Help me set up a decent exhaust system

My dudes, I am once again trying pick your enormous Tundra brains. I would like to get headers for the truck to go along with the Magnaflow cats I just ordered. I already have a Gibson muffler which I really like and plan to use. I am not getting long tube headers as I live in Cali and I don't want to go through the modifications needed for long tube. I plan to install everything myself with a little help from a friend. No not tequila lol

From what I read here the JBA short headers are direct bolt on and the way to go if I'm not mistaken?... Any other direct bolt ons I should possibly consider? The JBA's come in 3 different finishes; Stainless is the cheapest and then there's the Silver and Titanium coated for about $100 more... I don't really know if these finishes help the headers last longer or if they are just eye candy...

One more thing, the exhaust pipes I have now are 2.5" so I'm guessing the pipes for the Magna Cats will be 2.5" as well. My Gibson has a 3" in and out so I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to expand the current 2.5" section of the exhaust that starts after the Cats to a 3" pipe. You all see any issues with me doing this?

Thanks

 

You'll loose low end and mid range if going to larger exhaust without supporting mods.

Stick with 2.5" until the muffler.

 

I second that. Stick with 2.5. Go with the jba shortys I believe they are bolt on.

 

Are you planning any helmholtz or 1/4 wave resonators? My truck had an annoying amount of drone with a magnaflow clone muffler without a helmholtz.

I'm sure @FrenchToasty would have some good input with his recent exhaust adventure. Mine dumps before the rear axle for now and I don't know what is going to change drone wise when I finally run it back behind the tire.

 

I have a resonator on there now. I had a bit of drone before as well.

Great info on the 2.5” pipe guys! Would’ve made a big mistake going to a 3” pipe.

 

Flow through or branch/helmholtz/quarter wave?

 

Im not really sure. It’s open all the way through and had a bunch of small holes around the inner pipe.

Edit: just checked and it’s a Flow Through

 

I have a problem. The portion of the exhaust pipe to goes to the muffler doesn’t have a bolt on connection area for the new Cats. Guessing they(crooks) cut that part when they replaced the cats. Is this a part I can buy/what is it called?... or maybe I just head over to a junk yard tomorrow and cut the portion I need and weld it on...
Existing exhaust:

New Cats:


Thanks!

 

Ok for someone in my situation in the future... the bolt on location for the Cats is a one piece unit with the stock resonator. I have one bolt location for the driver side but they cut the PS bolt on location... think my best bet in the junk yard.

 

Just saw this, 10-4 its the y pipe and it has the resonator on it as well as an exhaust hanger I think. There is an aftermarket one that costs way too much. Any exhaust shop should be able to make one for pretty cheap.

 

Exactly the route I’ll be taking. Went to a local spot and the guy said he could make it/weld it on for $100. Better than the $200+ I found for new aftermarket ones and I feel the resonator I have now is better the stock version as I had drone with the OEM one.