Ok just a real quick question... From the factory, did the muffler come welded or clamped? I looked under the car and the muffler is clamped on...I looked at the muffler and it says IMCO on it. I doubt this is original..don't think GM would clamp their crap on...anyone know? The cat-to-muffler pipe isn't mandrel either...the bends are decent looking, not much different from my catback, but they're all crimp...I'm guessing the pipe is original but once again, I don't know. I just like to know things the previous owner did...I'm trying to figure out what kind of person they were. Curiosity I guess.. So far, it looks like they were a broke performance junkee.. Thanks guys.

 

Replaced exhaust system.

 

Yeaaah....thats what I thought...

Here's another question for ya, KED...I'm running a pipe through the cat when I get my exhaust, but the thing is I've heard from some people it makes little difference from a high performance except that it's louder without a cat...but others have said that there isn't enough backpressure and the engine runs like sh*t. Is it just like a 50/50 toss up between these or is there a way to know if mine's gonna run bad or not without a cat?

 

Ever since I've had my car, its had no cat. When my headers from CHC come in, I'm going to put a cat on and see how much different it is. Although I guess I can't be sure since the headers will be going on too.

But compared to other 2.8s, my car doesn't seem any slower.

 

Here's what I suggest and I am following my own advice.
Today I obtained a V-8 muffler from the yard.
Looks like one pipe 2 1/2" in to two 2 1/2" out pipes.
Next I am seeking a Intermediate pipe from a late model 4th Gen.
It should be larger, strong with thick tube sidewalls. Atleast 2 1/2" or maybe 2 3/4"
I'm gonna use the newer GM issued CC I got with the latest 3.4.
I am going to the larger "Y" pipes used with the 3.4 (issued 1995) to the exhaust manifolds.
Now to find that muffler shop I was suggested in Northridge.
I do suggest obtaining a new CC.
For only $60, in 2 1/2" in & out, NO flow restriction at all!
You'll be legal and efficent exhaust, too!

 

As far as I knew, GM clamped the exhausts.

 

My thinking,
Robots welding exhust pipes on an assembly like are WAY CHEAPER that a person attaching a clamp on a pipe.
Anyone still have original exhaust to let us know the facts?
My recently obtained 1995 3.4 "Y" pipe to end of CC is all welded, except the end of CC is a welded on connection & bolt on flange.

 

My exhaust seemed to be the original; it was clamped on. I did the exhaust on my friend's old '91 Formula, he bought it right off the lot, it had a clamped exhaust, also. You could also think the other way; why waste a robot for something as simple as an exhaust clamp? My '86 GM Helms manual even shows some kind of slot in the pipe that you're supposed to align a clamp up with, but they were talking about the y-pipe-to-cat connection.

 

Alright, thank you gentlemen.. Doesn't matter anyways..it's all gonna go. If any of you have read up on my damaged catback thing, it's getting shipped back to summit asap for a replacement, and they're giving me a $10 discount. Sounds just fine with me! (The discount is because I gave them crap online before I called...gotta work the system!)