Custom Exhaust

[Beholder88]

I'm thinking of getting a Flowmaster 40 muffler. I've got access to someone who can bend piping, so I'd also like to make the exhaust bends a little smoother. Question is, should I do away with the resonator, or substitute in a cherry bomb or something like that. I plan on getting a high flow cat sometime in the future, or getting an O2 sensor delete done and just gutting the thing and adding a straight pipe through it. I'm also still searching for a drawing of the cylinder heads cause I want to design some custom headers. I've got a buddy of mine whos itching to try out his new plasma cutter. Any input?

[Redog]

There are companies that make headers for the V6, so I don't think custom is really neccessary, but if your buddy want to do it, then go for it I guess.

The Flowmaster 40 will work fine. I would remove the res totally and replace it with a straight pipe, but I would not remove the cat, that is a big no-no and could cost you big bucks down the road

[kwhauck]

custom would be optimal but for good equal header length 31-33" you are gonna have a hell of a time fitting it in there (i know how) btw a guy on 60degreev6 sells raw 3/8" mild header flanges for $40 or $50 shipped....

i have already started my custom headers if you want some pointers just pm me.....

[99alerogirl]

you're looking at about the same setup i've got (minus the headers). i have a custom cat back with a flowmaster 40. i straight-piped the resonator, but left the cat. it sounds GREAT.

[Beholder88]

I'll leave the cat for now, it's still good and I don't want to replace it if I don't have to. The only reason I want to go custom is because I can get them done for free, or nearly free. I'll pick up the cost of materials and whatnot. I'm not looking for some monster headers that I'm going to have to squeeze into my engine bay, but something that will at least look half decent and function properly. I'll probably get rid of the reonator all together, I'm just worried about getting that raspy sound that V6's are known for. I had a high flow cat and no muffler on my malibu, that was great sounding, but it had a rasp or rapping when I was cruising down the highway. In PA you are only required by law to have one sound dampening device, and somehow I convinced the mechanic that inspected my car that the cat was the sound dampening device. I dunno, I'll weigh my options.

[Redog]

Sound dampening. I have 2 of them, they are called mufflers.

I did get pulled over for loud exhaust in NJ, but I didn't get a ticket or anything. I think the cop just wanted to check out my car. It was funny, he asked where Newtown was and I told him between Trenton and Philly on 95 and he asked what I was doing up here and I told him I was going to my bro-in-law's bach party.

Then he asked about my gauges, to be exact, the A/F gauge. When I explained it to him, he said, "That's pretty cool!" :lol:

I have a Flowmaster 80 back then too ;)

[Cliff8928]

custom would be optimal but for good equal header length 31-33" you are gonna have a hell of a time fitting it in there (i know how) btw a guy on 60degreev6 sells raw 3/8" mild header flanges for $40 or $50 shipped....

i have already started my custom headers if you want some pointers just pm me.....

I have some that were custom made with primaries that are around 30" and all still fit completely in the engine bay. They do look crazy too! I don't know if they'd fit with an auto though.

[Beholder88]

More than likely I'll have some good AutoCAD time put in by the time it's all said and done. I'd like to at least make a rough draft before I go to the shop and try mocking things up. Do you know what diameter is best for the primaries? 1" OD maybe?

[kwhauck]

1 5/8"

just do this, bolt on and your ready to go, might be a little loud though....lol

[Beholder88]

1 5/8"

just do this, bolt on and your ready to go, might be a little loud though....lol

Hey, are those header flanges designed for the 3400? If so, could you get me the bolt pattern and cut-out dimensions? Sooooo much easier than taking my motor apart to measure it out.

[kwhauck]

just buy some from the guy on 60degreev6, that's why i did, they are even cut with the d-port for better flow....

[Beholder88]

Well, my whole point behind this project is money. I've got a friend who just got a new plasma cutter, and really wants something to do other than work-related. We came up with this idea. I would just like to have something I can say I did myself, or at least with little help.

[kwhauck]

it's $40 for a set, i don't have the time to take the measurments sorry...

[Beholder88]

Well, as a last resort I might go that route. At least I can do the piping myself. Anyone got a picture of an engine bay with custom piping on a V6?

[kwhauck]

cliff would be the only one, or turbo guys, stock 3400 manifolds, sands headers, and tog headers, all wrap around the motor and go over the transmission, the new 3500 motors have manifolds that are more of a header style and they go underneath the motor, but it is real tight underneath there....

[Beholder88]

Anyone have a picture of the 3500 exhaust setup? I'd like to see how it is routed under the engine. I don't think I would have room to do it that way. I want to make sure my primaries are close to the same length, but I'm guessing clearance is going to be a big problem.