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89 Corvette front y pipe

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Old Jul 8, 2020 | 08:27 PM
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Default 89 Corvette front y pipe

I know this prolly has been gone over, but I just added 2 Magnaflow mufflers to my clean and stock 89 6 speed to just give it a bit more growl. The front y pipe has those pre cats; can I eliminate them and keep the main cat and O2 sensor for just a bit more sound, or do you think it will overpower my ears? Also, would I get check engine lights even though I am keeping the sensor?
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Old Jul 8, 2020 | 08:35 PM
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No CEL. Sound is personal preference. One person will say it's too loud...someone else thinks it's too quiet.
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Old Jul 8, 2020 | 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by jframe
an I eliminate them and keep the main cat and O2 sensor for just a bit more sound,
Yes, this is what I did and it was the best improvement to my 89 that I ever did.
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Old Jul 8, 2020 | 09:00 PM
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One other question. Are the high performance main cats worth doing? The one that is on it seems fine with 75k miles but if one like a Magnaflow is an improvment, I might buy in.
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Old Jul 8, 2020 | 10:12 PM
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Yes. If cat is original pellet type then the flow is much less than the modern type. In the U.S., I think CA is the only state that requires all three. My ‘89 is exempt and therefore runs a true dual system like the later cars. It really sounds like a Vette should.
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Old Jul 9, 2020 | 01:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Siveck
Yes. If cat is original pellet type
No C4 had a bead style cat. ALL C4's had Monolith cats.



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Old Jul 9, 2020 | 11:42 AM
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Replacing the front Y with a 2 1/2" stainless (no pre-cats) unit and the main cat with a Random Tech hi-flow cat will improve exhaust flow and bring a power boost.
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Old Jul 9, 2020 | 11:49 AM
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Be sure to use a quality High Flowing catalytic in front of the exhaust system.
After changing the catalytic converter and installing a Chambered Exhaust CAT-Back system my Gtech pro said I gained almost 14 hp.
The mileage the Corvette was able to get did increase a bit and I finally saw 30 mpg on the highway.
There is no drone with the system I have.
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Old Jul 9, 2020 | 09:58 PM
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Default Y pipe

Hint
85’s did not have precats.
to keep from spending a bunch, order a new Y pipe for an 85, take it to your local muffler shop to install, because in 85, the cat is welded on. The pipe has no bolt on provisions downstream of the Y So your cat will have to be welded on unless your system has a clamp at the front of the cat.
it Will look stock to any inspector

Last edited by coupeguy2001; Jul 9, 2020 at 10:01 PM.
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Old Jul 9, 2020 | 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by coupeguy2001
Hint
85’s did not have precats.
to keep from spending a bunch, order a new Y pipe for an 85, take it to your local muffler shop to install, because in 85, the cat is welded on. The pipe has no bolt on provisions downstream of the Y So your cat will have to be welded on unless your system has a clamp at the front of the cat.
it Will look stock to any inspector
Good tip; not really worried about inspections; still live in a free state (Alabama)
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Old Jul 9, 2020 | 11:28 PM
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Default Y pipe

You understand that in the 80’s, a 3 way cat was a big muffler.
they made the cat a 2-way cat and total catalyzed Using the precats.
your car may smell differently without precats.
but my Engine run stand uses my original cat, and it’s amazing how it controls the smell!!
also, the run stand uses a muffler from a 70 corvette, and with with the two combined, you can hear things in the engine if it had a problem.
like lifter, rod, piston slap, etc.
And i can put any small block chevy engine on it and run for valve adj, carb changes, Cam, etc before it gets in the car.


Last edited by coupeguy2001; Jul 9, 2020 at 11:32 PM.
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