I'll get a 1986 Chevrolet Camaro this weekend, and I wan't to do the whole exhaust system the right way, the first time, so I'll ask you your opinions of what would work best for me...

First, it received EVERYTHING from a 60 000 original miles, 1989 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z... 350 TPI, 4 speeds automatic transmission, 2.73 POSI, springs, shocks, struts, bumpers etc etc... The only mods made to the 350 TPI when he swapped out the stuff to this base Camaro are AC delete pulley, smog pump delete pulley and a B&M shifter.

Keep in mind, I might do some mods and maybe some free ones too, but I'll NEVER install a turbo, supercharger or nitrous... I may in the future do mods to let more air in, port the intake, runners and stuff like that, but I'll probably never change the heads, cam etc... I don't think I'll ever be rich so...

Keeping that in mind, what size headers should I get, piping size, cat size, muffler size etc...? Brands? Types?

I don't care of the sound, I wan't an exhaust setup that will give me the most power right now and with my minor future mods.

Example, I don't want some people tell me "Go 4" all the way, in case you put in a 383 and blablabla..."

This car will be my daily driver from april to october every year if that can help you help me better hehe. Do I need to keep my O2 sensor in new hearders? I imagine that I need to if it's driven daily?

 

I searched in the forums and I can't decide what to go with... Someone can help me by looking at what I've posted for my setup and what I'll do in the future.

 

i'm gonna say that the hooker 2055's, no cat, and a flowmaster force II with single hideaway pipe would be best, though most people like exhaust tips...in that case, the hooker catback would be in order.

 

Hello my friend,

1- So Hooker's 2055 are the way to go for to get the most power of my system right now and my future small mods? Do they have the hole for O2 sensor?

2- I would prefer a muffler with 2 exits. What's a good one? I don't care about the sound like I said, I wan't the best setup for my actual configuration and future very small mods.

3- Should I put a cat or no? I already have the smog equipment removed so...

 

i don't see a need for the cat if you don't need it. the car will perform better all the way around without it. better throttle response, breathes better in the upper rpm range, and better fuel economy.

the hooker 2055's are just about the best bang for the buck when it comes to shorty headers. they do have o2 bungs and AIR tubes. if you don't want the tubes, just cut 'em off and weld up the holes. the y-pipe that comes with these headers is a work of art. simply the best flowing shorty headers on the market for our cars in my opinion.

as far as two outlet muffler, well, most every one of the aftermarket companies have two outlet mufflers.
dynomax-relatively mild at idle...just a little louder than stock. sounds really good at WOT
flowmaster american thunder, loud all the way around
hooker, nice mellow idle, screams at WOT (i like this one)
MAC-couldn't tell ya the sound quailty
edlebrock-supposedly moderate idle and LOUD at WOT
there are others, the list goes on and on.

 

2-outlet muffler was one compromise I made for aesthetics - my car is hardly a show-car, I just like the balanced look of dual-opposite outlets.

Truth is, a single-outlet, 3" muffler outflows dual outlet crossflows.

Otherwise, I'd have to 2nd Matt's suggestions (although the typical high-flow aftermarket cat doesn't hurt performance, really).

 

yeah, but the typical highflow aftermarket cat is like $150+...it was an easy decision to me, lol!

there have been numerous debates as to whether the single-outlet mufflers ACTUALLY outflow the cross-flow stuff, but in my mind, i just can't fathom why it wouldn't outflow them. whichever...i've got true duals under my car.

 

The hooker cat back is amongst the best flowing, so you know what my choice would be. And all for a reasonable cost.

 

So if I rear correctly what you guys said, I should buy Hooker's 2055 headers with Y-pipe, put a pipe in place of the cat, and buy a 3" Hooker cat-back for my car?

Thanks

 

i got the flowtech shortys and y-pipe on mine worked fine till i put a new (aftermarket) oil pan on with a 2.5 mandrel bent exhaust and flowmaster 80 series exhaust also put on a new "universal" cat with the pipe kit and i like the power gains and the sound also went with the dual outlet muffler cause i like the way dual tailpipes look out the back

 

yes, that's exactly what we're saying.

and the flowtech headers suck mercilessly...don't even consider them.

 

Hope I'll be able to find a nice used set of Hooker's headers...

 

good luck, lol! everyone loves those headers! if i could get away with shorties, those are the headers i'd be running...

 

if he doesn;t need smog equipment then just let him get the

2460-2 Hooker Stainless Steel headers they would last longer than the car.. Two things I just noticed when I doubled checked the part number and price.. Hooker says these are tuned,, Summit says they aren't. And no y pipe which is the cool thing about the 2055's.

The ceramic coated ones are 329, the stainless are 500

 

y-pipe is available for the 2460's...though i didn't know they offered them in stainless steel

 

Here are some engine pics... Maybe you'll be able to tell me more stuff than I know... I still haven't seen the car for real yet.

 

The user Edzz is selling a set of used hooker headers for 90$ they're freshly coated too. i was going to buy them but i need the smog b/s and these dont have the bungs on them so...send him a message cause 90$ is a steal.

 

Did hooker make more than on version of shorties for our cars?

If not i've got the 2055's

 

You have Hooker 2055 on your car or they are for sale?

 

yes, the 2460's fit our cars as well. they have the traditional 3 bolt flat flange instead of the ball and socket, and up unitl about a year ago, a y-pipe was not available from hooker, but they make one for them now. the y-pipe, however is only a 2.5" pipe after the junction, unlike the 2055's y-pipe with the 3" outlet. they are both very nice pieces. i've seen folks cars with the 2055's, and i've owned a set of 2460's. hooker makes some awesome headers.

 

just looked at the headers, and they have 2460 stamped onto the flange, and it is a typical triangle three bolt set-up.