Y-pipe /muffler mismatch...HELP NEEDED
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Pa.
Y-pipe /muffler mismatch...HELP NEEDED
Hope you guys can shed some light...I bought a set of SS stingers from Mid America with the intention of putting them on my stock y-pipe. The original y-pipe was fairly corroded, so I ordered a stainless y-pipe from them a week later. Well, you guessed it, I went to bolt it all back together and it doesn't fit up. Bolts on fine at the converter, but back at the muffler elbows it appears to be splayed too wide, forcing the mufflers outward where they obviously can't be (4-5" outside muffler hangers). I noticed on the stock piece the two pipes run parallel but dip in and almost touch each other before turning out towards the mufflers. On the new stainless piece, they run parallel but are about 2 inches apart the entire time before turning out. I ordered a new one and Mid America was great, they postage paid the first one back and sent a new one. My problem: It looks exactly like the first one. I spoke with a Mid America tech, thinking I ordered a part that wasn't intended to fit with these mufflers. Not the case. They should work, he says, but some 'cutting' may be needed. Any experience with this?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 12
From: New York
Welcome to my world, on my 91, I ordered two LT1 style mufflers from Corvette Central that were suppose to bolt right up to my STOCK crossover pipe. Needless to say, they weren't even close, no amount of cutting would have made these fit.
I then bought a Magnaflow catback, this needed modification to get the look I desired. If I left it exactly the way it was designed, the tail pipes stuck out almost 4" past the bumper cover, and hung down way to low. I cut exactly 4" off the pipe into the muffler, and modified the "L" bracket so the mufflers now look similar to the originals, except you see the polished mufflers, and tips when you come up on the car from the back. Once everything was where I wanted it, it was all welded up so I could unbolt the hangers, and flange at the CAT, to remove the system in one piece.
It seems with a lot of these systems, to get the look you desire, plan on some modifications.
I then bought a Magnaflow catback, this needed modification to get the look I desired. If I left it exactly the way it was designed, the tail pipes stuck out almost 4" past the bumper cover, and hung down way to low. I cut exactly 4" off the pipe into the muffler, and modified the "L" bracket so the mufflers now look similar to the originals, except you see the polished mufflers, and tips when you come up on the car from the back. Once everything was where I wanted it, it was all welded up so I could unbolt the hangers, and flange at the CAT, to remove the system in one piece.
It seems with a lot of these systems, to get the look you desire, plan on some modifications.
Last edited by LS6 Motor; Aug 31, 2006 at 08:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh Pa.
Kodavette, thanks for your response, I was beginning to think I was alone on this one. I'm wondering how hard it would be to manufacture a direct replacement that simply fits? I did, of course, have the option of purchasing a 'combo' M.A. had listed which probably would slip right on, but I didn't realize my y-pipe needed replaced. I'm gonna hold my breath and start cutting, I guess.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Forest Lake MN
I bought my 87 with muffler eliminators put over the original Y pipe. The Y pipe was shot and I replaced last night. I have the same problem as you. I put the system on so I could drive it to work today even though the Y pipe hangs to low. I will be cutting off about 1" - 2" from the Y pipe this evening so it fits properly. Then flat back hi temp. exaust paint over the hole works.
