Muffler question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Newbury Park CA
Muffler question
I realize that muffler topics appear almost hourly here, but I have a question. Today, while mesmerized by my 1985's shine, I noticed a fairly distinct oddity. My left rear muffler, had, somehow, broken its weld and was hanging down a good deal. The muffler is part of the completely stock system on the car.
My queries are as follows. 1) Can I re-weld the muffler to the pipe and will this be reliable? 2) Since my mufflers are almost 20 years old should I just replace them now? 3) In the case of the latter, I would want to replace the stock mufflers with aftermarket ones. What are the best mufflers, taking into account; cost, performance gains, and sound and where can I purchase them?
Also I have to pass smog in a couple of week, not sure if mufflers impact smog testing at all or not, but they have to be able to pass smog in CA. Aftermarket mufflers must also be able to work with the stock exhaust on an '85. Thanks a bunch guys!
My queries are as follows. 1) Can I re-weld the muffler to the pipe and will this be reliable? 2) Since my mufflers are almost 20 years old should I just replace them now? 3) In the case of the latter, I would want to replace the stock mufflers with aftermarket ones. What are the best mufflers, taking into account; cost, performance gains, and sound and where can I purchase them?
Also I have to pass smog in a couple of week, not sure if mufflers impact smog testing at all or not, but they have to be able to pass smog in CA. Aftermarket mufflers must also be able to work with the stock exhaust on an '85. Thanks a bunch guys!
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Muffler question (1985vette)
If you want a little performance gain with the new sound do a complete cat-back change.
I like the FlowMaster sound but my TPIS Flows do have some resonance while cruzin. The guys say that the Force II Flows from Summit are pretty good with less resonance though.
The mufflers will have no efffect on emissions.
I like the FlowMaster sound but my TPIS Flows do have some resonance while cruzin. The guys say that the Force II Flows from Summit are pretty good with less resonance though.
The mufflers will have no efffect on emissions.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Newbury Park CA
Re: Muffler question (65Z01)
I just replaced my y-pipe, thats why I was only looking at mufflers, I'm a poor high school student saving for college so I cant spend a lot...Does anybody know where I can purchase some relatively cheap mufflers, including the tips? Thanks again
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 4,623
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Re: Muffler question (1985vette)
Hey that's a great car for a high schooler. Congrats! Do yourself a favor and check the search function for both current and archived postings. There is EVERY possible combination on mufflers, elims, SS, etc. etc. than you could ever dream about. The options will range from dirt cheap to Corsa. Let us know what you do!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Gap PA
Re: Muffler question (1985vette)
Same thing happened to my 85 in the fall. Yes, you can weld it back up, I did for a temporary fix. I also realized that the guy before me did the same thing many times, and there was just weld EVERYWHERE. So, the B&B was purchased this winter. it was $700 from Mid America. I did want cheaper, but I wanted stainless. Either way your gunna prob spend $300 before your done. They do make stock replacements
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Muffler question (1985vette)
On the cheap the best bet would likely be to have an exhaust shop just weld em up, at least for now.
You might check with Summit Racing for some cheap mufflers; MAD would be another source but more expensive. And take a scan in our C4 Parts For Sale/Wanted section, you might get lucky there.
You might check with Summit Racing for some cheap mufflers; MAD would be another source but more expensive. And take a scan in our C4 Parts For Sale/Wanted section, you might get lucky there.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: Stuck in the 80's
Re: Muffler question (1985vette)
I have the Mid-America "low end" replacement mufflers on mine, they have about 15K miles and will be coming off next week. My rear Y-pipe is shot so I am replacing it along with Dynomax Ultra-Flow's.
I plan on selling my Mid-America ones, and will let them go pretty cheap. Not a bad muffler at all, quiet at idle and a good low roar at WOT, I just have more money now and wanted SS.
Shoot me an email if you're interested.
Mark
I plan on selling my Mid-America ones, and will let them go pretty cheap. Not a bad muffler at all, quiet at idle and a good low roar at WOT, I just have more money now and wanted SS.
Shoot me an email if you're interested.
Mark
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Muffler question (gbody5)
Allens Exhaust makes an 85 direct replacement but they make them with 2.5" diameter pipe and the dual chamber muffler they have has dual functinal 2.5" outlets. This is a little better than the 2 1/4 diameter stock rear yipe.
This looks just like stock and will give you some more performance. A future mod could be to upgrde the front y-pipe to a single wall pipe too. The y-pipe is $160 and the two mufflers cost $180
http://www.allencorvetteexhaustsystems.com/
This looks just like stock and will give you some more performance. A future mod could be to upgrde the front y-pipe to a single wall pipe too. The y-pipe is $160 and the two mufflers cost $180
http://www.allencorvetteexhaustsystems.com/
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 542
Likes: 1
From: Stuck in the 80's
Re: Muffler question (ld85)
Pretty good looking stuff, but from the picture the rear Y-pipe does not appear to be mandrel bent so the extra 1/4 in gains will not be fully utilized.
Just an observation.
Just an observation.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Re: Muffler question (1985vette)
i have some stock mufflers off my 85 if you are interested....black with black square tips. well....i believe they are stock, no marking to make me think otherwise
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Oakley Ca
Re: Muffler question (Orlando85UCFvette)
Leaking exhaust does definitely affect Ca. smog tests. BTDT. Any of the mufflers with both exhaust tips open will resonate to some degree. Thats why the originals had only one tip that was open. My '85 has later model stock mufflers, due to being rear ended by a drunk, with the second tip partially opened and doesn't resonate. I've had several different muffler sets and went back to GM for pleasant cruzznn. Ya I know, but it will run with the best of yous!