V6 exhaust system questions (Page 1/2)
oneinch SEP 06, 03:21 PM
'88 V6 exhaust questions....
Remove and (especially) reinstall/replace the system. I pulled my engine. The exhaust system was the LAST thing I removed from the cradle. It came off in one piece. I have since reinstalled the engine, but I did so without reinstalling the exhaust. I was thinking it would slide into place no problem. This doesn't seem to be the case. Has anyone reinstalled their exhaust - all in one piece with the engine in the car? I suspect this can not be done. So......

Replacement system. Since a new exhaust is in multiple pieces it'll go in to place pretty easy. I guess I might be buying a new system. I don't think cutting up the OEM system and stitching it back together is worth while. Regarding the Fiero Store Ocelot system: who has installed the ALUMINIZED and less expensive version? I am searching for durability reviews. This car won't be a daily driver. doubtful it'll be driven in the rain or wet winter. Just nice and dry conditions only. I'm thinking the less expensive aluminized pipe will be just fine. Opinions?

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Stanton
'88 Formula, red on gray

Dennis LaGrua SEP 07, 10:14 AM
By the exhaust system do you mean everything including the manifolds or just the pipes and mufflers? If its just the pipes and mufflers you can try supporting the system with a few springs and then bolting the head pipe to the crossover pipe.
As for replacing the system with a new one, I recommend degreasing it and spraying it with high temp ceramic paint. Once that system heats up the coating will be long lasting.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

oneinch SEP 07, 03:21 PM
My cat pipe and cat back sections are welded together. It's not going back in as one piece. No way. I could cut the cat pipe off and butt clamp back together. In fact this is what I'm going to do, but I'll replace the cat pipe section with new pieces. The cat back sections will go into place without the cat pipe section. A butt clamp will work in the short term, if not long term too. I can get it welded later.

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Stanton
'88 Formula, red on gray

reinhart SEP 07, 03:45 PM
Slide the muffler up in place first. Goes in easy.
oneinch SEP 07, 03:53 PM
I wish. It isn't happening.

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Stanton
'88 Formula, red on gray

OldGuyinaGT SEP 07, 04:54 PM
I installed the Fiero Store Ocelot aluminized exhaust in my '88 GT in 2016 or '17. I like it and it's still looking about as new as it could be, given 5 years and about 22k miles. Not showing any rust, but I am in Colorado and don't drive it in snow (or heavy rain, unless caught in it). I like it, At the time, I replaced everything from the Y-pipe back.

What I took out:


Notice the cut just before the muffler (and the seriously wrecked cat). I tried to take the entire exhaust out in one piece, and only failed because I had the rear on jack stands and did not have enough clearance at the headpipe (top hit the floor). Since I knew I wasn't re-using any of it, I used a sable saw to cut it in the most convenient place (exhaust was on the ground under the car) so I could tip the front half and drag it out. If I had the front and rear of the car off the ground, it would easily have come out in one piece.

Regarding the Ocelot system, it al went in pretty easily. I used a Walker 15026 cat (currently $119.71 on Amazon, was much cheaper a few years ago). I had to add a pipe to make up for the length of this small cat relative to the larger stock one I think the Ocelot was designed for (but not what was in the car when I bought it), and (iirc) I had to trim an inch or so off the pipe that runs along the passenger side, but then it all fit. I have hangers that I built from the OE brackets and universal hangers in the back, and about half of the OE springs installed (couldn't make the others fit). But it's solidly mounted and no bad resonances in the cabin.

It sounds good, with a nice low tone, but I can't compare it to stock because I've never heard an intact stock one myself. Also,I do not have stock tips; I used 2" to 2-1/2" adapters and some elbows and these tips

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B..._title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

which I really like, although your stock tips are in much better shape than mine were and it would be a simpler install for you to re-use them. My system is all held together with clamps. I was going to have it welded, but not after I was quoted over $400 for the job (in 2017). But the clamps are working.
Dennis LaGrua SEP 08, 07:59 PM
I have a brand new Fiero Store 88 cat delete headpipe that's more than the length of the converter all the way to the exhaust. Just cut it after the cat , clamp and you're in business. I paid $49.00 for it with shipping and tax. Its yours for $30.00 and I might be down your way on Friday. If Interested you have my cell phone so just just call or text.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

reinhart SEP 09, 06:13 PM

quote
Originally posted by oneinch:

I wish. It isn't happening.




It came out easy so why would it not go right back in unless you modified something? Anyway I've removed the exhaust on several Fieros probably 5 times and put right back in without any problems whatsoever. Not tooting my horn just not comprehending why it wouldn't go in.
oneinch SEP 09, 07:13 PM
The exhaust was last out, but not first in. I'm trying to put it in last. It was easy to remove it from an empty cradle. With the engine in the cradle it's a no go. Look at the picture above. Top of the muffler and the head pipe lean in towards one another. The space between these two points is more narrow than the cradle and engine. I've decided to cut the exhaust and clamp it back together. One cut is all that's needed. Not an ideal solution, but it'll work for the short term.

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Stanton
'88 Formula, red on gray

reinhart SEP 10, 12:52 AM
I've always removed the exhaust as one piece from the crossover connection downpipe back with the cradle and engine still in the car. I can see your cat has been replaced and welded in and to me it looks like the downpipe connectionis angled rearward more than mine were. How does that fit to the downpipe? It is at an angle at the donut gasket when it was mounted? But a factory exhaust even with aftermarket cat should come off and back on the car mounted cradle, no problem. I've had two complete exhausts with the massive factory cat still attached and had no problems even with that. With an aftermarket cat it's even easier because those are typically clamped on and one clamp can be removed to leave the downpipe attached. All but one of mine were 88s as well. I'm glad you've got things figured out though.

[This message has been edited by reinhart (edited 09-10-2021).]