Well after installing the Walker y-pipe with the balance tube, I decided not to install a set of mufflers after loving the sound of straight pipe. I tried to get a set of the KBD mufflers with the ZR1 tips, but no one had them. Apparantly everyone is having problems with the vendor, MidAmerica said it would probably take a few months to get a pair. They suggested the chambered eliminators. So, I decided to search eBay for a set and I came across a set of Allen's chambered muffler eliminators with the chrome ZR1 tips. The price was cheaper than MAM so I bought a set and received them Thursday. A quick look revealed they were well constructed with an end separate from the chambered pipe, so getting the tips to look straight would be a snap. There should be no need to bend anything.

The only problem I had was that with the eliminators installed on the y-pipe, the tips wouldn't line up with the cut outs of the rear, they went too far inward. It seems that the Walker y-pipe is about 1.5 inches shorter on the ends so now I understand why they say you can't use it with the stock mufflers. Anyway, a quick trip to the local parts store netted me an extension pipe which I measured, cut and installed making the pipes line up correctly with the cut outs. BTW, I highly recommend a pipe cutter with a metal cutting wheel installed - makes cut pipe straight a snap.

I have to say, the sound is amazing. Mellow at idle and a nice roar when you get on it. Its not loud at all and inside the cabin with both windows open is pleasant and quiet enough for conversation without yelling. I will take pictures of the install when I get a chance and post them.

Thanks to all those that offered advice and suggestions!

 

Sounds like it sounds good!

 

 

Thats the same setup I have on my 89. When I put the 383 in last week , put the headers on and got rid of the stock Y pipe with the pre cats I was afraid it was going to be way to loud.. Come to find out I love the sound, just like you are saying, it has a nice rumble at idle and barks when you hit it....WW

 

My 89 has muffler elimanators on it also. Sounds mean!

 

When my KBD ZR1 style go out I will go with the chambered pipes and tips. Nice it worked out and the Walker balance tube cutts out lots of cabin drone

 

My CAT was already gutted a few years ago (just fell to pieces and still passed Maryland emissions inspection) and while down here in Florida i put on the front 2.5" "Y" pipe without the pre-cats plus a set of muffler eliminators. I think it sounds great, not a lot of inside-the-car-drone and I've gotten lots of good comments from others.

 

Thats what I have too. I do like the sound. cheap to.

 

I got mine from Allen's on ebay too. They were back ordered for over a month at MidAmerica. I have the same rear y with the balance tube and had to play with the connecting section to center them. I had the dreaded drone until I installed the 2.5" front Y. It does sound good and I do get compliments on the sound.

 

I kept my old y-pipe for comparison and the ends are a bit longer, almost an inch so I am pretty sure the Allen eliminators were meant to be installed on the stock y-pipe. At least it was easy to make up the missing pipe. Eventually I will get the extensions I made to the y-pipe welded so I can get rid of at least one set of clamps.

 

I'm in the process of putting 2.5 pipes on my 85. No cats, no mufflers. already run it wih no mufflers, sounds good. My friend and I are frabricating the whole thing. It's good to know people with all the expensive tools you can't afford, just costs beer.

 

 

Have driven an 85 with elims and liked it the sound grows on you.

Volume can get loud with rpm but I never experienced the droning at any rpm. Best of both worlds imo

 

hey so i just go my 86 last month and the previous owner just had open pipes in the back like the exhaust just stops by the back tires and tried finding like stock replacement mufflers for it but no luck i don't sound bad like that i just got to have some tips sticking out the back the back so how much are did you guys spend on these muffler eliminators and tips and thats all i would need if i still had the stock exhaust without mufflers right?

 

With the stock y-pipe installed, you can use any of the muffler eliminators available. Some are just straight pipe and others, like the one I installed, are chambered. The straight pipes run around $150 for the pair and are available with a number of different tips. The chambered ones I used cost $179 and I got them on eBay. It came as a kit with everything needed to install, clamps, hangers, etc. I added some pipe between the y-pipe and the eliminator pipe to make it line up better with the exhaust cut outs of the rear bumper cover, I probably could of bent the pipe to accomplish the same thing though.

Corvette Central sells them as well as Mid America. If you like, you probably could make a set yourself for less than a $100 using extension pipe pieces, elbows, etc.

 

I finally got a chance to snap a quick picture of the pipes....

 

Looks like you are hangin' pretty low where the crossover is, I had the same problem with my Mid America rear pipe section. I had to cut a slit in the big fat connector pipe and bend everything upwards and reweld it to get it closer to the bottom of the car. Also, one side was bent funny compared to the other side, I had to cut and reweld that, also. I used Monza tips....love the sound. The crossover really minimizes the drone. Nice job on yours, the Allens set up is nice. I think you can get a whole system from them pretty cheap.

 

I had to bend the pipe as well, it actually hung down lower. I took the measurements off the old pipe from pipe to ground and got it to match somewhat, I think I'm like 5mm off. I clamped the pipe in a vise and used another pipe inserted inside to bend it a bit. I probably could of done the same thing to the ends to move those, but making the spacers worked just as well and I have no clearance issues.

Allen does make some nice stuff. I was really happy with the construction of the eliminators and the sound is really mellow altho I am sure the balance tube helps.

 

love the look of the pipes, not diggin the muffler clamps on the inside tubes.

 

I hear ya, I'm not a fan of exhaust clamps myself. I lined up everything with the clamps in the hopes of getting it all welded when I got a chance so I can ditch the ugly clamps.