Chip and muffler/exhaust replacement
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 36
Likes: 17
From: New Jersey
Chip and muffler/exhaust replacement
I need to change the mufflers on my 88, the stock ones rotted out. anyone know any good ones? if so, could you give me the:
--cost
--modifications needed(if any)
--sound
--performance effects(if any)
--composition(aluminum, stainless, etc.)
any info would be helpful.
Also, i would very much like to replace my hypertech thermomaster chip with a stock (or identical to stock) chip. anyone know where i can find one and for how much? and would i need to swap my 160 thermostat for a higher one if i went back to stock?
oh yeah, and would one of these be worth it?
--cost
--modifications needed(if any)
--sound
--performance effects(if any)
--composition(aluminum, stainless, etc.)
any info would be helpful.
Also, i would very much like to replace my hypertech thermomaster chip with a stock (or identical to stock) chip. anyone know where i can find one and for how much? and would i need to swap my 160 thermostat for a higher one if i went back to stock?
oh yeah, and would one of these be worth it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,061
Likes: 99
From: Seattle WA
For stock exhaust, I like the aluminized dynomax "super-turbo" mufflers. Gives the car a nice, deep muscle car rumble without the "blat blat" that straight-thru mufflers do.
Most aftermarket mufflers bolt right up without modifications, and the HP increase is negligible on a stock motor with the rest of the exhaust stock. They had a $75 rebate going which makes the dynomax's like $225 or so.
Watch ebay for a stock chip. I got a spare for my '87 for like $15. You just need to know the "broadcast code" for your car. See:
http://chevythunder.com/prom_bcc_1988.htm
I would change to a 180 or 195 thermostat, but it's not necessary - your car probably runs warmer than 160 unless it's real cold out and your on the highway.
Most aftermarket mufflers bolt right up without modifications, and the HP increase is negligible on a stock motor with the rest of the exhaust stock. They had a $75 rebate going which makes the dynomax's like $225 or so.
Watch ebay for a stock chip. I got a spare for my '87 for like $15. You just need to know the "broadcast code" for your car. See:
http://chevythunder.com/prom_bcc_1988.htm
I would change to a 180 or 195 thermostat, but it's not necessary - your car probably runs warmer than 160 unless it's real cold out and your on the highway.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Try this!
Go here and try entering your VIN:
http://tis2web.xw.gm.com/tis2web
It will likely start you with the production original which would match the label on your ECM if it is still the original and likely any updates that could apply. If you're buying you would likely be interested in the "more current" although there are reasons to prefer an original "base" prom I imagine.
An "inexpensive" exhaust upgrade on an early model car is to use the rear section of an LT1/4 system and have it modified to mate to the flange at the rear of the '88 converter or just use the later system to do a complete "true-duals" set up.
There are some very good examples with snapshots here from time to time and maybe someone will post a link to one or two. I don't recall the CF members ID's but there are some very nice installs already done and documented!
http://tis2web.xw.gm.com/tis2web
It will likely start you with the production original which would match the label on your ECM if it is still the original and likely any updates that could apply. If you're buying you would likely be interested in the "more current" although there are reasons to prefer an original "base" prom I imagine.
An "inexpensive" exhaust upgrade on an early model car is to use the rear section of an LT1/4 system and have it modified to mate to the flange at the rear of the '88 converter or just use the later system to do a complete "true-duals" set up.
There are some very good examples with snapshots here from time to time and maybe someone will post a link to one or two. I don't recall the CF members ID's but there are some very nice installs already done and documented!
Last edited by WVZR-1; Oct 18, 2009 at 01:41 PM.
