Walker catback for 3.8

[Plain Jane]

Would like any opinions or recommendations (or even suggestions of other brands) from people who have or had this system. I've listened to a few of you and am not looking for any real power gains from this, but if the sound is good, I feel it will add the the overall presence of the car.

MeanBuicks showed me his Walker dual exhaust setup, which I think is pretty neat too.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=5901021&cc=1247138

Thoughts?

 

[clean8485]

Just being curious here, but are there any issues with the existing exhaust system that's on the car now? If you go with the system that's shown in your link, then it looks to me like you're replacing a stock exhaust system with another stock exhaust system-doesn't look like there's much to gained-at least to me anyway. You could go with the Walker turbo replacement muffler, for a bit better sound. There should be a listing in the Walker catalog for a replacement cat-back system that has a muffler that has 2 outlets. Its a quick, easy, and relatively low cost way of getting the appearance of dual exhausts, without making major changes to the car. If you could find that listing, and if it shows a Walker turbo muffler for that application, then in my opinion, that would be something worthwhile to look at doing. As I said, just my opinion.

 

[RustRocket]

I'm not sure what I have for my exhaust, I just know it had every inch of it replaced four years ago. Hedman headers, straight through to two unknown mufflers and dual tips exiting behind the rear wheels. Sounds MEAN, but of course i've got no cats, so the sound depends on the legality of your current county/province/state

 

[Plain Jane]

So this system is nothing more than an OE replacement? Don't I feel stupid now lol. The dual setup that was shown to me was also from Walker, but it was for a Cutlass V8.

 

[Plain Jane]

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=5903217&cc=1219250

 

[MeanBuicks]

I made the suggestion because it's an economical, do-it-yourself, bolt-on system that comes complete. Because it is an OE design for the Cutlass, it fits without any headaches. Also, in my case, I happened to need everything behind the cat. I don't have a racecar, nor does the OP so going any more exotic doesn't make much sense.

A single exhaust system leading to a dual outlet muffler was used on the turbo Buicks by the way. Most aftermarket turbo Buick systems emulate the GNX system which was actually, very much like the V8 Cutlass system discussed here. Of course those aftermarket systems are all mandrel bent tubing, 2 1/2" or 3" diameter and oftentimes available in alumnized or stainless steel so you're talking many more $$$$$.

 

[clean8485]

The turbo Buicks use an exhaust system that's very similiar to the Monte SS and Olds 442, where the system splits behind the catalytic converter, except that on the turbo Buick, there aren't 2 mufflers, but 1 muffler, that has 2 inlets and 2 outlets. Most aftermarket cat-back systems for the turbo Buicks use 2 mufflers.
Years ago, I used to work in a muffler shop, and I know that both Walker, and IPL (the parent company of Midas Muffler at that time), listed a system for the A/G body cars that had a single exhaust pipe from the cat back, that fed into 1 muffler that had 2 outlets and 2 tailpipes, that exited behind the rear wheels. Am aftermarket system like that should still belisted in the Walker catalog. If it shows a Walker turbo muffler as an interchangeable item for that system, then I think that would be an ideal choice for Plain Jane's Bonneville. It shouldn't be terribly expensive, but it should provide both a better sound and a better appearance.
I hope this helps.

 

[Plain Jane]

This is what they have listed for the turbo Buick. Is it compatible?
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=5903178&cc=1020957

 

[MeanBuicks]

It's likely to go right in there as I was going to go this route at first with a salvaged turbo Buick muffler and tailpipe set I've got in the attic. I think the only hurdle will be one of the muffler hangars that wont be present on your car so you'd have to find or fab one. I had to do that anyway to put in the V8 Cutlass system but that was a tailpipe hangar and a bit easier to fab using an off-the-shelf universal hanger from AutoZone.

 

[Plain Jane]

So I'd have the same relatively minor hanger issue with this as I would with the V8 catback? Comparing the two, would there be any difference in sound, look, or dare I say, performance?

And just out of curiosity, would those exotic aftermarket GN catbacks bolt up? Stainless is a great thing to have in the salt capital of Canada. I've had my GMPP catback on my G5 for two years now and it still looks and performs like new.