Exaust system

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Jun 26, 2003 | 05:49 PM

TheStef

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Exaust system

I've seen a few post about Exaust system being cloged in the forum.

I have an 1988 vette, should I worry about clogged Exaust? or clogged Cat... and If I understand correctly Cat stands for Catalisor (sorry I'm french).. that thing under the car that stops a good portion of the polutions coming out of the mufflers.

I'm leaning more and more every day!
Thanks for any responce

Jun 28, 2003 | 03:44 AM

Shock

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From: Olympia WA

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Re: Exaust system (TheStef)

Yes they mean the catalytic converter or catalyzer. They can become clogged in several ways. The most common is a melted cat. When the car is running rich for whatever reason, there is unburned fuel entering the cat. That will superheat it and cause the matrix to melt into a pile of slag. No more flow and that will mean poor running if it runs at all.

Another thing that can happen is when the cat take a blow from a rock etc. That can shatter the matrix. The pieces usually end up in the muffler.

Mike

Jun 28, 2003 | 08:01 AM

TheStef

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Re: Exaust system (Shock)

I've hurd about cat back exaust systems?

I'm a little confused, does this meens the hole exaust system is changed including the catalytic converter?

and can you get an after market Catalityc converter?
oh! and my friend had a 93 trans ams and took his off?? I know its illegal, but does it really help make more power?

I only had the mufflers changed in my car and put in flow masters.
What else should I consider changing in my exaust system?

Sorry about all the questions, I'm learning!

Thanks for any help

Jun 28, 2003 | 08:17 AM

rocco16

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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS

Re: Exaust system (TheStef)

Quote:

I've hurd about cat back exaust systems?

I'm a little confused, does this meens the hole exaust system is changed including the catalytic converter?

***Cat-back means replacing everything from the cat back to the tips (everything behind the catalytic converter), the cat remains on the exHaust.
:) ***

and can you get an after market Catalityc converter?

***Aftermarket cats are available, usually cheaper and of a higher flow rating than stock types.***

oh! and my friend had a 93 trans ams and took his off?? I know its illegal, but does it really help make more power

***Some say yes, some say no, and some say not enough to make it worth the risk. Depends on the type of cat you are removing, I suppose.***

Larry
code5coupe
:seeya

[Modified by rocco16, 1:19 PM 6/28/2003]

Jun 28, 2003 | 08:50 AM

TheStef

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Re: Exaust system (rocco16)

Thanks for your reply Larry I think I understand now.

so? since I only had the mufflers changed on my car "Flowmasters"
If I had changed the Y pipe changed behind the mufflers this would meen that I would have installed a Cat back exaust system, right? This Y pipe connects right after the Catalytic converter and then connects to the mufflers?

do you think it would be worth it to change this Y pipe?
- sound wise? better sound?
- perfomance
- look

Why do people chnage this Y pipe exactly?

Thanks!
Steph

Jun 28, 2003 | 09:15 AM

TheStef

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Re: Exaust system (TheStef)

is the Y pipe called a "front Y pipe".... ??
Thanks!

Jun 28, 2003 | 09:18 AM

TheStef

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Re: Exaust system (TheStef)

or is it the rear Y pipe?
hmmmm

Jun 28, 2003 | 10:58 AM

vader86

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Re: Exaust system (TheStef)

The exhaust system in 88 is made of the exhaust manifolds (attached to the block) which lead into a Front Y pipe with 2 precats (small cats) and this feeds into a main cat. Then it splits back out into a rear Y and the 2 mufflers.

The catback is just that, the exhaust from the cat back, the rear Y and mufflers. Replacing them with another system from Flowmaster, Borla, B&B, Power Effects, etc. will give about a 10hp gain for the car.

You should not need to replace the main cat unless it is bad, but there are brands that flow more air than the stocker. Random Tech and Car-Sound for example.

I would not bother with just replacing the front Y pipe, I would replace both the Y and the exhaust manifolds with Longtube headers. Longtubes will give about 15hp gain, get the ones from Lingenfelter, Hooker, TPiS.