1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

Here are pics of the exhaust I just built last weekend with my dad. I'll let the pics do most of the talking. 3 things that helped to get this kind of ground clearance with dual 3" are, manual transmission, Jegster torque arm, and no need for a back seat.

1.The manual trans leaves room for the headers to come straight back where an automatic trans pan would be in the way for 3" pipes I'm pretty sure.
2. The Jegster torque arm eliminates the torque arm mount which makes tons more room, and the jegster arm doesnt take up near as much space in the tunnel as longer torque arms do.
3. I also "re-contoured" the rear seat wells to make room for the mufflers. There would not be room for the rear seat cushions now. I did not cut or weld on the floor, just used a wood block and a hammer. This way if I ever want to put the car back to stock, I can use a hammer and dolly to get it back where it was. You could also weld in new floor pans in this area really easily.

Enough chatter here are pics.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

more of ground clearance

matt_p

Why did you go overkill with dual 3". That flows about the same as a single 4.5" would, if such a size exsisted. Dual 2.5 would've been more than enough for a N/A 383.

Also, since you seem to have access to a welder, have you considered cutting and welding raised sections in your tranny cross member to tuck the exhaust up?

mike1986fyrbird

Personally I'd go dual 3" too. Why? It leaves room for the future if you ever decide to spray it or go bigger. It would kind of suck to have to redo the whole exhaust again down the road. Do it once, do it right.

Dynomax Exhaust Size Chart

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

I did notch the cross member, see pics below. There wasnt room to tuck the pipes up any higher than they are because I am almost hitting the trans and frame as it is. In fact, the cross member could have been clearanced more, but there just isnt room to get 3" pipe any higher in the chassis than it already is.

As for why I went with dual 3" thats easy. I hate the sound of single exhaust for one, and the engine is a Lingenfelter 383 that develops 450hp. As you can see from the Dynomax chart that Mike posted, I am on the bubble between 2.5" or 3". I already had all the 3" tubing laying around and would have had to buy 2.5", so the choice was clear, true dual 3".

matt_p

No room to raise? I assume that the TKo 600 is quite a bit larger than a T5 then?

19doug90

sits 2" lower then stock.

ABJ88

iTrader: (3)

not bad...not bad at all.

mike1986fyrbird

We need some sound clips! A driveby and idle/rev would be sweet.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

Well I cant start the car yet because the motor is not done yet. I should be able to start it in 2 weeks. I'll try to get some clips then. I used Magnaflow mufflers and I am afraid it will be a bit loud. I installed a crossover so that is supposed to quiet it down a bit. I guess we'll see.

CrazyBear

Nice. One of the better jobs i've seen. Also how much is that ligenfelter costing? Aren't they the ones who build tt vettes and supercharged vettes?

greezemonkey

iTrader: (14)

Well executed, this is coming from someone who has done dual three inch on these cars! That hanger behind the tail shaft looks like a problem to change if it ever gives way! Otherwise it all looks awesome!! You could have went 2.5 but the sound difference between that and three is completely different, three is going to be louder especially without any tails, the drone inside the cab will be deafening...get a loud radio!

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

Thanks. The hanger behind the trans was actually a miscommunication between dad and I. If i ever see it starting to go bad and crack, I'll cut it all off and use the extra rod we have to actually make a hook so that the rubber is replaceable. I already have another rubber hangar, so I'm prepared.

I was afraid that 2.5" duals wouldn't be enough for possible future endeavors with this engine, plus I already had 3" tubing laying around. I know it won't be quiet, and I do have a loud stereo, but I hope it isnt too obnoxious. That is why I tack welded and band clamped the Magnaflows though. If they are too much I'll slide on a set of cheap Summit turbo mufflers for the daily commute, and slide on the Magnaflows for Auto-x or when I feel like making noise. I guess we'll see soon enough.

Screamin86

iTrader: (1)

looks real nice should sound very nice as well. ill be running flowmaster single chamber race mufflers on my 2.5 tre duals and even on my mildly built 305 (for now) it should be deffining

RITTER

iTrader: (5)

Probably the cleanest dual exhaust setup I have seen on a third gen! Nice job man, can't wait to hear some clips?!

Grim'91Z

How much would it cost to get this set up done with a pair of high flow cats? Looks like a you did a nice job.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

Well I did all the work myself, with tubing I already had. I just purchased the headers, Hedman S-extensions, and the mufflers. you can find prices for those parts and mandrel bent tubing on Summitracing.com. There is no room for cats with this setup, period. If you want cats and true duals then use the SLP dual cat shorty header setup, and run true duals in the stock routing.

Grim'91Z

Thanks. I can't decide if I want a catback with a single cat or true duals. I need cats either way due to my residence.

Brisk

iTrader: (25)

great job on the exhaust. ground clearence isn't great, but its not bad either!! It is about the best you can hope for with these cars.

Rob Wade

Nice work.....it hangs as low as the headers do so thats a wash.....if I can make a suggestion....get rid of the rubber hanger. The motor mounts and trans mounts are rubber so that will insulate all you need. The mount is bolted to the trans, which is bolted to a rubber (neoprene?) mount, so I would just go with a solid mount in there and eliminate the worry of it breaking! Looks good.

IrocSS85

VERY nice man. good job. you'll love the sound. only question is for how long.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

hey man this setup is QUIET. Seriously, it is as quiet as my old edelbrock cat back with shorty headers and no cat. I couldn't be happier. It is quieter than my old seup at highway speed too. At 60mph you can talk comfortably in the car. Now when you get on the throttle it's a different story, but at mild throttle and cruising, its a really reasonable sound level. the sound and tone are awesome as well. It is a great sounding exhaust. Duals always sound better than a single in my opinion anyway.

ws6gta89

so where are the sound clips if it sounds so good??????????????

ross

I have dual 3" H pipe and long tube hookers and I have used two chamber Flowmasters and know have the Magnaflow muffler like yours. Hands down the magnaflows are quiter and make more horsepower. Muffler change alone gave me .2 inthe 1/4 mile. And nice job on your set up.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

Thanks. I have tried to videotape the sound but havent got any good clips yet. Well get some videos on the power tour in a few weeks.

85RamAirTA

Oh my God. Nice exhaust job 1MeanZ. That's the setup I want for my 85 Trans Am; 3 inch duals, maybe with flowmaster. I'm afraid to try anything else. I just wanna stick with what I know: that deep mellow, yet aggressive tone.

These threads were way back in 2007, I believe. I guess you never got any sound clips up.

Thanks for the good ideas.

1MeanZ

iTrader: (9)

the video clips we took on the power tour were good, but they are so old that I can't get them to play on youtube anymore.