FAQ: The Exhaust Thread

Eldo wrote:

crlombardi69 wrote:

Has anyone out there ever removed the resonator and left the factory mufflers or remove the mufflers and replace them with straight pipes w/nice tips??Wondering how this would sound without having to try it myself before I do my full custom exhaust because no exhaust companies see the value in offering us some systems.

I've been tempted to do exactly what you're talking about ever since I bought the car. The main reason I haven't, besides labor costs, is that it has been pretty well proven that you can never get a 90-degree V6 to sound that good out the back...


And Albert, quite a deep dissertation!

data talks, BS walks. I hope you found the data informative.

Albertj

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVWrcfp9QAM

Actually this is more like what you'll get:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qovin2FMfKg&feature=related

Albertj

Ok guys, my exhaust needs replacement. I first noticed a slight noise in the fall and now it a full blown rattle. Sounds like its coming from the catalytic covnerter. I am not sure if I can afford to replace the entire exhaust at the moment. The OEM lasted 14 years and I am planning to keep it all original, but I was wondering what type of material to use? I've been reading the thread and came across the part where you guys are discussing using 409, 304 or -321 metals. So when approaching a shop do I say, " I want a cat made of 304 metal?" What about material thickness? What brand equals OEM performance? Can you guys offer a recommendation?

A side question: What would the car sound like with a resonator but no mufflers? ( trying to save some bucks.)

if you live in Canada a full stainless is the way to go. dont forget to check the condition of your stock headers if you dont plan to replace also. the stock headers are prone to leaking around the header plates.

BMD wrote:

Ok guys, my exhaust needs replacement. I first noticed a slight noise in the fall and now it a full blown rattle. Sounds like its coming from the catalytic covnerter. I am not sure if I can afford to replace the entire exhaust at the moment. The OEM lasted 14 years and I am planning to keep it all original, but I was wondering what type of material to use? I've been reading the thread and came across the part where you guys are discussing using 409, 304 or -321 metals. So when approaching a shop do I say, " I want a cat made of 304 metal?" What about material thickness? What brand equals OEM performance? Can you guys offer a recommendation?

A side question: What would the car sound like with a resonator but no mufflers? ( trying to save some bucks.)

No mufflers with just a resonator is quite loud. It may be louder than you would like to hear. Now if you get rid of the resonator, and keep the mufflers, that changes the sound without getting crazy loud. Your typical stainless piping that good exhaust shops have will be fine. Getting anything better than that will definitely put a dent in the piggy bank.

BMD wrote:

Ok guys, my exhaust needs replacement. I first noticed a slight noise in the fall and now it a full blown rattle. Sounds like its coming from the catalytic covnerter. I am not sure if I can afford to replace the entire exhaust at the moment. The OEM lasted 14 years and I am planning to keep it all original, but I was wondering what type of material to use? I've been reading the thread and came across the part where you guys are discussing using 409, 304 or -321 metals. So when approaching a shop do I say, " I want a cat made of 304 metal?" What about material thickness? What brand equals OEM performance? Can you guys offer a recommendation?

A side question: What would the car sound like with a resonator but no mufflers? ( trying to save some bucks.)

First off it sounds like your not sure what is causing the noise. So a complete exhaust system is probably not necessary anyway.
Bring it to a shop for an estimate and a list of what it needs first.
The estimate is free, then report back with what it needs and we bounce around a couple of ideas.
Unless they have a fix for it that is reasonably priced and you want it done then go for it.
With our factory systems being Stainless Steel already, it's highly unlikely you need everything replaced.
BTW, the rattle could just be a heat shield that has come loose and tack welding could fix it. Don't know without looking at your exhaust system. Just pointing out it could be something inexpensive to have an Exhaust Shop fix.

Thanks for the info guys. I did get a ballpark figure at a local shop (not up on a hoist) and the price I got for the whole thing was $1600. Preferably, I would like to get it all done in one shot, because the mufflers are not in the best shape and look like they might be next although the pipes look good. But, I can't justify spending that much right now. I am thinking I will do the fron half, from the manifold to the resinator, then do the "Y" pipe mufflers and tips at a later date. I was definately thinking I would put stainless, but are there different quality levels to stainless? and what brands should I stay away from.

$1600?????? That's way over priced dude....I don't know about where you are, but we have shops here that will custom make the whole thing for less than half that.......

Ya thats really expensive!

No kidding! I could get an entirely custom stainless steel system from the headers back with good mufflers for $800.00 and I thought that was high.

Thanks for that info. I felt it was high aswell, the quote I got for just the cat was $300? I don't know what it is, but up here everything is more expensive! Anyway, what about some advice as far as name brand cats, resinators, mufflers? And I'm still wondering, is stainless steel stainless steel? or are there levels of stainless steel quality?

$300 for a cat is ok. That should be the most expensive part.
Example: I paid $65 each for my mufflers, $30 for my O2 simulator (cat delete), and a guy made my exhaust from the downpipe back for $150...this included the pipe.

