Stock Muffler
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Stock Muffler
Not sure if this belongs here or in "General Discussion"...but someone will correct me if this is wrong.
My '86 has a bit of a rust hole in the bottom of the passenger side muffler. I just bought the car a few months ago and it has sat for years...I am guessing with water in the low point of the muffler. At any rate it only has 5000 miles on it and I am trying to preserve originality wherever possible.
So my question is...I would like to upgrade the sound and the look of my mufflers...but not change out any of the rest of the exhaust. What are your recommendations on modifications which simply bolt on (I am not a mechanic...but can do simple work)? I want some nice looking pipes coming out the back...and would like a bit more power.
Also, I know this hasn't been a very collectible car, and I intend to drive it during the summers (put about 1000 miles on it in the past 3months and having fun!), but should I be concerned about keeping the original mufflers...even with a small hole in one?
My '86 has a bit of a rust hole in the bottom of the passenger side muffler. I just bought the car a few months ago and it has sat for years...I am guessing with water in the low point of the muffler. At any rate it only has 5000 miles on it and I am trying to preserve originality wherever possible.
So my question is...I would like to upgrade the sound and the look of my mufflers...but not change out any of the rest of the exhaust. What are your recommendations on modifications which simply bolt on (I am not a mechanic...but can do simple work)? I want some nice looking pipes coming out the back...and would like a bit more power.
Also, I know this hasn't been a very collectible car, and I intend to drive it during the summers (put about 1000 miles on it in the past 3months and having fun!), but should I be concerned about keeping the original mufflers...even with a small hole in one?
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 941
Likes: 10
My question too, what is the drone sound. To me a Drone, is for example a Multi Engine Piston Aircraft with the engines not synced. Is the drone you all mention just a loud roar going down the road ??
8Valve
8Valve
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
My experience with the aftermarket lookalike replacements is that they rust out/fall apart within a couple of years, though I have no idea if the oem's are still available. You should also check the rear Y which you may need anyway if the stock units have rust welded to it at the clamps though you might be able to get them off with a sawzall.
Stock and some of the aftermarket have pee holes at the rear to drain moisture which your going to get with anything that has a CAT.
Droning is a low rumble that becomes irritating at cruise depending on your age/maturity - well, at least for me.
Stock and some of the aftermarket have pee holes at the rear to drain moisture which your going to get with anything that has a CAT.
Droning is a low rumble that becomes irritating at cruise depending on your age/maturity - well, at least for me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
I am getting close to trading my Borla cat back for a well built stock sounding system. I am half deaf and the drone is getting wearing on me. I put 400 miles on a round trip last summer and was exhausted when I got home.. no pun intended. I have read here the trick is to block or almost block one of the dual outlets and it gets a lot better. I wonder if a stainless core/freeze plug with a 1/4 inch hole would do the trick. I will gladly drop 10 hp to like the dirve a lot better. I would think 1 outlet per muffler has to flow enough for a 250 hp tpi engine..
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
You can find direct OEM style replacements. I bought Magnaflow dual active outlet mufflers and reused the rear Y pipe. Try Mid America and Corvette Central. Prices will range from about $160 to $260 per pair.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
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Thanks for all your posts....update for today.
So after having more problems last night (pipe dropped and began dragging) I took it to my mechanic and it seems that the y-pipe is rusted at the y so I need a new y pipe AND new mufflers. Hard to believe with only 5000 miles...but there you have it.
I will check the parts online that you guys gave me and go from there.
This low mileage fun car is getting to be rather expensive...
So after having more problems last night (pipe dropped and began dragging) I took it to my mechanic and it seems that the y-pipe is rusted at the y so I need a new y pipe AND new mufflers. Hard to believe with only 5000 miles...but there you have it.
I will check the parts online that you guys gave me and go from there.
This low mileage fun car is getting to be rather expensive...
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73,568
Likes: 33
From: Somewhere in Mo
St. Jude Donor '09-'10, '14
They will get expensive. it's crazy how much money I've spent on a 56K car.
But anyway, I had to replace my system as well. I bought the rear Y w/crossover tube and a set of magnaflow mufflers with the LT1 style tips.
I like them a lot and have no drone.
