do I have the wrong exhaust pipes on my runner.

[blue69runner]

I recently noticed that the driver side down pipe is hitting my torsion bar. I measured the outside dimension of the pipe with a caliper and came up with 2 inch outside diameter. Everything I read is 2 1/4 inch or larger on a stock runner. With a 383 motor. The pipes are in good shape but if I replace these what diameter should I go with. Thinking of going with stainless steel pipes. All info would be appreciated. Not running headers using the HP exhaust manifolds. The rattle noise I here is from the pipe striking the torsion bar after running over a recap scrap of semi tire. Could not miss it was all the way across my lane. Duh.

 

[zyzzyx]

If your engine is stock and you are running the cast iron exhaust manifolds you don't have much of a choice.
2-1/4" is stock. I don't know of anyone that squeezes a 2-1/2" pipe in there? 304 stainless is definitely the way
to go because you'll only buy it once, but you have to shop around. I have headers on my 68 GTX 440, so I went
with the Hooker Blackheart 304 stainless 2-1/2" system that starts at the collector and goes all the way back.
It was just under $1000.00 with free shipping from JEGS. I don't know what other sizes they have, but it was
cheap compared with everyone else. You could have someone fab both stainless down pipes? Good luck!

 

[R413]

2 1/2" pipe fits fine. But, after your exhaust guy bends it then the end of the pipe needs to be cut a Bit shorter off before it's welded to the flange, or it's too long and hits the torsion bar. This will raise the bend above the bar. Some people pound a relief into the pipe there which will work but is a caveman fix.