How hard is it to convert an 85 SVO to dual exhaust as 85.5 & 86's had?

[Cobra Jet NJ]

Exactly as stated -

I'm looking at an 85 SVO, which has the stock single exhaust set up.

How hard is it to convert this system over to the true dual 85.5 and 86 SVO system?

I am extremely familiar with Fox Mustangs - and know I will need the 2 mufflers, 2 intermediate pipes, and the 2 SS LX tail pipes...

What I don't know is - how does the system from the intermediates forward connect up to the manifold?

Also - I know there are many SVO purists - is this a "safe" conversion and not "taboo" or "boo'd" upon, since I would be "modifying" the SVO's exhaust for the better?

[NY eric]

duals but why?

It is a peice of cake. You will need the Y pipe and I would recomend a new downpipe while you are at it. Unless you are doing the conversion to duals for astetic reasons why not just go 3" single out one side?

forgot about the dual pumps Doh!

[KevinK]

It's pretty hard to boohoo someone for putting different parts on when the stock ones are so hard to get. The single exhaust is not easy to find. I veiw the exhaust like batteries, you'll probably go through a few of them if you keep the car long enough.

You just need to deal with the fuel pump issue.

[virago34]

Man, I did not realize the stock 85 was 3" to the back of the cat. I had my replumbed and the guy only had 2 1/2", so the whole system now is 2 1/2, with a flow master. DO you guys think this will be at least OK???
Virago

[DAVEZ84SVO]

IIRC, the factory down pipe was only 2" to the converter.. Going to a 3" down pipe will greatly improve the turbo lag, by like 300-500 rpm earlier.. Just FYI on the muffler, turbo engines like a straight through muffler like Magnaflow.. I'm currently running a Flowmaster cause the $$ was right.. It is better than the stock so that is how I see it at the moment..

Dave

[NsTyFoX]

Vincentown huh? I'm in marlton should meet up one day. I'd just do full 3in single,but its your car

[chalkys_explorer]

Considering doing this myself so I'm wondering if anyone has photos of where to relocate the fuel filter to and what the specs are on the fuel lines??

[SVOBart]

FWIW, I'm going to convert my 86 to a single 3" all the way back. It gets a tailpipe out of the way, and if you run everything down the passenger's side, gives the exhaust a straighter shot out of the car.

[NinjaBOY]

I'm in the middle of doing the conversion on Project White Trash SVO, which is an early 84. The downpipe on this car is a 2 1/4" stock unit. (FYI the TC's had a 2 1/2" downpipe). As Flemming said, the early cats crossed from right to left and dumped straight back. Can't vouch for the 3" outlet though. Anyhow, beyond converting the dual fuel pump set-up, (which I converted to the in-tank style used in the later models), you'll need to consider the brake line which drops down from about the middle of the rear floor to the middle of the axle on the right side. Most people just tell me to get a length of steel brake line tubing and re-route the line to the center of the car, where the later models also go, as well as the GT cars with the 8.8 axle housings. Some people just upgrade to the 8.8, keep the brake line arrangement of that axle, and then they can use the GT chassis to axle brake hose too. It's much easier to get that line than a correct early 84 line. However, I think it possible to snake a tailpipe of modest size past the brake line safely if you use a SS brake hose and cover it or the tailpipe for heat shielding.

Roger