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Jadon New Member
Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Posts: 24 Location: Kent, WA
1983 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:25 pm Post subject: Exhaust |
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So I know it's a very common topic to talk exhaust but I'm a noob so i'm gonna bring it up again. I've actually been reading on thirdgen for a while.
I've got an 83 Firebird with a 350. I basically want to go "all out" with exhaust. I'd rather pay more now then more later because I tried to be too cheap. First off, I know basically nothing about cars. I just think they're pretty. Just trying to learn what certain parts even are is a task, let alone knowing how to work on them.
Anyways, so from my research, it seems I want new headers, new high flow cat, and a new muffler (and new pipes?). I have no idea what is on the car now. The car that owned it before me did some stuff so it's probably not stock. Perhaps I don't even have to do as much as I think but I don't know how to tell what I already have (perhaps one of you smart peeps could meet up with me sometime and take a look).
I'm doing exhaust pretty much just for sound. Performance is always nice but I don't race so not necessary. Better gas mileage is always nice but not necessary as my car is a toy. I like loud beefy V8 sounds. At one point some exhaust gasket or seal broke and my car sounded so freakin loud it was amazing. I found a guy on craigslist who said I better get that fixed because exhaust would be leaking into my cab and because of where the gasket broke, the exhaust could cause a fire. Anyways, he did some quick fix that fixed it but he did say that it was temporary. That was a couple of months go. Just recently, I think it's starting to break again as it's getting a little louder (and there is an ugly little rattle like before). So I thought I might as well just get my exhaust done.
So...yes I know I"m talking alot here (feel free to tell me to shut it). Hooker headers, Magnaflow high flow cat, and Spintech muffler? Sound good? Seems like what I would want. There is one small problem that I have no idea what "size" to get for any of this stuff. If I need different or new piping, etc etc.
I've always wanted to be part of a car "group" like this so I'm glad I found you. Like I said, I'm a noob that knows nothing but always willing to learn. Considering a few months ago, I didn't even know what a header was, I think i'm doing ok . So, with all that said..what do you think about the parts? And is there a local shop that will throw all this together for me? I have no idea on the cost for labor for something like this. Any ideas?
Thanks so much all! _________________ 1983 Pontiac Firebird |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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Loud pipes save lives but tinnitus lasts forever.
-You don't have to pass emissions so any emissions equipment you decide to keep is out of the goodness of your heart.
-How far South do you come on a regular basis? I'm in Graham but I've got no problem driving out to look at a car. |
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Jadon New Member
Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Posts: 24 Location: Kent, WA
1983 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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aaron_sK wrote: | Loud pipes save lives but tinnitus lasts forever.
-You don't have to pass emissions so any emissions equipment you decide to keep is out of the goodness of your heart.
-How far South do you come on a regular basis? I'm in Graham but I've got no problem driving out to look at a car. |
isn't it federal law though to keep a cat? I know since my car is over 25 years old in washington it doesn't matter but i thought there was still federal law. If I don't need it, that would save me money not having to buy one lol.
I don't really drive at all so anywhere I go is just extra or for fun. I'm actually down in Portland right now with my car (first road trip with it!). I'll be coming back up to Kent Friday. Perhaps I could stop by in your area if you'd be available. _________________ 1983 Pontiac Firebird |
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Leejo2005 Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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Simply put, it is a federal requirement to keep all original installed emissions equipment. In all likelyhood it will never be checked unless you brag about it to the state patrol or something. |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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Why yes, yes it is a Federal law. |
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Jadon New Member
Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Posts: 24 Location: Kent, WA
1983 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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Leejo2005 wrote: | Simply put, it is a federal requirement to keep all original installed emissions equipment. In all likelyhood it will never be checked unless you brag about it to the state patrol or something. |
probably make a good point there. "keep all originall installed emissions equipment". so probably even changing out the cat for another one would be illegal. So might as well just not use a cat at all. Is there an advantage to not having a cat? Better sound, performance, gas mileage? _________________ 1983 Pontiac Firebird |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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DBL_TKE Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 1505 Location: Aloha, OR
1991 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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Reread section 6 of the link you posted. You can't replace a cat "just because." _________________ Richmond 3.73 posi| 36/24 sway bars | SLP LM2 | Koni's | Ground Control 800/200 | Y2K wheels | Dyno Don headers & Y-pipe | airfoil | BBK underdrive pulleys | Raised strut mounts | Extended ball joints | LCARB'S
