Hey guys, I got a 1991 firebird w/ the 305 5 speed. Anyway, the other day I was coming off the thruway and as soon as I took a turn back onto a road and got back into the gas, the exhaust system fell off. It broke behind where the pipe bolts to the converter. Seeing where it broke, I figured I'd just buy a cat back exhaust. I have no experience with cat backs so please bare with me. My question is, most cat backs are 3" of course, but how would the 3" pipe bolt to the stock converter? I read somewhere on here that one system gradually went down in size so it would fit on a stock converter, but I can't see that working everywhere because most people hook onto a after market converter, which is most likely already 3". My last question is how is this Pacesetter TFX cat back I saw at summit racing. I never saw it there before, but it's like $260 so it kinda caught my eye. As of now I'm looking at the Hooker cat back, that pacesetter (if it's any good), or the edelbrock. Well sorry for typing so much, and thanks for any help.

 

The flowmaster sounds good and should bolt up to the stock converter. I don't like Pacesetter catbacks (their headers are pretty nice though) same deal with the hookers but they do sound pretty healthy. the Edelbrock is probably the best choice and as long as you do your research and get the right one for your car any of these exhaust's will bolt right up (given that it is for the right year with the right cat setup). I really like the Random Technology Catback check out this link to spohn's listing for it. http://www.spohn.net/product.cfm?productid=1464 Great fitament and excellent Flow. Good Luck.

-Kevin

 

A reducer is all you'll need to connect 2 different size pipes together.
I liked the sound of a Borla on an 88 305 I used to have. It would set off car alarms.
My new one does too.

 

Oh, I see. thanks a lot for helping with that and thanks for the link to that exhaust. Would either of you know how the heartthrob exhaust systems are? I've read a few reviews that had mixed feelings, and the only experience I had with them is a family friend had em on his f150 and it sounded decent. Also, would anyone know how good the Dr. Gas cat back is? I looked that up and it's pretty cheap. I'm just looking at cheaper systems right now, but anyways, thanks for the help so far guys, much appreciated.

 

Im in the same boat as you, blackbird. I have complete stock exhaust, and I want a louder catback. I want something that sounds mean.

KCG, do you know if the random tech cat back you posted will fit right up to a stock single cat 305TBI? I really need something bolt on so I can save my stock ehxaust (its barely rusted at all). I heard random tech sounds pretty mean.

 

You have to look at the flange design. The Random tech comes with a flared end to use with a cone style flange on a single cat system. As long as that is the design you have you should be fine. But if not it's a very cheap fix at a decent exhaust shop for under $50. And Hell Yes the RT catback sounds amazing Especially behind an LS1 with a cam and headers.

-Kevin

 

Well I think I'm gonna go with the Edelbrock cat back right now. Would anyone know how good it flows? I don't really wanna go Flowmaster, just because that seems to be a favorite with these cars. So as long as the Edelbrock doesn't flow like complete crap, I think I'll get that.

 

well i dont know what edelbrock flows, but hooker areochamber and magnaflow are on the top 4 free flowing mufflers out there

 

This may sound dumb, but I've got stock manifolds and want to change them to the pacesetter block hugger headers. What do I do with the sensors that are connected to the manifold when I take them off?

Thanks!

 

While on this subject of headers... what headers will give me the loudest upgrade with a stock exhaust system?

 

If I'm not mistaken you cant run a block hugger on these cars. It puts the collector rite on the k-member, I'm pretty sure. You need to go with an application specific header for our cars. the hooker 2055hkr is a good one, and comes with the y-pipe.

 

Each to his own, but for me loud becomes old fast, especially in a DD. Here's a direct fit system that's quite at idle, but has a nasty growl at WOT:

The following will fit your requirements: Hooker 2055's (Jeg's 520-2055). Catco high-flow converter (Summit CTO-9118). Hooker catback (Summit HOK-16823HKR).

JamesC

 

Unless the headers are paper thin, they will not make the car louder per se, but will give it a better tone and more power, providing it's not choked downstream by the cat/piping/muffler.

Mr Brooks is right, avoid block huggers, they are for street rods, will not fit our chassis.

Also, if you just want a bit more power and a good sound, the Hooker is an excellent choice. Nice growl, seat of the pants power increase (OK, barely, but it's there) and good fit and will last. Magnaflow are also excellent, but are pricey. Edelbrock products seem to have really slipped lately, but I might have just been "lucky"...

TA