Best source for a new "Y" pipe?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Canyon Lake California
Best source for a new "Y" pipe?
It's beginning to look like 160,000 miles on an original "Y" exhaust pipe (with three cats) is too much. My stock L98 barely passed smog last time and the engine acts like there is some serious back pressure in the exhaust. Based on comments from this forum, the cats are probably completely shot and restricting exhaust flow at higher engine speeds.
I have decided to find out what is involved in purchasing and installing a new "Y" pipe into my '88 coupe. There must be some good "Y" pipe systems available from the after market suppliers. I'd rather not pay the GM prices if I don't have to.
Any info on prices, sources and experiences would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Greg Sullivan (Canyon Lake, CA.)
I have decided to find out what is involved in purchasing and installing a new "Y" pipe into my '88 coupe. There must be some good "Y" pipe systems available from the after market suppliers. I'd rather not pay the GM prices if I don't have to.
Any info on prices, sources and experiences would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Greg Sullivan (Canyon Lake, CA.)
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 91
From: Leander TX
Re: Best source for a new "Y" pipe? (Greg's '88)
Check any Corvette parts mag. MAD and Ecklers have then with or without the pre cats. The ones with the precats are something like $300 and the ones without precats are about $130. Or you could go real dual for $250 without any cats :D
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 682
Likes: 23
From: loxahatchee fla
Re: Best source for a new "Y" pipe? (Greg's '88)
if you can weld , makeing your own is by far the best option, all the (y) pipes available are either the wrong size, the wrong angles, restrictive, or very expensive for what is basically just two curved sections of exhaust pipe that are cut on one side and welded together again.the best thing that you can do is to buy, borrow, or pay a friend with a welder to make EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT. what your talking about is $20 worth of exhaust pipe and 1 hrs time if you know how to fabricate! now look at what everyone charges, its insane! you can buy a used welder for that !
[Modified by grumpyvette, 8:45 PM 3/5/2002]
[Modified by grumpyvette, 8:45 PM 3/5/2002]
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: san antonio tx
Re: Best source for a new "Y" pipe? (Greg's '88)
greg, i ordered the stainless y-pipe from mid america. i have never been so disappionted in my entire life. it was supposed to bolt right on, it did not. i had to take it to a muffler shop so the could cut and fit it. if you are worried about your cats being clogged have the muffler shop prefab a custom pipe. i wish i would have done it that way. total cost for me so far $199 plus shipping for the y-pipe and $125 to get it put on. i hope this helped.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Re: Best source for a new "Y" pipe? (Greg's '88)
I must be one of the lucky guys who found a SS front Y-pipe. I think the part was for canadian export models. Anyway, in addition to my front Y-pipe being SS, it's also ceramic coated. The ceramic coating was aftermarket of course. I'm convinced my Y-pipe will out last my car. It was a bolt on item with absolutely no problems with fitment. Unfortunately, I don't have a part number and I bought the item from someone, not a parts dealer. Check around to see if you can locate an export model front Y-pipe. This thing is a pure quality part, it's worth searching for.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 760
Likes: 1
From: Greenwich, CT
Re: Best source for a new "Y" pipe? (Greg's '88)
You can use a front Y from an '85 if you cut the square flange off the tail end and roll the pipe out round. Do a car parts search for " ARVIN [Front Pipe] Y-Pipe (arv-450006) 1985 CHEVROLET CORVETTE". This is a plain steel 2.5" pipe available from most auto shops. They should be in the $100 range, and bolt up with just a little finessing around the header flanges. I think I spent another $35 at the muffler shop getting it fitted.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Re: Best source for a new "Y" pipe? (Greg's '88)
Word of advise I bought a front Y pipe from ecklers and they did not shape the ends right to fit up on the exhaust manifold. Of course didnt realize this til I cranked it and had exhaust leak. Tried to return back to ecklers and because I had cranked my car with it on and they would not take it back???? :smash: :smash: :mad So after that and one other thing I ordered from them that did not match up right either, my advise is to stay clear of ECKLERS! To shady they dont stand behind there product!! :boxing
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Columbus NJ
Re: Best source for a new "Y" pipe? (Greg's '88)
Greg,
I just completed a rear Y-pipe installation and mufflers on my 1990 convertable. I would hightly recommend the y-pipe offered on the Forum Mall with the crossover pipe installed to help eliminate resonation at lower speeds. I'm very happy with the sound and the pipe is offered for about $80. Easy installation and great fit.
Regards,
I just completed a rear Y-pipe installation and mufflers on my 1990 convertable. I would hightly recommend the y-pipe offered on the Forum Mall with the crossover pipe installed to help eliminate resonation at lower speeds. I'm very happy with the sound and the pipe is offered for about $80. Easy installation and great fit.
Regards,
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Canyon Lake California
Re: Best source for a new "Y" pipe? (Charcoal Grey 90)
Thanks for all the great feedback and advice. Just to clarify, I am trying to replace the front "Y" pipe - including the catalytic converters. I want my Vette to remain smog legal and factory stock (as much as possible). I have never welded anything. I would love to buy a complete "Y" pipe and just bolt it on. If that's not realistic, then I wouldn't mind taking it to a muffler shop for installation. I have not had good experiences with muffler shops that fabricate an exhaust system while you wait. They usually end up being marginal at best.
I'm willing to pay for a quality system and have someone install it.
Thanks again,
Greg Sullivan
I'm willing to pay for a quality system and have someone install it.
Thanks again,
Greg Sullivan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Best source for a new "Y" pipe? (Greg's '88)
I think I have seen aftermarket at ZIP and Ecklers. You can get a price from TLD Corvette and Jeff Koop on a GM stock replacement, the pricing is very good. Try and find a mandrel bent piece like the OEM. Also consider a custom installation with aftermarket pup cats welded in, however fellow Cali's will have to help you out with the legality of this.
If it were me, I would search for a way to legally avoid the pup cats. Walker makes a 49 State single cat replacement (no help for you). But it might be worth checking with Random Technologies to see if they ever got CARB cert. for thier main cat. I don't think you are going to find one, but I haven't searched for 2 years.
Good Luck,
Pete
If it were me, I would search for a way to legally avoid the pup cats. Walker makes a 49 State single cat replacement (no help for you). But it might be worth checking with Random Technologies to see if they ever got CARB cert. for thier main cat. I don't think you are going to find one, but I haven't searched for 2 years.
Good Luck,
Pete