I'm almost done with setting up my exhaust and am almost ready to order. I've decided to go with hooker exhaust and CatCo cat.

I've got a stock '91 RS TBI. Now is it worth the extra $150 for the full-on cat-back hooker system or should i just stick with getting the aerochamber muffler?

I don't want to spend an extra $150 for an extra 1/2 HP just for mandrel pipes and tips. Is it really worth it performance wise? I'm strapped for cash and want to do some other mods too.

And where can i find the best price for the cat-back or muffler?

 

I felt an improvement with just a flowmaster and a R&R cat, but with the catback you will get a few more ponies and better throttle response. I just depends whether or not you plan on modding your car further. If you are just looking for a little seat of the pants improvement and great sound or 1/4 mile et's.


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-John
92 RS
-L03 305
-700R4 auto.
-2.73 peg leg
-GMPP open Air Element
-Hypertech Street Runner chip
-Hypertech under drive pullies
-R&R High Flow Catalytic Converter
-Flowmaster Catback Exhaust (with NO tips)
-K&N Crankcase breather
-Kenwood CD head unit
-Kenwood 6x9 speakers in rear.

 

hmmmm... Does anyone know what kind of gains i can expect with a cat-back+CatCo as opposed to a muffler+catco? In terms of hp/torque.

 

If u are going to be doing bigger mods than these, I'd say get the exhaust system, but if u are just looking for some more power, just get the muffler and converter.

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Looking For:

87 IROC-Z 350 TPI
84 TRANS AM 305 H.O.

[This message has been edited by IROCZTWENTYGR8 (edited March 14, 2001).]

 

It depends on what kind of mods u want or are going to do, and what size the exhaust will be. What are they??

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Looking For:

87 IROC-Z 350 TPI
84 TRANS AM 305 H.O.

[This message has been edited by IROCZTWENTYGR8 (edited March 14, 2001).]

 

I plan on doing:

180 thermo
AFPR
cold air intake
coil and 8.5mm wires
chip
tbi spacer

This is just within the first few months. But they are the priority.

Later on i'll do

headers
intake manifold

Right now i have stock exhaust which would be stock pipes. I measured the outlets today, which were 2.5 in. But i didn't get to measure the intermediate pipe. I think it's 2.25.

 

If your not going to do heads and cam I don't think I'd go for the new exhaust system on a your engine, because if u do you'll most likely get it bigger, so I'd probably just get the muffler and converter. U could get the bigger exhaust, which will give u gains in HP, but take away some Torque, so u would be looking to get some in there again. That could result in winning less street races because Torque is what really wins them, then you'd be looking for higher gears and TC's and stuff, it all depends on how much modding u want to do.

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Looking For:

87 IROC-Z 350 TPI
84 TRANS AM 305 H.O.

 

Yeah, I'm just gonna keep it light. I won't be doing any drag races. But i'm modding in case some ***** or a mid90's mustang GT wants to take a stop-llighjt race. I'm going mostly for 0-60 times rather than 1/4 mile.

Hopefully i'll have mid to hi 6's. A shift-kit should help me a lot in that area.

Which do you think will provide the best gain? Hooker muffler or Flowmaster?

 

Yes, for 0-60 times, you'll need good lower RPM Torque so that would most likely be the thing to do. I can't tell u which muffler is better for flow because I haven't seen any flow comparisons or compared a Flowmaster to the Aerochamber, and I don't think any1 has yet.

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Looking For:

87 IROC-Z 350 TPI
84 TRANS AM 305 H.O.

[This message has been edited by IROCZTWENTYGR8 (edited March 15, 2001).]

 

Isn't it worth it to spend the extra money, and replace the entire exhaust at the same time, instead of crawling under the car again later on when the intermediate pipe needs to be replced?

 

I agree; get the whole cat-back. Why save a few bux now and make a bigger headache later?

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Why fix something that doesn't need it?? If hes getting a muffler to match the current size of his pipes, why change it when it doesn't need it?? He said he doesn't want to pay all the $$ they charge for complete exhaust systems. IMO, its not something he needs if hes not going with a bigger exhaust and just getting the muffler and converter.

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Looking For:

87 IROC-Z 350 TPI
84 TRANS AM 305 H.O.

 

I did some math, and it may actually be cheaper to do the cat back.

The way i figure it. For the muffler+cat it will run about $140. Then the muffler guy has to bend no outlet pipes and weld everything in. Installation would run me about $110-$150.

But for the cat-back and cat ($310). I can bolt everything in and buy some liquid weld. Do it all myself. Now i must see if the liquid-weld actually works.

For the extra $20 it may be worth it. I'll have an estimate done first though. Is the cat-back a bolt on?

[This message has been edited by mostafa3k (edited March 15, 2001).]

 

All cat-back's should be bolt-in's... is the Hooker one you're looking at a "Super Competition Cat-back"? If so the webpage is here: http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/ProdLin...CBS/SCCar.html and it looks like it is a bolt-in. Heck you could call & ask the guys at Summit Racing, too. I'd say definately do the job yourself! https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/001267.html


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!