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- What is the stock LS1 F-body exhaust?
- It consists of a set of exhaust manifolds, catalytic converters, a Y-pipe,
and a muffler with two outlets for dual tailpipes.
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- Can my aftermarket exhaust pass emissions/inspection?
- Any cat-back exhaust will pass inspection as long as it doesn't violate
any sound level ordinances. Emissions is more tricky since the EPA
requires catalytic converters to be installed in their OEM locations.
This means the only headers that could be considered 100% legal are shorties
combined with a Y-pipe using cats in their stock locations. With that
being said, some people have gotten away with using long-tube headers and a
catted-Y pipe when the inspectors aren't checking things by the book.
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- What are coatings?
- Some exhaust components (typically headers) can be purchased with a
coating. The big ones are Jet Hot and ceramic
coating, which are rumored to be very similar. They claim to contain the
heat within the pipes better, resulting in extended part life, reduced surface
temperatures, more power from better scavenging, and better looks. Their
biggest opponent is stainless steel.
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- What gaskets should I use?
- Stick with the metal gaskets, either new or re-used. Don't bother
with the paper gaskets that often come with headers, they'll just increase the
chance of leaks.
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- What header bolts should I use?
- The OEM bolts are fine, again either new or re-used. If you want to
take extra precautions, spend the money for Stage 8
locking bolts. The torque spec is 18 lb/ft, DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN!
You run the risk of stripping the threads out of your soft aluminum heads.
Torque the bolts from the center out.
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- What clamps should I use?
- Invest in some good band
clamps; they can be found from message board sponsors and auto parts
stores. U-bolt clamps are junk! Another option is to use
flanges. If you're
using clamps and still have exhaust leaks, try some aluminum tape from Lowe's
or Home Depot. Wrap the tape around the collector (at the header or
Y-pipe) for a thicker area for the clamp to seal up to.
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- What are the best catalytic converters?
- Magnaflow/Carsound cats are the best overall option. They flow great
and can be purchased at good prices, especially if you shop on eBay. Use
part #94106 for a 2/5" inlet/outlet, or #94109 for a 3" inlet/outlet.
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- What does 2otl stand for?
- It stands for two-on-the-left, a popular exhaust system for 4th generation
F-bodies. It has dual tailpipes coming out the drivers side, but none on
the right.
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- What does CME stand for?
- Center mounted exhaust.
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- What does LT stand for?
- It is an abbreviation for long tube (full length) headers, a common modification for the
LS1.
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- What is an ORY, ORH, or ORX?
- This is an acronym for an off-road Y- or X-pipe. It's a replacement for
the factory catalytic pipe, and contains no catalytic converters. Not
legal for use on public streets.
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- Here are some examples of Y-pipes:
Jet-Hot catted/ORY,
SLP
stock replacement Y,
Mufflex,
Random
Tech stock replacement catted-Y,
Pacesetter ORY.
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- What is a bullet?
- It is a specially designed muffler that many F-body owners use when
converting to true dual exhaust systems due to its small size. An
example can be seen at the bottom of
this page.
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- What is a cutout?
- It is a small section of exhaust pipe that can be opened manually from
under the car or
remotely from inside the cabin. When closed, all exhaust gases run
through the entire exhaust system. When opened, the cutout vents exhaust
gases where it is located increasing airflow and power.
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- Which muffler flows the best?
