3" tubing in 3.4L,,, kill low end torque??

[jhkcam]

I have always heard that for the 3.4L v6 you are better off going with the 2.5 inch catback tubing system (w/ 3.5" tips of course)or you lose low end torque. On this board though, i have heard a lot of people going with the 3" all the way back. I'm interested in performance,,, noise is just a plus. Should i go with the 2.5" or the 3",,,, if the 3" ,where do i find one that fits? All the 3" cat-backs i can find say they aren't made for the 3.4L camaro-- only the v8's and some of the 3.8L.

[Guardsman]

Any set-up that fits a 3.8 should also fit a 3.4, with the possible exception of the hangers. As to bottom end, I never changed the exhaust on my 3.4 when I had it, so I don't know for sure.
Make sure, though, that you're talking to 3.4 guys, because 3.8s are sensitive to exhaust changes, and 3.4s are a different beast.

[andrew N.]

mine is 3" cat back, i like it. it weights alot though.

[Stealth95]

I have a 3.4 with 3" cat back. I had my local midas hook me up for $270 clams. Ravin muff and twin square stainless z28 tips included. I dont feel like I lost any low end torque because the stock cat and the stock headers still cause alot of back pressure but if I did its not much. Since we both run a 3.73 we are looking for top end anway.

[Ryan94V6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Stealth95:
I have a 3.4 with 3" cat back. I had my local midas hook me up for $270 clams. Ravin muff and twin square stainless z28 tips included. I dont feel like I lost any low end torque because the stock cat and the stock headers still cause alot of back pressure but if I did its not much. Since we both run a 3.73 we are looking for top end anway.<hr></blockquote>

Ive got borla exhaust with Rksport header and no CAT and I lost alot of low end torque!!!!!!!!The exhaust shop said if I want my car at full power again then I should just get gears . Ive already ordered them so im good to go.

[ October 07, 2002: Message edited by: Ryan94V6 ]</p>

[Stealth95]

A gear will not fix your low end torque problem. Using larger injectors will help. A gear is going to help because you basically traded in torque for hp. Hp is on top end so a gear is going to keep it in the high rpm's and you will not notice the power loss in regular driving. Im installing my gear tomarrow :D 3.73. I debated on the 4.10 but I still want some top end. Good luck man.

[Skullcamaro]

horsepower is a derivative of torque, so unless you replace your Y pipe or install 3" headers or such then you shouldn't lose really any low end. Gears can help since it shifts the powerband to a different spot/level but as far a loss of low end torque their should be little to known. I have a 3 inch setup going from and including my catalytic converter to the muffler and tips. Thier was a slight change in the position of the powerband but it was minimal and if anything it improved the accleration and overall performance of the car.

[nikkev]

Unless you show me a dyno or a time slip,I don't believe you actually "lost" torque.It may feel like it on the butt-o-meter,but those are notoriously faulty.It "felt" like I lost HP/TQ when I had a cut-out on my Z,but my 1/8 dropped a consistent .2!On the 3.4,the flat spot from 25-35mph (not sure what RPM)is the worst thing performance wise in my opinion.When you go with a larger exhaust,you move the peak torque up the RPM band and that puts it EXACTLY where the 3.4 needs it the most.
Kevin

[ October 14, 2002: Message edited by: nikkev ]</p>

[black34v6]

heres my .02:

Stock TB
Stock Intake
Stock Heads
Stock Exhaust Manifolds
Stock Y-pipe (2.5")
Stock Catalytic Converter
Stock "S-pipe" (between Cat and I pipe)
3" I-pipe back.

MY dynosheet

thats rite peeps. 140hp / 183tq! (thats 164/216 for all of you that dont know how to convert rear-wheel to engine ratings)

I hate that little rumor flowing around about 3" catbacks losing torque. i didnt. i have a manual too btw. and my car had 90k miles on the odometer AND A BROKEN MOTOR (misfire, you can see it happen on the first run) due to a bad thrust bearing, a slipping clutch too. and that was with POSI btw.

anyway. hows that for a testament to a 3" catback?

i say anyone that says a 3" catback loses torque, is just spitting hype and hasn't actually tried it. every part works different for everyone. even if i say the 3" catback works for me, might not for you. just try it, see if it works. if you dont like it, go to a 2.5". personally i like the SOUND of the 3" better. (ill post a few mp3 files when i get a chance, after the engine is running)

anyway.

thats my .02

-R

[ October 14, 2002: Message edited by: Russell ]</p>

[black34v6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ryan94V6:


Ive got borla exhaust with Rksport header and no CAT and I lost alot of low end torque!!!!!!!!The exhaust shop said if I want my car at full power again then I should just get gears . Ive already ordered them so im good to go.

[ October 07, 2002: Message edited by: Ryan94V6 ]<hr></blockquote>


thats cause you removed your cat. IMHO the cat keeps enough backpressure to make the engine have just the right amount of breathing. check out my dyno in the post above...

[ October 14, 2002: Message edited by: Russell ]</p>

[black34v6]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Stealth95:
A gear will not fix your low end torque problem. Using larger injectors will help. A gear is going to help because you basically traded in torque for hp. Hp is on top end so a gear is going to keep it in the high rpm's and you will not notice the power loss in regular driving. Im installing my gear tomarrow :D 3.73. I debated on the 4.10 but I still want some top end. Good luck man.<hr></blockquote>

what do you mean..

[Ryan94V6]

Hey, Stealth95 will my car be noticibly faster when I install my gears with the mods in the sig? Right now when im doing regular driving just toughing the gas it revs to 3k rpms with no problem. When I install the gears will my car rev lower when doing regular driving? thanks

[Ryan94V6]

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



thats cause you removed your cat. IMHO the cat keeps enough backpressure to make the engine have just the right amount of breathing. check out my dyno in the post above...

[ October 14, 2002: Message edited by: Russell ]<hr></blockquote>

When I had my CAT on it felt the same as with the CAT off, So I really dont think it was the CAT.