3" exhaust won't fit

[Black_v6_Beast]

Just got a call from my muffler shop telling me he can't make a 3" pipe work; I wanted him to install a 3" cat with a 80 series Flowmaster; he says a 3" pipe won't work between the two. I have seen tons of 3" setups here. Should I switch muffler shops or is there a secret to making this work?

[Cale]

Uhh, where exactly is he saying it won't work?

3" piping will fit anywhere, just some areas will take more work than others.

I just had a 3" dual exhaust off a 2001 SS installed yesterday..., they had some trouble, but that was just because the hanger setup was slightly different.

[Black_v6_Beast]

He is trying to bend 3" pipe to fit over the axle (connecting pipe between the cat and the muffler); he says he can't bend 3" pipe in a tight enough radius. Is there a pre-bent pipe that we need to buy?

[Silver2000V6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Black_v6_Beast:
He is trying to bend 3" pipe to fit over the axle (connecting pipe between the cat and the muffler); he says he can't bend 3" pipe in a tight enough radius. Is there a pre-bent pipe that we need to buy?<hr></blockquote>

You're talking about the s-pipe right? I was just told something similar by a guy at Midas. I need to get a mandrel 3" s-pipe somewhere too.

[bu-bye]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Silver2000V6:


You're talking about the s-pipe right? I was just told something similar by a guy at Midas. I need to get a mandrel 3" s-pipe somewhere too.<hr></blockquote>

The I-pipe goes over the axle I believe. And yes it should fit. Many people here have done it.

[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: bu-bye ]</p>

[Silver2000V6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by bu-bye:


The I-pipe goes over the axle I believe. And yes it should fit. Many people here have done it.

[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: bu-bye ]<hr></blockquote>

Yeah, the i-pipe does go over the axle you're right. The cat connects to the s-pipe and the s-pipe connects to the i-pipe. The s-pipe is where the tight bends are and that is where I am having problems. But you are correct, the i-pipe shouldn't be a problem. I have a 3" i-pipe.

[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: Silver2000V6 ]</p>

[Bill Spano]

Your signature indicates you have a cat-back system. This should include the 3-inch section that goes over the axle.

If you are calling a 80 series muffler a cat-back system your incorrect and your post is misleading.

To clarify a cat-back system is defined as all exhaust hardware after the catalytic converter back. This is why it's called a cat-back

Just a thought. Why would you spend all that labor money to create cat-back system plumbing if you can buy a complete cat-back system with muffler for less than $250.00 with all the plumbing included.

Bill Spano

BAD 2000 WS6 12.394@109.43 60ft 1.676 (spinning), 325 RWHP, 343.4 RWTQ
http://www.mycar.net/mafb/registry/detail.cfm?id=332

V6 Revenge 13.967@90.42 60ft 1.779
http://www.mycar.net/mafb/registry/detail.cfm?id=257

[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: Bill Spano ]</p>

[TheV6Bird]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Black_v6_Beast:
He is trying to bend 3" pipe to fit over the axle (connecting pipe between the cat and the muffler); he says he can't bend 3" pipe in a tight enough radius. Is there a pre-bent pipe that we need to buy?<hr></blockquote>

I was told that too. "If you don't bend it just right, it'll hit something or touch something on the car." I still don't know what I am going to do: Get a 3-inch pipe or not. There MUST be some 3 inch s-pipe to get in Summit or something!!

And Bill, if I had to do it all over again, I'd save and buy a catback instead of spending my $$$ quickly and dumbly and just getting the muffler. :(

[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: TheV6Bird ]</p>

[Bene]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Black_v6_Beast:
He is trying to bend 3" pipe to fit over the axle (Is there a pre-bent pipe that we need to buy?<hr></blockquote>

Why not just get a mandrel bent one? 3" dynomax
I pipe. You live in dallas you say? i'll let you see my 3" exhaust from cat to muffler system. Its all mandrel bent.

[zlightning]

SWITCH SWITCH SWITCH SWITCH SWITCH AND SWITCH. A good exhaust shop can make it fit.

[shortdog273]

I ordered two 90 degree mandrel 3" pipes from jcwhtiney for about 50 bucks. You're gonna need two of them to make the S pipe then the muffler shop can size them down for you.

[Black_v6_Beast]

Well Bill I put that on ym sig b/c I thought this afternoon I would have a cat back so no flames or explanations necessary. All I need to know is exactly where I can get 3 inch pipes for my bird. Also I've seen the American Thunder System for the LT1's I was wondering if I could buy that and then either install it myself or have the shop install it along with a 3 inch cat. Any thoughts appreciated

[Jp]

I went to a local muffler shop and told them what I wanted. They ordered it from Magnaflow. 3" mandrel bent i-pipe from the S-pipe all the way to the cat

Fit perfectly between the axle and car. (they need to use the lift that lifts the car by the frame so there will be a TON of wheel gap and the pipe fits real easy and smooth. then when it goes back to the ground it squezes up tight but there is still a good bit of clearance on all sides of the 3" i-pipe)

it can be done. my car is proof. now they said i couldn't get a 3" s-pipe to fit in there, but the v8 boys use a 4" s-pipe so if they can fit that, dammit they can fit a 3" one on mine!! currently i have a 2.5" s-pipe which hopefully will be changed soon

[Black_v6_Beast]

do you have any part numbers for a 3" I pipe???

[Bill Spano]

To clarify what type of vehicle would normally have a 3-inch exhaust? Trucks!

Go to a truck supply shop. Pick up two 3-inch 90-degree mandrel bends for about $10.00. Make sure there're 3 inch ID (inside diameter) at one end and 3 inch OD (outside diameter) at the other.

You can then connect these sections together and now you have a 3-inch mandrel bent S-pipe.

This should then butt up to the cat and intermediate pipe with no problems.

Bill Spano

BAD 2000 WS6 12.394@109.43 60ft 1.676 (spinning), 325 RWHP, 343.4 RWTQ
http://www.mycar.net/mafb/registry/detail.cfm?id=332

V6 Revenge 13.967@90.42 60ft 1.779
http://www.mycar.net/mafb/registry/detail.cfm?id=257

[ January 10, 2002: Message edited by: Bill Spano ]</p>