Off Road Pipe?

[SSmite Thee Human]

Hello,

Does anyone know of anywhere that I can get an off-road pipe for a 3400 Alero? I've searched around a bit and found nothing. I want to take the cat out of the system, but I don't want to chop up the stock hardware incase I need to reinstall.

Thanks,
Matt

[sc/alero]

most muffler shops will do it for you but you need to tell them you need a test pipe they will make you one but they can not allow you to drive away with out the cat on.

[SSmite Thee Human]

Putting it on myself is not a problem, but my concern with the muffler shop would be with their crappy, ripply bends. That's why I was hoping there was a vendor out there selling such a thing, but that is looking like a bust.

[mfuller]

Considering the cat and the downpipe come as one piece from the factory, there is some welding you'll need to do or have done. Honestly, the performance benefits are slim at best, and your car will attract more unwanted attention (both for the extra noise and the smell).

[SSmite Thee Human]

The reason I originally thought of this was that my Borla exhaust system is rather displeasing in its timid sound. I knew the SLP would sound better, but I didn't want to cut up my bumper, so here I am. Any performance gain would be an added bonus.

Regarding the sound and smell issues, I drove a Mustang for probably five years with an empty cat, and I never found the odor or noise level to be offensive. Even with aftermarket mufflers, it was far from loud. I'm not too worried about that. My only real concern is if Michigan would implement emissions testing.

Thanks for the input, guys.

[jabartram]

What kind of sound are you looking for? I had a custom 2.5 from the cat back to a flowmaster 40, and people ask me if Alero's came with a V8? and the tone vibrates the windows in my house? and I still have my factory cat.

[SSmite Thee Human]

Originally posted by jabartram@Aug 29 2004, 09:58 AM
What kind of sound are you looking for? I had a custom 2.5 from the cat back to a flowmaster 40, and people ask me if Alero's came with a V8? and the tone vibrates the windows in my house? and I still have my factory cat.
I'm not looking to rattle windows. I have an F-body for that. It's just that the Borla's sound is barely distinguishable from stock to me. The fit and finish is really nice, so I'd rather not ditch it. I'd just like to wake it up a bit, without introducing a lot of drone. From my past experience with my Mustang, ditching the cat seems like a good step.

[jamcllw]

Get some headers. That'll "wake up" that borla system.

[ImSoBored]

I have teh slp and I didnt have to cut my bumper, and they're both level, and my bumper hasn't and probably wont melt

[kou5oku]

I have a test pipe in my 2001 right now.

I have the borla exhaust and once i put the test pipe in I FINALLY got the sound I was expecting out of my borla setup.


I had the shop weld flanges to the end of my cat and the new test pipe. that way I could swap them in and out with 4 bolts. easy.

the cat pipe is straight there's no need for bending, just some schmo that has access to 2feet of pipe, 4 flanges, and a welder. ie: your local muffler shop.


kou5oku

[SSmite Thee Human]

Originally posted by kou5oku@Aug 29 2004, 11:34 AM
I have a test pipe in my 2001 right now.

I have the borla exhaust and once i put the test pipe in I FINALLY got the sound I was expecting out of my borla setup.


I had the shop weld flanges to the end of my cat and the new test pipe. that way I could swap them in and out with 4 bolts. easy.

the cat pipe is straight there's no need for bending, just some schmo that has access to 2feet of pipe, 4 flanges, and a welder. ie: your local muffler shop.


kou5oku
This sounds like an excellent idea to me. Headers are a wee bit out of my price range.

You're using an 02 sensor simulator, I trust?

[jabartram]

Yeah I had a highly modified 82 mustang with 2.5 and turndowns, and it would make you tone deaf, My best friend in houston is running an 82 highly modified with 2.75 pipe, flows and turndowns and the nieghbors get pissed when the windows in their houses rattle. he likes to drowned out harley exhaust at stop lights.

[SSmite Thee Human]

Originally posted by jabartram@Aug 29 2004, 01:19 PM
Yeah I had a highly modified 82 mustang with 2.5 and turndowns, and it would make you tone deaf, My best friend in houston is running an 82 highly modified with 2.75 pipe, flows and turndowns and the nieghbors get pissed when the windows in their houses rattle. he likes to drowned out harley exhaust at stop lights.
Mine was an 85 GT, almost totally unmodified. I had the same problem I have now after I got some aftermarket mufflers welded in. Gutting the cats made it slightly louder.

[kou5oku]

yeah o2 sensor from PFYC.com

[SSmite Thee Human]

Originally posted by kou5oku@Aug 29 2004, 08:07 PM
yeah o2 sensor from PFYC.com
Cool beans, thanks. That's where I got my exhaust.