Installing dual quad tips and custom bent tubing issues

[BUZZCAMARO]

I've got a '12 2LS, removed the stock rear diffuser, replaced it with the 1LE which is designed for dual quad tips. No problem so far...

I've had no exhaust pipe at all from the rear differential after removing an axel back system, awaiting to find a shop which would fabricate pipe. Frustrations have reached melt down since the shops I've tried either don't want to do it or just want to give me the run around.

In the middle of it all, I've now found a new problem, and that is, it seems that my dual quad tips
from SS Clones will not fit. These, as most other brands have a Y shape, the pipes need to be centered to the contour of the rear bumper or diffuser if it has one.

How can this be? I mean, I know many have added dual quad tips, and from my reads, they made it sound like it was just a matter of getting the 1LE diffuser and a set of quad tips..that there was nothing more to it but having them welded on...right?

IF you measure the center to center of the stock rear diffuser, and that of the 1LE diffuser, there is a 4" difference, the 1LE is about 43" center to center, the stock about 47". This means the pipes are not centered but are way off to the sides by about 4", so if it was a simple matter of removing the single tips and replacing them, they'd be way off center.

I didn't discover this issue till I had temporarily put back on my axle back system and saw they could not get the dual tips on them, that is, if I was just to keep that system. Which is, btw. a set of Flowmaster A.T.s. But all aftermarket systems from any brand are going to be made to exit out of the stock rear diffuser.

None of this would be of any importance to me personally if I could find a shop willing and capable to custom bend a stretch of pipe from the rear axle to the ports of the rear diffuser.

I guess custom pipe bending is a lost art since most vehicles come from the factory with stainless pipe and never need exhaust work unless it is some kind of modifications to change the sound or the performance. Plus there are many aftermarket systems which are complete and require no cutting or welding. I bought a Ford Escort in 2001, and it still has the stock exhaust on it, so I'd presume almost all other cars in the last 2 decades or so have come from the factory with stainless steel which will never need to be replaced.

I've considered just dumping what my original intents were and just finding another whole new system, but I was kinda set on having dual quad tips, and the only 2 brands I know of that make them, are designed for the ZL1..so it would not fit my '12 2LS. I don't want to have to choose between how it looks and how it sounds, both are really important to me.

So here I am, day 63 with a 1LE diffuser installed (no problem there).. a brand new set of SS clone dual quad tips, and I can't find a shop that do what quite a few members here have done on my exact same car. Some here have had custom pipe all the way down from the point where they replaced the H pipe with the Mag. Res. X. So I hope my problem is that I have just tried the wrong shops. The stories I read were not mandrel bent stainless, just off the shelf alum. steel done with low tech "muffler and brake" type bending systems which pinch and constrict.

My goal: what I am trying to get done is have them weld in my Magnaflow 11386 which is allready in there, just clamped for now, I want it welded...than after that is the factory pipe with resonators which leads down to the rear differential area, after that it's cut-off because I had installed an axle back set of mufflers. I have little to no knowledge how professionals install exhaust, so when I tell them that some of the pipe is 2.25 and some if it is 2.5 and that they'll need to install pipe which is 2.5 so they can fit my tips, I dunno if I'm asking them to do the impossible, but I just get these blank stares, and they say something like, "i'd have to look at it".. which translated means, not right now, and I'll phone you (but they don't phone you)...etc. I want them to use stainless steel pipe but I find that places like mr. muffler, midas, meinike, and all the like certainly do not use s.s. tubing, and defiantly do not mandrel bend it.

I had one high end shop tell me to bring it in upon appointment, so I waited 1 week for them to call me back to tell me if they'd do it and give me an apointment. They said it might not be done that day..but I didn't agree to bring it in unless it could be done that day. So he says, o.k. bring it in Monday morning, I did, they said it was a 5 hour job so it could not be done that day..
So I had just spent a whole day going there (35 miles each way and a day off work to do it)..just to be told "whew, that's a real whopper, it would need a 5 hours of labor and that can't be done today".. Why not just dump that Mag. Res. X..we got a custom H pipe which fits it..(sales pitchs)..I guess my red flag was the first few times they started to say this over the phone...

I had told them I allready made up my mind and liked how it sounded with the Magnaflow Res. X, how it wasn't raspy, not too loud and was not interested in their own brand.or other brands for that matter.