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Leejo2005 Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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On any third gen by now they'd sure have hell of a time proving that the factory installed converter didn't need to be replaced |
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Jadon New Member
Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Posts: 24 Location: Kent, WA
1983 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 3:37 pm Post subject: |
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so if I don't get a cat, what is put in it's place? just straight pipe? _________________ 1983 Pontiac Firebird |
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Alphius Peanut
Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 2429 Location: Grand Mound
1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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Jadon New Member
Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Posts: 24 Location: Kent, WA
1983 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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cool, well that's cheaper than buying a cat. How does have straight pipe there do for performance, sound, gas mileage, etc? Is it better or worse than having a cat there? _________________ 1983 Pontiac Firebird |
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Leejo2005 Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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Jadon wrote: |
cool, well that's cheaper than buying a cat. How does have straight pipe there do for performance, sound, gas mileage, etc? Is it better or worse than having a cat there? |
My bird has had a magnaflow muffler since before I bought it, wasn't too loud and had a nice deep tone. After I welded in straight pipe the car is much louder. Sounds raspy and very aggressive. Gets annoying sometimes in the morning and on the freeway but other times I love it. |
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Jadon New Member
Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Posts: 24 Location: Kent, WA
1983 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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Leejo2005 wrote: | Jadon wrote: |
cool, well that's cheaper than buying a cat. How does have straight pipe there do for performance, sound, gas mileage, etc? Is it better or worse than having a cat there? |
My bird has had a magnaflow muffler since before I bought it, wasn't too loud and had a nice deep tone. After I welded in straight pipe the car is much louder. Sounds raspy and very aggressive. Gets annoying sometimes in the morning and on the freeway but other times I love it. |
you replaced your muffler with straight pipe as well? so it's all just straight pipe? or you mean you replaced your cat with straight pipe with your magnaflow? _________________ 1983 Pontiac Firebird |
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Leejo2005 Member
Joined: 12 Jul 2009 Posts: 466 Location: Kennewick
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:33 pm Post subject: |
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Sorry. i meant to say that I replaced the cat with straight pipe. Still has muffler but is supstantially louder. Probably wouldn't be so dramatic though with a different muffler. |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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DBL_TKE wrote: | You can't replace a cat "just because." |
Yes but you can replace it if it is "clogged" or "leaks" and it already went to the scrapyard so prove me wrong officer.
Straight pipe gives more "cackle" in my experience. Also smells a lot different.
As for mufflers I am partial to a nice straight-through unit that is not louvered, like Magnaflows or maybe a Hooker Aerochamber.
Baffled mufflers (Flow-Master, Pro-Flo, ect.) restrict flow and cause drone which drives me nuts.
Louvered mufflers (Cherry Bomb's, ect.) are a flow restriction and have to much "buzz" for my taste. |
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Jadon New Member
Joined: 19 Oct 2011 Posts: 24 Location: Kent, WA
1983 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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Leejo2005 wrote: | Sorry. i meant to say that I replaced the cat with straight pipe. Still has muffler but is supstantially louder. Probably wouldn't be so dramatic though with a different muffler. |
interesting. I am wanting a louder aggressive sound (at idle and low RPMs). I was thinking of doing spintech 9000 or 6000 muffler. and then headers (not sure what kind). _________________ 1983 Pontiac Firebird |
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Twilightoptics Hardcore (12sec Club)
Joined: 13 Jan 2004 Posts: 9191 Location: Auburn , WA
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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Borla for the win.
I've been dealing with them alot lately - mainly because I want stainless and things magnaflows are crap.
Sound is excellent and the build quality is top notch. Yes they are more spendy, but I wont buy anything else in stainless.
In steel - Hooker Aerochamber gets the win. _________________ A redline a day keeps the carbon away! |
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turbo_jimi Member
Joined: 23 Feb 2004 Posts: 1206 Location: Tacoma
1985 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 6:00 pm Post subject: |
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I have a flowmaster 80 series and it works great for me. _________________
1985 Z28 Crate 350, Hurst T-5, 3.23s, Flowmaster Under previous set-up: 143.82 rwhp 216.98 lbs. torque @4390 rpms 3/12/11 |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2011 7:03 pm Post subject: |
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Twilightoptics wrote: | magnaflows are crap. |
Do you dislike the build quality or just the sound? |
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