- Supposedly this review was performed by Martel Brothers:
All tests via an independent lab
All tests @ 15” wc
2 “ Straight Pipe 283 CFM
2 ¼ “ Straight Pipe 365 CFM
2 ½ “ Straight Pipe 521 CFM
2 ¼” Typical Bent tailpipe 268 CFM
2 ½” Typical Bent Tailpipe 417 CFM
2 ¼” Inlet/Outlet_ Glass Pack Tips- No Louvers- Smooth 274 CFM
2 ¼” Inlet/Outlet- Glass Pack Tips-Louvered 133 CFM
Same as above set for reverse flow 141 CFM
2 ¼” Cherry Bomb 239 CFM
2 ½” Cherry Bomb 294 CFM
2 ½” Inlet/Outlet Dynomax Super Turbo 278 CFM
2 ½” Inlet/Outlet Ultraflow Bullet 512 CFM
2 ½” Inlet/Outlet Gibson Superflow 267 CFM
2 ½” Inlet/Outlet Flowmaster ( 2 Chamber) 249 CFM
2 ½” Inlet Outlet Flowmaster ( 3 Chamber) 229 CFM
2 ¼” Inlet/Outlet Thrush CVX 260 CFM
2 ½” Inlet/Outlet Maremount Cherry Bomb 298 CFM
2 ½” Inlet/Outlet Hooker Aero Chamber 324 CFM
2 ½” Inlet/Outlet Hooker Max Flow 521 CFM
2 ½” Inlet/Outlet Borla Turbo 373 CFM
2 1/2" Inlet/Outlet Magnaflow 284 CFM
Standard OEM 2 ¼” Inlet/Outlet 138-152 CFM
Standard OEM 2 ½” Inlet/Outlet 161-197 CFM
The mandrel bending of the pipes done by aftermarket exhaust companies
is good for 2-4 hp depending on the severity of the stock bends. Most local
exhaust places don't have a mandrel bender so changing the pipes out doesn't
do anything if pipe size it not increased.
My opinion, if its more noise and a little more power just add the best
flowing stainless muffler to the current system and never do it again. If you
increase pipe sizes, then a local shop and only stainless. Don't care about
money but want ease and better gains than most local shops can offer with no
pipe size increase, and aftermarket exhaust.
NOISE does NOT equal POWER!!!
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- Which muffler is quietest but makes the most
power?
- This test was performed by
5.0 Mustang &
Super Fords Magazine, December 2002 issue (page 55) on a '90 Mustang LX
coupe with 370hp and 11 second potential. 66 pulls were made for this
comparison:
The results in HP order:
1.Flowtech Warlock (open) 374.2 hp/ 333.1 tq
2.Bassani Real Street 373.7 hp/ 333.8 tq
3.Hooker Maxflow 373.5 hp/ 333 tq
4.Borla XS 373.3 hp/ 332.6 tq
5.Magnaflow 372.8 / 332.5 tq
6.MAC 372.3 hp / 331.5 tq
7.Flowtech Afterburner 372.3 hp/ 330.1 tq
8.Hooker Aerochamber 372.1 hp/ 330.4 tq
9.Bassani 372 hp/ 333.5 tq
10.Spintech 371.6 hp/ 332.2 tq
11.Edelbrock Performer RPM 370.9 hp / 331.3 tq
12.Borla XR1 370 hp/ 334 tq
13.Flowtech Terminator 369.5 hp / 331.3 tq
14.Dynomax Ultra Flo 369.4 / 333.2 tq
15.Flowmaster 369.4 hp / 331.8 tq
16.Flowtech Warlock 366.3 hp / 325.3 tq
17.No muffs 365.2 hp / 330.1 tq
Sound Off in Quietest to Loudest (Decibels):
1.Borla XS, 80db at idle, 90db at 2,000 rpm, 110db
at WOT.
2.Hooker Maxflow, 80db at idle, 90db at 2,000 rpm, 120db at WOT.
3.Magnaflow, 82db at idle, 91 at 2,000 rpm, 114db at WOT.
4.Flowmaster, 82db at idle, 93 at 2,000 rpm, 115db at WOT.
5.Flowtech Warlock, 83db at idle, 92 at 2,000 rpm, 112db at WOT.
6.Dynomax UltraFlo, 83db at idle, 94 at 2,000 rpm, 113db at WOT.
7.Borla XR1, 83db at idle, 96db at 2,000 rpm, 118db at WOT.
8.Bassani Street, 83db at idle, 96db at 2,000 rpm, 120db at WOT.
9.Edelbrock RPM, 84db at idle, 93db at 2,000 rpm, 118db at WOT.
10.Bassani Real Street, 84db at idle, 96db at 2,000 rpm, MAX. (120+db).
11.Flowtech Afterburner, 86db at idle, 94db at 2,000 rpm, 115db at WOT.
12.Flowtech Terminator, 86db at idle, 94db at 2,000 rpm, 119db at WOT.
13.Hooker Aerochamber, 87db at idle, 94db at 2,000 rpm, 114db at WOT.
14.SpinTech, 87db at idle, 97db at 2,000 rpm, 116db at WOT.
15.MAC, 87db at idle, 98db at 2,000 rpm, 119db at WOT.
16.No Muffler, 91db at idle, 103db at 2,000 rpm, MAX. (120+db).
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