You can get the OEM style mufflers also. But I do recommend the cross over tube on the rear Y. It helps to elimante the drone and it uses the same principle as the Corsa or other style mufflers. That is it creates an escape route for exhaust to flow more evenly and smoothly that creates drone.
I bought my system from Corvette Central. But other places have good items as well.
But anyway, I had to replace my system as well. I bought the rear Y w/crossover tube and a set of magnaflow mufflers with the LT1 style tips.
I like them a lot and have no drone.
You can get the OEM style mufflers also. But I do recommend the cross over tube on the rear Y. It helps to elimante the drone and it uses the same principle as the Corsa or other style mufflers. That is it creates an escape route for exhaust to flow more evenly and smoothly that creates drone.
I bought my system from Corvette Central. But other places have good items as well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 897
Likes: 12
From: Land of Whiskey Rebels, PA
Here is my experience with exhaust systems.
Stock systems are very restrictive. Restriction=loss of power. Catalytic converters, bends, and mufflers are restrictions. Less restriction=more power and better accelleration.
Front Y-pipe without pre-cats is good. Adding a hi-flow main cat (Random Technology) is even better. Just this with a stock rear Y-pipe and mufflers will make a difference.
I have tried two (2) rear Y-pipes (with crossover tube) from two different catalogs, and neither one fit correctly. The mufflers "with functioning tips" are louder. Additionally, I found that stainless steel band clamps do leak (no matter how much I tightened them), in spite of what I was told or was claimed.
My solution was to cut the inside tips off of the old mufflers, cut out the plug with a holesaw, and weld the tips back on. This resulted in loudness and drone. A Forum member suggested I stuff stainless steel wool into the inner tips. It worked. No more drone and a low, muscular tone. Problem solved, albeit a Mickey Mouse solution.
Hope this helps.
Mike
'90 'vert
Stock systems are very restrictive. Restriction=loss of power. Catalytic converters, bends, and mufflers are restrictions. Less restriction=more power and better accelleration.
Front Y-pipe without pre-cats is good. Adding a hi-flow main cat (Random Technology) is even better. Just this with a stock rear Y-pipe and mufflers will make a difference.
I have tried two (2) rear Y-pipes (with crossover tube) from two different catalogs, and neither one fit correctly. The mufflers "with functioning tips" are louder. Additionally, I found that stainless steel band clamps do leak (no matter how much I tightened them), in spite of what I was told or was claimed.
My solution was to cut the inside tips off of the old mufflers, cut out the plug with a holesaw, and weld the tips back on. This resulted in loudness and drone. A Forum member suggested I stuff stainless steel wool into the inner tips. It worked. No more drone and a low, muscular tone. Problem solved, albeit a Mickey Mouse solution.
Hope this helps.
Mike
'90 'vert
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
I just went threw this myself. I went the local route by the time I paid for shipping it was anout the same. I went with the walker y reason being I knew it had the proper heat shields and I was not sure about the others. And I went with flow Master 50 mufflers they are not cheap $250.00 a pop but have a lifetime warrenty LOL for what that means. I like the sound not loud but a little rummble. $700.00 and Im done ouch that one hurt........
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
Thanks for all your posts....update for today.
So after having more problems last night (pipe dropped and began dragging) I took it to my mechanic and it seems that the y-pipe is rusted at the y so I need a new y pipe AND new mufflers. Hard to believe with only 5000 miles...but there you have it.
I will check the parts online that you guys gave me and go from there.
This low mileage fun car is getting to be rather expensive...
So after having more problems last night (pipe dropped and began dragging) I took it to my mechanic and it seems that the y-pipe is rusted at the y so I need a new y pipe AND new mufflers. Hard to believe with only 5000 miles...but there you have it.
I will check the parts online that you guys gave me and go from there.
This low mileage fun car is getting to be rather expensive...
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 5
From: Greensburg PA
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,084
Likes: 3,055
From: CA
I have a pair of '85 stock mufflers that are NOS. They have the dual functioning outlets. I also have a pair of Walker Dynomax mufflers also NOS, and dual functioning tips. Both are louder than the later factory mufflers with single outlet, but fairly low on drone if you have the stock cat. I was going to put them on eBay, but if someone is interested let me know (I'll give a good price). I'm cleaning out my garage.
Michael
Michael
