Alright, Dumb question time. I've got an 89 lesabre, with the 3.8 and my exhaust is shot. I'm going to need new everything basically. Is it worth it to switch to duel or not? Any improvement in fuel economy or power? This is a strictly stock engine. And I don't expect the car to last anymore than 5 years. I don't think it is, but some "car guys" have told me it is.
Nothing wrong with a bigger exhaust. I got a good 2-3 more mpg with just a pipe on my summit, yea, it's a little loud but it saves the money at the pump. :TU:
Since its fwd you'll probably have to make it a y-pipe set up with the split to duals near the rear of the car. My fathers car had the basically the same engine in it with a custom made dual system but most of the air only went through the one pipe with almost nothing going through the other, eventually the least used pipe rusted off and he just put a patch on the hole and went with the single pipe plus a high flow muffler. I havn't noticed any performance difference between the two and there is not much difference in the sound either. There's also the argument that too little back pressure reduces torque but I'm not sure if thats true or not. Anyways what I'm trying to say is if you want the look of duals then go for it, but if not then you should probably just use a single pipe high flowing muffler and cat converter.
trevor: what u could do is go to the "mufflerman" in sarnia on exmouth street and see if he can bend u an aluminized pipe (2.5 inches) , cat back , & use a dynomax muffler . this fellow is good at his job with 20+ years . he fabricated the exhaust for my brother's 67 rs/ss camaro & my gs , plus most other classic car guys in sarnia .
I suggest keeping the stock single exhaust . The $ spent on duals will be a complete waste of money . Maybe ask if the shop can make up a second pipe after the axle for looks but anything else will be a waste of time and money . Put the money you save in something else the car needs for the winter . p :TU:
Buick Exhaust I saw a big inprovment in performance and sound with a Z-28 crossflow muffler and dulplicated the tail pipes for left and right. AL.
You would only be able to do a "Cat-Back" type system. Which means you can only change the things after the catalytic converter. Best idea would be to use a "one pipe in, two pipes out" type of muffler, like used in a mid-90's Camaro with a single "Cat" system. For best results, spend some money on a "high flow" catalytic converter. Your local shop may or may not have these...probably not. There is alot of power to be had here. My advise would be to consult several local muffler shops about the ideas presented in this thread, and see what they say. But definately look into a "high flow" catalytic converter. :Smarty: Good luck. Let us know how it goes. :TU:
Just finished my "what's my mpg" thing on my summit (with open pipe). 318 miles on 10.8 gallon tank. Not bad for 95% city driving and me beating the crap out of it at every turn.
