I am working on planning out a custom header back exhaust for my truck.

First, does anyone know where I can find the ball and socket flange for the (stock) headers. Sounds dumb, but I can't find it and thats the starting point.

Here's the closest I've found:
http://www.hedman.com/products/?id=3469

Anyone ever use these? If you know the size I would need that would be great, as I can't measure while the exhaust is on the truck, and its my only vehicle so I can't afford to have it down for more than a weekend.

As for the exhaust....
I am going to build a 304 SS exhaust, headers back - true dual w/ an h-pipe dumping out on both sides of the truck in front of the rear tires.

From what I have read seems like for a true dual on a 5.2L I should use either 2" or 2.25" tubing..... again anyone w/ experience your advice would be welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

2.25 will be louder.. you also most likely need a cat... for inspection purposes.. so you might need two cats with a true dual.. also you have to take into account your 02 sensors... and are you going to use long tube headers? or short tube headers?

 

he said header back didnt he? So he wouldnt be swapping those.

 

I am doing header back, which is why i was asking if anyone knows where to get ball and socket connection to start with. I found the ones in the link above, unfortunately they are not stainless but it all i've found.

anyone know the size of the outlet on the 5.2 stock headers at that ball and socket connection?

And yes, I am going to run (2) hi-flow metal core cats. I am already figuring the o2 sensors will need to be relocated.

 

our down pipes are 2"....why arent you using your stock flanges?......its gonna be hard gettin around the gas tank on the drivers side and still look good

 

After talking with a few buddies last night that is exactly what I am going to do. A friend who works at a muffler shop has the equipment to make the ball and socket connection on the end of the tube, and I am going to then just reuse the stock flange to cinch everything up.

As far as running the exhaust, I plan on coming outside of the frame rails just after the rear most connection point of the front suspension arms. The frame has a slight notch/bend in it there, so I think it will work out well. After that it is a straight shot to the rear wheels... probably easier than building a system to run out the back of the truck.