Exhaust System Bad.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,248
Likes: 4
From: Lancaster PA
Exhaust System Bad.
My exhaust system on my 1980 is shot. Catalytic converter gone , bolts rusted off at the manifold & holes in pipes. should I try to return everything to original? Where is the best place to purchase parts ? I'm thinking of redoing the entire system. Any advice ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 829
Likes: 2
From: Scottdale Pa
I went with true duals on my 80 without the cat. You'll see a big improvement in performance. I had a local muffler shop fit a dual system on mine using stainless steel Magnaflow mufflers
You just want to make sure that you can get your car inspected after its done. I know that Pa. does'nt do an emissions test on cars driven under 5k miles, which is'nt a problem for me. If you want a bolt on system I think mid america has a system from manifold pipes to the mufflers aviliable in aluminized or stainless, it is called an off road exhaust, because there is no cat. You can get a bolt on Magnaflow from Corvette Central with the proper bends needed. If you go this route I don't know how it all would fit together,that is why I had a local shop do mine. Good Luck.
You just want to make sure that you can get your car inspected after its done. I know that Pa. does'nt do an emissions test on cars driven under 5k miles, which is'nt a problem for me. If you want a bolt on system I think mid america has a system from manifold pipes to the mufflers aviliable in aluminized or stainless, it is called an off road exhaust, because there is no cat. You can get a bolt on Magnaflow from Corvette Central with the proper bends needed. If you go this route I don't know how it all would fit together,that is why I had a local shop do mine. Good Luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Hey man...this is a perfect chance to get a set of headers, and have a custom S/S true dual exhaust system. Buy the headers from a vendor, and have a local muffler shop to the exhaust. The whole thing at once can be pricey but it's worth it once you hear it, and the S/S pipes will last for a VERY long time.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
FWIW: I went with the stock set up on my '80, although I chose a high flow catcon. Got it all from ZIP Products. The manager at my favorite muffler shop said they could not remove any emissions control devices unless they were being replaced with the same thing. He could not create duals for me.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
I'm a little biased, I owned a exhaust shop. I would try and find a quality shop and see if they are willing to do what you want, if not be sure and do some research on "ordered" exhaust as most of the time they do not just bolt up. Spend more now or spend more later. Good luck...
80CV, nice car and good choice with the MF's...
80CV, nice car and good choice with the MF's...
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Hey man...this is a perfect chance to get a set of headers, and have a custom S/S true dual exhaust system. Buy the headers from a vendor, and have a local muffler shop to the exhaust. The whole thing at once can be pricey but it's worth it once you hear it, and the S/S pipes will last for a VERY long time.
you should do the entire system, but the aluminize pipes and mufflers on mine look the same today as they did four years ago when I put them on. The only rust is on my coated headers. I did not buy the good ones and wish I had. So I think unless you have a boat load of cash you don't need SS pipes & mufflers. Also the SS system sounds a little tinny to me. my .02
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
you should do the entire system, but the aluminize pipes and mufflers on mine look the same today as they did four years ago when I put them on. The only rust is on my coated headers. I did not buy the good ones and wish I had. So I think unless you have a boat load of cash you don't need SS pipes & mufflers. Also the SS system sounds a little tinny to me. my .02Great points. S/S or aluminized...either way...you want to pick a material that will last. Nothing looks worse than a rusty exhaust system showing from behind your car. Drive behind your Vette sometime...and you'll see more than you thought you could. That's what everyone else sees...and I use that to help design things with a special look in mind.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I would start with the emission and smog laws in your state. Let that dictate where you start from. From what I remember you cannot remove federal mandated emission control equipment from your car. I am not saying that it cant be done, but check with the regulations.
If there are ways around this, such as age of the car, collectors status, or minimum mileage amounts, then you can choose to go custom.
The difference between the price of a stock setup, to that of a performance setup may not really be that much. If you just look at the cost of a performance setup, you may think its too much. But since you have to replace the parts anyway, dont forget that you are really looking at the delta between replacement parts, and upgrading.
kdf
If there are ways around this, such as age of the car, collectors status, or minimum mileage amounts, then you can choose to go custom.
