At the end of this video you can here the car idling and from inside the car with the door open. http://youtu.be/QJQM9Cs6Bms
Well, I got a call from Robby at Stage1 Performance. My Torque Tech exhaust had arrived. I took a ride out there today, and Rob took my old exhaust off, and put the new exhaust on. I still have to go back to flange the back of the mufflers, and tweak the N25 tips some more, but I am very happy with the sound. My car now sounds like it should. It's louder, but not at all annoying at a 60 MPH cruise. It has that throaty sound I was after, but not too loud at idle. I took a short video before I put it back in the garage.
Looks and sounds great! I went with the Torque Tech 3 1/2" off the collectors into the X pipe, then 3" out of the X pipe and 3" all the way back to the 3" Wheelz N25 tips! I can't wait to get them installed!:laugh:
i love the sound and the quality of the magnaflows. i have the 2.5 magnaflow x pipe kit on my buick and a set of 4" ones on my 555 bbc in my camaro with full tailpipes.
Took this video with my i phone. I was going about 55, but let off a bit as I was gaining on the truck in front of me, so I was at 50 MPH at 1800 RPM. Anyways, I had both windows open as it was hot. It gives you an idea of the sound level.
This is a video of me driving around the neighborhood after getting gas. I couldn't step on it much, but the switch pitch reverts to high stall at 4.5" of vacuum, so I dipped into it just enough for the stall change. Sounds like a downshift, but it isn't. Sorry for the camera shake, but I had to hold the i phone and steer.
I noticed that you didn't do anything with step headers? Headers do a lot with velocity changes, even primary lengths and collector shapes. Yes I know that there is a lot of money to sort out to purchase a such headers or exhaust system. X pipe or H pipe but why reduce you exhaust after them? It makes no since to! just call Borla or walker mufflers (Hooker headers) yes they are made by them. They both do exhaust dyno tests and compares other mufflers to engine sizes for you. Just a heads up for ya!
First, I think your priorities and mine are very different, and that is OK. I love my MT headers, and wouldn't even consider changing them. I wanted to step up to the 3" X pipe system. Since the MT's have a 3 1/2" flange, I saw no downside to sizing the pipes in front of the X at 3 1/2". I didn't want the car to be too loud during normal driving. Some 3" systems can be very loud. I am very pleased with this system. Like I said, our priorities differ.
Step headers are great for getting every last ounce of power from your motor, for a street car its not totally necessary. For race car yeah its nice if your looking to squeeze every last ounce out of it. Does anyone even make step headers for a GS?? M/T headers have a 3.5 in collector which is more than enough. No need to run that big of exhaust. For 600 HP 3 inch is plenty. Car sounds great. Cant wait to see it run @Cecil
I would've probably been happy with Pypes X pipe or Torque Tech, but neither of them "did it" for me for my Skylark, so I'm making my own. Summit universal 3" X pipe $104, Full Boar Max Flow mufflers (much cheaper/better version of Dynomax Ultra Flo) $114, and Dynomax 3" tailpipes $126, and several V bands $16ea, so I don't have to change stupid collector gaskets ever again and can drop the X pipe out of the way quickly and easily. Nobody makes them this way, and if they did they'd likely charge a lot more than I'm paying. Hopefully can afford some TA Shorty Headers soon so I can chop the stupid 3 bolt header flange off immediately and make an A body exhaust the way it should be. I built the X pipe exhaust on my Sport Wagon using V bands too already, turned out awesome and was actually fun to do...looking forward to doing my Skylark soon too hopefully! A chop saw and a MiG is about all it took.
To answer your question on who makes a step header for Buick GS's, Simple call kooks and several other companies do to. I know larry wasn't trying to extract every bet of power but he kost powet if he went down in size of pipe. I know this becausr when you build a 600hp big block ford and down size the exhaust you lose power, plane and simple. for exhaust mufflers there are tons of cimpanies that would love to show you how quite you can get with 3 1/2" exhaust. Just imagine this for a second, a 1500hp bbc in camero that is quitet then a 455 bbb with a stage 2 cam and full exhaust. and plane jane turbo mufflers! If you don't believe me attend a NMCA race and see it your self. It can be done.. I'm in to making wise choices not some s.w.a.g.!
They will custom make any header you want, you must ask. Ever header company out there does makes custom fit headers! http://www.stainlessheaders.com/index.aspx Try this people. http://www.rjracecars.com/Headers-Prodlist.html they make anything you want. maybe this company makes headers for Buicks, check it out http://www.headersbyed.com/__buick.htm . A simple search can find everyone of this. Come on folks, there is other companies that would like your services too! Im always looking for something better and stronger but at a reasonable price. No offense to no please. I will help if you ask..... Gary
You know what's funny, 3k for custom headers! I for one would call or email icengineworks.com and buy their kit and design my own headers for around the same price you paid for the $650 headers and here is the kicker, if you can weld or not, have someone you know that can weld weld up a precision set of headers that no one has . now that is smart thinking. besides that, last time I checked, custom made headers have come way down in price. The reason it came down is a lot people are going to odd ball cars that no one makes headers for and they are several companies that do make kits for you to weld up personally. Like I said before, I look for stuff like this all the time. If you got something that you need a part for, let me know and I'll look for it or maybe , I know someone who has that particular part. I'm full of knowledge and I don't hold my secrets . Garyie
Well, your command of the English language isn't very secretive either. I really try to keep an open mind while reading your posts, but I spend more time trying to do the 3rd grade grammar conversion...
