I think they'd look pretty cool in it!
BETTY RUMBLE - '87 Cutlass
- Thread starter GP403
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FINALLY got the shop to cool down (its been 95+ in there for like the last 2 months) and it was time to swap this cat out. For a while I've been suspecting that the engine's been straining against something. On the highway its hard to get it to 80 and stay there, and off the line, well, with the 307 and gears I don't expect much, but blech.
It's a Magnaflow 23427 "direct fit" .... and it mostly did. I had to butcher up the hot air riser tube to get it off (more on this later) but it did the trick. The rear flange is NOT threaded like the original so I had to scrounge up new hardware. Luckily I had some #8 stuff lying around and it worked. Think I need longer studs for the flange, the bracket was perfect...
I get it all done, and fire it up. I can tell right away that its breathing better. Just revving it up was like "wha?" ... Let's just say it woke the car up a little. Maybe more than a little. Actually feels like there's some throttle response there. I did not take it on down the highway, since I need to address...
...the exhaust leak. I'm guessing its where I had to butcher that air pump riser to get it off. Will probably just find some exhaust tape (will that work?) to try and seal it up vs. a new pipe. Eventually the air pump crap is coming off and don't really want to get into replacing bits. Sounds like a real fast ticky ticky coming from right at the cat.
Is there supposed to be a gasket on the square front flange? I didn't take one off, and wondering if maybe that could be contributing. The too-short flange bolts on the rear could also be contributing, maybe can't get it tight enough there... will have to play with it.
But yeah. Was able to throw the car around in the parking lot down the road. Finally I can have some fun with this. Next will be to shore up the exhaust/mufflers/tailpipes to keep it from swaying around and maybe tuck it up a bit higher.
EDIT: Screw that repair business. Amazon has the heat riser pipe (ACDELCO 219410) for $12 w/ prime shipping. 1-clicked that sh*t.
It's a Magnaflow 23427 "direct fit" .... and it mostly did. I had to butcher up the hot air riser tube to get it off (more on this later) but it did the trick. The rear flange is NOT threaded like the original so I had to scrounge up new hardware. Luckily I had some #8 stuff lying around and it worked. Think I need longer studs for the flange, the bracket was perfect...
I get it all done, and fire it up. I can tell right away that its breathing better. Just revving it up was like "wha?" ... Let's just say it woke the car up a little. Maybe more than a little. Actually feels like there's some throttle response there. I did not take it on down the highway, since I need to address...
...the exhaust leak. I'm guessing its where I had to butcher that air pump riser to get it off. Will probably just find some exhaust tape (will that work?) to try and seal it up vs. a new pipe. Eventually the air pump crap is coming off and don't really want to get into replacing bits. Sounds like a real fast ticky ticky coming from right at the cat.
Is there supposed to be a gasket on the square front flange? I didn't take one off, and wondering if maybe that could be contributing. The too-short flange bolts on the rear could also be contributing, maybe can't get it tight enough there... will have to play with it.
But yeah. Was able to throw the car around in the parking lot down the road. Finally I can have some fun with this. Next will be to shore up the exhaust/mufflers/tailpipes to keep it from swaying around and maybe tuck it up a bit higher.
EDIT: Screw that repair business. Amazon has the heat riser pipe (ACDELCO 219410) for $12 w/ prime shipping. 1-clicked that sh*t.
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I should also mention...
GET ONE OF THESE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SRL20/
I got sick of shitty tire gauges and pulled the trigger. The thing is built like it came out of the 1930's and works like a charm. It's a bit clumsy but dude, it just works.
GET ONE OF THESE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SRL20/
I got sick of shitty tire gauges and pulled the trigger. The thing is built like it came out of the 1930's and works like a charm. It's a bit clumsy but dude, it just works.
so. I had a thought.
would any of the Olds purists among us be offended if I put my blue PMD buckets in the Cutlass? I'd have to dig them out to see how they look, but they basically look like this. only blue. Have the matching rear seats as well. May have to get some SEM and tint them a little darker but yeah. I think I might go there. They may be in rougher condition than I remember....
HA I just got these for my Cutlass..... Thats if the seller ever sends them to me so far been about 2 weeks...........
