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hello, I'm new to this stuff.
no.1 what is the best catalytic converter for performance under $150
no. 2 what is the best muffler for under $100 each
no. 3 what is dule exhaust and the draw backs
no. 4 what are easy fixes/things to check on the vette
A dual exhaust has an individual pipe for each bank of cylinders rather than both banks going into a single pipe. They flow significantly better, can support much more horsepower, and sound pretty good too.
Single Dual
Sometimes dual exhausts will have a crossover “X pipe” for acoustic reasons and evening out the flow. The crossover is adequately sized though to prevent being a restriction.
Dual with X pipe
Since you’re looking at replacing both the catalytic converter and the mufflers I would go a small step further and replace the whole single exhaust with a dual system. The only real drawback is the cost, but the ones sold here are fairly reasonable on price and are made with high quality materials. I would get the L82 2”-2 1/2” kit and depending on your transmission the automatic or 4 speed (manual) kit.
When you’re under the car working on it that’s a good time to check everything over. Look for any rusty spots that might be concerning, or if the engine, transmission, brakes, or differential is leaking any fluid. Any 47 year old car will have surface rust in a few spots, but as long as there’s nothing with holes in it or extreme pitting you should be alright. Post some pictures!
Last edited by Piersonpie; Apr 29, 2026 at 12:17 PM.
A dual exhaust has an individual pipe for each bank of cylinders rather than both banks going into a single pipe. They flow significantly better, can support much more horsepower, and sound pretty good too.
Sometimes dual exhausts will have a crossover “X pipe” for acoustic reasons and evening out the flow. The crossover is adequately sized though to prevent being a restriction. Dual with X pipe
Since you’re looking at replacing both the catalytic converter and the mufflers I would go a small step further and replace the whole single exhaust with a dual system. The only real drawback is the cost, but the ones sold here are fairly reasonable on price and are made with high quality materials. I would get the L82 2”-2 1/2” kit and depending on your transmission the automatic or 4 speed (manual) kit.
When you’re under the car working on it that’s a good time to check everything over. Look for any rusty spots that might be concerning, or if the engine, transmission, brakes, or differential is leaking any fluid. Any 47 year old car will have surface rust in a few spots, but as long as there’s nothing with holes in it or extreme pitting you should be alright. Post some pictures!
so, if I were to get a x where would I have the catalytic converter or is that unnecessary, also how much work is it to install the X pipe vs dule pipe. working on pictures, phone is broken, so I'm on the school comp with the world's worst camera. surprisingly little rust besides the exhaust manifold's.
hello, I'm new to this stuff.
no.1 what is the best catalytic converter for performance under $150
no. 2 what is the best muffler for under $100 each
no. 3 what is dule exhaust and the draw backs
no. 4 what are easy fixes/things to check on the vette
1: If you need to run them, get high-flow cats from Summit or Jegs.
2: Straight pipes are cheapest!
3. Corvette Central has a good selection. Or sidepipe headers. Long-tube headers will get you far ahead of the stock manifolds
4. Do you have a timing light and know how to use it? Modern timing will wake that car up. If you do headers, you will likely need to adjust your carb, too. Post some photos!
4. Do you have a timing light and know how to use it? Modern timing will wake that car up. If you do headers, you will likely need to adjust your carb, too. Post some photos!
I will try and take some pictures, where might I find the timing light, what does it usually look like, what is it, how do I use it. this is news to me, I always thought that this engine was easy to tinker on.
edit:
so looking at cat's should I replace it or just strait pipe and if i need to get it tested then put the cat back on, I don't have much money (currently in det) after my computer died and i bought a pc. so, if anyone has a job around St. Charles IL, I will gladly take it.
Last edited by Eli hayes; Apr 30, 2026 at 10:04 AM.
Reason: another q
Here is a picture of my setup with the Corvette Central dual exhaust system to which I have added two catalytic convertors, and a crossover pipe. The crossover doesn't need to be an 'X-pipe'. An 'H' configuration works just as well. It's primary purpose is to tone down the exhaust note. With true duals it sounds like two four cylinder engines running side by side and to my ear, it's kind of obnoxious. Connecting the two pipes together gives it that mellow V8 sound.
