98 WS6 exhaust, single tailpipe?

**I love toys** · 04-27-2010, 04:28 PM

I have a 98 WS6 i ordered in Nov of 97 as soon as i seen the new model coming, i just had to have it. but anyways i didn't get it till june july because of the strike. The car has a single large tailpipe and only 1 side like the old firehawks have, i never see any other cars with the single, i just assumed all the 98's had single pipes but i never see any. Anybody know whats up here, just curious? did they change it mid year or i just never see any 98's?

**basballny2** · 04-27-2010, 04:51 PM

98's came with the single exhaust pipe along with the '04 gto

**Baluchitherium** · 04-27-2010, 10:22 PM

All 98' WS6 optioned Firebirds (Trans Am or Formulas) came with the single 3 1/2 inch ( I think that's the size) tail pipe.In 1999 the WS6 option gave the WS6 packaged Firebirds two single single tail pipes.Base TAs and Formulas had the base "ovalish" tips.And WU6 (Firehawk) optioned Firebirds got the SLP dual dual catback.

In addition all 1998 SS packaged Camaros came with this single tip as well unless optioned with the SLP dual dual. In 1999 the base SS packaged Camaro was equipped with the single single tips like the WS6 optioned Firebirds.. Z28 Camaros got the slender vent like tips. Later SS Packaged Camaros also had ceneter mount exhaust as an additional option.

MANY people seem to not like the single tipped 98' WS6 exhaust set up and end up ditching it in favor of an aftermarket kit...

I personally like it and will bet you that as the years go by and people want to restore these cars, those single tipped WS6 catbacks are going to be very hard to find AND be worth much more than they are now... Just a guess and my opinion!

If you change it out,I would store it... ya never know!

**RyanJM** · 04-27-2010, 11:41 PM

I would keep it to change it back if you sell it but on the TA's it looked
out of place with the 2 exhaust openings.

**BLK2KSS** · 04-27-2010, 11:58 PM

ive seen these single outlets before

and wondered why they were that way. now i know

**RyanJM** · 04-28-2010, 12:01 AM

They looked better on formula's and camaro's in my opinion since they had no specific exhaust cutouts

**BLK2KSS** · 04-28-2010, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by RyanJM

They looked better on formula's and camaro's in my opinion since they had no specific exhaust cutouts

i 100% agree

**I love toys** · 04-29-2010, 07:36 AM

Thanks guys, i actually don't mind it one big tip is kinda cool it they didn't have the cut out on the other side i would really like it.

**shady milkman** · 04-29-2010, 08:35 AM

i love the single outlet ...it is rare and one of the best if not the best exhaust they offered for the 4th gens

**TROYWS6X** · 04-29-2010, 10:26 AM

They did it to pass the Federal drive by noise test. They put the exhaust outlet on the opposite side of the car from the microphone used in the test. I have an article around here somewhere that tells all about it. I took mine off, but stored it for the future.

**JohnnyBs98WS6Rag** · 04-29-2010, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Baluchitherium

All 98' WS6 optioned Firebirds (Trans Am or Formulas) came with the single 3 1/2 inch ( I think that's the size) tail pipe.In 1999 the WS6 option gave the WS6 packaged Firebirds two single single tail pipes.Base TAs and Formulas had the base "ovalish" tips.And WU6 (Firehawk) optioned Firebirds got the SLP dual dual catback.

In addition all 1998 SS packaged Camaros came with this single tip as well unless optioned with the SLP dual dual. In 1999 the base SS packaged Camaro was equipped with the single single tips like the WS6 optioned Firebirds.. Z28 Camaros got the slender vent like tips. Later SS Packaged Camaros also had ceneter mount exhaust as an additional option.

MANY people seem to not like the single tipped 98' WS6 exhaust set up and end up ditching it in favor of an aftermarket kit...

I personally like it and will bet you that as the years go by and people want to restore these cars, those single tipped WS6 catbacks are going to be very hard to find AND be worth much more than they are now... Just a guess and my opinion!

If you change it out,I would store it... ya never know!

About all I would add is that the '99+ WS6 factory exhaust tips were 2.5" dia, and the technical reason GM changed to this was to meet new noise standards in '99 (and I'm "sure" all the complaints about the "ricer fart-pipe" SOTL had nothing to do with it either

).

Originally Posted by TROYWS6X

They did it to pass the Federal drive by noise test. They put the exhaust outlet on the opposite side of the car from the microphone used in the test. I have an article around here somewhere that tells all about it.

I'm not so sure about this, I'd like to see that article.

BTW, I still have my SOTL.

**dragonchick** · 04-30-2010, 05:54 AM

Wow, this is interesting! I learn something new everyday

**bryceslu** · 04-30-2010, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by RyanJM

They looked better on formula's and camaro's in my opinion since they had no specific exhaust cutouts

Formys have exhaust cutouts there chief.

**goof4080** · 04-30-2010, 01:02 PM

what exactly was the dual-dual exhaust that was offered in the firehawk. and i don't know what mine had since everything after the downpipe had rusted or been removed by the dumb kid who owned it before me. man did that sound terrible...

**Baluchitherium** · 04-30-2010, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by goof4080

what exactly was the dual-dual exhaust that was offered in the firehawk. and i don't know what mine had since everything after the downpipe had rusted or been removed by the dumb kid who owned it before me. man did that sound terrible...

Part of the SLP Firehawk package was the installation of the dual dual catback. This was a stainless steel exhaust kit installed by SLP that was a much higher flowing system than the base V8 Firebird exhaust or the WS6 exhaust. This info is only from what I have read and people testing it out on the dyno vs a cut out.

The kit has two slash cut tips on the passenger and two slash cut tips on the driver side hence the name dual dual...

It was also available on the SS package as an option.If not optioned,the SS package will come with the same exhaust kit as the WS6 Firebird.

I personally love the sound... Very deep quiet and refined.Even when I had one on my SS without cats,it sounded VERY nice. I just personally don't like the tips that much.I'm probably going to change them out later on.

Hope this helps you out man...

**goof4080** · 05-01-2010, 06:04 AM

just wondering if slp ever offered a similiar exhaust, all they really sell is powerflo or loudmouths...(with the same tips ofcourse!)

what we need is some pics on this thread... post up your SOTL and slp dual/dual pipes!

**RyanJM** · 05-01-2010, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by bryceslu

Formys have exhaust cutouts there chief.

I'll have to wait till I see one again and look closer. I don't remember my old bosses Formula's having specific cutouts in the bumper like the TA's, I remeber we did dual dynomax bullets with axle dumps off the lt's on the blue 99. But it'been a while ince he blew both of them uso haven't seen one in a while. One went to the junkyard and one got a new motor and owner.

**Baluchitherium** · 05-02-2010, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by goof4080

just wondering if slp ever offered a similiar exhaust, all they really sell is powerflo or loudmouths...(with the same tips ofcourse!)

what we need is some pics on this thread... post up your SOTL and slp dual/dual pipes!

Posts#s 251 and 253 have some grat shots... just basically looks like a Loud Mouth kit...

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...121344&page=13

**Too Fast** · 05-02-2010, 03:22 AM

Originally Posted by basballny2

98's came with the single exhaust pipe along with the '04 gto

The GTO had true duals, but they both came out on the left. I remember Pontiac making a big deal about this when the car came out. Then they changed it for '05 and '06, because nobody liked the duals exiting on one side.