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

Swapping between two exhaust systems

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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 09:33 AM
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Default Swapping between two exhaust systems

I've got a 100% stock 1985 Corvette, which I would like to keep that way. I don't really plan on reselling it, but I like having a 100% original car.

That said, I'm missing the loud exhaust from my previous Corvette (I believe it was a flowmaster system, although I didn't buy it myself). It was a call cat delete, and it was LOUD. Annoying at times, for sure, and droned terribly, but it was so much fun to get down on it.

So here's the question: I still have that old system. It was welded on but my local shop has assured me he can fab it up to be a bolt-on part. If I were to keep my factory exhaust completely as-is, but make the Flowmaster bolt-on, how much work is it to swap between them? I'd like to put on the loud stuff for some shows etc. and then swap back to the tamer factory. I don't know if that's really a feasible thing to do, however, having never swapped exhaust systems.

Thanks for the advice!
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 09:48 AM
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Without seeing the system--and more importantly where the "bolt on" occures-- my quick guess is that your fab shop should be able to create a bolt on swap that would take 30-45 minutes to change over.

You are just dealing with a few bolts and some hanger. The C4 system is really pretty simple and lots of people just "drop" the system with very little time.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by billschroeder5842
Without seeing the system--and more importantly where the "bolt on" occures-- my quick guess is that your fab shop should be able to create a bolt on swap that would take 30-45 minutes to change over.

You are just dealing with a few bolts and some hanger. The C4 system is really pretty simple and lots of people just "drop" the system with very little time.
Sounds like the info I needed. I wouldn't want to swap it out constantly, but it would be nice to be able to switch and still go back to stock when I want to. So there aren't any 'gotchas' or anything that would cause me trouble.

Thank you!
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Old Jun 15, 2018 | 10:07 AM
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On my car I went from the flowmaster 2in exhaust system to a home made 3in exhaust. Was a pretty easy swap, as I have a bunch of 3in exhaust laying around. I just reused the flowmaster mufflers. The car is actually quieter now than with the 2in exhaust, well that is until I floor the throttle.
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Old Jun 15, 2018 | 10:25 AM
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When my car was a street/strip car, I had a one piece exhaust system that spanned from the header collectors to the exhaust tips. Unbolting the exhaust from the header flanges and two rear brackets took only a few minutes on jackstands. I used a jack under the whole system to wheel the assembly out from under the car.
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Old Jun 15, 2018 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
When my car was a street/strip car, I had a one piece exhaust system that spanned from the header collectors to the exhaust tips. Unbolting the exhaust from the header flanges and two rear brackets took only a few minutes on jackstands. I used a jack under the whole system to wheel the assembly out from under the car.
That's more or less what I want to do, so I can swap it out when I want to be loud but don't have to deal with the drone the rest of the time.
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Old Jun 15, 2018 | 12:03 PM
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The 85 has a single cat that bolts between the front "Y" and the rear "Y" to the mufflers. It is a quick unbolt and replace with a different rear "Y" and mufflers.
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