[jimmys5600]

Hi, Recently picked up a 79 L82 with 25k miles.
Most everthing is OEM. It has a exhaust leak and needs at least a cat. back system.
The complete A.I.R. system is intact with the
cat converter. I was thinking of taking of the air syetm if it isn't too difficult to do and instaling a true dual system and getting rid of the converter.
What do you recommend?
Thanks

 

[[email protected]]

theres not much benefit to removing the A.I.R. system.. it uses very little horsepower and you may need it for emission inspections.. best to check local laws.. true duals will add a little performance and much better sound

 

[jimmys5600]

fishslayer thanks for the response. Iam not that
concerened with increasing power(that is what my 96 is for} but the stock exhaust sound is waaay too quiet.
It seems that I may leave the air system intact and look for a cat. back system. Will be looking for one that may make a rumble.

 

[[email protected]]

if emission compliance is not an issue, dump the cat

 

[toobroketoretire]

When I tried running my '82 without the converter the exhaust note sounded awful. Real "tinny" sounding.

If you want it louder go to a dual exhaust with a set of 40-Series Flowmasters.

 

[jimmys5600]

I have been thinking on Flowmasters.
Found that Dynomax has a cat. back system for C3's with turbo mufflers,wondering if that would be worthwhile?

 

[[email protected]]

save money by going to your local muffler shop and have them fab up a true dual set-up with 2 1/2 inch .. get a set of Flowmasters or what I run..Ultra-Flows and eliminate the cat.. it still won t be fast, but it will sound good

 

[jimmys5600]

fishslayer I like the thought of the loud exhaust!


:thumbsup3:

 

[toobroketoretire]

save money by going to your local muffler shop and have them fab up a true dual set-up with 2 1/2 inch .. get a set of Flowmasters or what I run..Ultra-Flows and eliminate the cat.. it still won t be fast, but it will sound good

Fish is absolutely right about saving money by going to a muffler shop. They have all the equipment necessary to bend and MIG weld the tubing and can do it for about 1/2 the price.

 

[Slicktop]

I hate exhaust systems that have been bent and welded up front to back by a muffler shop. It often makes it very difficult to work on the car if that work entails dropping any part of the exhaust system because it is then welded up into one solid unit.
You need to inspect your exhaust system and see where it is leaking. It might just be a simple fix and at the most it is probably only needing a new cat back sytem. As far as the AIR system, why mess with it, it draws no real HP and you will just be messing up your car.
You have a fairly low productuion car. The L82 has a high performance engine(for the year) and is an excellent runner and is already drawing a premium in the market place, but people want an original, unmolested example........

A stock 1979 L82 has an excellent exhaust note, I had one brand new and I know.

 

[[email protected]]

a muffler shop can easily make a slip fit connection after the holes in the x-member of pre-80 models [ 80-82 did not go thru x-member]for easy removal of either front or rear sections, and mufflers are still removable as well... they do not just weld everything together..and will cost less than 1/2 of a prefab and guaranteed to fit right ..A C3 is a very simple exhaust design unlike later generations..

 

[Slicktop]

a muffler shop can easily make a slip fit connection after the holes in the x-member of pre-80 models [ 80-82 did not go thru x-member]for easy removal of either front or rear sections, and mufflers are still removable as well... they do not just weld everything together..and will cost less than 1/2 of a prefab and guaranteed to fit right ..A C3 is a very simple exhaust design unlike later generations..

Of course they can but that is not what they normally do. If you want one made with bolted up joints it is going to cost more and you will do better with a prefab cat back system which is not expensive depending on the supplier......

 

[[email protected]]

it is what s normally done by GOOD Muffler Shops..

 

[aquarian]

What about putting in an X tube to balance out the exhaust gases?

 

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you will get conflicting opinions about X pipes..they tend to show better results with higher output engines.. not so much with stock smog engines...it does change the tone of the exhaust,tho

 

[Slicktop]

What about putting in an X tube to balance out the exhaust gases?

75-82 exhaust systems are not dual systems. They join into a single pipe before the CAT and then in the CAT back part they go out to each muffler, so there is no use for a x tube......

 

[[email protected]]

true, an X-Pipe would be less than useless on a stock exhaust w/Y pipe &cat..... we ve been discussing no Cat., duals for the OP s car, thats what I was referring too....Nascar has used them for years with great results, but again, these are hi-output applications