This high-end shop I'm referring to uses stainless and it is mandrel bent, but the guesstimate was over $800. The price was not my main objection though I feel it was a couple hundred overpriced, but the fact they wanted me to bring it back on another day was the deal killer. I know over the phone it was hard to estimate how many hours it would take, but like the price I think the time estimate was inflated. When they had it on the lift, they said the Mag. Res. X was throwing off the geometry, this and that.

But what was really ridiculous is that they said, and I quote "do you have the factory mufflers and can you bring them in with you?"... I said yeah, I do, and I can, but I was thinking " I can't understand why two 30 degree bends in a span of about 32" would be so highly technical Besides, if they needed to be that precise, they'd be making a copy of a system which WOULD NOT exit in the center of the new 1LE diffuser!!


One solution I've recently discovered about my want of s.s. pipe (not a solution to the dual quad fit problem) is that "Pypes" makes a cat-back system for my car which has a set of mufflers way up where the stock system has the resonators. The price is less than most axle backs, so what I'm saying is, that I'd simply cut it off at the point it meets the mag. res. x, and or use their system and just replace their X pipe with the M.R.X, and be done with it.
The only problem I see is that I"m stuck with the exit pipes being made to fit the 47" center to center stock diffuser. I feel that there is simple solutions to the dual quad tip fitment which I have not researched yet, so that is not my main issue, it's the rest of the fitment problems. The "M80" mufflers which come with the Pypes cat back look about like they don't do much to muffle the sound so maybe they'd sound about like the factory resonators. If I needed to keep the Pypes X pipe and delete their M80s and put in the M.R.X in their place that would work too. It's hard to know from just looking at pics but it looks possible. It's the Pypes SGF 52K that I'm refering to, and since the "muffler delete" is so popular, this might be of interest to any and all as a great option, it is 2.5 mandrel bent s.s. with hangers, all hardware etc..for less than the hassles I just described trying to get custom pipe work done. Less than $600 for the whole Cat-back system..

Another alternative is the Solo mach X, which has a muffler type X pipe which looks suspiciously like the M.R.X, and has nothing but a stretch of resonators at the ends, and includes J-pipes (to eliminate drone). Again, this system does not solve my problems about the dual quad tips, not only that but it kinda looks impossible to remove the tips they come with because they are so close to the resonators. Also, they make a compatible hi-flo cat replacement, which I don't know how true it is, but they claim to boost h.p. and torqe by about 20.

I like the looks of the S.W. cat-back for the ZL1 but evan if was able to have a shop fit it's 3" pipes up to where it starts at the motor end, I'd bet the rest of it would not fit, though from pics it looks very similar to the shapes and hanger locations of V6 models.

I think aftermarket exhaust companies should let you choose options and custom build it for you, for example you'd be able to order the type of x or h pipe, muffler type if any, resonators if any and the diameter of the pipes, type and size of the tips, etc.

What I look for in exhaust note is how it sounds inside of the car, I don't care much about what other people hear from their cars or the sidewalk. I don't like it too raw, don't like drone. I don't expect the sound of finely tuned cammed V8, I just want the best sound possible from a V6 and that is, as far away as possible from the sound of a tricked out Ricer with a V4. When I step on it, I like it to really sound wild like a race car. All of this I found in what I decided upon, based on test drives not videos over a computer (though I spent many hours doing so). I"ve evan tried straight pipe from the mrx on back but that didn't sound as good to me as with the factory pipes and the resonators. Switching to 2.5" pipe from the M.R.X on back would solve the issues of fitment to it and also the dual quad tips, but I would not do that unless I added on some kind of aftermarket resonators.

Any input appreciated and also any shops which might be interested in taking on this kind of work, I'm in S.E. Michigan.

[BUZZCAMARO]

I've just found a video on youtube showing a set of Stainless Works cat-back system custom ordered from them for fitment to the V6. They refer to it as the CA11V6CB.

But in this video, they made it without the dual quad tips, if they can custom order it for me with the dual quad tips, you may never hear from me again, that is unless I pass you on the street and you hear this:

I figure it this way, in the case that it sounds raspy, I can install the Mag. 11386 and that would be easy for any shop to weld on.

[dmginc]

that stainless works exhaust is their chambered cat back system.

[BUZZCAMARO]

I have not phoned S.W. yet, but got an answer from a vendor about the version made for the v8 which has the quad tips. They said the pipe is actually bumped down to 2.5" at the motor end to join to the factory pipes, they have heard rumor but can't confirm that it will fit the V6.

