Exhaust Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield PA
Exhaust Help
I have an 80 vette and currently installed a 400hp crate motor. I need to buy and hook-up an exhaust system for the motor. I got quotes from several shops ranging from $650 - $750 that include everything header back (thought that was pretty salty). I recently show a Hooker Competition Header-Back Exhaust System with 2-1/4" tubes from summit for $135 and Hooker Competition Headers for $160. Summit also had Dynomax Super Turbo Exhaust System kit for $180.
That’s a complete system for $475 (not bad).
Questions (please help):
1) Is the 2-1/4" tubes to small for 400hp?
2) Is that a good complete system?
3) If used any of the following items are you satisfied with it.
Any sugestions?
This is my first post, great site!
That’s a complete system for $475 (not bad).
Questions (please help):
1) Is the 2-1/4" tubes to small for 400hp?
2) Is that a good complete system?
3) If used any of the following items are you satisfied with it.
Any sugestions?
This is my first post, great site!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
From: Jackson Ms
I have that system! I'm satisfied with it, had no problems installing it my self at home. The 2-1/4" tubes will kill some HP (wish it was 2 1/2)
My setup is 425HP 435TQ, but my setup is for street so a little less HP wont kill me.
My setup is 425HP 435TQ, but my setup is for street so a little less HP wont kill me.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
Mid America has a 2 1/2" dual system that will work with your crossmember for $229. I haven't installed one of these systems yet, and since it is designed for manifolds, I would ask if there is room in the front pipes to adapt to headers.
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=4.36.1303
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=4.36.1303
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 1
From: Rosemount MN
Look into "Coated" headers.
They will keep your engine compartment a lot cooler.
For my '79 stroker, I got the Hedman Elites from Summit
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=egnsearch.asp
Here's a link, good product and fitment. They ae coated, have a thicker flange and heavier wall tubing, all make for a quality long lasting product.
As far as headers back, I visited my local muffler shop and had him build me a custom 3" full dual, with Flo-Pro (are you sure you have mufflers) mufflers, 3" inlet, 3.5" outlet with nice chrome slash cut tips.
He also used a double walled flex joint at the headers and then solidly mounted the rest of the exhaust system. The flex joints are available at Summit as well.
Here's a link to a picture of the joint
http://www.vetteaction.com/modules.p...view_photo.php
Sounds "**** your neighbor off loud" but that's what I wanted.
Spent a little more at the muffler shop than I wanted, but a good system was installed.
They will keep your engine compartment a lot cooler.
For my '79 stroker, I got the Hedman Elites from Summit
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=egnsearch.asp
Here's a link, good product and fitment. They ae coated, have a thicker flange and heavier wall tubing, all make for a quality long lasting product.
As far as headers back, I visited my local muffler shop and had him build me a custom 3" full dual, with Flo-Pro (are you sure you have mufflers) mufflers, 3" inlet, 3.5" outlet with nice chrome slash cut tips.
He also used a double walled flex joint at the headers and then solidly mounted the rest of the exhaust system. The flex joints are available at Summit as well.
Here's a link to a picture of the joint
http://www.vetteaction.com/modules.p...view_photo.php
Sounds "**** your neighbor off loud" but that's what I wanted.
Spent a little more at the muffler shop than I wanted, but a good system was installed.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 673
Likes: 0
From: Jackson Ms
I did go with the coated Hooker's. Thay have a thick flange too.
I went with this setup so i didnt have to take it anywere to get it done, thay all wanted $400+ just to do header's back.
And i did it all right in my driveway. It's not "**** your neighbor off loud" but it'll screem out good at wot, and nice and low at cruise so the cop's and neighbor's dont get pissed!
I went with this setup so i didnt have to take it anywere to get it done, thay all wanted $400+ just to do header's back.
And i did it all right in my driveway. It's not "**** your neighbor off loud" but it'll screem out good at wot, and nice and low at cruise so the cop's and neighbor's dont get pissed!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield PA
If you had to guess, what do you think your hp loss is using the 2-1/4" pipes. I don't what to kill the hp, I wouldn't care if it was just 10 to 15 hp loss. But if was more than that I guess I would spend the money and take it to the muffler shop for 2-1/2".
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 6
Originally Posted by 11Jake
I have an 80 vette and currently installed a 400hp crate motor . . . .