As far as exhaust pipe goes, stainless is stainless. The only time I would pay attention to the grade is if and when you get custom tips. The GM tips I have are what I consider "true" stainless. I could let them get black and covered in salt all winter.....spray some cleaner on and the shit just runs off and they look like new. However, those type of tips are around $300 by themselves. Not sure of the exact number for the grade...I'd have to check.

So, including the cat with some mild aftermarket mufflers, you should be lookin at around $500 for a new exhaust, give or take $50.

$1600? Man I need to get back into the exhaust business. lol

Seriously, you could build a NICE stainless system for about $600 depending of course on mufflers. My new system will be about that price as I am going with stainless Spintechs and no cat. I've yet to find a muffler with their unique sound.

You could get it even cheaper if you can find a shop capable of mandrel bending stainless instead of crush bending. Then you can buy the sticks yourself and save some coin.

http://www.dynomax.com/mufflers.php?muffler=vt

This looks pretty promising at least in theory. It'll be availalbe soon.
If it's managably priced, I'll try it out.

As usual we can depend on the turtleman to find the latest and greatest in exhaust design's for us.
It says available this spring.
It is Spring, if not close.
Codith, you will be sure to let us know, won't you.
I've wanted to do something with my car since I got it but dread the "Droan".
Bottom line is, if it ain't broke don't fix it. But I still would like some noise out of the tailpipe.

BMD wrote:

Thanks for that info. I felt it was high aswell, the quote I got for just the cat was $300? I don't know what it is, but up here everything is more expensive! Anyway, what about some advice as far as name brand cats, resinators, mufflers? And I'm still wondering, is stainless steel stainless steel? or are there levels of stainless steel quality?

Talk to Albertj about a true custom all stainless system for the Riv.
He had one made completely from scratch and he could help you with the various grades of stainless as well as share the cost to go down that road.
I know he ran the custom set-up for several months and then found a new GM exhaust system made for a Park Ave that fit's the Riviera and runs whisper quiet.
So he has experience from both ends of the spectrum.

All I can comment on is that I installed a set of stainless headers ($350.00) and a 3" Magna-Flow high flow cat ($50.00) bolted to my original system. I did pay extra to have flanges welded on to the end of the header outlet and both ends of the Magna-Flow cat, so they would bolt together and to the rest of the OEM system. Sounds exactly as stock, made no difference in sound to me at all.
Hopefully, work good - last long time.
I just want to try another muffler without hating it.

DynoMax! That's what I got

Do you have the New Ones that he pointed out with the control valve internally.?
OR what.....

OR! OR OR OR! DynoMax Super Turbos.
Rick, don't bother trying ANY other muffler because you WILL hate it.....

Spintech>Dynomax all day long... in terms of quality, value, longevity and this is an opinion, in terms of sound.

I wouldn't even look at Dynomax if I was ever going stainless, and that comes from someone who had Dynomax everything on my last project vehicle. They aren't a bad product.

Maybe he should just get quick change exhaust! lol Do it all with wing nuts. lol

quick change with wing nuts
Eh, I like DynoMax cause it's easy on the pockets and they sound good (different). I've had DynoMax on all my projects. Up here near Detroit every idiot that puts a muffler on his car (cause EVERY stock car needs a muffler duh!)) uses Flowmaster. I'm SOOOOO tired of hearin stupid Flowmasters......

BrianEsser wrote:

Spintech>Dynomax all day long... in terms of quality, value, longevity and this is an opinion, in terms of sound.

I wouldn't even look at Dynomax if I was ever going stainless, and that comes from someone who had Dynomax everything on my last project vehicle. They aren't a bad product.

Maybe he should just get quick change exhaust! lol Do it all with wing nuts. lol

The above leaves me a bit confused, but that's OK ...I'm confused most of the time.
First sentence = Dynamax A+++++

Second sentence = Dynamax - Absolutely no good, maybe.?

Third sentence - Are you talkin' to me.?? Wingnut?

I agree, Flowmaster 40 series on the right engine combo are ok, but they are over-used. I do have to admit i had them on my S10, but I was also saving for an Nascar style zoomtube setup.

Rickw wrote:

BrianEsser wrote:

Spintech>Dynomax all day long... in terms of quality, value, longevity and this is an opinion, in terms of sound.

I wouldn't even look at Dynomax if I was ever going stainless, and that comes from someone who had Dynomax everything on my last project vehicle. They aren't a bad product.

Maybe he should just get quick change exhaust! lol Do it all with wing nuts. lol

The above leaves me a bit confused, but that's OK ...I'm confused most of the time.
First sentence = Dynamax A+++++

Second sentence = Dynamax - Absolutely no good, maybe.?

Third sentence - Are you talkin' to me.?? Wingnut?

I merely meant Dynomax is an OK product, but it's not in the same class as Spintech. That doesn't mean it's junk, just that you can't really compare the two. Like I said, I used Dynomax and was happy with it on my Jeep, but if cash wasn't a problem, Spintechs all the way.

lol and No, I wasn't calling you a wingnut (or does it fit?).