Y-pipes?!?
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From: Southeastern PA
Y-pipes?!?
I'm looking to replace my two cats with one high-flow. Now, I see that the stock pipes from the maniflod are diffrent sizes (one is 2.25" an the other looks like 2"), how conveinient. Anyway this means that I can't simply get one of those Flowmaster collectors that go from two pipes to one, so what can I do. I'm planning on having a 3" pipe from the collector back into my flowmaster system because now the only thing that isn't 3" is the stock cat outlet. I'm putting on a 3" converter also. Does anybody know of a company that would make a manifold-back y-pipe set up that goes to 3", or does this have to be custom made by a muffler shop? Please help.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
Y-pipes?!?
http://proficientperformance.com/Mer...&Store_Code=PP
First question.... do you already have this high flow cat in your posession? If not, please read on...
I have the complete Bassani street thunder system (including the Y pipe you are asking about) on my 96 Bronco. They manufacture the highest quality exhaust I have ever seen (plus they have some super slick designs for their gaskets...or lack thereof). This pipe has 2.5" stainless primary tubes from the manifolds, that dump into a single three inch stainless steel pipe. It comes with a high flow catalytic convertor, which is a true 3" high flow design. You should definatley give that link a look over. You should also post this question to the F series forum, as well as the bronco (pretty much both use the same exhaust setup). It is highly regarded in the bronco forum, and quite a few guys in the F series forum also run Bassani. I cant say enough good things about them.
Rich
First question.... do you already have this high flow cat in your posession? If not, please read on...
I have the complete Bassani street thunder system (including the Y pipe you are asking about) on my 96 Bronco. They manufacture the highest quality exhaust I have ever seen (plus they have some super slick designs for their gaskets...or lack thereof). This pipe has 2.5" stainless primary tubes from the manifolds, that dump into a single three inch stainless steel pipe. It comes with a high flow catalytic convertor, which is a true 3" high flow design. You should definatley give that link a look over. You should also post this question to the F series forum, as well as the bronco (pretty much both use the same exhaust setup). It is highly regarded in the bronco forum, and quite a few guys in the F series forum also run Bassani. I cant say enough good things about them.
Rich
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From: Southeastern PA
Y-pipes?!?
Unfortuanatly, I do already have the cat, but would it be possible for me to just get the off-road pipe and put the cat onto the back of that? That seens to me like it would work. Thanks a lot for your help, I appreciate it.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,547
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From: MA
Y-pipes?!?
It might be feasible to just cut into the new Y pipe and mount your cat. I think it might be easier to return the cat to wherever you bought it (assuming you still have unopened it and have the receipt), or sell it off. Otherwise, yes, you will have to cut into the pipe and mount the cat. Also, note where all of your emmissions fittings are on your stock Y pipe (oxygen sensor bungs). The 'offroad' pipe with no cat will probably not have any bungs for the sensors to mount in. You would have to find out where they are stock, and cut and weld the new bungs in place. If it were me, I would try and get rid of the high flow unit you have now. If that isnt feasible, good luck with the retro fit. Keep us informed however you choose to go.
Rich
Rich
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From: Southeastern PA
Y-pipes?!?
That was actually my next question. How many sensors are there? I think there's only one, right. Here's another question, if I did get the off-road pipe and a weld-in bung, would I have to mount the cat around where it is stock, or could I just put it on the end and go directly into my exising system. The only reason I ask is becasuse now I have a reducer going to the stock 2.25" cat, but if I put the cat on the end all I would have to do most likely is trim the pipe to the muffler a bit. Is that ok or does the cat have to be closer to the engine? Oh yeah, and the bungs, all you have to do is drill a hole and weld em' in, right?
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
Y-pipes?!?
I do not know how many sensors you have. I think the EEC-IV speed density system has one, but I dont know. I am running OBDII-MAF. I have two oxygen sensors and a cat monitor sensor right behind the cat. You might want to ask the 87-96 truck forum about that. I believe you would have to mount the cat where you rear most cat is on your stock (which I believe the two units on your pipe actually make up one cat). Emissions stuff is critical. It has to pretty much be dead on, thats why I started to point you towards the complete unit. I think all you have to do is drill and weld, but I have never installed one. Seems pretty logical to me. I am actually going on vacation tomorrow morning, so if you post, I cant get back to you until next weekend. You might want to deflect this post over to that truck forum. Good luck.
Rich
Rich
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From: Southeastern PA
Y-pipes?!?
Ok, after being on vacation of a week here's what I came up with. Bassani says the off-road has an O2 sensor fitting, but the primary is 2.5", no problem just need a reducer thing to go to the cat, right. So here's the plan: Order the off-road pipe, find the right pipe reducer, cut the primary to mount the cat around where it is now, make the pipe to the muffler long enough, clamp it all together, and drive away with an emmissions-legal vehicle. How's that sound?
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
Y-pipes?!?
Why would the off-road pipe have a fitting? Maybe they use the same tubing for each variant, and just put a cat on instead of a longer 3" tubing. They Y primaries meet, then turn into a single 3" pipe, so I dont think you need the reducer you are talking about. I guess your plan works on paper.
Rich
Rich
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Southeastern PA
Y-pipes?!?
Well, the only people saying that the pipe is 2.5" is Bassani, maybe it is 3", I just ordered it so I'll find out soon. If it's 3" it will be very easy to install if it's not I'll probally take it to a custom muffler shop my brother used to work at and see if they can blow it up to fit the cat, or find a reducer, or make one. Anyways, the hardest part is going to be getting the new y-pipe cut to the right length since it has to be mounted, marked, taken off, cut, molded, and then re-mounted. If it's 3" my life will be easier and I'll just get one of those chain pipe cutter tools. I think it's all finally coming together...... Oh yeah, does it matter how the pipes go to the cat? does the exit have to go over and the entrance in, or does that not matter as long as the clamps are tight?
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Y-pipes?!?
It may be a little late, but I agree 100% regarding Bassani systems. I have their complete 3" stainless system as well and the quality is amazing and the sound is awesome. Definitely spendy....but the rumble is worth it!
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Senior User
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From: Southeastern PA
Y-pipes?!?
Ok, I finnaly (2 weeks after ordering) have the pipe. You guys were right, it's 3" for the last like 3', perfect for me. Here's my (new) plan: Measure from where the second cat is now back (20") and cut the new y-pipe to size, take the old one off, put the new one on, mount the new high-flow cat, and use a piece of left over 3" pipe from my Flowmaster system to connect the cat to the rest of the exhaust. Two last questions, does it matter that the A.I.R. hose goes in before the cat, or should I get a longer hose to connect it to the cat and plug up the Bassani hole? And, what is the hanger at the end of the y-pipe for, I don't need it if I'm putting it on the rest of my system do I? I would assume it's for if your just going to leave it dump out right there but I could be wrong.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
Y-pipes?!?
You might want to call bassani and ask for some technical assistance. They should be able to tell you how far they put their catalytic convertor back. I dont want to give you bad info about the emissions stuff (air hose, placement, filing the bassani hole etc...), so I cant give you any answer. My Y pipe didnt have that hanger, so I would have to agree with you about dumping behind it.
Rich
Rich
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Southeastern PA
Y-pipes?!?
Ok, the stock air goes in before the cat, so that's no problem. A exhaust shop said to put the cat around where I'm saying, so I'm good to go right? I looked under yesterday and found out how much fun it's going to be to get to the one passenger side manifold stud, it's hidden behind the starter. How did you get that nut off? I'm begining to spray the studs with penetrating oil so hopefully I won't break one.