C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Corvette Exhaust Setup

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 28, 2010 | 05:48 PM
  #1  
C4 Monster's Avatar
C4 Monster
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Default Corvette Exhaust Setup

Ok I have a 1989 corvette (Just bout stock) and im down to my last problem. I fixed damn near everything and the last thing on my list for this car in terms of mechanical problems is that I need to replace the cats. So here is what I wanted to ask you, since the car has 3 cats is it possible for me to replace the back (center) cat with 1 large one and then replace the two up front (off the headers) with 2 cutouts. If so, what cat should I put in the back that would compensate for the two up front and itself, also are there any sensors that would need to be replaced or moved such as o2?

My goal is to pass inspection and have a well running car that I will always have the option to open the headers wide open.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 03:32 PM
  #2  
j-wireman's Avatar
j-wireman
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 897
Likes: 12
From: Land of Whiskey Rebels, PA
Default

I assume you meant "exhaust manifold" when you said "headers", right?
I think the '89 and '90 exhausts are identical. I don't have "headers", but here's what I did:
I replaced my front Y-pipe (with "pre-cats") with a new one without "pre-cats". It came with a welded "bung" for the O2 sensor, in the same place. For the main cat, I installed one from Random Technologies. We have emissions inspection here (PA) and my numbers are better now than with my old stock setup, according to my inspection guy.

There are different shapes of cats for different applications. I believe R.T. makes cylindrical cats, too. Check 'em out.


Mike
'90 'vert
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 04:06 PM
  #3  
Siveck's Avatar
Siveck
Drifting
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 125
From: Birmingham AL
Default

One of the vendors sells a "precatless" Y pipe with high flow center converter and advertises it as 49 state legal. Look through the vendors for that setup. I bought one years ago for my previous '89 coupe.
Reply
Old Oct 29, 2010 | 04:24 PM
  #4  
Shark Racer's Avatar
Shark Racer
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Default

Originally Posted by j-wireman
I assume you meant "exhaust manifold" when you said "headers", right?
I think the '89 and '90 exhausts are identical. I don't have "headers", but here's what I did:
I replaced my front Y-pipe (with "pre-cats") with a new one without "pre-cats". It came with a welded "bung" for the O2 sensor, in the same place. For the main cat, I installed one from Random Technologies. We have emissions inspection here (PA) and my numbers are better now than with my old stock setup, according to my inspection guy.

There are different shapes of cats for different applications. I believe R.T. makes cylindrical cats, too. Check 'em out.


Mike
'90 'vert
While I hate pre-cats as much as the next guy, I just wanted to comment:

You will not see much (if any) reduction in emissions levels by running pre-cats. They're basically "warm up cats", they warm up more quickly than the main cat which is further downstream and minimize pollution while the main cat is getting up to temperature.

Odds are, the Random Tech cat is working better than your old main cat did.

Removing pre-cats will contribute to start-up pollution, but you'll still pass tailpipe emissions tests.

Sort of like the premise of running coolant through the throttle body. Warm the engine up as quickly as possible.

Just FYI...
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2019 | 12:54 PM
  #5  
levan's Avatar
levan
2nd Gear
 
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Default

I have my car on the lift, planning on a loc for the wideband bung. I'm hitting a wall. Before I start, I DO NOT want to change exhaust configuration to full headers right now. Too much going on.

So, I'm looking for any ideas to get an AFR reading given what I am working with. I was along the lines of a Dashlogic then fed by a WB into the 0-5v PID. Regardless, even with a gauge I still need to get into the exhaust ahead of the cat. That is the problem.

So, here's my setup. I have Magnalfow short tube headers on right now. They bolt up to the stock cats. Again, I need to leave all this in place right now...maybe an add LTHs WAY down the list past the FI install and tune.

I cannot find a place to locate the bung. There is clearance where the wideband could live, but it's the bung location itself. Here are three pics that might make it clearer: Magnaflow pipes; stock C6 Cat; a pic of my setup, albeit no way to get a good photo. The header in the foreground is the driver's side.


thanks help me
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2019 | 07:24 PM
  #6  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

I agree with some of the above about losing the damn pre-cats and use a RT hi-flow main cat.
Reply
Old Feb 15, 2019 | 02:46 PM
  #7  
85WHITEZ51's Avatar
85WHITEZ51
Drifting
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 91
From: Leander TX
Default

Originally Posted by levan
I have my car on the lift, planning on a loc for the wideband bung. I'm hitting a wall. Before I start, I DO NOT want to change exhaust configuration to full headers right now. Too much going on.

So, I'm looking for any ideas to get an AFR reading given what I am working with. I was along the lines of a Dashlogic then fed by a WB into the 0-5v PID. Regardless, even with a gauge I still need to get into the exhaust ahead of the cat. That is the problem.

So, here's my setup. I have Magnalfow short tube headers on right now. They bolt up to the stock cats. Again, I need to leave all this in place right now...maybe an add LTHs WAY down the list past the FI install and tune.

I cannot find a place to locate the bung. There is clearance where the wideband could live, but it's the bung location itself. Here are three pics that might make it clearer: Magnaflow pipes; stock C6 Cat; a pic of my setup, albeit no way to get a good photo. The header in the foreground is the driver's side.


thanks help me
Do you not have room to put it in the passenger header?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Corvette Exhaust Setup





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:43 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE