The Oldsmobile Connection

Brianritchie21787 · Joined: 08 Feb 2004 Posts: 270 Location: Tolland, CT, USA

yeah so, big suprise the 2.5" flowmaster i rigged up to my 2.25" exhaust with header reducers is leaking from both ends.. should be re constructing my exhaust next week, im just going to let a garage do it all for me, im probably keeping the flowmaster and tossing the cat and replacing with a strait pipe cut out, wich eventually when i have the cash will be a new cat.

My question for this thread is, should i keep the exhaust 2.25 and weld the 2.5" muffler on with reducers (as oppose to clamping), or should i just increase the size of the pipe somewhere before the cat? im not much for exhaust technology :roll:

Brian

88 Coupe · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 8:59 pm Post subject: Re: exhaust

Hi Brianritchie21787, hello everyone,

Quote: ........ im not much for exhaust technology ........
Take it to a muffler shop and have them do it right.

Regards, Norm

Brianritchie21787 · Joined: 08 Feb 2004 Posts: 270 Location: Tolland, CT, USA

i did to have the muffler installed by a mechanic less than a year ago and now its leaking from both ends :lol: guess ill try another garage andtell them to weld it all this time :confused:

88 Coupe · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 2:09 am Post subject:

Big difference between a muffler shop and a general repair shop. A muffler shop specializes in exaust systems and knows how to deal with your mistake.

If there isn't one in your vicinity, find one elsewhere.

Norm

88delta88 · Joined: 09 Jun 2003 Posts: 2407 Location: Canada

I would just cut a hole in each of the fenders and straight pipe each side out the holes right off the headers. This would look cool, plus it would attract a lot of attention. ;-) Much easier than worrying about a muffler sealing!

88 Coupe · Posted: Sat Dec 24, 2005 1:28 am Post subject:

88delta88 wrote: I would just cut a hole in each of the fenders and straight pipe each side out the holes right off the headers.........
Or since it's a V8, you could use fenderwell headers and some real performance mufflers.

Less than 95 db at 50 ft. Makes them legal on CA streets and at the local strips where mufflers are required.

Norm

Brianritchie21787 · Joined: 08 Feb 2004 Posts: 270 Location: Tolland, CT, USA

88 Coupe wrote:
Or since it's a V8, you could use fenderwell headers and some real performance mufflers.

Less than 95 db at 50 ft. Makes them legal on CA streets and at the local strips where mufflers are required.

Norm

what type of performance muffler did you have in mind?

a friend convinced me to go 2.5 dual flowmaster 40 series, and exit after the rear wheels. I definatly think the strait pipe will be a good idea though, so when i travel in the summer i can throw the cats on.

im going to bring it to a muffler shop when the second muffler comes in from jegs.

(girlfriend gave me a giftcard to jegs.com for christmas, yeah shes a keeper... :lol:)

Brian

88 Coupe · Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2005 10:51 am Post subject:

Hi Brianritchie21787, all,

My last post was with tongue in cheek. The discription was of the Dyno Max Bullets on my Coupes.

Not practical for your application.

This is one of the areas I don't normally get involved in, because aside from flow and fitment, it's all personal preference.

Quote: what type of performance muffler did you have in mind? ........
There are many out there, and no one knows your preferences as well as you.

Any competent shop will have a wide selection in stock (from Borla to basic turbos to OEM replacements) and can help you decide what's best for your needs. The purchase price will be higher than mail order, but you'll get the right part the first time, and the installation will be included in the purchase price.

Quote: ........ a friend convinced me to go 2.5 dual flowmaster 40 series ........
Flowmaster isn't one of the higher flowing mufflers, but it works OK.

You might want to ask your friend to explain why you should buy a 2.5" muffler that won't fit, when a 2.25" would have fit perfectly. Slim chance he/she will pay the extra labor involved in making it fit.

If the suggestion was to replace the original exhaust with 2 1/2" from the "Y" back, it would be more expensive, but would make more sense.

Quote: ........ straight pipe will be a good idea though, so when i travel in the summer i can throw the cats on ........
Waste of time. Do it right the first time, then leave it alone.

Quote: ........ im going to bring it to a muffler shop when the second muffler comes in from jegs .........
Honest Charley, PAW, Jegs, Summit, et al, came about to serve the needs of those that did not have access to the specialty shops in the big Cities. I'm always fascinated that one would use mail order, when a local shop sells the same product and offers better service.

Oh, and how much will you save by buying that 2.5 FM from Jegs and paying a shop to modify/install it vs buying the 2.25 FM that fits, from the same shop and getting the install free?

Quote: ........ girlfriend gave me a giftcard to jegs.com for christmas, yeah shes a keeper.
I agree.

Regards, Norm

Brianritchie21787 · Joined: 08 Feb 2004 Posts: 270 Location: Tolland, CT, USA

88 Coupe wrote:

You might want to ask your friend to explain why you should buy a 2.5" muffler that won't fit, when a 2.25" would have fit perfectly.

If the suggestion was to replace the original exhaust with 2 1/2" from the "Y" back, it would be more expensive, but would make more sense.

Yes, actually it was my idea to increase the diameter someware before the cat, my friend just told me it would be cheaper to replace the pipe and exit before the rear wheels than to buy two brand new pipes and two brand new mufflers.

Quote:
I'm always fascinated that one would use mail order, when a local shop sells the same product and offers better service.

Oh, and how much will you save by buying that 2.5 FM from Jegs and paying a shop to modify/install it vs buying the 2.25 FM that fits, from the same shop and getting the install free?

its a $300 Gift Card, cash might be better but its a gift... no complaints here :lol:

88 Coupe · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2005 3:47 pm Post subject:

Brianritchie21787 wrote: ........ its a $300 Gift Card, cash might be better but its a gift
Can't argue with that logic.

Norm

Brianritchie21787 · Joined: 08 Feb 2004 Posts: 270 Location: Tolland, CT, USA

brought the beast to a muffler shop and exhaust is on, i scratched the whole dual idea and just went with a dynomax high flow cat and turbo muffler.. I assumed they would use 2 1/4" like my stock peices but when i went to pick the car up he said he used 2 1/2" stainless mandrel bent tubing... i diddnt tell him i wanted 2 1/2" so as to why the increase in size, i dont know but overall im pleased with the performance and especially the sound (rumbes nice from low to mid rpm). cost me around $380 parts and labor.. he also told me one of my motor mounts is busted, wich i think is related to another problem i'll be posting as "rpms dropping?"
still got that giftcard not sure what to get though :wink:

88 Coupe · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2005 8:32 pm Post subject:

Brianritchie21787 wrote: ........ he said he used 2 1/2" stainless mandrel bent tubing........ why the increase in size ........
2.25" was used by the mfrs and that size muffs are normally used as replacements. 2.5" pipe and muff is normally used when replacing the whole system.

Mandrel bends are not as restrictive as compression bends, and a single 2.5" is a good size for your 307.

Bottom line? You did good.

Norm