Seems I have a couple of exhaust leaks I need to square away pretty soon...not that bad, but bad enough.


Anyway, I have the Hedman Smog legal headers w/ Y-pipe, air tubes were lost...

The collectors on the Y-PIPE side are warped from an idiot buddy tightening them too tight with the impact, but he was trying to help me out, so I'm not THAT mad.

I'm at a crossroads at this point...here's what my current exhaust consists of...I've been planning on changing it around, but I have a bunch of other stuff already lined up for the IROC, and this wasn't one of 'em.....


Hedman headers, 3" collectors into 3" collectors on Y-pipe, which narrows down to 2.5" pipe which feed into a 2.5" single pipe that is clamped right before the converter....suprisingly the clamp doesn't leak

Remember, my 85 IROC had the wide, 4 bolt flange ( both ends ) converter, and currently still has it, although it's a bit lighter...

However the flange on the PIPE that bolts to the converter is just had it...it's probably the original flange, and while the converter side is fine, the other side is leaking...not bad, but it's there. The backside is fine.

The I-pipe is a 2.75 factory looking replacement..which then runs into a Hooker Aerochamber mufflers w/ 3" inlet and dual 2.5" outlets.

If anyone who had used the Hedman's can attest...the pass side collector on the Y-pipe itself is a bitch to remove / install from the header, it's just the way the pipe is made.

So at this point, I'm not even sure that I can just replace the collectors on the Y-pipe, it looks like it would be tough to weld up....that's my first option.

The replacement Y-pipe is right under $100, so that's another.


My normal exhaust guy has made probably 4 or 5 custom Y-pipe for me after header installs in different cars, and price ranged from $50-90, depending on what kind of mood he was in

That's another option. He'd use 2.5" pipe, and he's good, so there's not alot of major kinks going on....

I was also considering getting the Flowmaster Y-collector for like $40, then have him bend to that...


Here's the rub..while I'm under there, I mine as well replace the converter. Of course, I DO have a 87 IROC parts car, so I Was hoping I'd get lucky. ALMOST.

The parts IROC has the HUGE looking 3" I-pipe but's it's bend up a bit before it hits the converter...might cut it off and look at it anyway. It has the factory style slip in / bolt up cat, and it's a bit mangled on the bottom from the accident.


So I'm looking at a 3" Universal Carsound cat which I can score for $55.00

OR I can get a direct replacement converter, that bolts up like mine, but has bigger 3" in / out ( replacement cat for mid 80's Vette ) from Catco for like $115.... Then I have to deal with finding a new flange to bolt up to the front of that coverter....


I'm also trying to keep in mind that I'd probably like to be able to unbolt my exhaust when I wanted....but I don't think that's as important as the right, leak free setup...


So here ya go, give me your opinions / suggestions. PLEASE don't suggest a FULL aftermarket cat back, it ain't gonna happen, since from the muffler back, I have it the way I want it.


Thanks