Please help with corvette exhaust
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 190
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From: Langhorne PA
Please help with corvette exhaust
I just bought full length headers for my 1981 Corvette. I was just going to run pipes no cat. I was thinking about running headers into an x-pipe and then straight back into mufflers. I know the stock exhaust is a true dual exhaust and each side is ran back individually. Can you use an x pipe on a 1981 corvette or do I have to run each side back separately? Also whats the best sounding muffler for the car? I have been looking at Gibson and Flow-Master but I wanted to hear other people opinions on mufflers.
Thanks
Amf133
Thanks
Amf133
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
I just bought full length headers for my 1981 Corvette. I was just going to run pipes no cat. I was thinking about running headers into an x-pipe and then straight back into mufflers. I know the stock exhaust is a true dual exhaust and each side is ran back individually. Can you use an x pipe on a 1981 corvette or do I have to run each side back separately? Also whats the best sounding muffler for the car? I have been looking at Gibson and Flow-Master but I wanted to hear other people opinions on mufflers.
Thanks
Amf133
Thanks
Amf133
If you don't have to worry about emissions or OE inspections you can use any exhaust that you want. You can put X-pipes on the car if you like. You will get many opinions on what mufflers sound best. I have a Magnaflow 16841 system on my car with an X-pipe and I'm happy with the sound.
Search on 'mufflers' or 'exhaust' and you will have enough reading for days.
Rick B.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
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From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Someone who has done this will chime in but, if you don't have the two holes in your crossmember I believe the 2 hole crossmember will bolt in in place of yours. Makes running dual exhaust much easier.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
The '81 stock exhaust the same 2-1-2 configuration as my '80. The stock front cross member did not have holes through it for a true dual system. If your '81 is set up for a true dual exhaust, then you have a pre-'80 cross member.
I have full length headers on my '80 with a true dual exhaust that I explained several times, most recently in this thread with all the necessary pics and instructions:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...n-an-82-a.html.
You will need to make a fairly simple modification to your stock cross member to get the ground clearance on the driver's side.
Yes, you can use an X-pipe or H-pipe. I recommend one of the 2 1/2" universal kits from Summit or Jegs.
Go for it. It's one of the best mods (of many) I made to my '80.
I have full length headers on my '80 with a true dual exhaust that I explained several times, most recently in this thread with all the necessary pics and instructions:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...n-an-82-a.html.
You will need to make a fairly simple modification to your stock cross member to get the ground clearance on the driver's side.
Yes, you can use an X-pipe or H-pipe. I recommend one of the 2 1/2" universal kits from Summit or Jegs.
Go for it. It's one of the best mods (of many) I made to my '80.
