MAD front Ypipe questions
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 510
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From: Hockessin DE
MAD front Ypipe questions
i am considering buying one of Mid Americas front ypipes that eliminate the factory precats. i have a few qustions for the members here who have one of these. first, did you notice any performance gains (quarter mile times preferred)? and will the larger 2.5" design bolt up to the factory converter? ive heard they sometimes have fitting problems. finally, i didnt see any provisions for an O2 sensor, how did you go about hooking it up? thanks in advance
[Modified by Red91Vette, 5:01 PM 5/19/2002]
[Modified by Red91Vette, 5:02 PM 5/19/2002]
[Modified by Red91Vette, 5:01 PM 5/19/2002]
[Modified by Red91Vette, 5:02 PM 5/19/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: MAD front Ypipe questions (Red91Vette)
My experience with a MAD front Y was not goot; it arrived with one side mangled. So I returned it and had a local shop custom bend/weld up a SS one. Other Forum members have had success with this piece though. It has a 3" exit pipe that slips onto the front of the cat.
You may get some gains even with a stock system back but it's a start on your exhaust upgrade. Your stock cat and factory cat-back will restrict flow. See my site for the nice gains from the full exhaust upgrade.
I can't remember if the MAD unit had an O2 sensor bung in the left side, but you could have an exhaust shop add one if not.
It might be a good idea to have a good exhaust shop at hand in case there are any issues. If you go this route definitely go with the SS unit.
You may get some gains even with a stock system back but it's a start on your exhaust upgrade. Your stock cat and factory cat-back will restrict flow. See my site for the nice gains from the full exhaust upgrade.
I can't remember if the MAD unit had an O2 sensor bung in the left side, but you could have an exhaust shop add one if not.
It might be a good idea to have a good exhaust shop at hand in case there are any issues. If you go this route definitely go with the SS unit.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: san antonio tx
Re: MAD front Ypipe questions (Red91Vette)
mine did not fit either. I had to have it cut at a muffler shop to make it work. Cost was $199 + shipping and an additional $125 at the muffler shop. Not worth it have one made. It does have the hole for the O2 sensor.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,870
Likes: 25
From: Long Island, NY
Re: MAD front Ypipe questions (Red91Vette)
My Mid America Ypipe fits with no issues.
I purchased it used, so I knew it would fit. Other have problems with the Ypipe.
The O2 sensor is in the drivers side, same location as stock.
You really need to do a catback also for ET gains.
Vic
I purchased it used, so I knew it would fit. Other have problems with the Ypipe.
The O2 sensor is in the drivers side, same location as stock.
You really need to do a catback also for ET gains.
Vic
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 58
From: God's Country The Old Dominion
Re: MAD front Ypipe questions (Red91Vette)
I installed it on my '90 with a Borla SS system. It was definately a gain over stock. The first unit from MAD didn't fit. The outlet was welded crooked and wouldn't fit. By the time I test fit the system the drivers side muffler was just below the tag. MAD replaced it without question but it was a big PITA. Not to mention that I couldn't drive the car for a couple of weeks. Everything works with the stock converter but if I was doing it again I'd listen to Jim & go with the custom unit from the local shop. Good luck. :chevy
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Hockessin DE
Re: MAD front Ypipe questions (Too Slow '90)
i am also looking into a front ypipe, cause headers are just too expensive and time consuming at this point. i have a flowmaster cat back (the force 2 system, not the TPIS one), and for $200, the MAD pipe looks like a good idea as a next mod. however, alot of you guys have horror stories about the installation of this piece. are there any other options besides the MAD one? i dont think there are too many decent muffler shops in my area that could do a custom pipe. one more question... whats this true dual system LT5FIRE talked about?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota FL
Re: MAD front Ypipe questions (Red91Vette)
Mine fit perfectly, and with a new Random Tech main cat I noticed quite an improvement. I don't have any thing except "Butt Dyno" results but you can feel it and I can shift acouple of hundred RPM higher, so it has to be breathing better. The sound level went up a little too. :D
That being said, with the install time and trouble I should have gone ahead and put on headers instead.
That being said, with the install time and trouble I should have gone ahead and put on headers instead.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: MAD front Ypipe questions (tpivette89)
If you are close enough to Trenton, NJ have Mufflex (link on my site) custom bend and weld a 2 1/2" SS front Y. They are artists at this sort of thing; I doubt that it would cost more than the MAD unit. Give Denny a call and check it out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,252
Likes: 2
From: Silicon Valley Kalifornia
Re: MAD front Ypipe questions (Red91Vette)
I ordered one once and I didn't like the bends. It could be fabbed better. Do yourself a favor and get a custom one made at the local muff shop.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Hockessin DE
Re: MAD front Ypipe questions (65Z01)
isnt Mufflex the shop that does alot of installs for GMHTP? i seem to remember the name from that magazine. i wonder how far Trenton is from Delaware. how long did this custom piece take to build 65Z01? is this something i could wait for while they do it or do i need to drive all the way to NJ and drop my car off for a few days?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Patterson CA
Re: MAD front Ypipe questions (Red91Vette)
I got the front y-pipe with CAT combo from Ecklers ($249), it mounted up perfectly to the exhaust manifolds and does have the O2 sensor bung, but I had to do some mods to the AIR pipe (the new CAT's attached pipe is longer than stock, no biggy). I also have their rear y-pipe and muffler eliminators. I did the install this past weekend and it sounds great and has definately increased HP, my old CAT was shot and so were the pre-cats so this may be part of the HP feel. :yesnod:
Be careful when you install the front pipe to the EM, make sure your EM flange welds are in good shape and not broken or rusted :sad:
Be careful when you install the front pipe to the EM, make sure your EM flange welds are in good shape and not broken or rusted :sad:
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: MAD front Ypipe questions (tpivette89)
tpivette89, I drove to Mufflex from SE NY with my TIPS cat-back & Random Tech cat in the Vette. I arrived about 8:00am and was out by about noon. They fabricated the custom front Y & installed it, installed the cat, and modified & installed the TPIS cat-back in about 3hrs for around $300.
Give Denny at Mufflex a call and check it out.
Give Denny at Mufflex a call and check it out.