I currently have a stock headers and y-pipe that goes into a 2.5" cat, then goes to a 3" dynomax intermediary, then to a hooker muffler with 2 2.5" exits.

I will need to get a new system again soon so wondering what would be the best size exhaust to go with from headers to exit?

All i care about now is just the funtion and not so much looks or sound.

 

Keep your current size and just get some headers..The ones available now for the V6 however,are NOT smog legal.

 

2.5 for a all motor engine
3.0 for a turbo engine running 10 psi or higher

pacesetter headers/y-pipe are avaible ceramic coated for $300 off summitracing.com

 

he has the 2.8. the pacesetter are smog legal for his setup as far as i know. they aren't smog legal for the 3.1s though. 3" exhaust is way too big for any of these motors anywhere near stock. also, going through a 2.5" cat then into 3" hurts it even worse.

 

PACESETTER EXHAUST FOR OUR 3RD GEN RIDES IS 100% SMOG LEGAL.
THE APPLICATION INCLUDES 1985-1989 2.8 AUTOMATIC.
IF YOUR CURRENT ENGINE SET UP HAS OTHER STUFF OR AIR TUBES, I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND A QUICK EMAIL TO MR. FRED GERLE AT PACESETTER EXHAUST EXPRESSING YOUR INTEREST IN THEIR PRODUCTS FOR YOUR APPLICATION!
fgerle@pacesetterexhaust.com
I also strongly encourage you to write Mr. Gerle at that supplied email address asking abour their Street Legal Headers for the 2.8 V6 60* F Body product and his manufacturing/engineering opinion.
If you do so write him, mention you were sent there by me from the Third Gen board.
I believe you'll get the personal response you can expect for your answer.
If not get a response, give a shout my way.
Check out their products, too at their webiste.
I can't wait to get a set of Pace Setter Exhaust Street Legal headers for my ride!

 

Your cat is fine, your exits are fine...but the 3" intermediate is hurting you. A lot. You need 2.5" there, you'll gain back a lot of torque and useable horsepower.

Damn, I typed this response out before I even realized it you you Dev! I was wondering why that signature picture looked so familiar in style....

 

Thanks for help, Ill go with 2.5" intermidiary and I have my eye on the pace setter headers. I dont have emmissions testing, but I do like to keep some emissions in case I happen to move to emissions tested area.

 

not to mention that it is good for the environment. we do care about the trees and stuff.

 

2.5 all the way for mostly stock systems (mandrel bent is the really the way to go!) Crip bending that most shops do will reduce you whole exhaust system to the smallest opening they left you with inside their crimp bend! Part of my prob!

Headers would definately help the flow. The only thing you can go a bit bigger on and get away with is the cat. You could go with a 2.75 cat! I was using 2.25 inch sys. and going to a 2.5 in cat helped! Made it more high flow!

 

LIBERAL HIPPIE DOUCHE!

Just kidding.

Though out of the three cars I've owned, only one of them actually complied with emissions regs...

 

do the pacesetters have the hook up for the egr? i couldnt see it in the picture

 

Yes

 

I am doing 2.5" all the way back on the 3.5l I am building. And I have stainless steel headers that retain the heat better for flow, plus I have then also ceramic coated wihich help retain the heat for flow. 2.5" is plenty even for a built motor. It's the length of the rear tail exit that needs to be shortened for performance. Our exhaust system routing is too long.

Heck, I run 3" on a truck with twice this motor and HP. 3" is too much for a 2.8-3.5L motor. Its fine for a 305 built, or a mild 350 putting out 300-350 hp. 2.5" will flow 250hp, and we do not have that

 

Yeah on 2 1/2" size!
My Corvette with headers & 2 1/2" pipes all way just sounds so nice!
Our current factory size Intermediate pipe is 2 1/4".

 

so basically what you guys are sayng is go buy the Pacestter headers, and get them to throw 2.5inchs all the way to the back with ????? muffler and the tips

Reason I'm asking aswell is when we had my car in the shop for the new fuel pump, the old muffler and piping was rust so we ripped everythign from just behind the cat off, so now i got headers + a little pipe + rusted out cat , time to upgrade once I get this thing going.

 

Contact Mr. Fred Gerle at Pace Setter exhaust to help ya all the way!
fgerle@pacesetterexhaust.com
Then phone around for he best prices.
And shipping for ya!
JC Whitney also sells the Pacesetter Exhaust stuff, too.

 

k I got a question for you, don't take this to harshly but yah....


Why the **** do you keep referring to this dude? Yah great he set us up with some headers for our V6's that weren't out there before, but every thread that I have read with something to do with performance or exhaust, you refer to him 2-3-4-5 times a thread. Whats with that? Do you get a set of headers for free if enough people mention your name or something?

I'm looking into his headers, isn't that enough for you, jesus if it makes you quiet I might buy you a set.

 

I WISH I cold get a free set!
I wish that was my payment for mentioning the guy!
NO I provide it as a help, a direct link for ANYONE who has a question and to help this product being bought.
THE MORE HEADERS THAT SELL THE BETTER IT IS FOR ALL OF US DUE TO there is slight variance for the next round of headers to be released from them, the set for the stick shift cars!
AND the more headers bought, more contacts to Mr. Gerle to let him know how serious we are as customers, well it works well for everyone who thinks about buying or seeking the next street legal header set, the ones with A.I.R. tubes!
Really I get nothing outta it, except when I purchase a set of these headers & pass smog without a problem!
Besides how many direct links to exhaust engineers do you have on your computer!?
Really I do it to help you the potential purchaser to make sure ya feel good about spending your money for that product. Your purchase will not be inexpensive but it will be money well spent.
That's all!
So ya know, I NEVER have asked Mr. Gerle for anything for FREE from the company he represents. Nor would I expect to get anything for free. Pace Setter Exhaust did this product as a way to broaden their customer base and make more money. We gain street legal headers that were not available before I asked Pace Setter to consider making this product. Other header manufacturers never even responded to my request for this product. Mr. Gerle did and we benefit.
Hope that helps clear up this detail.
The more we buy & help sell this Pacee Setter Exhaust product, more 3rd Gen folks benefit.

 

i noticed the pacesetters on summit only had a 2 1/4" collector. do they make them in 2 1/2" or is the 2 1/4" the only size?

 

Kind of make sense, although I guess down in the states it helps you guys out more. For me

1. I don't care if its smog or not, i dont have to do it
2. I don't care if its stick, as I have an auto
3. Well now I have one email but it isnt in my address book, my GF"s isn't even in my address book, why would I need a contact with an exhaust engineer? I buy one full exhaust system and install it, I don't change it around every few months or years like people do with rims....
4. The more the sell the cheaper it goes? Thats what your saying right?

 

2.25" is it. I thought that they were bigger than that before I looked them up. But, Mr. Gerle confirmed that they're 2.25"

 

AM...do u still have a set of headers that u r willing to sell or did u get rid of them? I am here in Pinellas county FL right across the bay from you

 

I decided to keep them.

 

No, The MORE PACESETTER EXHAUST HEADERS SOLD
the BETTER THE CHANCE THAT
the A.I.R. equipted street legal headers will "get funds" for the certification process!
So we all win!
Glad you do understand.
I'm one of those 3rd Gen-ers that just hopes to pass a smile in a response.
Hope your deal will work for ya too!

 

Well my car is due out of the exhaust shop tomorrow! Hopefully all will go well. I will try to get it to the dyno before too long so i can see what the new system does compared to the old!