Custom Exhaust

[LukeZ]

ill cut straight to the point:

I'm looking to upgrade the exhuaust on my el Camino. It's an 86 with a 305. Right now, it has stick exhaust up to the cat. Then my single 2 1/4 pipe goes into a Flowmastwer 80 series that has dual outlets. Then those pipes go out to dual Magnaflow tips.

I want to straight pipe it. I don't care if people think I'm ghetto or a hill billy, I just want to do it.

My dad was saying that I should just pay an exhaust shop to do it, but I said no, because I want the EXPERIANCE of doing it myself. I wasn't trying to disrespect him, because he was saying that if you want something done right, get someone who does it for a living to do it. I think it would be a fun weekend project, so that's my reasoning.

The plan is to keep the 2 1/4in size all the way through. I will get a new Flowmaster cat, and the put that where my current cat is. After that, the pipes will go into a y-pipe and split into duals. The pipes will go to opposite sides of the car straight back over the rear axle to the rear bumper to my dual mag tips. Nothing will be welded; I'm clamping everything, because every two years when I take it through inspection, I will put my old muffler setup back on, then switch it back after that.

I was wondering if anyone did something similar to this, and if they thought it was fun and informative to do their exhaust by themself instead of with a shop. I'm expecting the price to be around 400 to 500 tops. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks guys.

Oh, and if anyone knows of any kits that would make this job easier, my ears are open. (I do have stock manifold, no headers, so the kit would have to fit that)

 

[clean8485]

I'm a bit curious. Whereabouts do you live, that you'd have to change the exhaust system back and forth every 2 years for an inspection? In most places, as long as you have a cat in the stock location, then what you have from the cat back isn't really important. Like I said, just curious.

 

[Wleblanc66]

http://pypesexhaust.com/i-12200991-78-88-2-5-gm-g-body-converter-back-non-ss-system-sgg50.html

On the menu on the right of the page they have an option for system without muffler.
They have a system that exits just behind the rear tire or one that exits below the bumper.

I uses Pypes for my g.p. and I really like it. Pretty affordable and stainless steel.

 

[565bbchevy]

You could possibly use a stock Monte SS exhaust or an aftermarket replacement for a Monte SS.
The stock Monte SS uses a single cat and splits after that to a y pipe and goes to two separate mufflers and the tailpipes that exit out the rear, the only issue is stock is only 2".
For my temporary Regal exhaust I will be using a similar set up as the Monte SS but for a 442 but it is 2.25" from the factory
If you want to test your welding and fabrication skills you can do mock ups and order mandrel bends and piece together tailpipes etc. this is how I did my Monte's 4" tailpipes..

 

[81_El_Homewrecker]

Without access to a welder you will end up very frustrated. If you are using the U bolt clamps you can forget ever taking those apart to swap mufflers. You crush the tubing when you tighten them and can't just " slip" the pipe off. It is much better to just take it to an exhaust shop and have them make a custom setup with stainless pipe, all welded, with proper hangers and everything. I know you want the expirence but exhaust has the potential to turn into a night mare between leaky clamps and rattling exhaust on the frame and stuff.

 

[565bbchevy]

You can use band clamps on pipes you need to remove, they will give you a 360 degree seal without crimping the pipe.
I use these where my exhaust mounts to my headers so I can remove it.

 

[LukeZ]

Delaware. There's sound laws, and you're required to have a muffler, even if you're car isn't loud without it anyway.

 

[clean8485]

Why not just install a good pair of mufflers after the cat? That way, you could leave the system on the car. You should be able to find a style of muffler that will give you the sound you're looking for.

 

[oldsofb]

These guys are pretty good too. Even shows an Elco on the page with Monte SS tails.

http://www.torquetechexh.com/GMGHeader.html

 

[vanrah]

Greetings LukeZ & all; I'm always amazed by some of the cars the guys have put together, take that fine "G" that Mr. 565 BbChevy has. He is showing some nice parts, not without cost I might add. Anyway if your interested & can wait until late winter - spring, I'm seriously considering removing my Hooker ( ceramic coated) early (1980 vintage) headers, stainless 2.5 inch tubes & Flowmaster mufflers. The Hooker's seem like a good match for your goals as they are were considered shorties of the day. Now days they would be considered mid length. 1-1/2 inch primary's & 3 inch 3 bolt collectors. Plus leave room to mount cat in stock location. The "Y"pipe, I believe is gone. This system was bent up on a muffler shop bender back in 93 long before you could purchase mandrill bent "J's & U's. So as the tubes go over the axle, they kink on the short side of the radius. If you have the patients & are interested, we can talk over the next number of weeks. I'll attach a couple of pictures, more available as the car is on jack stand now. Bob Jr.
Ps: Sorry, I don't know how to attach pictures anymore. They changed something on the site????