2.5 inch duals is such a WASTE on a SB  

Alright, I'm back from my wedding and honeymoon.  Went camping for a week for the honeymoon.  Good time but windy weather put a damper on the fishing, only caught 3 walleye.

I did some more asking around and a chevy nut is almost positive that I am running 3.08 ratio.  I'm still gonna jack up the rear tires and do the rotation thing to find out.  

I appreciate the exhaust talk but I hate the sound of straights.  Sounds like crap until you hit the throttle and I am going for good sound even at low RPM.  I have always wanted to hear what a truck of that era would sound like with Magnaflows.  I still haven't decided.  My brother in-law has a carb spacer and will probably put it on.  He is also somewhat of a mechanic and said that we should pull the valve covers and adjust the valves, it is a messy job but he said that on his '86 after he did this that the truck ran 100% better.

Hopefully I can find out what gear ratio I have this weekend and get back to you guys.  I really appreciate all the info.  

the size or shape of your exhaust pipes has nothing to do with sound however angle of the exhaust tips may change tones... your mufflers determine how loud its gonna be... plus GM used 2.5" exhaust stock in 86... so whats the waste? i just replaced the old worn out pipes with fresh straight pipe... ive heard of guys going with 3" pipes on a 350 and thats a waste...
if you want a good rumble and louder than most go with flowmaster...
if you want a rumble at idle and a quieter muffler at speed go with thrush...
Hey congrats on getting married... i just celebrated my one year anniversary! married life is good stuff as long as the wife lets you have toys...  

Yeah I know size of the pipe doesn't have alot to do with sound but larger diameter pipe does have a somewhat lower tone.  I am just wondering what muffler maker has the best sound.  I know that everyone has their opinion but I am looking for a certain sound and was hoping for some feedback.  

i would go with flowmaster! they sound great all around... but if your looking for that pop sound look elsewhere... these are a low tone rumble at all rpms.  

Back to the rear gear ratio,  its a 12 bolt.  Does this help?  

Ok, finally pulled the cover last night and checked the numbers on the ring gear.  Then counted the teeth on the ring and pinion gears.  Answer: 2.77 ratio.  Can't remember who it was way earlier in this discussion but they they were close.  Damn, now I need to start saving so that I can re-gear.  What should I put in for gears?  In the future I will be running 285's but right now I am in the market for 32/11.50/15s.  

Well there was no 2.77 but they was a 2.73 and a 2.76. Car 12 bolts had 2.73 and truck had 2.76. Even stranger is 2.73 was on one carrier and 2.76 on another. You need to change carrier on 2.73 axle to go to a deeper ratio while 2.76 carrier supports up to 3.42 std gear and up to 4.88 with thick gears (thick gears are 3.73 through 4.88 ratios that will only work on a 2.76 to 3.42 carrier not a 3.73 up series carrier) As far as ratio, if you have no OD tranny I would suggest a 4.11 "thick" for it. Some might say 3.73 here but I consider it a bit tall for a 4x4 with that size tire. In front axle (you need to change both axles) there is no carrier break problem because you are above the 2.56 break.

Another footnote, the car 12 bolt is stronger than truck 12 bolt as it has a bigger/thicker pinion shaft and spline. You can used 12 bolt car gears in a 12 bolt truck axle if you use correct bearings for pinion to "adapt" it to housing. (I would place a 10 bolt slightly above a truck 12 bolt and a car 12 bolt above a 10 bolt in strength)  

Actually I did find out that there is a 2.77

http://www.drivetrain.com/GMtrkratio_posidata.html

I'm gonna start looking around for an older truck to swap with.  I also have a friend that basically has his own junk yard that can get me both differentials.  He is a mechanic and will help me with the process.  I'm not trying to be offensive.  I would like to get the 4.11s but I would be fine with 3.73s too.  Just depends on money and availability.  It's no wonder why my pickup feels so short on power with the 2.77s.

I did price the intake too.  With more money, it will be purchased.  Thanks for the advice all.  

I was reading about the exhaust up there and me personally i always liked the Flow Master 40seris which i have in my 94 Chevy in Hawaii but back at home my mudder i have V-Force in my 1990 GMC and the V-Force i think puts out a better tone thats pretty much all imma use from now on  

When it comes to flowmaster i like the delta force race mufflers.....they are for race cars but my dad has a set on his gmc jimmy and they sound awsome, way better then a standard flowmaster.  

ya know what sounds the cats rear? the resonators they use on the SLP loud mouth kit for the f bodies,if i had the money,i would buy the dang expensive kit just for the resonator! cruise around an ask a stang or t/a owner the sound beats flowmaster all hollow!  

Newbie here. Got a 99 Silverado 5.3L, Airaid CAI & TB spacer, w/Granatelli MAF, and MSD coils. I have a tuner, but it's probably outdated (since i bought it many years ago). Looking to properly tune the truck keeping in mind the mods. Anyone know of good tuners to use, or places to go. Live in Virginia Beach, Va. Thx  

1980chevyK10:
Actually I did find out that there is a 2.77

http://www.drivetrain.com/GMtrkratio_posidata.html

I'm gonna start looking around for an older truck to swap with.  I also have a friend that basically has his own junk yard that can get me both differentials.  He is a mechanic and will help me with the process.  I'm not trying to be offensive.  I would like to get the 4.11s but I would be fine with 3.73s too.  Just depends on money and availability.  It's no wonder why my pickup feels so short on power with the 2.77s.

I did price the intake too.  With more money, it will be purchased.  Thanks for the advice all.

I missed this posting some time ago but again there is no 2.77 in a 4x4. That list covers all GM vehicles and it is a ratio used in a transaxle.