Yes, I'm aware the S.W. system has chambered mufflers, before I heard about them or knew what they were I could not see them and presumed it was straight pipe.

BTW I have tried straight pipe going from the mag. res. X all the way out the rear, using 2 pieces of 7' straight 2.5" pipe. Took it for a test ride, didn't like it, too loud and raw. Once I put back the section of factory pipe with the resonators, it again sounded acceptable, but unless the pipes go all the way out, to equal the length of the factory pipes, it will sound louder. I've temporarily clamped on 2 18" long pipes from the local auto store, evan that much more extension, though it's not all the way back, did make a noticeable difference in cabin volume, making it evan more refined sounding. I've tried many other varibles, such as nothing past the mag. res. X, it was not good but nothing near as horrible sounding as what it sounded like with nothing at all past the factory cats.

On a side note, let me re-iterate the details about he Pypes cat-back. If you wanted a 2.5" stainless system straight pipe after the mag. res. x, the Pypes cat-back will do that, from pics there looks to be either an easy cut and clamp or weld or very minor work needed at a local exhaust shop...this way you got stainless, you got 2.5 and it is straight pipe, all for under $600. This system is different than all the other Cat-backs in that the mufflers are located way up near the X-pipe and from there back is straight pipe. It is not dual quad tipped but as with all the other systems, I think this is not impossible to have it done at an exhaust shop. There is a couple vids on youtube of a v6 with it and it sounds bitchin, perhaps too agressive, but that is without a mag. res. X.

Post edit: I've just went to the S.W. website and saw they have a set of "muffler delete" straight pipe, which clamps on right after the first set of hangers, it's an axle back.
Problem though if you have installed an axel back which requires you cut the factory pipe farther back than the 1st set of hangers (like most of them).
It's part # is CA10DEL So, this varies from the Pypes cat back in that you still would be using the factory 2.25" section of pipe with the resonators, but it also costs much less at about $350.

[BUZZCAMARO]

I'd like to mention that my preference to having either black or graphite color tips would be one other thing I'd like to have as icing on the cake. I figure whatever tips I get on their, they'd have to be welded, and I could paint them with special high-temp paint easily after it's all done. I'm just kinda sick of the look of the stainless tips, my wheels are gunmetal and I'd like to use paint that color.

I'm also sick of shopping for quad tips which are have the right slant cuts and stagger when my set from SS clones is fine as long as I can paint them. Would be nice to have powder coated graphite color like them, if anybody know of a brand like them please post a p.m. or reply.

[flyinlow89]

Longest.post.ever


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BigRed585Lbs]

I deeply appreciate someone with an education and a command of the English language.

I salute you, sir.

[pinoyscorpion951]

I'm not sure why the shops in your area tell you its not possible. I did the ZL1 rear diffuser swap also and noticed that the angle might not be right to place the quad tips as the tips for my MRT V2's were angled more laterally rather than directly center of the diffuser opening. The quad tips I ordered from ebay were also the wrong size; 3 inch inlets vs. 2.5 inches for the MRT V2's. However, the shop that I went to said no problem he could do it and did it...along with installing a magnaflow resonated x pipe, deleting the stock resonators and installing larger diameter pipes leading to the MRT's. He then went back and installed spacers to the cross brace so the pipes would not hit them when I hit a rough patch of road. To reconcile the problem with the wrong inlet size, i believe he said he used reducers to make the quad tips fit. I looked at everything when they had my car on the lift and it looked clean. All this was done in about an hour and he only charged me $100. I gave him $120 because he stopped what he was doing to do my install. If anyone lives in the I.E. of Socal, the place is called The Muffler Doctor and the shop owners name was Nester. He did an awesome job. I don't have a side view but the tips are slant cut and staggered to match the shape of the diffuser.

[pinoyscorpion951]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271251388875...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

These are the tips that I ordered.

[BUZZCAMARO]

Ya'll had nothing to say when I needed advice, now your bumping it up to embarrass me

No really, I've long since gave up on trying to get any custom mods done to my former system and have bought an entire cat back. I'll post details about it later, with pics and vids, quite good sounding and looks great.

