front Y pipe
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: San Lorenzo Ca
front Y pipe
I have an 89 with the pre-cats. I am thinking about buying the Y pipe without the pre-cats. Other than the smog check I have to deal with, are there a lot of benefits from removing the pre-cats. My car has a new engine with a "Computer freindly Cam", shaved heads, 30 thousands over block, 160 stat, 50 series flo's, open air box. Also I am thinking of getting a 52mm throttle body. Anysuggestions?? Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: front Y pipe (89blkvet)
When I did a 2 1/2" mandrel-bent SS front Y along with a hi-flow 3-stage cat and hi-flow cat-back I picked up ~18chp and had no low end losses.
If you want a good 52mm TB go with the AS&M unit; it is a quality piece. I have the BBK and it was a PITA go machine it to accept the front bellows.
If you want a good 52mm TB go with the AS&M unit; it is a quality piece. I have the BBK and it was a PITA go machine it to accept the front bellows.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 21,094
Likes: 282
From: Phila., PA burbs
Re: front Y pipe (89blkvet)
Replace the 2.25" stocker with a 2.5" mandrel bent piece and you should see a nice gain. I wouldn't be concerned with losing lower end torque. Although my car still has the stock exhaust manifolds, the rest of my exhaust flows pretty freely (no cats) and it gets out of the hole better than it ever did :yesnod:
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota FL
Re: front Y pipe (89blkvet)
If you can get by the visual check during the emissions testing it is a great mod.
There are 49 state legal kits that eliminat the pre-cats but the Republic of Kalifornia doesn't recognize them.
Welcome to the Forum :seeya
There are 49 state legal kits that eliminat the pre-cats but the Republic of Kalifornia doesn't recognize them.
Welcome to the Forum :seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,774
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From: 63.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
Re: front Y pipe (89blkvet)
I did that to my 90 and if anything it seems to have more power than before. It could be though that it feels that way because my pre cats were falling apart and could have been partly blocking the exhaust.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: front Y pipe (89blkvet)
Also I am thinking of getting a 52mm throttle body. Any suggestions??
As for the PreCatLess Front Y-pipe, it's best to order mandrel bends and have a shop custom make you one. :)
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,774
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From: 63.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
Re: front Y pipe (NORMSTOY 89)
I am thinking about doing the same thing. Can you still install the O2 sensor in the Y-pipe?
On the one I got from Ecklers you could.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: San Lorenzo Ca
Re: front Y pipe (joecaver)
Thanks for all the great advice. It looks like I will get the front Y pipe, minus the pre-cats, and install myself. I am still thinking about the 52mm throttle body
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Glendale Az
Re: front Y pipe (89blkvet)
Beware, the bigger throttle body means less velocity, means less torque. You will feel it in the seat test. However, you will rpm quicker in the upper torque curve. Not recommended unless you have plenty of other mods. :chevy
