brake/Fuel Lines
Stainless Braided Brake Hoses

WHEELS/TIRES:
24X14 Chrome Arkon Roosevelt's (-81 Offset)
375/40R24 Atturo Trail Blade Boss's (36")

BODY:
Debadged
Paint to Match Tow Mirrors/Door & Tailgate Handles
Roll Pan
Big Hitch Products Behind Roll Pan Reciever
Spyder Black/Smoke Headlights & Taillights
Smoked Fog Lights
Smoked Marker Lights
20% Tinted Windows
Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
Undercover Swing Case
Backup Camera


























So that's pretty much it. There are a ton of things I skipped over, but if anyone wants to know anything more specific about the build or just the truck in general, PLEASE do not hesitate to ask whatever you want. Thanks for reading!

arthursc2

iTrader: (5)

She looks phenomenal!

what's next?

DRB10SEVEN

So after getting to drive it and enjoy it some this summer/fall, I really think it needs more gear. Probably 4.88s, but I am seriously considering 5.13s too. Maybe that's a bit too much?

Otherwise, I am supper happy with how everything turned out. The engine runs good. Pulls strong out to 6200rpm which is where we have it shifting right now. Trans shifts quick and firm, I really like it. The only downside to the 4l80 is that tall first gear. But with 4.88s that will be less of an issue.

tjmath

Man I love this. The exhaust is so clean and well done.

DRB10SEVEN

Thanks! Having a good welder was a huge help. I was thinking about posting a sound clip if I have time one of these nights.

arthursc2

iTrader: (5)

Yeah that 1st gear a baaaad on the 4L80

a blower will help you get through it nicely tho!

def agree on gears, when I did the math on a 4L80 swap I would need 5.13s to get nearly the same effective ratio in 1st with 35s, compared to the 60e/4.10/33 combo. And even then, I don't feel like my truck ever had enough gear

totally different build path but I decided on 6L80 and 4.56 for 35s

DRB10SEVEN

Stop it. Don't even bring blowers up. I've always wanted one. A 2300 or even just a 1900 maggie would make this 6.0 so much more fun! Maybe I'll start working a few more side jobs and start saving now...

shakenfake

Absolutely beautiful. Nicely done!

Just a personal preference but maybe you should swap to some candied tails. I think they would look **** on that truck. Esky handles perhaps but that may not be your style.