To preview what I've gotten, it's the Stainless Works ca12cb which has the dual quad tips and chambered 3" tubing. This system is designed for the ZL1 or the 1LE, but it will fit any 5G Camaro, as long as you have the diffuser to accommodate the dual quad tips. This system did not require any mods whatsoever, fit like a glove.

You may be thinking, how can it fit a V6 when it's made for a V8? Well, if you do enough searches here you can find a few others which have done similar, as long as it is a whole cat-back everything is the same except for the rear diffuser. So, lets say you have an SS, your quite fond of the dual quad tips look, well than what I got would fit, as long as you get a 1LE rear diffuser.

But the sound? Well, just as a tiny bikini looks different on a super model than it does on a low flying blimp, the exhaust can clash with the engine. From the few vids I watched, the S.W. retro chambered systems sound excellent, no doubt. Some venders say it's the best sounding system. Yes, S.W. does make a cat back system for v6, but it does not have dual quad tips.

So I get the thing on there, no problems, take it for ride, big problems with how it sounds. No drone, which is a common remark about this system, but it sounded raspy when going w.o.t, or evan heavy throttle. The overall in cabin sound level was quite loud, and since this is not the best sounding engine you can imagine that this was not a good sound.

The remedy: I installed my Magnaflow 11386 res. x. pipe in place of their X pipe, I had to wait a week for a set of stainless reducers I ordered off ebay to arrive. Having some time to think about what I was about to install, I decided that no matter what, I will NOT cut my new S.W. system. So doing some measurements, I decided that I should use the factory pipes up to the X pipe, this way if I need to shorten them, no problem with doing that.

And I did need to shorten them, a couple inches, this allowed the Mag. res. x to fit exactly where the S.W. system would be at the point right after the X pipe.

I drove it about 60 miles, it sure does not sound raspy anymore, no drone, not too loud, sounds very much like the Starsky and Hutch car under heavy throttle. Does not interfear too much with the stereo, so I guess this is about as good as it gets with a V6. Don't think anybody would complain it's too loud, maybe could be a bit louder for more fun but that is subjective to the driver's taste.

In fact, it don't sound too different than when I had the mag. res. X. and my Flowmaster American Thunders axel back system. But of course, now I have dual quad tips.

So to shrink this post down, I have the S.W. ca12cb cat back system designed for the ZL1, but I had to add on the magnaflow 11386 in place of the s.w. x pipe in order to get rid of the raspy and overly obnoxious volume. I bet this system would sound crazy on a ZL1 or an SS, and would not need the magnaflow 11386.

In case you wonder how the 3" pipe would fit on, it's because the S.W. system is pinched down to 2.5 where it joins the factory pipes (right after the cats). The only problem I have right now is that one of the brackets which attach to the rubber hangers is rubbing up against the frame on one side. Since other side clears it, I must need to adjust the pipes on the effected side, at certain rpms it's rattling like my teeth on cold Mich. winter day.

I may post a new thread about what I went with and include pics and vid of how it sounds, just take my word, it looks and sounds great. Why doesn't S.W. sell this from the X pipe back, now I'm stuck with few $$ of parts I don't need. Magnaflow's website has several oval dual in/out mufflers like the 11386 which I looked at closely, and maybe there are others that would have worked evan better. Some of them do not specify if they are X-pipes, so I'd check with them before going with any un-known versions.

As for throttle responce or the perception of low-end power, I felt no loss whatsoever with the stock ca12cb, in fact maybe the performance was a few horses better stock, don't know. All I know is that I knew in 5 seconds, that sound hadda go! I'd bet there are a few here would rather have it stock if they were to a/b them, so I advise anybody doing similar to not get it welded or to cut a stock cat back system. If you got to cut (and you will) use factory pipes, you don't want to end up with a butchered brand new system.

And lastly, don't expect too much out of a V6 both sound and performance wise, it is quite impressive what they have done with a V6 in the last few years, but don't try to do the impossible with it and end up very frustrated as I have.

[TommyTheCat]

the tips arent the problem
look at my build thread to see how i did it, any exhaust shop should be capable of what i did, considering i rarely weld or bend...

[Chevrolade]

Originally Posted by flyinlow89

Longest.post.ever


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lol

Good luck with your exhaust

[6bangerBOOM]

It's weird to hear that an exhaust shop can't bend pipes and weld. I did the same thing last year though. Bought the 1LE diffuser and dual tips for my flowmasters and... Whoops. I ended up switching to cherry bombs and getting my shop to bend/weld it up for me.