Need help exhaust disaster

[Mswaney]

I just bought a 2002 convertible Z28 35th anniversary and I absolutely love it, however I wanted to start upgrading it and the very first thing I wanted was to get an exhaustive system, however I don't know the first thing about cars or how to work on them and so I took it to some local exhaust shop and they just cut my muffler off completely and ran straight pipes to tips I picked out. This sounded way to loud and horrible. I paid this shop 350 bucks and the next day regretted it and wanted to try and fix it so I took it to a different exhaust shop who put on a Flowmaster muffler for a 150 bucks and now it just sounds puny and actually feels like it has a lot less power than when I bought it a week ago. Please help me and tell me what I should do and why it would have a decrease in power. I have called all kinds of shops and mechanics and nobody has exhaust systems like the ones yell are talking about they all keep telling me they do there own pipes and custom work. Why is is so hard to just get a good exhaust system installed like I want it. I live in Nashville TN if you anyone has any suggestions for me.

[DarrenWS6]

You need a catback designed for the car over a muffler job like a truck. I would stronglynsuggest the GMMG or now known as Madhammer Exhaust catback. I had a Flowmaster 80 series in my car prior. Idle sounded good, WOT was quiet after 4th gear. Pathetic. The GMMG kit has lots of rumble and thunder, it's tame inside, sounds smooth and clear.

[35th-ANV-SS]

Yeah, you could have almost bought a new exhaust by now. What's your budget?

Exhausts can run from a few hundred to up over a grand (without installation).

[pajeff02]

Good lesson to learn actually. Research your upgrades, ask those of us that have been there, and then make an informed decision.

Sorry you had a bad experience with your car -- but like most things it can be fixed. Exhaust is all about personal preference. Me, I won't install a Flowmaster on anything. I much prefer the sound of Magnaflow... with an electric cutout thrown in for those times when I want the exhaust to really bark.

[sjgreen6]

Take some time and read through the many pages discussing different exhaust combinations here http://www.ls1.com/forums/f63/best-h...90/index8.html . Personally I run an SLP Loudmouth II cat back with Y-Pipe and I'm very happy with the sound. Of course lots of things that you can do to your car will make a difference in the sound. If you want to or have to keep your original emissions equipment then you may be limited to a cat-back system which are actually pretty easy to install at home with basic tools. If you aren't limited by emissions inspections you may want to think about waiting until you have the money for a good set of headers and exhaust system with or without cats. Lots and lots of choices so do not rush from one bad exhaust job to another.

[raynor139]

I've somewhat been in the same boat as you. I've had magnaflow and tsp stuff and some custom. Havent really been truly happy with any of it. The MagnaFlow had to be customized and the shop made a mess of the I pipe where it and the y pipe joined. Had to have that fixed. MagnaFlow stuff eventually broke so had a custom setup outback made and that sounded awful. Think they used a Flowmaster after I told them not to. The current setup I have is a tsp true dual. Best sounding one so far but not the best clearance. And not a huge fan of the bumper being empty and having no tips. Now I'm thinking I'm going to do kooks true duals with their headers and be done with it. Should not have to worry about it again after that. Rather pay for a good fit and finish and not have to worry about it. But that will be down the road when I finally get sick of the tsp stuff. I've learned do it right the first time don't go cheap.

[0rion]

the easy answer is to not rely on anyone but yourself to pick out and put parts on your car. Like these guys have said...research a ton before buying anything. Exhaust is very subjective....what someone thinks is too loud is not loud at all to someone else. If it were up to me I'd run straight headers out through the front fenders. I've always been a big fan of GMMG....I wasn't aware of the name change though. Tons of people like the magnaflow systems too.

[pajeff02]

^^ Even that ideal exhaust system might be too subtle for you.

[Whamhammer]

the easy answer is to not rely on anyone but yourself to pick out and put parts on your car. Like these guys have said...research a ton before buying anything. Exhaust is very subjective....what someone thinks is too loud is not loud at all to someone else. If it were up to me I'd run straight headers out through the front fenders. I've always been a big fan of GMMG....I wasn't aware of the name change though. Tons of people like the magnaflow systems too.

I always saw you as an exhaust stacks guy, poking the pipes straight through the hood.

Learn something new everyday

[Whamhammer]

The one thing I have seen with the two F bodies that I did aftermarket exhaust on is that there always seems to be a small fitment issue, and it will take some adjustments to make most of them fit like they should.

I am very happy with my Kooks headers/catted y and Magnaflow cat-back. I just have to get them a little adjusted from this winters install to fit perfect. Fixing the front end drop that my car sems to have might not hurt either.

Like everyone has said, do research, talk to people, look and listen to thier cars.

[kingz2871]

Holley Blackheart mid length headers and exhaust system. Set me back $1600 but it was worth it. My 01 Z28 sounds like a beast now! Solid motor mounts and a UMI cross member to separate the torque arm from the transmission.

[raynor139]

Holley Blackheart mid length headers and exhaust system. Set me back $1600 but it was worth it. My 01 Z28 sounds like a beast now! Solid motor mounts and a UMI cross member to separate the torque arm from the transmission.

Too bad they won't do full length headers for that setup. Alot of guys are using reducers and modifying the pipes to make them meet up correctly. Probably the best ground clearance out of all the true duals but it's only 2.5". Great for cam and head guys but tsp or kooks setups start to out perform it after about 500 hp.

[GQVega]

You need a catback designed for the car over a muffler job like a truck. I would stronglynsuggest the GMMG or now known as Madhammer Exhaust catback. I had a Flowmaster 80 series in my car prior. Idle sounded good, WOT was quiet after 4th gear. Pathetic. The GMMG kit has lots of rumble and thunder, it's tame inside, sounds smooth and clear.

Hey I saw your video and noticed your gauges are white. Where did you get those gauges?

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[Sas]

I put a thrush muffler on my bird with long tubes. It gives it a nice low/deep tone, without being overly loud or raspy. I think the muffler ran me around $20-40.

[pajeff02]

Probably a "turbo style" muffler that can be had for cheap. They do sound nice though - I think that is how Magnaflow is assembled.

[DarrenWS6]

Hey I saw your video and noticed your gauges are white. Where did you get those gauges?

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Previous owner did a gauge overlay set. I'm not sure what brand it is but it's a nice set.

[35th-ANV-SS]

I have white gauge overlay I never used still brand new in the package.