Since the Y-Pipe on ALL F-Bodies are so restrictive, could an exhaust shop fabricate a performance one for me? Bigger diameter and mandrel bent? Few more questions, Can it remain emissions legal? Will a bigger diameter have ground clearance issues? Can it bolt back up to a stock exhaust manifolds and cat?

 

I don't see why not, depends on the shop. Also, getting a custom y-pipe is not going to do anything to your emissions, unless of course your going from say 1 cat to 2, or the reverse. They can make a y pipe for you, the problem that you may run into is the mandrel bent part. You have to find a shop that does it.

Another thing to consider is how bit your gonna go. The larger the pipe, the less likely an exhaust shop will do it. At least around here. Your best bet is to talk with the shops to see what they will/can do for ya.

One of the last things that is needed is what the rest of the exhaust is hooking up to before the cats. LT's, shorties, manifolds. Shorties and manifolds shouldn't be an issue. LT's are gonna cost $$$ for a y-pipe, that is if your going in the stock location. They probably won't do it.

Hope that gives a little to work with.

 

Yeah thanks. I'm going to start calling a few exhaust shops in the area to see what they can do for me. What is stock Y-Pipe? 2 1/4 right?

 

Anything can be fabricated! Its just a matter of finding a shop willing to take the time and having the skill. It will not be cheap though. Most shops will not have a mandrel bender. These are big bucks,BUT, again if they want to take the time, they can order "J" or "U" bends in 2 1/2 and fab you a pipe up. The larger pipe does cause some clearance issues around the oil pan so its tricky, but it can be done. I've done a few. The factory pipe (5.7) is 2 1/2 into 3 inch which is pretty large but you also need the correct manifolds. The problem with the factory pipe is that the p/s side tees in at a 90 degree andle which doesn't do much for flow. Headers are an option but also at a cost. Angle, I meant angle! Stupid!

 

Wow thats alot involved. Would it even be worth it?. When you say big bucks you mean around $200 or $300 or like 7-$800?

 

If you want a mandrel y pipe then yes, big bucks. Its time consuming to do the cut and weld technique. So lets say you need, ooh, 3 j bends @ $15.00 each (just guessing here) and it takes five hours @ $75.00 p/hour plus the little 3 inch section at the end (another $25.00 3" j bend). So you have 15 X 3 plus $375.00 labour plus a 3" j @ $25.00. Total $450.00. Just for a Y pipe and I'm speculating on the bend costs and labour rate but it should be reasonably close. It could take longer also, so add more labour.

 

Why not just buy the Flowmaster Y-Pipe as they make quite a few different sizes. I bought one for my Mufflex system and it was $40 out of Summit. Mine was 2 1/2" on the inlets and 3 1/2" on the outlet. Dyno Don had no problem installing it on my car.

 

I know Hawks Third Gen sells a factory replacement Y pipe that bolts to stock manifolds made by MAC for like $170. 2.5" pipes that Y into a 3" pipe all mandrel bent.

 

the mieneke in my area gave me an estimate on a custom Y-pipe of about 250 to 300 with glass packs....

 

I called MAC about that and they said it ONLY works on V8's.

 

i'm new to the world of exhaust. i kind of have a similar problem. The y pipe i want doesn't exist. My headers are hooker 2460 shorties, 1 5/8 primary, 3 inch out, 3 bolt flange.

Now the y pipe they make for these headers are 3" inlet and 2.5" out and the whole y pipe is 2.5". The inlet on the y pipe is 3" but quickly flared to 2.5" I have these headers hooked up to a 95 LT1 inside of an 86 trans am, so i would like 3" all the way after the headers, y pipe is only 2.5". Can i bolt on 3" exhaust after this 2.5" y pipe? Would the y pipe be a bottleneck? I really want a 3" y pipe.

 

Oh, I just noticed you got a 6 banger. In that case, yeah, the MAC pipe won't work...

 

He should buy some headers for his v6 with a matching
y-pipe.

I'm curious how many v8's he has "slayed". hrmm..

-- Joe

 

Its kind of an inside joke, raced my friend just for laughs when he had a 5.0 stang and blew his motor revving it.