Firebird exhaust questions

[formulafirebird126]

i have a 89 formula 5.0 v8. i was thinking about putting true dual ehaust on it. the exhaust on it now is just 2 pipes connecting from the manifold and runnin into one muffler. i do not have a mandrel bender so i cant do it myself. i was also hoping to upgrade my air intake.

[tuske427]

There are several companies who make decent flowing exhaust systems for your car. Since you're only running a 305, you most likely don't need a 100% dual exhaust for your car. These cars are limited in space underneath (It's really bad if you lowered it) and with the many hours/ engineers and research dollars developing these systems which are "tuned" for your car, it's be silly to try and beat them at their own game.

Personally, I'd go with an aftermarket system like edelbrock, flowmaster ,etc and be done with it. These systems are designed to handle your car as well as the higher output 350 version of your car and will take up less space underneath, not to mention the single exhaust system is lighter than a dual.

I have the Edelbrock TES/ cat back behind a '75 .030 chevy 350 in my '84 T/A. It works great with my engine. no restriction and it fits nice, too.

Just my 2 cents

[ikeyballz]

ive heard of the true duals..that some guys custom fabbb'dd theirs, but yeah, i agree with tuske..its cheaper, easier and prolly more power benefits to get a tried + true one. the guys on this forum seem to like magnaflo.

[bag91]

True duals would cost too much to do and be a pain in the but to drive. But it still would be cool.

[formulafirebird126]

i have also heard of cutting off the manifold and putting on headers, then putting on a cherry bomb or whatever muffler u want, right on the headers

[tuske427]

When I was 16 I did that to my 1978 Camaro. I removed the stock exhaust, installed headers and Thrush glass packs right after them. they exited right underneath the driver/ passenger seat. it was loud. I loved it. Of course, this kind of exhaust on an otherwise stock 2 barrel 305 was overkill. It was only a couple of weeks before I received a loud exhaust ticket. It was fun while it lasted. (This was in upstate NY and yes, I had a mullet back then)

Having learned a thing or 2 in the last 15 years I still reccomend a quality aftermarket system that is designed for your car. In addition to non deafening sound decibels, you'll have one that flows properly for your engine requirements. There is such a thing as too big an exhaust system. Too large of pipes reduces velocity. that doesn't help power.

I hope this is helpful

-BV

[The Right Formula]

Originally Posted by tuske427

There is such a thing as too big an exhaust system. Too large of pipes reduces velocity. that doesn't help power.

I hope this is helpful

-BV

Damn, beat me to it! I concur! Too much exhaust actually hurts performance. TSP, Magnaflow, and dare I say...SLP all offer nice systems that give the 'Back off, son, you don't want any of this' sound without screaming 'hey look at me!, pull me over!'.

--Jay