Here’s How to Straight Pipe a Truck!

You’re here because you want to know how to straight pipe a truck.

Let’s find out how to straight pipe a truck and the possible ways to do so. 

How to Straight Pipe a Truck: The Essentials

Straight piping a truck or car means eliminating the exhaust’s performance limits so that the engine’s gasses can flow better. 

This is often done by removing only the muffler or the muffler and converter together and replacing them with a straight pipe.

Straight piping increases engine performance as more airflow can flow through. This also causes the truck to be much louder since there is no muffler to reduce it.

You can straight-pipe your truck’s exhaust with and without welding. Let’s take a look at both in the following section.

Two Ways How to Straight Pipe a Truck

No matter which method you choose, these are the preferred tools that you should have to successfully straight pipe your truck. These tools can also help you, later on, to jump-start your car! Here are the tools you need-

• An angle grinder;
• An electric or cordless drill with screwing capabilities;
• A hacksaw;
• Different size wrenches;
• A measuring tape and pencil;
• A caliper (optional);
• Gloves, eyes, and hearing protection.

Straight piping a truck without welding

If you decide to straight pipe your truck without welding, then these are the materials that you will need:

• A pre-formed straight pipe exhaust kit (recommended);
• U-bolts, band clamps, or flex pipe.

We recommend using a pre-formed kit when straight piping without welding because using a universal kit often requires a welder.

Here’s how to straight pipe a truck without welding

1. Measure the diameter of the exhaust pipe with a caliper or tape measure so that you know which straight pipe kit to purchase (measure the inside and outside dimensions of the pipe).
2. Depending on the kit, cut the pipes at the converter or the muffler of the exhaust system using an angle grinder.
3. Measure the length of the straight pipe and cut it to size.
4. Attach the pipe to the truck’s exhaust manifold on the inside or the outside, depending on the kit.
5. Use U-bolts or band clamps (depending on your preference) to tighten the two pipes together using a proper-sized wrench. Band clamps are a better solution because they tighten across a wider area, providing a better seal.
6. Lastly, attach the straight pipe exhaust to the bottom of the truck using the indicated holders.
7. Optional: If you have to connect two pipes at a bend, you can use a flex pipe, which works great, is long-lasting, and can be attached using U-bolts.

Straight piping a truck with welding

You can easily straight pipe your truck with a welding machine if you have one. If you choose this method, we recommend using a universal straight pipe kit, which you can adapt to your specific truck in any way you need.

Here’s how to do it with welding

1. Depending on the effect you want to achieve, remove both the converter and muffler or just the muffler by cutting them away with an angle grinder.
2. Measure the distance from the place you cut to the truck’s rear using a tape measure.
3. Plan the layout of the pipes, making sure to adapt them to any bends. This is why a universal kit is ideal, as it provides versatility in pipe thickness and length.
4. After cutting the pipes to the correct measure, attach them to the exhaust manifold and weld them together with a welder.
5. Lastly, attach the exhaust pipes to the appropriate hanger under the truck, either by welding them or using special hooks.

Why Would You Straight Pipe a Truck?

Straight piping a truck is beneficial, but it also has its downsides. Let’s take a look and analyze both of them.

Pros

• Increased performance – By giving the exhaust gasses a chance to exist faster from the engine, its overall power, and torque are increased
• Decreased fuel consumption – Removing the muffler and converter lowers the back pressure to the engine, resulting in easier operation and less fuel consumption
• Lightweight and easy to maintain – With fewer parts installed, the extra weight is removed, making the system much easier to maintain.
• With no converter and muffler to dampen the sound, the engine operation becomes louder (this is why some people straight pipe a truck, making it a “pro” for them, while it is a con for others)

Cons

• Increased gas emissions – the converter’s role is to reduce the pollution caused by exhaust gasses and bring it down to a lawful minimum. Without it, the pollution caused is much more harmful to the environment
• It may not be legal – many states have laws prohibiting the use of trucks and cars without suitable converters and mufflers. Laws may vary, though, so you should ensure that the state you live in has prohibitions of this sort

How Much Does It Cost to Straight Pipe a Truck?

The cost of straight piping your truck may vary, and it mainly depends on the type of kit you will use and whether or not you will install it yourself or have a professional do it for you.

If you choose a professional to install the kit, you should expect a labor cost of around $50-$200 per hour, depending on their skill and expertise. On the other hand, doing it yourself costs nothing, but you have to do the job right.

As for the type of straight pipe kit, universal kits are cheaper than pre-formed ones, and you can usually find a universal kit for around $200. 

Pre-formed kits are more expensive but usually involve easier installation and are of higher quality. You can find a good quality pre-formed kit for around $1,000, but some prices stretch up to $2,500 and more.

Before I get into the FAQ segment, I suggest you check an article on whether can you use a portable jump starter on a motorcycle

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Straight Pipe a Truck