Test Pipe for Under $20.00!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati oh
Test Pipe for Under $20.00!
I recently did a test pipe on my 85 and after looking high and low, $60.00 for a test pipe? no freaking way here is what i did
1) take off the converter and it is a bear. get some pb blaster you will need it
2) cut off the converter flanges leaving at least 2"s of pipe. I used a sawz all worked very fast
3) Go purchase a section of pipe I used (i think i ued 2 3/4") If you have a flange tool flare both ends if not no big deal. you will need to "coax" it into the oval inside the flange pipe.
4) using a BFH (bid f'ing hammer) hammer the new pipe pipe in the flanges pipes, after getyting them in there measure the total length from outer flange to outer flange should be 16" mark and cut accordingly.
5) re assemble and drill and place 2 screws to hold ino place on the top and bottom of each flange. (or weld if you have a welder)
6) use a good muffler seam sealer or JB Weld and fill in any visible gaps around the flange pipe and the new pipe.
wait to dry and re assemble
Go collect 40 bucks for your old converter.
Pipe=8.99
Sealer=3.99
Screws=.10
Sawz all Blade=2.99
Total = $16.07
Cheapest HP gain i can think of and it sounds way cooler
1) take off the converter and it is a bear. get some pb blaster you will need it
2) cut off the converter flanges leaving at least 2"s of pipe. I used a sawz all worked very fast
3) Go purchase a section of pipe I used (i think i ued 2 3/4") If you have a flange tool flare both ends if not no big deal. you will need to "coax" it into the oval inside the flange pipe.
4) using a BFH (bid f'ing hammer) hammer the new pipe pipe in the flanges pipes, after getyting them in there measure the total length from outer flange to outer flange should be 16" mark and cut accordingly.
5) re assemble and drill and place 2 screws to hold ino place on the top and bottom of each flange. (or weld if you have a welder)
6) use a good muffler seam sealer or JB Weld and fill in any visible gaps around the flange pipe and the new pipe.
wait to dry and re assemble
Go collect 40 bucks for your old converter.
Pipe=8.99
Sealer=3.99
Screws=.10
Sawz all Blade=2.99
Total = $16.07
Cheapest HP gain i can think of and it sounds way cooler
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
I wouldn't go around telling people to cut out their cat unless for two things:
1) Their state doesn't require strict emissions testing
2) You can trick the inspector to think the pre-cats are the main one.
It IS illegal to drive with a delete pipe, afterall, so I wouldn't boast too much.
1) Their state doesn't require strict emissions testing
2) You can trick the inspector to think the pre-cats are the main one.
It IS illegal to drive with a delete pipe, afterall, so I wouldn't boast too much.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati oh
I wouldn't go around telling people to cut out their cat unless for two things:
1) Their state doesn't require strict emissions testing
2) You can trick the inspector to think the pre-cats are the main one.
It IS illegal to drive with a delete pipe, afterall, so I wouldn't boast too much.
1) Their state doesn't require strict emissions testing
2) You can trick the inspector to think the pre-cats are the main one.
It IS illegal to drive with a delete pipe, afterall, so I wouldn't boast too much.
My thread is if you wanted to build a cheap Tp and not get milked for 60 bucks here is how you do it.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 197
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
I recently did a test pipe on my 85 and after looking high and low, $60.00 for a test pipe? no freaking way here is what i did
1) take off the converter and it is a bear. get some pb blaster you will need it
2) cut off the converter flanges leaving at least 2"s of pipe. I used a sawz all worked very fast
3) Go purchase a section of pipe I used (i think i ued 2 3/4") If you have a flange tool flare both ends if not no big deal. you will need to "coax" it into the oval inside the flange pipe.
4) using a BFH (bid f'ing hammer) hammer the new pipe pipe in the flanges pipes, after getyting them in there measure the total length from outer flange to outer flange should be 16" mark and cut accordingly.
5) re assemble and drill and place 2 screws to hold ino place on the top and bottom of each flange. (or weld if you have a welder)
6) use a good muffler seam sealer or JB Weld and fill in any visible gaps around the flange pipe and the new pipe.
wait to dry and re assemble
Go collect 40 bucks for your old converter.
Pipe=8.99
Sealer=3.99
Screws=.10
Sawz all Blade=2.99
Total = $16.07
Cheapest HP gain i can think of and it sounds way cooler
1) take off the converter and it is a bear. get some pb blaster you will need it
2) cut off the converter flanges leaving at least 2"s of pipe. I used a sawz all worked very fast
3) Go purchase a section of pipe I used (i think i ued 2 3/4") If you have a flange tool flare both ends if not no big deal. you will need to "coax" it into the oval inside the flange pipe.
4) using a BFH (bid f'ing hammer) hammer the new pipe pipe in the flanges pipes, after getyting them in there measure the total length from outer flange to outer flange should be 16" mark and cut accordingly.
5) re assemble and drill and place 2 screws to hold ino place on the top and bottom of each flange. (or weld if you have a welder)
6) use a good muffler seam sealer or JB Weld and fill in any visible gaps around the flange pipe and the new pipe.
wait to dry and re assemble
Go collect 40 bucks for your old converter.
Pipe=8.99
Sealer=3.99
Screws=.10
Sawz all Blade=2.99
Total = $16.07
Cheapest HP gain i can think of and it sounds way cooler
Instead of using jb weld or muffler seam sealer I would suggest red high temp rtv. I started using it on exhausts after I saw them using it on a tv show, Works great! Way cheaper and easier than jb weld, and muffler weld is like clay. It doesn't burn, just be sure you let it dry before starting up to prevent it from blowing out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
Nice work finding a solution 
I had a local exhaust shop make me one for about $40 I think. I had them make it exactly match the rest of the system so I would not have to modify any of the other hardware - makes it easy to swap it with a cat.
I had a local exhaust shop make me one for about $40 I think. I had them make it exactly match the rest of the system so I would not have to modify any of the other hardware - makes it easy to swap it with a cat.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati oh
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 2
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Why do they call it a test pipe and why will no reputable muffler shop touch it?
IT'S ILLEGAL AND CARRIES HEAVY FINES!
With relatively cheap hi flow Cats available today, there is no good reason to do that.
IT'S ILLEGAL AND CARRIES HEAVY FINES!
With relatively cheap hi flow Cats available today, there is no good reason to do that.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati oh
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati oh
Ohio no longer has a emessions check and they only require cars 15 years or newer to be tested. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 6
From: Palm Beach
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati oh
