Hey,

I'm in the process of getting new exhaust system for my 89 Formula TBI LO3, and I'm not quite sure what I should all replace and what not.

Basicly the only 2 things wrong are that my cat is burnt / rusted on the underside and that my welding seems are rusted at some spots. and then there is the optical problem of my endtips or whatever you call those things, the pic will explain it all...





Now I'm a newbie when it comes to exhaust on cars and what all is needed, and especially I don't know what all I need to get (partwise) to have a new complete system.

I read that most of you change the headrs also ond the cars, is that necessary? My goal is actually to get a meaner, more V8 Like sound out of my car but I don't need hudghe pipes comming out the back of my car.

since I live in Switzerland ground clearance is important and the ground clearance should stay about the same as with the stock parts I have on now.

I would be greatfull for some good advice and please formulate it in newbie language

thanks alot!

Cedric

 

First off there are a lot of exhausts out there and the most popular is the “Cat-Back” exhausts. These are exhausts that include all the necessary parts to install an exhaust system from the cat all the way to the tips. This is better than the stock exhaust because it flows better and sounds meaner. Headers make a big difference in power and sound, making the sound louder and raspier. Over all the geometry goes like this, header- to y-pipe(pipe from headers to cat)-then cat-then tubing to the tips.

Exhausts to look up are Hooker- Cheap, good performance, a little quiet until at Wide open throttle.

Edelbrock, Flowmaster(don’t recommend), GMMG(really nice sound), or if possible you can have a shop build a custom exhaust for your car.

To replace your car, get a direct fit replacement cat. If you have any questions just ask me or one of the Moderators, I'm no expert.
If you knew this stuff and you feel that I talked to you like you’re stupid, sorry. By the way the cat-backs will all fit in the stock exhaust position and will not compromise ground clearance, good luck and enjoy your American V8.

 

hey superGMman,

Nope thats just the kind of language I need to understand these things so thanks alot

So Basicly what I would ned is a good Cat-Back System and maybe new headers with matchin Y-Pipe, is that correct? Whats about size? I read ppl writing getting 3" isntead of 2.5" etc. does that also make a difference?

I sure will enjoy the car as soon as I get it ready to pass inspection Only exhaust left to be done. Open for all help an suggestions even on complete setups if anyone know of a good one.

thanks
Cedrioc

 

yo.

Yes it's important for all your exhaust components to match up, especially if your doing the work yourself. Do you have to pass emissions inspections there? That may restrict what you may be able to do to your car. If you do have to pass emissions do they base it off what you have put on your car, or the toxicity of the exhaust you put out. That's needed info.

Yes a 3" exhaust is best. Too big a diameter and you'll lose your torque, too small and you wont make much power.

Also do you have an automotive shop nearby that is installing the exhaust or are you? It would also help to know how much money wour willing to spend becuase the more money you spend the nicer system you can buy . I'm sure you know this, but Besides exhaust theres plenty of other things you can spend money on to boost the performance of your LQ3 TBI.

Also I was wondering what everyone thinks of your car in Switzerland. I was in another forum and asked a guy the same thing(he lives in Germany) and he said that pimps drove corvettes and camaros . Just wondering

Matt.

 

Hey Matt,

Yes we have to pass emission spection here every 2 years for cat cars and every year for those without. They measur it by what comes out the back, I'm not sure what the values are, but I know they put that sniffing thing in the exaust and let the car run

Well I was actually thinking of doing it myself, luckely I'm quite handy when it comes to working with my hands But if I would replace the headers then I think I'd have a shop do it, since I'm not sure I would be able to do that myself.

Well I have, right now, approx. 1000$ for whatever I can get which of cours I'll have to subtract about 150-200$ for shipping expensese. So right now I would say roughly 800 but since I'm not in a huge rush I could always just wait for the perfect system.

Basicly what I'm looking for is something that lets my V8 sound like a real V8 but not necesarilly have hughe pipes comming 2 feet ouf of the back

Well there are such and such, some find it totally cool, big engine and others find it a macho car (no its formula no macho edition TA ) It's mostly the newer Corvetts or Mustangs here in Switzerland that are the PIMP cars. But sadly most "old" US cars get driven by old fat guys that have no idea about the car. (glad I'm not in that cliche )

Well hope this info helps you out a bit more!

Thanks alot for all your help so far!

Cedric

 

Cedric, glad to here from ya.

Well if you have to pass emissions, there are two LEGAL options you have for passing them, you can either stay with the stock headers, pass emissions, and then swap in aftermarket headers, but if you paying someone to do that, it could become expensive. Your other choice is to buy shoty style headers. Although they don't make as much power as larger headers, they are emissions legal, and make your car not only more powerful than stock but better sounding as well. Shoty style headers also give excellent ground clearance as well because they are roughly the same length as the stockers(but with more flow capacity). Headers yield the biggest power increase but are very expensive.

Here are some- Edelbrock-http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=TBI+Header&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&searchinresults=false&N=0&target=egnsearch.asp
Hooker-http://store.summitracing.com/default.asp?Ntt=TBI+Header&Ntk=KeywordSearch&DDS=1&searchinresults=false&N=0&target=egnsearch.asp

Check to make sure if these are the right headers for you, I think they are. The more money you spend the nicer system you can have so it's up to you. These sets of header both come with Y-pipes, but the whole system might not fit together right. Ceramic coating is a must for headers so don't go the cheap route and buy painted ones.

There are a lot of exhaust systems to chose from, edelbrock, flowmaster, hooker, GMMG, random tech, etc.

Hooker seems to be very popular beacause it's good quality, and affordable. The sound is described as quiet at idleand at part throttle cruising but raises in volume and has an excellent tone at Wide Open Throttle. There are many sound clips at the top of the exhaust forum just in case you haven't heard them already. Most would say to get the exhaust that sounds the best to you because in a 5.0 TBI there is arguably no difference in performance amonget the different systems. Hope Iv'e helped and take your time in deciding what you want to pay or if you want anything at all. I would say you have so many places to gain power from that motor it's just rediculous. The best of luck to you, if you have any questions just Email or PM me or post back in this thread, peace.

Matt

 

I personly removed all the emisons as I live in MN no more testing--GREAT-- I used shorty headers and i like to exit my exaust behind the passanger door angled down. I am using a Y design into a cherry bomb and a Y out . Just a stock 350

later and


GB

rick