Chevrolet Repair: Exhaust collector, chevy c1500, crossover pipe

Question
Hi Tom, I have a engine swap on my 1994 Chevy C1500, Mark 3 edition. Since this a engine swap, I'm putting a new exhaust on. I have all the pieces, but I got the wrong collector size for the exhaust manifold. I measured from stud to stud on the manifold and it was 3", then I measured the round collector nub between the studs on the manifold and it was 2 1/2". I'm using 2 1/2" in tubing for the new exhaust. I want to make sure I order the right collector. I saw a Hedman Collector #15010. All it says is 2 1/2" x 12". The 2 1/2" will fit the nub, but are the studs 3" on center? You helped me before, and it went flawless. You get 10's from me, thank you so much for all the help!! :-)

Answer
HI RANDY, MY BEST ADVICE FOR YOU WOULD BE TO ORDER THE CROSSOVER PIPE OR [FRONT PIPES IF DUAL] FOR THE YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AND ENGINE SIZE IT ORIGINALLY CAME OUT OF,,NOT FOR YOUR OLD ENGINE.. TO MAKE THIS EASY GO TO YOUR LOCAL PARTS STORE THAT SELLS EXHUAST SYSTEMS, BRING IN THE MANIFOLD YOU NEED IT TO FIT,HAVE THEM MATCH UP A PIPE THAT FITS AND THEN HAVE THEM LOOK UP THE YEAR,MODEL,AND ENG SIZE THAT IT FITS.. NOW YOU KNOW WHAT YEAR THIS WILL TAKE TO FIT YOUR PROJECT. THEN YOU CAN EITHER ORDER IT FROM THEM OR SOMEBODY ELSE IF A BETTER PRICE.  EXH PIPES CAN DRIVE YOU CRAZY. BUT THIS SHOULD NOT BE THAT HARD TO FIND WHAT YOU NEED AS LONG AS EVERYTHING IS OEM..LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED MORE INFO. TOM...