Stupid exhaust question

[Gyrhead]

I've been studying all the threads on the 3" down pipe and other exhaust mods and frankly I'm a tad confused. I'm sure someone has written a primer on this mod but I've had trouble finding one "authority" thread in one place. Let me rattle off a few questions.

1) it seems to me that the stock turbo elbow needs to go (in favor of an aftermarket 3" one if a 3" down pipe is to be used since the outlet on the elbow remains stock size. This being the case, the wastegate will have to be relocated. is there a way to get out of this project without losing my shirt.

2) many of the posts on the SAC 3" pipe are not great, especially in relation to the ball and flange shortcomings with the stock "Y" pipe. My car has the stock exaust with OE mufflers (replaced in 1990) and I'd like to keep it until they rot out. Has anyone come up with a better 3" DP. I know Paul at SVPU has made some progress and is now working on a better fitting round 2 mock-up.

3) Does anyone have a 3" DP with cat. I'd like to keep mine there, if I can for visual inspection. I can keep my old stock DP and drop it annually for that purpose, but I'd rather not have to.

Can anyone shed a little light on these questions. Sorry if I'm rehashing old ground but I'd like to get a little more out of my SVO without changing its stock properties too much.

Thanks

[richsvo]

This being the case, the wastegate will have to be relocated.

Not necessarily true...go here: 40bob.com He has a 3" elbow that he can weld to your EXISTING turbo wastegate assembly

Does anyone have a 3" DP with cat. I'd like to keep mine there, if I can for visual inspection. I can keep my old stock DP and drop it annually for that purpose, but I'd rather not have to.

Same website has a slip-fit 3" DP to fit the elbow, made by a guy named "grasshopper" over on turboford.org. I was the guinea pig on this one...I have the first prototype. Works great. As far as the y-pipe, replace with a flowmaster part found at Summit Racing.
HERE
Then just get a 3" CAT and weld it all up.
HTH,
Rich

[GAboySVO]

Gyrhead,

You don't have to replace the stock elbow to bolt up the Sac Mustang downpipe. If you are going to take the elbow off, you can open it up a bit and polish the internal walls. I've got one and had no problems with fitment. I had the local muffler shop weld in a 3" high flow cat as well and it is connected to the stock cat back exhaust.

ATR has a 3" downpipe with an integral wastegate that boltdirectly to the turbine housing and uses the stock wastegate actuator. I don't have 1st hand experience with the ATR unit, only saw one once, but a novice on another SVO site got one and he indicated it bolted right up with out any fabrication needed.

[Gyrhead]

Thanks!

Thanks guys for the input. I was just wondering what benefit the 3" DP had if the stock elbow remained, but it seems like many here are running that setup and are happy with the results. I'd prefer to not get into wastegate relocation and modifying my elbow, at least not on this car - I may try it if I pick up a driver car soon (which I'm in the market for).

I will probably try the SAC pipe and cobble in a cat, or wait for Paul to come out with his.

Thanks for the input. I really appreciate the help this board has provided in the restoration of my car. Who knows, I may even get it done enough to bring to the 04 Reunion.

Paul

[SVOeric]

hey Paul -- If you order the Sac pipe and expect it to be here tomorrow ---

A lot of people have waited weeks, and months for them...-- but you never know --sometimes they actually do have them in stock

[Gyrhead]

Yeah.. I've heard that

Eric, I've been reading the threads to that effect. I haven't been checking their website but understand their supply has been "spotty" to say the least. I'll keep that in mind. Are their other DPs that are as good and not as difficult to actually buy?

[GAboySVO]

I called two weeks ago and asked if they had any in stock. They said they have two 3" downpipes in stock.

If you are going to order one, I suggest calling them to verify stock first, then ordering online.

[lonchair]

Re: Stupid exhaust question

Here's my experiance:
1) A new down pipe only involves relocating the wastegate if you are switching to an external one. I have the ATR pipe fitted for an external wastegate and a Tial 35mm wastegate. I did not loose my shirt in added expences beyound the original purchase of the pipe and wastegate. The main PIA was having to fab up a new EGR tube that routes around the wastegate. Not expensive, just time consuming. Going this route will definatly look different from stock. It is not a big difference to those who are not familure with SVO engine bays, but to the trained observer, it will stick out like a sore thumb.
*Edit-I did have a fitment issue-Looking back, I don't concider it a big deal. I had to clearance the lower portion of the firewall with a big hammer. With the engine in the car, you can't tell at all (even when the car is on a lift and you are standing under it) and you can't feel it through the carpet either.

2) I had zero fitment problems with the Sac Mustang downtube.
*EDIT- I stand by my no fitment issues. Maybe I lucked out and got a "perfect" one. I also bought my pipe almost 4 years ago-maybe that has something to do with it.

3) I run a 3" Dynomax catalitic converter along with my 3" ATR pipe. After the cat, I split into duals (just like factory pipes do). Not only do I pass the visual inspection, I also pass the sniffer. The only main difference from stock is when you look at the side profile of the car, you can deffinatly see the larger catalitic convertor and down pipe hanging under the car.

[SVOeric]

I had 2 fitment problems with my sac pipe --

#1 it took about 4 tries to get the pipe aligned where it wouldn't hit the floor board

#2 -- where the pipe connects to the stock y-pipe, the flange was too close to the ball, and would not seal up -- It looks like this was a issue with just my pipe, because I have not heard of others with this problem.

I'm not knocking anyone, but most people that say they had no fitment problems, had shops install theirs. The fit between the floorboard, and the bottom bend is pretty close, and will take a try or 2 to get right.

[Pat_in_L.A.]

The SAC pipe has a short version and a long version. I got a long version and it fit right in with plenty clearance everywhere, and matched up at the bellmouth perfectly with an unmolested original exhaust from the Y-pipe back. I would however recommend making up a replacement support that the SAC DP doesn't have, but the OEM does, which goes between the trans mount and the exhaust pipe.

[SVOeric]

I also recomend adding a support --

I used the stock support, and cut one leg off it --

there is a pic around here somewhere of my support

[SVOeric]

When I say the flange is too close to the end of the pipe and won't seal, here is a pic --

Look how close the flange is to the end of the pipe ---
hooking this to the stock Y-pipe, the edge of the socket hits the flange before the ball is in far enough to seal up --

Like I said -- this is probably something they fixed, or just a screw-up on my particular pipe --cause I haven't heard anyone else having this problem.