My muffler shop is ordering a 3 inch connector pipe ( between cat and muffler) from Maremont. Is that a good brand ? DO they do Mandrell bends ? My current pipe has a crimp in it where it bends around some suspension part and into the muffler.

I just want some more info for my decision about what to do with the exhaust. I failed inspection for a tiny hole at the very end of the cat to muffler extension pipe, so the inspection place says I need a whole new pipe. My cat conv PASSED inspection even though it rattles a lot when you hit it, and the muffler shop even mentioned it. The car seems to have slowed up since I first bought it 3 years ago, so maybe the cat breakup is at fault. Maybe. Soo, I COULD replace the cat too. But these parts aren't cheap.... I would love to just put a pipe in place of the cat, or gut it, but nobody wants to do that for me.

SOme guys have suggested just getting a whole cat back and having a shop install it.
But I don't need tailpipes or a new muffler.... I just need a 3 inch cat (maybe) and definitely a 3 inch pipe.

What I might do is order a cat and a pipe from Summit, and have a shop install them. I'll call SUmmit to price it out.

ANother question : Why does the 3 inch pipe go into a 2 1/2 in muffler inlet.? Some guys have said they have the same setup, so I am guessing this is the "usual" setup ? Is it ?

If I just want to be sure I have all the power I am supposed to be getting, what should I do about this exhaust ? I guess the new cat is the most important thing, right, to make sure there's no restriction there? Would a non-mandrel pipe really take off the hp that much ?

A lot of questions, I know. This exhaust stuff is new territory for me. btw, I will let the shop do the install, except maybe the muffler.



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88 GTA 5.7 TPI Charcoal Grey Bone Stock except for loose muffler which makes it a bit louder than normal.

 

at the parts shop I work at they deal with maremont...it is wrinkle bent, not mandrel. It's bent like the stock system, and will look like the stock system. Maremont makes stock replacement exhaust products, not performance parts. I posted this under tech/general engine. I just wanted to make sure you saw this. I can't really answer all your questions but I hope someone here can. I would recommend just getting a new high-flow cat and a 3" intermediate pipe and leave the muffler alone, cause it'll save you a ton of money.

 

Cool. That's what I thought too. Thanks.

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88 GTA 5.7 TPI Charcoal Grey Bone Stock except for loose muffler which makes it a bit louder than normal.

 

Cool. That's what I thought too. Thanks.

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88 GTA 5.7 TPI Charcoal Grey Bone Stock except for loose muffler which makes it a bit louder than normal.