The Corvette Central systems are by far the best I have seen. The factory went to great lengths to design the system to fit up under the car for maximum ground clearance, no small feat on a Corvette. Corvette Central has duplicated every bend and every crimp put there by the factory. On top of that they offer a lifetime warranty on the mufflers. Mine rusted out after about 20 years and to be honest I didn't expect them to honour the warranty after all those years, but they did. I just had to pay to ship my old mufflers back to them.
I will try and take some pictures, where might I find the timing light, what does it usually look like, what is it, how do I use it. this is news to me, I always thought that this engine was easy to tinker on.
edit:
so looking at cat's should I replace it or just strait pipe and if i need to get it tested then put the cat back on, I don't have much money (currently in det) after my computer died and i bought a pc. so, if anyone has a job around St. Charles IL, I will gladly take it.
Just put a pipe in. Or, wait until you can afford a new exhaust system.
this is my 80 with Magnaflows on it. the Cat went to the litter box. LOL. No drone and love the sound. now it's going to cost you more than the $250 you are wanting to spend
this is my 80 with Magnaflows on it. the Cat went to the litter box. LOL. No drone and love the sound. now it's going to cost you more than the $250 you are wanting to spend
I was looking to spend about $350 but I also don't think I'm going to use a cat. I'm probably going to buy this stuff over the next 2-3 years until I can afford insurance, I'm a teen and still working on grades. ive been thinking on starting a go fund me but we did one after my dad passed (he had the vette) so i dont know if its worth it.
I will try and take some pictures, where might I find the timing light, what does it usually look like, what is it, how do I use it. this is news to me, I always thought that this engine was easy to tinker on.
edit:
so looking at cat's should I replace it or just strait pipe and if i need to get it tested then put the cat back on, I don't have much money (currently in det) after my computer died and i bought a pc. so, if anyone has a job around St. Charles IL, I will gladly take it.
These engines are easy to tinker on. But you still need some tools. Perhaps you can borrow some, or find a used timing light.
I really like the Innova 5568 (Amazon Link), but there are cheaper options out there. If you get some timing tape, you don't need a dial-back light, but a digital tach is still really useful.
so i screwed up and broke a plastic piece while cleaning under the air filter housing, the seal is broken also, need replacements ASAP. and cheap what are some options. also what is it and what does it do?
There's a lot going on there. It looks like you still have the heat riser hooked up. If you don't live in Minnesota, and don't drive in the winter, make sure it is open at all times, or it will block your passenger-side exhaust.
Perhaps you can replace that broken T or elbow with a vacuum hose connector kit, like this one at Amazon (also available at any FLAPS). You want to avoid vacuum leaks whenever you can.
I'd encourage you to learn what each of those vacuum systems does, and if you want to retain all of that (to look and function as stock), or not.
You have a very original looking engine, though the corporate blue paint on the ground wire indicates that it has been refreshed in the past, at least for appearance.
There's a lot going on there. It looks like you still have the heat riser hooked up. If you don't live in Minnesota, and don't drive in the winter, make sure it is open at all times, or it will block your passenger-side exhaust.
Perhaps you can replace that broken T or elbow with a vacuum hose connector kit, like this one at Amazon (also available at any FLAPS). You want to avoid vacuum leaks whenever you can.
I'd encourage you to learn what each of those vacuum systems does, and if you want to retain all of that (to look and function as stock), or not.
You have a very original looking engine, though the corporate blue paint on the ground wire indicates that it has been refreshed in the past, at least for appearance.
I'm half awake because I'm studding for my AP exam tomorrow, I believe those are to control the mount of air directed to the air filter. as i mentioned earlier the engine is 99% original just 2 gaskets replaced in 1985 by my grampa everything else is original. I'm currently in school after no sleep whatsoever. how do i keep the heat riser open?
1979 L48 questions
