B2200 Headers: Any Way to Make them Quieter?

[elena.ruizck]

I recently put in a new Weber Redline carb to replace the old Medusa. All went smoothly. Changing out the factory exhaust manifold and pre-cat with headers is my next step in getting the engine's undercarriage in order. It is my intention to swap out the stock muffler with a suitable aftermarket model and remove the primary catalytic converter. However, the new configuration makes me nervous about the truck's noise level.

I don't know much about exhaust systems, but it seems like installing headers and removing the cats would make the vehicle much louder. Is there a way to make them sound as silent as the factory exhaust?

[camillekimnp]

In spite of the standard exhaust and Weber (since 2005) systems, both converters on my 1988 B2200 have been hollowed out. I haven't heard any difference in noise level, therefore I'm keeping the factory muffler.

[sofiarh]

An effective "quiet" muffler is essential for your installation, as the header will not "add" any sound but will just "control" it. A local exhaust shop is a wonderful place to get advice on what kind of muffler will work best for your vehicle. A straight through "glass pack" muffler is not the way to go if you're looking for silence.

[elena.ruizck]

"the two converters have been hollowed out."

We can look at that possibility. Is it hard to remove the convertors? Which instrument(s) were utilized?


In a similar vein, are the three pipes that extended from the exhaust manifold cover to the location of the original carb still present? Mine are still there, but they're sealed off around six inches short of the Weber. There doesn't seem to be any exhaust leaking into the engine bay. Getting rid of those three pipes and the converters is why I'm going the headers way.