Hey all,

I just took off the system from my 83' Z28. I don't think the original owner had the correct system on there. I thought that these cars had 1 muffler? He had these two little mufflers on there and one of them was held to the hanger with a rubber strap!

The system was rusted through in a few spots so it was time. The cat is also rusted through and that will be replaced as well.

I called Craigs Exhaust in Frankfort, IL to inquire about exhaust pipes because I bought a Dynomax muffler off a forum member here. He asked me if the manifolds were still good. I said that I might consider running headers. He then says, "We can't work on cars before 75' if you're not running a cat." I say, "Oh, I just wanted to get the exhaust pipes and work on it myself." I wasn't just saying that, I actually do the work myself. He replies, "You should try an auto parts store because we don't sell pipes here." I found that strange because he sold some pipes for my Roadmaster a few weeks ago without any problems and I did the installation myself.

I only paid $35 for that Dynomax muffler so I didn't lose much. Now, I'm thinking about going with a catback system from Jegs or Summit.

Which brand is easiest to install? I don't want to do any fabrication because that's just not my thing. I don't have access to a lift but I've managed to do exhaust work before without the benefit of a lift.

 

'82/'83 V8's had two mufflers. A wierd system, because it had a pipe from each bank of cylinders, joined together before the cat, a single cat and pipe back to the axle, then split into two pipes with a muffler each. The later single muffler was just as good, and of course cheaper.

Here's the best way to go: Buy aftermarket parts for '86-'90 TPI single cat applications, from headers to cat to cat-back. Replace everything you've got, in other words. I'd recommend Hooker 2055 headers, which include a very nice y-pipe, Catco 9118 direct-fit cat, and pretty much any cat-back for that application of your choice. It'll all bolt up to your engine and chassis, although some minor hanger modification may be required, and the driver's side A.I.R. checkvalve fitting on the headers will point backward instead of forward. Minor issues, otherwise pretty much a bolt-in.

 

>>edit **Uh oh, somebody beat me to it**

The rubber strap on the driver side hanger is stock so far as I have seen on two 88 IROCs. I remember at one point a certain model F-Body was using the solid mount hanger on the driver side.

For ease, any cat-back for an 82-92 Camaro/Firebird will bolt in presuming you get the right model specific to your year and model of car. Find something listing or showing a 2 piece intermediate pipe which runs the length of the car, after the converter and before the muffler inlet. A two piece unit has one shorter, "over-the-axle" pipe and another longer pipe. So far as I know, you would have to drop the rear-end in order for a one piece to be installed without a lift. I had to use the Sawzall to get mine out without a lift by cutting in multiple locations. This was also a flowmaster cat-back of some sorts. Sounded nice, but I think it had to do with it not featuring that trademark flowmaster drone that just flashes mustang mustang whenever I hear it. I think they call it the 30 series. Gutted converter at the time as well. Of course, as per the previous owners detailed jerry-rigging of the entire car.

You may have to purchase adapters to connect the cat-back to the converter. Idealy, you would replace the entire exhaust system to a performance setup to avoid problems. I personally do not have any experience with the stock pieces so I cannot make detailed comments on what is needed to complete such an install.

I get the same feeling when I called a local exhaust shop for custom work. They asked what was custom about it so I replied, "Well other than the headers and cat-back..." That is all I could get out before the phone receptionist snapped, "I'm sorry, sir. We will not work on cars that are not legal" Were it not better for the environment, the only reason I would use a converter would be to avoid that ignorant stereotype that follows the word performance.

 

Licensed repair shops have to be very careful about what they do to an exhaust ahead of the cat. They can be slapped with stiff fines if they do anything that is not 100% "legal". Putting TPI headers on a carbed car, for instance, is not technically "legal", therefore they won't do it. Putting on a cat that they do not know with 100% certainty is the correct application will subject them to fines. Modifying a y-pipe in any way other than returning it to factory can get them in trouble. The Feds have been known to send out undercovers just like you guys to set them up - small wonder they're skiddish.

Last January, my daughter's Lumina needed a new muffler. When I took it to Midas, I discovered it also needed a new cat. All of the replacement parts were Walker, and looked just like the factory stuff that was removed (I probably could have saved a lot of money buying the Walker parts from a chain parts store and installing them myself, but I was running out of time before she needed to head off to college). 7 years ago, my van needed a new cat; Midas wanted $350 to install one - I could pick one up from Checker for $120, but they absolutely refused to install the one I picked up from Checker. I thought they were being petty and just wanted to the extra profit from selling me the converter too, but after hearing horror stories about what the Feds will do to a shop, I completely understand now.

I installed the system on the Camaro myself when I did the engine mods. When I took it in for emissions inspection/test, they spent an extra amount of time looking under the hood before pulling it onto the dyno, but when all was said & done they actually complemented me on the results.

 

Guys,

I understand how tough the EPA is on a shop about being legal. I've read that the fines can be in the $10,000 range.

But that's not my gripe. My thing is that he didn't even want to sell me the exhaust pipes because I wasn't going to have the work done there. And that was only about a month after I had bought Buick exhaust pipes through him.

He would've made a quick and easy sale by selling me exhaust pipes. But he choose not to. Needless to say, he's lost my business and if my friends ask for a recommendation, I would tell them to go anywhere but his place.