Budget on the LB9 - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

eric17422001 · 09-11-2005, 11:20 PM

Hey folks- I have an LB9 T5 Iroc that I am trying to get a little more out of but not put too much more money in.

I bought the car right (cheap) and had to put a couple hundred in it to get it running right. It is stock right down to the manifolds, Y-pipe, cat and muffler. I am at the point where I can put another hundred in it and still break even selling it, as I intend to do as I can't afford the insurance on the four cars I currently have and need the money for other projects.

Is the factory Cat inlet 3" or 2.5" ? I am asking because I can get a Summitt manual cutout for 26 bucks or so and put it in in front of the cat but it's biggest size listed is 2 1/2".

I am tossing up either spending $100 at a small local shop with a guy I know who'll install a "test pipe" (no inspection here) and put an Imco turbo muffler in the stock location using the stock intermediate pipe and tailpipes which are in good shape, or just putting the cutout in front of the cat and uncapping it with a welding glove when I go to the track.

What would you do? Give me some input please!

five7kid · 09-12-2005, 12:01 PM

3".

I'd spend $400 on Hooker 2055 headers. More gains than a cut-out behind manifolds.

urbanhunter44 · 09-12-2005, 12:49 PM

reusing those small restrictive pipes will only hurt your future performance plans. For right now I'd say buy a $35 cutout and use that just before the cat, and save up money for a good exhaust system, I.E. Hooker 2055s, 3" pipes and your cat-back of choice.

five7kid · 09-12-2005, 12:55 PM

The cat on back isn't as restrictive as the stock manifolds and y-pipe are.

And, he's talking about a 2.5" cut-out - that's more restrictive than the stock cat & cat-back.

urbanhunter44 · 09-12-2005, 01:02 PM

Ah, I see what you mean.

They do have 3" cutouts, try jegs.

You might be well off getting the headers first like five7 suggested, or just waiting and saving your money and doing it all at once.

I know headers made a huge difference in a friend's LB9 I rode in - as the passenger I could tell the difference.

eric17422001 · 09-12-2005, 04:31 PM

If I was keeping this car more than a month or two, yes, I'd go for coated Hooker 2055's and a 3" cat back.

BUT.....I have about 2 grand in it right now, and could sell it for $2,000- $2,500 as is , but if I spend $600 on headers and exhaust, i have flushed it down the drain as far as getting the money back.

I'm going with my "A" plan- delete the cat, and a Dynomax or similar muffler using the stock 2 1/2" intermediate pipe and tails.
Still better than stock by far.

I have an L98 car that's getting the money from the sale of this one put into it.

urbanhunter44 · 09-12-2005, 08:05 PM

If you're selling it, don't bother modding it. Just fix what's wrong with it to sell it for more!

five7kid · 09-12-2005, 08:42 PM

Okay, I'm afraid I missed the part about selling it while speed reading the original post.

Spend another $100 modifying the exhaust as you propose and you'll probably knock $400 off of its value.

Leave it alone if you're going to sell it.

FWIW:
The factory I-pipe is 2-3/4".

urbanhunter44 · 09-12-2005, 08:49 PM

Correct! A stock car is always worth more than a modded one.. unless it's really modded!!!

Just use a couple bucks to fix dings and scratches and give her a good wax job!