I have a factory V6, stainless, cat back exhaust looking for a good home. It has functional dual 3" tips. I assume someone has a rusty 3rd gen system in need of replacement or would like the slightly louder but not buzzy dual outlets for their V6.

Does anyone know if the pipes are a larger diameter that would also provide some extra HP?

 

You could put this in the classifies at http://www.v6fbody.com .. there's a lot of 4th genners over there.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards

 

Tom,

Thank you for the suggestion. I only mentioned it here to discuss the advantages of retrofitting the, possibly larger, stainless steel exhaust to the 3rd gen V6s.

I would prefer someone used it to improve their vehicle rather that use it as a stock replacement.

 

Can anyone tell me the size of the factory exhaust on 3rd gen V6s?

How about if it was constructed from aluminized or stainless steel?

 

I'm pretty sure it's aluminized, and like 2-2.25 inches. I picked up a 4th gen system, and because the intermediate pipe is one piece, it's nearly impossible to get it over your axle without a lift or cutting and welding so I reused my intermediate up to the axle (where it rusted through), and then the 4th gen muffler and last foot or two of the pipe, which my stock I pipde fit right inside of. Ghetto? Yes. Functional? Eh, close enough... It's lasted, and sounds surprisingly good to most people. Killing it for a Dynomax soon though.

-Reno

 

Reno,

Thank you for the helpful anecdote. It supports my theory that the 4th gen. system can be a rust resistant replacement for the stock system while providing a little more power for the trouble.

By the way, the intermediate pipe can be installed without cutting if the car is placed on 4 jackstands(2 ramps) and the shocks are unbolted from the axle allowing it to drop lower.

 

I agree with RADONE on that I-pipe installation. The Dynomax super-turbo catback for our cars (#17493) has a one-piece I-pipe. When I installed that system for the first time, I did it by the book- raised the car high on jackstands, and tried to put the pipe over the axle- didn't work.

I then proceeded to raise the car dangerously high, combining the jackstands with other means. I was able to tilt the car with one finger, that's how dangerously the car was in the air. (I only put my arm under, never crawled under the car, or put my head under). Anyway, I finally got the pipe on.

I used the same procedure to put a factory-style cat-back on my friend's 1991 Formula. (He wanted quiet/factory.)

Then 4 years later my fuel pump died.. as ya know you need to drop the rear axle. With the rear axle on the ground, I noticed that if I wanted to, I could've pulled my old exhaust straight out!

So when that first system cracked a pipe (I used the wrong hanger, it was smacking the rear suspension for many years), I dropped the rear axle to install the new system- CAKE!

I did more than unbolt the bottom of the rear shocks tho: I unbolted the anti-sway bar end-links, removed the panhard rod (track bar), and the brackets holding the brake hose to the body. Then I lowered the axle, being careful not to stress the brake hose.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards