Since GM discontinued it, what's the best bet?

It was originally a 2 3/4" I-pipe into a nice big muffler with 2 1/2" tails with an angle cut and squared off end tip...

The original exhaust finally went, and I have a *stock replacement* on there right now, because I wanted to keep the car as original as possible, but it now has an incorrect 2 1/2" I-pipe (although it is welded up and the tips were cut to look stock), and has nowhere near the tone the original did... I'm not looking for loud loud, just comperable to how it sounded, maybe a spec better, but still stock.

I noticed Edelbrock makes a catback with a 2 3/4" I-pipe... any feedback as far as tone vs. original on a LB9?

Thanks in advance...

 

My dad just boght a new stock cat-back system for my '92 RS and I think the company is called "Walker" or "Wlaker Thrush". Something like that. They may be a branch of Dynomax. They'll probably have the factory system you're looking for.

 

Yeah, that's what is on it now. It's close, but it's a smaller muffler, smaller i-pipe, and it doesn't sound right...

 

Why not just have an I-pipe fabbed up the same as stock? Wouldn't be hard for a competent shop.

 

Is it hard to find 2.75" pipe? I do know it's tough to get nice mandrel bends done, esp. in NM. I would stick with the aftermarket pre-fabbed stuff if someone else gave a good review of it.

 

Not sure how hard it is to find 2.75", I've never looked. I know there is 2.5 and 3" though, so I'm sure you can get 2.75 somehow.

 

Have your GM dealer run the part numbers on their Locator. I bought two OE GM mufflers last month.

 

Yeah that's the problem. All they could get was 2.5 or 3", which is why he custom bent it up (did a nice job) in 2.5, but it's too small.... it looks fine, and looks stock-ish, but it sounds like nothing...

 

So get 3"... it looks stock too. My factory L69 pipe was roughly 3" OD just because the pipe itself is so thick. It would be pretty easy to pass a 3" pipe off as stock.

 

Always loved that logo:

 

In hindsight I shoulda gone 3", but hindsight is 20/20. If I'm going to go through the expense again, I want it to be right. 3" is close, but it's still not right.

I figured I might as well post a pic in here, to show that the car is otherwise 100% stock, and I'd like it to remain as close to stock as possible

 

Try somewhere like Year One maybe? I know they can get reproduction exhaust systems, and they do some stuff for 3rdgens.... maybe... just maybe...

 

I'm sure you hear it all the time, Stuart, but I have to say, that is one nice looking Trans Am.

dave

 

Thanks, man

 

i'm 100% satisfied with the edelbrock cat-back i have on my '88 lb9 IROC, it went on in under an hour, laying on my back in the street in front of my parent's house, sounds great, and is not obnoxious like flowmaster

 

...would you by any chance be able to get me a pic of the muffler from underneath, and the tips?

 

give me a week and i'll see what i can do for you, if my boss lets me, i'll take the pics with the car on a lift

 

Thanks, that would be great!

 

I have wondered the same thing. My exhaust is getting old on my stock '92 and I have wondered what I could do about it since I want to keep it stock and keep the wonderful stock GM exhaust note, too.
BTW, really nice looking T/A in the pic up there!

 

I have an 83 with the original exhaust system which I am looking to replace with something that sounds "stock". Based on my searches i have concluded that the dynomax exhaust system is the closest to "stock" sounding. But, I don't know for sure.

It is pretty inexpensive ($160) but they say it has good quality. Only drawback that I have read is that it has a 1-piece I-pipe that can be difficult to get over the rear axle.

phil

 

Classic Industries is selling GM stock replacement mufflers now. Check them out.

 

Any luck with this by any chance?

 

This is the first discussion I recall ever seeing about keeping stock sound and appearance. Everyone is always talking about horsepower and big sound.

Keep this thread going. I have an 87 IROC that I want to replace original exhaust. Need to know more.

Been thinking of using the basic Walker System for IROC. From what I see so far that one's on the quiet side?

 

Where can you buy Walker? Is there an Internet link?

 

http://www.walkerexhaust.com/VehicleYearScreen.asp

Not sure the above link will work, but will get you in the ballpark.

It appears the G engine gets 2 1/4 and F gets 2 1/2 with the
Walker.

I have a 3 inch system on my car now from Heartthrob Exhaust. Eng is F with manual. The Heartthrob system has a Flowmaster Style muffler, but I had them install a "turbo" muffler instead for a quieter sound. It looks like a factory muffler, but it is still louder than a factory sound. Not sure if it's the muffler or 3 inch pipe making the additional noise. It's more of a bellow than a nice factory rumble. Bellow is not a clean sound.

I've heard a Dynomax Super Turbo on an F eng with auto and it sounded quieter with a nice rumble, and probably closer to stock. One of the posts above seems to agree.

Leaning toward that system as of now.

 

yah i agree with the guys above, that is a beautiful Trans Am. i sure wish there were more around like that.

 

Thanks

 

I have a 1990 Iroc with dual cats on which I replaced the exhaust system this year with the DynoMax system. It has the 2 3/4 inch I-pipe. It's a direct replacement for the factory system. It fits great and sounds good. The I-pipe is tough to get over the axle unless you use a lift. If not, you have to undo the panhard bar and the right shock and lower the axle to get enough clearance. It comes with all the hardware (clamps, etc.)
I removed the Flowmaster catback that was on the car when I bought it. I like the sound of this much better.
Hope this helps.....

Randy

 

sorry it's taking so long, but i have to borrow a digital camera from a co-worker, the pics of my '88 with the Edelbrock exhaust will be here, eventually

 

No problem, take your time

 

bttt - any luck on those pics?

 

...bttt...

 

Stu I just bought a walker y-pipe, an O.E. style cat and a Dynomax stock replacement exhaust. I'll get you all the part numbers if you want, along with some pics in the next few days. Email me your current email addy. 350t5@***.net