Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

[WarmMachineME]

I've talked to my exhaust guy, and here's what he had to say.

Magnaflow stainless steel high flow cat - $150
Magnaflow polished stainless steel cat-back system, dual output pipes, 3.5" slash tips - $425
Labor - $60

With tax and shipping, the total comes to $650-$700 installed.

The problem is that it's 2.5". He won't order the 3" since it's listed in his book for the V8, and mine is of course V6. He isn't confident it would work, and doesn't want to get stuck with a bunch of Firebird pipes if it doesn't. You and I know it would work, but I can understand what he's saying from a business standpoint.

I could buy the parts myself and just have them shipped to his shop. Only hangup there is that from what I've seen, if I order the cat-back myself from Magnaflow it adds ~$125 to the price. I've been looking through the distributors in the sticky, and I haven't even been able to find the Magnaflow cat myself. Probably more expensive for me to order, too.

What do you think? Should I jump on it? I do want to go forced induction in the future, so the 3" is important to me. Should I grit my teeth and pony up the extra?

Thanks for reading. :)

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

if you want it, pay for it.

[Smoke Panther]

Re: Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

First off, that cat is way overpriced..second, why would you pay for something you don't want? Save your change and find a mechanic that doesn't have stigmas about V6's

[FirebirdGT]

Re: Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

Magnaflow stainless steel high flow cat - $150

Magnaflow polished stainless steel cat-back system, dual output pipes, 3.5" slash tips - $425

First - what's the p/n? You can get a universal off eBay for $60 p/n 94109.

Second - if you are looking at a V8 system, you MUST get the 93-95 single cat system. Minor work to mate the cat-back to the cat, but any exhaust shop should be able to do it.

[WarmMachineME]

Re: Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

Second - if you are looking at a V8 system, you MUST get the 93-95 single cat system. Minor work to mate the cat-back to the cat, but any exhaust shop should be able to do it.

I'm not sure what you mean. I need to be shopping for the 93-95 catback set to find it in 3"? So, this would be the catback I want for my '99 V6?

You were right about the 3" converters from eBay. I double checked the part number from Magnaflow's website, and I just ordered one. So that takes care of the cat.

I'll still need the s-pipe too, right? I know that's available from SLP in the sticky.

I might still get this shop to do the work, anyway. This is a fairly small town, so if you find someone to stand behind their work, you stick with them whenever you can. That's the reason for my indecision in the first place.

Am I missing something? I appreciate the responses.

Edit: Can the stock downpipe be made to mate up to the new cat? Sticky says the down (or y-pipe) is already 3" so shouldn't be a problem...

[loser]

Re: Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

if you order that exhuast you have in the link, no shouldnt need a S pipe. 93-97 LT1's have the same basic exhuast set up as us ( they have an S pipe too )

stock Y pipe is 3" get a highflow car off ebay or summit or jegs for $50-$60

but any v8 exhuast can be made to fit on our cars, its just easyer to either get a get made for us ( 2.5" ones ) or a 3" one made for the LT1's.

[badinfluenceRS]

Re: Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

summitracing.com has 3" LT1 magnaflow catback for $388 + free sh, and I got a catco cat $50 on ebay...you could get the parts and they should install it...that would save you ~$125+

[FirebirdGT]

Re: Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

I'm not sure what you mean. I need to be shopping for the 93-95 catback set to find it in 3"? So, this would be the catback I want for my '99 V6? I'll still need the s-pipe too, right? I know that's available from SLP in the sticky.

Am I missing something? I appreciate the responses.

Edit: Can the stock downpipe be made to mate up to the new cat? Sticky says the down (or y-pipe) is already 3" so shouldn't be a problem...

Yes & no. LT1 93-95 have a single cat, 96-97 have a dual cat. You need to ensure you get the 93-95 so you get a S-pipe.

You will need to get 93-97 type exhaust hangers. Just the part that mounts to the body. 98+ have a different type hanger.

Y-pipe is 3", so no problem.

[WarmMachineME]

Re: Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

The $388 Magnaflow catback is ordered as of 10 minutes ago. I ordered the cat from eBay earlier today. Thanks to FirebirdGT, badinfluenceRS, and loser for eyeballing those. Wonder why the same system is such a different price on the Magnaflow homepage?

Anyway, it's MPE-15620 on Summitracing. The picture and the pdf instructions show the same parts as a V6 kit, including the s-pipe. Also some hangers in the kit too, so I hope I won't have to get any extras.

Well, got the Magnaflow stainless steel exhaust for ~$460 total, down from ~$640, and in the proper 3" diameter.:banana: Thanks a bunch, fellas.

The parts should come during the week, then I'll have them installed and add a sound clip to the collection.

Now I just hope I don't have to get any sensors or simulators...

[Tom Rs]

Re: Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

cool deal. glad u didnt get ripped

[loser]

Re: Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

congrats. install wont be too hard, are you doing it yourself? keep in mind the highflow cat MIGHT be shorter than your stock cat.

when i did my rumbler install i did a highflow cat too but i got a catco and it was a good 4" shorter than stock, which made me 4 inches short in the back, where the I pipe joins the over the axle pipe. i had to add in some pipe.

you might not have this problem becuase 1. i dont know if magnaflow cats are shorter. and 2. you got a kit thats made more for your car than i did.

good luck with it, im sure your'll love the sound.

[WarmMachineME]

Re: Take the plunge, or arrange something better?

I wish I could do the install. I always prefer doing things myself. But I don't really have access right now to a decent workspace/tools and all in order to do it right. I'll probably get the shop I had mentioned to do the install. He may not know much about f-bodies, but he'll stand behind his work. And he'll learn something in the process too. :D

If he can't come through for some reason, I have some other places to turn, but the old cat has been bad for a little while now. The sooner I can get it replaced the better so I don't break something else, if I haven't already.