headers and exhaust

[dusterbd13]

im looking at doing headers and exhaust on my 3.4, 5 speed, 2wd first gen.

what im thinking:
headers, and a non flattened y-pipe
2.5 single exhaust with fairly quiet muffler like a dynomax super turbo.

i saw recently that OBX has started making a stainless header and y-pipe combo for 200 bucks. the ebay adds state that theyre only for automatics, though. i know that i didnt have to change my y-pipe when i swapped in the 5 speed, and from what i remember, the 5 speed has more room around it at all points than the auto did. anyone know why thsi wouldnt work?

also, anyone have any links to some pis of these installed, or a writeup on them?


on the exhaust end, im debating with myself on what to do. i could have the local muffler shop bend one up for about 250, but there has to be a cheaper catback or something. any ideas? hell, id settle for ordering a mandrel bent tailpipe and making the rest myself.

just let me kow what you think, or have found.
michael

[jwvess00]

Hi there!

I've not seen these headers. I have put Edelbrock headers on both a manual and automatic 2.8 S-series, and I didn't notice any difference in the headers' shape. I don't know if other stuff (i.e. AIR fittings) are different.

On my truck, I have a Dynomax SuperConverter 2.5" in/out, 2.5" pipe to a 2.5"in/out Flowmaster 50-series Delta Flow muffler with a 2.25" tailpipe. It sounds great, no drone, louder than stock but not obnoxious.

On my old Blazer I had a Magnaflow 2.5"in/out converter (one for a C4 Corvette, I think -- it's fairly long), a 2.5" pipe to a 2.5" in/dual 2.25" out Magnaflow muffler. It's the largest case one I could find. I don't like the Blazer's exhaust. It sounds great at idle, but it's too loud in the cabin while driving. We'll probably replace it with the same muffler I've got on my truck.

With whatever header you use, get a set of Stage8 locking header bolts. They're fantastic.

[SSRob]

Any links for the OBX stuff??

I was considering the headman headers, and true duals, probably 2.25". I have the Edelbrock TES w/ 3" exhaust currently.
But, I currently don't have emissions, so I thought I'd see how long tube, true duals would work. Dynomax has (or had) a
cat back system with a "hemi" or "truck" super turbo: big, high flow muffler, but sounded stock! We put it it on a friend's
2.5L truck and the muffler would rattle when it was cold & warming up. Annoying, and maybe just our defective muffler.
??
I've been eye balling the Heart Throb(sp) systems sold in J.C.Whitney, and directly. Systems for under $200. I think you
can get 3" or other dual outlet ones, too:
www.heartthrobexhaust.com

Rob in AZ <--- flowmaster racing scavenger muffler and super 40 - - not loud enough for me

[inkycu]

I went with the Eldelbrock TES for my 87 2.8. Very easy simple install. I found a 86 power steering pump bracket from the junkyard to replace the 87 bracket on the exhaust manifold. This helped to reduce the vibration on the belt.

I also did an air pump removal and capped the air inlet on the header. After running the header with the air pump for a year, capping it really got the exhaust flowing and was there was a noticable increase in performance.

The other mod was an extension on the o2 sensor that helped to eliminate ecu codes.

[SSRob]

Been wanting to rid myself of my air pump, by trying a short belt. Oh well, that didn't work: it messes with the angle of the tensioner, so I can get a belt on, but it won't tighten enough. Can't get a shorter belt to go on, either. BTDT. Maybe, if I had a stock crank pulley and not my aluminum underdrive one, I might work. Oh well. I wondered if you had serpentine setup? Maybe there is some Canadian or Saudi Arabian setup I don't know about: different tensioner..??

Rob in AZ <--- I keep wanting to try the Headman non-smog headers, and have true duals. Darn gas tank doesn't help that side....

[inkycu]

SSRob

I used this post by BetterThanYouToo and I'm very happy with the results:

http://members.shaw.ca/betterthanyoutoo ... emoval.htm

[betterthanyou]

Been wanting to rid myself of my air pump, by trying a short belt. Oh well, that didn't work: it messes with the angle of the tensioner, so I can get a belt on, but it won't tighten enough. Can't get a shorter belt to go on, either. BTDT. Maybe, if I had a stock crank pulley and not my aluminum underdrive one, I might work. Oh well. I wondered if you had serpentine setup? Maybe there is some Canadian or Saudi Arabian setup I don't know about: different tensioner..??

Rob in AZ <--- I keep wanting to try the Headman non-smog headers, and have true duals. Darn gas tank doesn't help that side....

I went through the same process you did and ended up going back to the old arrangement. It wasn't until my Trooper engine needed replacement and I was after a Rodeo 3.1L and discovered GM made a NON AIR engine with all the parts needed to make it happen.