I was watching those on Ebay then next thing I know they were sold, but they looked to be a shade off for my Regal.HA I just got these for my Cutlass..... Thats if the seller ever sends them to me so far been about 2 weeks...........
Count your blessings you didn't buy them.
Yesterday I received one box with just the seat bottoms in it.
Tracking number is attached to only one box.
Contact the seller and he has no idea what happened.
I have a feeling a long drawn out ebay/payal claim will be taking place.
Hopefully I am wrong though.........
Yesterday I received one box with just the seat bottoms in it.
Tracking number is attached to only one box.
Contact the seller and he has no idea what happened.
I have a feeling a long drawn out ebay/payal claim will be taking place.
Hopefully I am wrong though.........
Went out to put this new heat pipe on. That was way way more of a job than it needed to be. Some genius at GM decided "hey, lets attach this pipe to the back of the engine with a bolt/strap and only give them about 3/4" to get it back off again lol." Screw that guy.
To get the pipe off, the only thing I could think to do was break it off on the flat part. Basically bent and twisted it off there until it came apart. Of course when you WANT to break something it doesn't cooperate. Finally got it done. Got the little doohickey on top of the pipe swapped out (IDK what it is. some sort of filter maybe.) Then the challenge of getting the pipe routed back down again in one piece... ARGH.
THEN trying to get that strap and bolt back in the hole and back on. Holy #$!#$%. like 50 tries just to get it back in the hole and started. Then the slow process of 1/4 turn with the wrench to tighten it. blah. I need smaller hands. Now these ones and my wrists are ALL chewed up and welting up from scratching on all that stuff back there.
The good news is, it fixed the exhaust leak. Figured it would, since I basically had to banana peel the old pipe to get it off the old cat.... Took it out on the highway and its definitely improved. Not going to say its great but the power increase is noticable. At 70mph I can bury the needle without the whole "I think I can" routine. Not burning rubber from a dead stop but that's noticably better as well. Still don't like where the downshift point is on the throttle. I basically have to put my foot thru the floor to get it to downshift on the highway. She also sounds better. I guess the nature of the smaller/better flowing cat did that.
Anyway. Here's the pipe, and where it had to go. that round deal to the left of the trans dipstick is the filter doodad on top of it. Yeah. ow.
To get the pipe off, the only thing I could think to do was break it off on the flat part. Basically bent and twisted it off there until it came apart. Of course when you WANT to break something it doesn't cooperate. Finally got it done. Got the little doohickey on top of the pipe swapped out (IDK what it is. some sort of filter maybe.) Then the challenge of getting the pipe routed back down again in one piece... ARGH.
THEN trying to get that strap and bolt back in the hole and back on. Holy #$!#$%. like 50 tries just to get it back in the hole and started. Then the slow process of 1/4 turn with the wrench to tighten it. blah. I need smaller hands. Now these ones and my wrists are ALL chewed up and welting up from scratching on all that stuff back there.
The good news is, it fixed the exhaust leak. Figured it would, since I basically had to banana peel the old pipe to get it off the old cat.... Took it out on the highway and its definitely improved. Not going to say its great but the power increase is noticable. At 70mph I can bury the needle without the whole "I think I can" routine. Not burning rubber from a dead stop but that's noticably better as well. Still don't like where the downshift point is on the throttle. I basically have to put my foot thru the floor to get it to downshift on the highway. She also sounds better. I guess the nature of the smaller/better flowing cat did that.
Anyway. Here's the pipe, and where it had to go. that round deal to the left of the trans dipstick is the filter doodad on top of it. Yeah. ow.
I've done that exact job. I feel your pain. The 'filter doodad' is a check valve to keep exhaust out of the air injection system. Congratulations on the successful repair. It will run cooler and get better mileage now. Have you checked the ignition timing? It might be a little retarded relative to where it should be from timing chain stretch.
Aha, that was my second guess. I have not messed with the timing. I have thought about tweaking it but need to do my homework with the CCC advance first.
I should also mention...
GET ONE OF THESE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SRL20/
I got sick of shitty tire gauges and pulled the trigger. The thing is built like it came out of the 1930's and works like a charm. It's a bit clumsy but dude, it just works.
Just FYI, I got the "Craftsman" brand of this at ACE and below 40PSI it is completely junk. Not even close to accurate. Will advise if I just got a bad one?
Love the car, GP!
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