I'm going to guess that he will tell you to get headers with 1 3/4" primaries (like Hooker Super Comps) and hook a 2 1/2" true dual pipe set-up with some kind of free flowing muffs.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield PA
To 45ACP
I am the engine builder, thats why I am asking. But I do agree with you about using 2-1/2" pipes. I might buy the headers and mufflers and then ask the muffler shop just to fab and install the pipes.
I am the engine builder, thats why I am asking. But I do agree with you about using 2-1/2" pipes. I might buy the headers and mufflers and then ask the muffler shop just to fab and install the pipes.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
Even though you don't have state emissions tests, the catalytic converter is via a federal regulation. However, you may be able to find a small shop that doesn't care. That's what I am trying to do.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Originally Posted by ahoover
Mid America has a 2 1/2" dual system that will work with your crossmember for $229. I haven't installed one of these systems yet, and since it is designed for manifolds, I would ask if there is room in the front pipes to adapt to headers.
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=4.36.1303
http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=4.36.1303
no need for a muffler shop these systems are custom made for our C3's. I have the same setup 2 1/2 true duals w/dynomax turbo mufflers installed by myself & a buddy in about 2 hours. would have taken less time if it weren't for the beer drinking. Try mid-america, ecklers, corvette central, corvette america they all carrie the same system complete w/everything needed to install.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,084
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Does your trans crossmember have 1 hole or 2 for exhaust pipe pass through? If 2, any of the 74 type full dual systems will work, except for the connection to your headers. If you are in eastern Pa (you should give a clue in your profile) you can take it to Hacketstown Motor Imports, in Hacketstown NJ. (Don't let "Imports" bother you.) I just had them adapt my exhaust to my new headers. Nice job.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Ocean City MD
Here is a link to some good info from MagnaFlow:
http://www.magnaflow.com/07techtips/faq/question10.asp
For you horsepower with duel they reccomend 2.5" to 3" exhaust. On my 385 HP motor I went with the Summit $89 headers and the Hooker 2.25" Exhaust. I also used 2 chamber Flowmasters. I will be installing a crossover(H) pipe which will help with the smaller exhaust.
http://www.magnaflow.com/07techtips/faq/question10.asp
For you horsepower with duel they reccomend 2.5" to 3" exhaust. On my 385 HP motor I went with the Summit $89 headers and the Hooker 2.25" Exhaust. I also used 2 chamber Flowmasters. I will be installing a crossover(H) pipe which will help with the smaller exhaust.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,273
Likes: 14
From: Austin TX
Seems to me that your exhaust system should be matched to your use.
If your use is primarily street at low to mid RPM where torque is important then you want smaller primaries, 2.5" pipes, an X crossover and high flow muffs. You can add hig flow cats without losing much if required by State law.
If your use is primarily high rpm where HP is king, you want larger primaries, 3" pipes, x crossover and high flow muffs. Avoid cats.
I could not find a torque system like this in a catalog so I had one built. Expensive but VERY effective.
If your use is primarily street at low to mid RPM where torque is important then you want smaller primaries, 2.5" pipes, an X crossover and high flow muffs. You can add hig flow cats without losing much if required by State law.
If your use is primarily high rpm where HP is king, you want larger primaries, 3" pipes, x crossover and high flow muffs. Avoid cats.
I could not find a torque system like this in a catalog so I had one built. Expensive but VERY effective.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield PA
Originally Posted by windsoreight
Here is a link to some good info from MagnaFlow:
http://www.magnaflow.com/07techtips/faq/question10.asp
For you horsepower with duel they reccomend 2.5" to 3" exhaust. On my 385 HP motor I went with the Summit $89 headers and the Hooker 2.25" Exhaust. I also used 2 chamber Flowmasters. I will be installing a crossover(H) pipe which will help with the smaller exhaust.
http://www.magnaflow.com/07techtips/faq/question10.asp
For you horsepower with duel they reccomend 2.5" to 3" exhaust. On my 385 HP motor I went with the Summit $89 headers and the Hooker 2.25" Exhaust. I also used 2 chamber Flowmasters. I will be installing a crossover(H) pipe which will help with the smaller exhaust.
With that setup do you think you lost a lot of hp. The motor I built is ranging from 375 to 400 hp. Everyone says that set up is real easy to install and cheap, thats why I would love to go with that system. Does it also have a nice rumble with the 2-1/4" pipes.