Eggplant Jeff

OK I just found out that my muffler is not attached to my intermediate pipe... It has completely rusted through. So, time for a cat-back.

I've got an L03, so I have the monster 2.25-inch stock exhaust, stock manifolds & y-pipe, and a stock-SIZE cat (replaced it a year ago, it's a catco).

Now my quandry is that I want to get a 3-inch catback but mate it to my existing cat. Is that possible? Does it take a reducer? Where can I get one and how much is it?

Also I would like as quiet an exhaust as possible. I was looking at the Dynomax (jegs part number 289-17495) but after reading posts here I am not sure it's really 3-inch? The price really grabs me though since it's 166.99. This part is listed for "86-91 Camaro/Firebird w/5.0L & 5.7L-4V H.O. VIN G & F, tailpipes opposite sides".

Now the Edelbrock which I am pretty sure is really 3-inch is listed in Summit for $313.95, with the 10% off it would be $282.56, still considerably more than the Dynomax. Also I've heard the Edelbrock is quite a bit louder, is this true? One advantage of Edelbrock is the lifetime warranty though.

What other catbacks are good? Price is a big issue for me too, that's one real attraction of the Dynomax system. Because price is an issue, I am NOT looking to get headers and a cat at the same time, so I will need to mate the catback to my existing cat.

Thanks!

Dan87IROC-Z

I would suggest the Hooker System. Call the representitives at Jegs and ask them which one with work with your small cat. I know because my friend put one on his 85 LG4 Camaro, and I know that has the small cat.

------------------
1987 Chevy Camaro IROC-Z
L98 TPI 350 (5.7L)
TH 700R-4 Transmission
Borg Warner 7.75" 9 Bolt Rear End

Current Mods: LT4 HOT Cam, Comp Cams 1.52:1 Roller Rocker Arms, Edelbrock TES 1 5/8" Headers, Hooker 3" Aerochamber Cat-Back System, Performance Resource Chip, Accel Ignition Coil, Cap, Rotor, 8.8mm Wires, K&N Filters, JET TPI Air Foil, All Free Mods, Falken ZIEX Z-Rated Tires.

Best ET (w/o LT4 cam): 14.32 @ 97.7mph
(corrected for elevation)

Soon to Come: 7.625" 10 Bolt with 3.42s and Accel TPI Intake Base

Z28ricer

iTrader: (2)

I got the edelbrock from jegs $275.99 perfect fit not too loud but sounds sweet excellent quality.

Eggplant Jeff

OK The problem with getting the cat-back they sell for my engine is that it'll fit just fine, but it won't be 3-inch. It'll be 2.25 or 2.5, basically just like stock.

Z28racer, if you've got a Z, then your stock cat was 3-inch anyway.

Z28ricer

iTrader: (2)

Z28racer, if you've got a Z, then your stock cat was 3-inch anyway.[/B][/QUOTE]

Sorry nope no Z came stock with a 3" cat mine was 2.25 as most are, some are 2.75, im removing it and replacing with a 3" straight pipe.

Keith5

The Hooker system is 3 inch. And it will mate to the Smaller Cats. You just have to get the right one.

------------------
1989 Pontiac Firebird Formula LO3 Auto
-180 degree stat
-Hooker Cat-Back
-vinyl security shade, velcro t-top bag
*****Possible summer '01 mods*****
Dual Snorkle, Auburn Posi, Keyless Entry, Wonder Bar from my IROC, 4th gen seats, T/A tail lights

http://www.geocities.com/krt80/

Eggplant Jeff

I thought all of the Z's had the factory pseudo-3-inch (2.75) cats, I didn't realize they had 2.25 ones also.

Now what about mating the hooker to a smaller cat now and a larger one later? Will the one that fits to the small cat adapt easily to a large cat without posing a significant flow restriction?

How loud is the hooker compared to stock?

Z28ricer

iTrader: (2)

There is also an edelbrock for our cars that will fit the 2.25" cat because there are two pn's in jegs both being 275 for the complete kit, the hooker would work also looks like a nice system but i got the edelbrock for the stainless muffler and liftime warr. it sounded great but i cant do a sound clip because i killed my 305 shortly after and now im in the middle of an LT1 swap, oh well whichever hooker or edel. those would be my only two choices.

brharris27370

I would think you would be better off with the $166 Dynamax and chunk that restrictive cat too. Put a 3" generic Cat from autoparts store on for about $130 and you will be one step closer to 3" all the way. Save a little more and put headers with matching 3" y-pipe. Just my $.02. I am going to do all my exhaust at the same time since I HATE messing with exhaust.

------------------
91 Camaro RS 5.0L Black Convertible 700R4. Owned 3 months bought from 1 owner girl. Working on that stock part.

Aaron87SC

You can get a Hooker catback from Summit that is 3" and has a pipe that reduces to clamp onto the stock cat. It is $260 (that includes shipping). It fits perfect, looks good and sounds awesome.

I should get paid for these plugs...


------------------
1987 Camaro Sport Coupe LG4
700R4 with 2.73 open rear
Hypertech chip, 180* stat
Dual snorkel air cleaner with K&N air filter
CK rods with B hanger
Hooker catback
Pioneer DEH-P4000, Pioneer speakers front/back

Ray87Z

Just for reference my stock Z cat was basically a 3 incher. It is 3 inch on the y-pipe side, w/ a 3 inch opening out the back. Problem was it necks down just slightly to a little over 2.75 inch at the flange for the exhaust to bolt on. Not sure if that is officially classified as a 3 incher or a 2.75 incher, but it will slip onto Edelbrock TES 3" y-pipes on the front, and it will bolt to Hooker 3" catbacks out back just fine...

BTW, I suggest the Hooker catback to anyone needing a good cat-back. I've been really happy w/ mine. I also have a flowmaster crossflow setup on my other thirdgen, and I like the Hooker system better all the way around.


------------------
Ray87Z
-Vortec headed 350.
86 IROC w/ a cammed 305 TPI.
Formerly Ray86IROC.
www.inter-scape.com/Ray

[This message has been edited by Ray87Z (edited April 05, 2001).]

Eggplant Jeff

After reading all this, it sounds like Hooker is the best bet for me. Aaron, do you know the part number of the 3-inch catback that clamps to the small cat? I assume that is the one you have?

Thanks for all your help everyone!