I've been wanting to update my stock exhaust from the moment I purchased it. I want to put a whole new exhaust on from the headers to the very back. It looks like the last owner took the car offroading and it is dented in many places. I was looking at many different individual pieces, but what works best? I'm gonna need all the pieces for a whole new exhaust, even a new cat. I wanna keep my car smog-legal, so A.I.R. tubes all around. Lokking for the best full system, or mixed and matched parts for the best performace. My 89 Formula with the 305 TBI needs somewhere to put all of the exhaust, and the stock system just ain't cutting it.

 

Welcome aboard.

A standard suggestion: Hooker 2055 headers (A.I.R., O2 sensor, great y-pipe), Catco 9118 cat, cat-back for '86-'90 TPI single cat application of your choice.

It'll bolt together and fit in the chassis like it was intended for your car. You may have to do something about the driver's side A.I.R. hose routing (the fitting points to the rear on the 2055's, yours may point to the front - I'm not that familiar with TBI).

 

Hey bro.. I just installed my hooker 2055 in my 305 tbi and i love it. The driver side was very easy but when it came the passenger side i about cried . All you have to do is be pationt. But the y-pipe and the headers fit like a dream. I would replace the spark plugs and you will also need to get 90* angle sprak plug boots. I got the Taylor wires. Awesome. and since your passenger side is open way open i would change the temp switch to a lower one. I Had to learn the hard way and do it after the fact. Good luck bro. No one has failed at this yet. Also people say that you need to take the oil dip stick out but i didnt i just worked around it. And if your dont have the v-belt set up then you dont need to cut anything off the AC bracket. Hope this works for you.

 

Headers seem good, cat is good, how about the cat-back now? I've done some looking on Summit, and found this... If not, let me know what you guys have put on your cars and how it feels/sounds.

<img src="http://server2.uploadit.org/files/Cornholio7979-wlk17423.jpg">

 

i don't think the dual exhaust is just a bolt on, and you might have trouble fitting the 2 mufflers under the car, b/c of ground clearance...you're best best is a sigle exhaust with the dual tailpipes...several companies make ready to go setups including: Hooker, Dynomax, Flowmaster...ect. These exhaust systems retain the factory routing...but you could always play with the duals...it will just take you more time

 

Was just shopping online tonight for exhaust--mine's stock to the cat, was a Flowmaster system on there, but it was rusted and falling off, so now I have a glasspack coming straight off the back, with a nice chrome tip on my hanglow, looks good, sounds nice, but is temporary--the Flowie sounded better. Even so, for 50 bucks or so, I've got a nice rumble and some wicked flow. I know, I know, a good catback is the thing, so here's what I found so far at the Summit site:

Flowmaster American Thunder #FLO-17233, 3" main pipe to 3" dual outlets, straight chrome tips, for 335.95--very nice, and loud I'm sure, my old Flow was louder than my current glasspack, which is a straight through design. Direct fit.

Hooker Catback #HOK-16820HKR, 3" main pipe to 2.5" dual exits, with chrome double tips, straight back, most likely loud. 279.95

Dynomax Catback #WLK-17493, 2.5" main pipe with twin 2.5" outlets, turned down, a steal at 169.95

All these are direct fit, and of course come with a single to dual crossflow muffler.

There were others as well, of course, but these were my main choices based on pipe diameter, dual outlets, and price.

Another really nice setup, is the Magnaflow MPE-15684, a 3" stainless dual catback, with fat chrome pipes, 3" to 3.5" inches as I recall. Made for 4th gens, but can be made to fit our cars. Kind of spendy at 420.95 dollars, but very nice.

Dynomax catback was the most affordable, and, based on a poll on these boards, people think it outflows the Flowmaster. Of course there's a monster system from Mufflex, 4", but not really necessary on the 305. Any more than 3" and you are probably losing too much backpressure.

I'm still looking at Cats, looks like Catco is the most affordable. I'm currently searching the boards for info on which flows best. General consensus is that Hooker 2055's are good for headers--that's what I want, and ceramic coating is key for longevity and heat reduction. More info on Catalytic Converters please, ie. best bang for the buck. Here's a pick of the Flowmaster American thunder...

 

Here's a pic of the Magnaflow setup...Also, here's another thread on the cats:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=304539

 

It's a TBI, do what five7kid said. Save some cash and get the dynomax one, it'll do the job you need it to do.

 

That's a Dynomax setup I posted up there. It says it has all stock mounting and hanging locations (but seems it would be different for 2 pipes instead of 1). I just like the way the exhaust pipes look, long and chrome. Only problem is that the exhaust is 2 1/2in in size the whole way through. The Flowmaster looks like the only comparable thing it terms of looks. I would like the exhaust to look aftermarket, instead of the flat metal look of the suggested Dynomax setup. Also, is it true about the gaskets provided by Hooker? Should I just get some gaskets from some other company, like Mr. Gasket?

 

I've seen a couple of different single to dual muffler setups, like the one you posted--not sure how that's gonna work---isn't clearance over the axle a problem on the left side? One way around it, is to run the dual pipes side by side, in the stock location, then they split off under the stock muffler area (under the gas tank), then go out the back through two mufflers on either side (or they cross over through their own chambered mufflers, then out the back.

I've also seen a 3" pipe all the way back, with a "y" just past the rear axle, going to dual mufflers.

Of course, there are lots of dual setups on these boards, so it's not impossible, just might take a bit of work to get that system to fit. Would be cool to see it installed, and yes the long chrome pipes are bada$$. Also, I'm no expert, but I would think 2.5" would flow fine for a mildly modded thirdgen, and would look nice too.

 

Okay, thought of one more thing, not to babble here, but there are also catalytic converters that are single in, dual out, anybody use one of those? That would work for the side by side duals, in the stock location, or for a classic dual setup--there are also dual in, dual out cats, so you could conceivably run two header pipes in, and two exhaust out, with the cat acting as an "x-pipe." Don't know if that would offer any improved sound or flow over a good catback though.

Personally, I'm leaning toward the American Thunder 3" setup. My last Flowmaster was plenty loud, and I think my pipes were 2". Can't stop thinking about exhaust lately. I need help.

 

How about this kit? http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...90&prmenbr=361 i am thinking of this kit...only downside is it is only 2 1/4inch and not mandrel bent.

 

Ya that looks allright, but then you need cats and mufflers. Ground clearance is probably the main reason to do a single to dual setup--but that will probably work. Also, if you are going duals, I was told by an engine builder that you don't need 3" pipes, in fact, smaller is better to keep some exhaust pressure and lowend torque. A single 3" works out to 1.5" per side and that works fine for all but the burliest buildups, so I am told by a guy who not only builds SBC's, but he eats Fords and craps Dodges.

 

Im kinda in the same boat -- near stock TBI, inspection next month and my stock muffler is rusted and has a crack near the exiting tailpipe on the driver side which will not pass inspection. Good time to upgrade. I looked on summit just like you, and I like that same 3" flowmaster american thunder because of the 3" pipes throughout. The tips look good, although Id prefer straight back and Im not sure from the picture if thats what they do.

My concern is that im reading that the flowmaster mufflers arent too great in terms of flow. Seems dumb to put only 2.5" piping though, so what to get??

 

I Think I will probably just run a single 3inch pipe out of a y-pipe then put a muffler on it and a turndown. that way I wont have to make many bends b/c I wont be running it through the axle...just put a single 3inch in the stock passenger side location....a single 3inch should be enough.