The difference between the price of a stock setup, to that of a performance setup may not really be that much. If you just look at the cost of a performance setup, you may think its too much. But since you have to replace the parts anyway, dont forget that you are really looking at the delta between replacement parts, and upgrading.
kdf
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Put "new" in from the heads back with full length headers and dual pipes and dual cats if you need them. I am SO glad I did.
I've posted details of my cross member mods on my '80 for dual pipes. Let me know if you want to know more.
'80's rock - light and no computers!
I've posted details of my cross member mods on my '80 for dual pipes. Let me know if you want to know more.
'80's rock - light and no computers!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Put "new" in from the heads back with full length headers and dual pipes and dual cats if you need them. I am SO glad I did.
I've posted details of my cross member mods on my '80 for dual pipes. Let me know if you want to know more.
'80's rock - light and no computers!
I've posted details of my cross member mods on my '80 for dual pipes. Let me know if you want to know more.
'80's rock - light and no computers!
Post pics bud. I think that visual would help him a lot. Gyopp - You too...pics of your exhaust kit?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,248
Likes: 4
From: Lancaster PA
Put "new" in from the heads back with full length headers and dual pipes and dual cats if you need them. I am SO glad I did.
I've posted details of my cross member mods on my '80 for dual pipes. Let me know if you want to know more.
'80's rock - light and no computers!
I've posted details of my cross member mods on my '80 for dual pipes. Let me know if you want to know more.
'80's rock - light and no computers!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1580452
As I said, we don't have emissions tests in Minnesota anymore, so I did not install cats. In that thread, rihwoods said he passed California emissions for years with a dual cat system until they looked under the car and saw he didn't have a factory configuration. As kdf1986 says, check your PA emissions laws to see if you can change from single cat to dual cats.
What did I do about the AIR pump? Uh, well, you see, I forgot to look at my original engine to see how the AIR system was installed and I just couldn't figure out (if you know what I mean) how to install it on my GM crate engine. I think it's in a box somewhere in my garage attic.
I know taking emissions stuff off hurts resale, but I have no plans of selling my car as long as I can drive it. I'll worry about that when the time comes.
Last edited by MN80Vette; Dec 28, 2006 at 08:59 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
When I put my new crate motor in I went ahead and did the entire exhaust...ceramic coated headers from JEGS, true duals from a local exhaust shop, and flowmaster 40's. I opted to have a local ehaust place do the work so I knew there would be no fitment issues. Sounds great! No complaints!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Here's the link to the thread where I posted pics and a step-by-step of what I did:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1580452
As I said, we don't have emissions tests in Minnesota anymore, so I did not install cats. In that thread, rihwoods said he passed California emissions for years with a dual cat system until they looked under the car and saw he didn't have a factory configuration. As kdf1986 says, check your PA emissions laws to see if you can change from single cat to dual cats.
What did I do about the AIR pump? Uh, well, you see, I forgot to look at my original engine to see how the AIR system was installed and I just couldn't figure out (if you know what I mean) how to install it on my GM crate engine. I think it's in a box somewhere in my garage attic.
I know taking emissions stuff off hurts resale, but I have no plans of selling my car as long as I can drive it. I'll worry about that when the time comes.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1580452
As I said, we don't have emissions tests in Minnesota anymore, so I did not install cats. In that thread, rihwoods said he passed California emissions for years with a dual cat system until they looked under the car and saw he didn't have a factory configuration. As kdf1986 says, check your PA emissions laws to see if you can change from single cat to dual cats.
What did I do about the AIR pump? Uh, well, you see, I forgot to look at my original engine to see how the AIR system was installed and I just couldn't figure out (if you know what I mean) how to install it on my GM crate engine. I think it's in a box somewhere in my garage attic.
I know taking emissions stuff off hurts resale, but I have no plans of selling my car as long as I can drive it. I'll worry about that when the time comes.
I don't think an improvement like that will hurt your resale but increase it.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Magna Flows sound VERY good on my Durango. I started with Flow Masters, but didn't like the sound, so I switched. Not only do I like the sound better, it almost feels like it's breathing easier.